First couple of days at Mt Lees.

 With Anzac Day falling on Thursday, we decided to start our caravan club rally on Wednesday afternoon.  Why not, we must make the most of these breaks away.  This time we were staying at Mt Lees Scenic Reserve.  They have a nice new sign since we were last here.

We were the second of our group to arrive, set ourselves up, and during the afternoon several more trickled in.  4zees was enjoyed sitting outside around one of the large picnic tables dotted around.

Ready for the weekend

In the evening we all squeezed into Helen and Owen's van.  Russell and Maureen told us stories of their recent South Island trip, relating where they had stayed.  This brought back memories for those who had also travelled down south on recent trips.  So much to see and do down there, and such wonderful dramatic scenery.  

The following morning, Anzac Day, four of us traveled down to Sanson to the Anzac Day Service.  Then we did a little exploring.  Owen was keen to stop at Waireka Honey, where we bought a couple of goodies, plus a very large fruit ice-cream each.  Mine was so big I couldn't manage it all!

Waireka Honey on SH1

 Then we traveled down to Tangimoana Beach, just because.  This is a rough and wild beach, covered in driftwood, with several hardy fishermen trying their luck.  Our trip back to camp took us around the back of Ohakea Air Force Base, this was a road not traveled before.

Tangimoana Beach

Friday saw some of our group go out to meet up with family and friends.  So the remaining five of us decided to meet up at the Rusty Radiata Cafe in Halcombe for lunch.  That was a big fail, the cafe was closed and locked up tight.  Plan B was to drive to Bulls to find an alternative lunch venue.  We settled on the Mint Cafe, a first for us all.  Our delicious meals soon arrived, hot cakes with bacon and banana, French Toast, and Calamari Salad.  

That's a tasty lunch

The town of Bulls has statues of black bulls dotted around, so we couldn't miss a photo opportunity, could we.  First was a photo of us two.

Then Owen accosted a young lady in the car park and asked her to take a group photo of us all.

Dot, Robin, Jenny, Helen, and Owen

4zeez was outside again, all rugged up with coats, hats and gloves to protect us from the very cold wind.  We gathered in the vans again after our evening meal, another pleasant evening spent with chit chat, and putting the world to rights.

My delicious lunch