Takapau, final days

Sunday morning dawned fine and sunny, and the combined rally attendees enjoyed morning tea out in the sunshine.  It's hard to believe that we are now in Winter.

Morning tea in the sunshine

Then our group headed  off to  Onga Onga.  Yes, we had been here before, but the historic buildings were always locked up tight.   The museum complex is open on Sundays and run by volunteers of the Historic Society.  Our first stop was the recently renovated Coles building, previously photographed so it was great to finally have a look inside.

Historic Coles building

We sat down and enjoyed a video telling the history of the Coles and how their business grew and flourished for a couple of generations.  Then the building was sold, and fell into disrepair.  The Historical Society purchased it for $1, obtained a Lottery Board grant and began the long process of restoration.  

We were interested to see a wooden container on rails inside the building.  Seems it was the job of the apprentice to shovel all the saw dust into this each day to clear the floors, slide it down the rails to the bottom of the property, and dump it and eventually  burn the pile.  

The overhead belt drives were switched on and it was interesting to see several of these running.  Back in the day they would have powered up the different machines all around the building.

Belt drives and machinery

Robin, Jenny and Dot sitting in a seat made with cart wheels

From here we wandered around the other historic buildings in Onga Onga, being Sunday, these were all opened up too.  Clothes, furniture and appliances showed about colonial life in New Zealand.  Our $5 entry fee allowed us into all buildings plus around the grounds.

Historic buildings at Onga Onga

Lunch time beckoned so our group of hungry caravanners all drove off to find a place to eat.  Some went to the local pub, while others, like us, drove through to Waipukarau.  We stopped at one of the local cafes and enjoyed a light lunch.  The cafe was  very busy, the best in town, the owner informed us.  The food was great, the coffee was nice and hot, and when she spotted my camera on the table, offered to take a photo for us.

We enjoyed lunch at this cafe

As it was King's Birthday weekend, with a public holiday on Monday, it was only fitting that the quiz on Sunday night was all about the King Charles 111 and the Royal Family.  Some of us did better than others, I think we came about 2nd, which wasn't too bad.  Then on Monday morning I provided a cake for morning tea, in honour of the King's Birthday.  And then I related a few facts about the earlier kings, Charles 1 and Charles 11.  Charles 1 unfortunately lost his head during the Civil War when Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector for some years.

Iced fruit cake to celebrate

Everyone then packed up and headed for home.  Unfortunately our club president got stopped on the road for some time when a stock truck overturned on the hilly Saddle Road.  He phoned to let us know the road was closed and eventually had help from the police and fire brigade to turn his car and caravan around and get away.  Cattle from the overturned stock truck were wandering around, and the truck was blocking both lanes so no doubt it would take a bit of sorting out.  He is sure to have some stories to tell at the next caravan club rally about his experiences.  We took the alternate road over the hill, the Pahiatua Track, and got home safely.