Leisureline Owners Club Get Together

We were looking forward to the Leisureline Owners Club Get Together as we had missed the last couple due to Robin's two knee replacements and the time needed for him to recover.  Three vans were attending from our Heretaunga Caravan Club and we met for lunch at Manawatu Boating Club carpark on the Foxton Estuary.  It was a lovely sunny day, which boded well for our weekend away.

 Stopping for lunch  at the Foxton Estuary

Arrival time was after 2.00pm, and it was just a short distance away to our weekend venue at the Foxton Bowling Club.  Here we are, and a nice welcome too at the Bowling Club entrance.

Foxton Bowling Club grounds

Plans had been altered to allow for early birds, so we arrived a day early on the Thursday.  We were directed where to park with our three vans in a row, and we were soon joined by our Wairarapa friends Rae and Dave. 

Turnbulls, Bentons, Archers and McMasters, all in a row

A few more vans arrived during the afternoon, with the remainder arriving on Friday.  Soon we were all packed in, about 34 vans in total we were told.

A fine collection of Leisurelines

Everyone gathered in the club house from 4.30pm for Meet 'n' greet.  Drinks and nibbles and then plates of piping hot savouries were passed around.  It was great to meet up with Leisureline friends who we only seem to catch up with at the annual get together.  There was another welcome sign on the bar, and the Bowling Club were running raffles.  No, of course we didn't win anything.

Welcome sign on the bar

Saturday was rather busy, and started off with Open Home Caravan visits, a chance to look through vans and pick up some extra ideas.  We had a couple quite keen to talk about our three step aluminium step, and we explained that a friend had built it especially for us to make it easier getting in and out of the van,  by lessening the depth between each step.  They were keen to take photos and get one made for themselves.

The six of us took ourselves off to have lunch at Viv's Kitchen in Sanson.  Why not, it was not too far to drive to sample some of Viv's delicious baking, and our club members always love going there.  Cream Horns were on the menu, but I chose a chocolate eclair, together with a Southern Cheese Roll, and coffee.  All very tasty indeed.

 

Lunch at Viv's Kitchen

When we returned to camp the Bowling Competition was in full swing.  Teams were very serious as they bowled on the greens, with some decked out in fairy wings and tutus - don't ask me why!

Dave and his fairy partner

In the late afternoon we met for pre dinner drinks in the club house.  The tables were all nicely decorated and each person had a small caravan related gift at their place setting, that was a nice surprise. Mmm, the catered meal was delicious, roast beef, hot ham, roast veggies, green peas and gravy. Bubbly for me and wine for Robin made the meal even nicer, and dessert was apple shortcake, cheesecake and fruit salad.  Very nice indeed, and the bowling club ladies did a wonderful job of serving and clearing up.

Geoff, Owen and Robin

Jenny, Helen and Eileen

There was some excitement when the raffles were called.  Both Eileen and Rae won the Easter Egg raffle and had the job of splitting all the goodies up between them.  How lucky were they!

Rae and Eileen won the Easter Egg raffle

Sunday morning saw the Leisureline Team from Hamilton up bright and early and cooking bacon and eggs for us all.  We could smell the aroma of bacon cooking right over  by our van.

Grant on cooking duties

It was a very tasty breakfast indeed.  Bacon, eggs, hash browns and Kranksy sausages.  Toast was "cook it yourself" with plenty of toast bread and butter available.  The hearty breakfast kept us all quiet for a while.  Then it was usual Question and Answer session with Colin, Leisureline company owner.

We were intending to pack up and head on our way when the word came around that anyone who wanted could stay another night.  Why not, we thought.  Geoff and Eileen hooked up and went home, while we decided, together with Helen and Owen, to stay a further night.  It was a  very relaxed day, sitting outside in the nice warm weather, eating lunch and chatting away.  That was followed  by 4zees outside.  Gemma was on her lead, trotting in and out of the caravan at will, then relaxing just inside the doorway.  There were plenty of birds about to pique her interest, but she could only look at them with longing, no bird catching in her life, we hope.

It was a great weekend, the weather was marvelous, and we met up with old friends and new acquaintances.  Many thanks to Tracy and Ken from Foxton for all the planning, and Colin Bates and his family from the Leisureline factory for coming down to join us.