Scotts Ferry and the Bess Memorial

 After our lunch at Mint, we took a little Tiki Tour.  Starting off at Scott's Ferry, which transported horses, cattle, sheep, produce and people across the Rangitikei River from 1850 to 1908.  The ferry (barge) was then purchased and  worked on the Whanganui River from 1908 to 1975, and after laying derelict for some years, was salvaged, restored and returned to the area where it first started operating all those years ago, to honour all the early pioneers.   In the early  days the coastline and rivers were the roads of the day.  

Scott's Ferry  transported goods across the river

Scott's Ferry Weather Station raised a smile

From here we went in search of the Bess Memorial.  Thousands of horses were purchased and sent overseas in WW1.  Bess was bred in the Wairarapa and was selected by Col Charles Guy Powles, an officer in the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade.  Bess served in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, France and Germany, before heading to England and finally returning home in 1920.  She was one of only four horses who returned home after war service.

Bess enjoyed 14 peaceful years on the farm, and she was buried where she collapsed and died in 1934.  Col Powles had a memorial constructed in white marble to honour the life of his special horse.  This spot was one of the many Anzac Services held around the region on Anzac Day.

The Bess Memorial

Along the fenceline are two special young trees, Gallipoli Pines grown from seeds brought back as pine cones after WW1.  The trees were felled and used for reinforcing the trenches.  There are two pines, either side of the gate to the Bess Memorial.

Gallipoli Pines

A Rural Rendezvous

It was certainly something to look forward to, a rally at Wishnosky’s Farm in rural Feilding.  We knew where to go, having been here before, but for those club members who didn't, the club flag was dancing in the breeze on the road side to show us the way up the driveway.  Running ahead of us up the driveway were several pea-hen mothers and their gangly legged  chicks.  The mums flew over the farm gate, while the chicks scrambled through the the metal bars.

This is the way

With the flag already up, obviously we weren't the first to arrive, and soon joined the other early birds to line up in the paddock.  It was time for a late lunch, then we spent the afternoon catching up with our caravan club buddies and waiting for the other two vans to arrive for the weekend.

First vans to arrive at the farm

In the evening we met in the cozy clubrooms and our hosts Selwyn and Jan gave us a talk about their life on the farm and his collection of vintage items in the museum.  We went to bed listening to the stags roaring in the neighbouring farm and were woken bright and early to the crowing of the resident roosters. 

Saturday was a busy day, starting with the obligatory morning tea.  After lunch the club went out for Afternoon Tea at a local café, while we traveled on to Kiwitea to meet up with the family, and had a cuppa and a good catch up on their newly built deck.  The granddaughters are very keen horsewomen and Emma took me to the paddock to meet her Dad’s new acquisition, a pretty roan pony.  And to say hello to Emma’s two horses, mother and daughter duo Sonata and Fire Dancer.

Family horses

Arriving back at camp we joined the others in a spirited game of Battle Blocks.  Not too hard for us oldies, fling a piece of wood at the numbered blocks and the first to reach 50 points wins.  The blocks knocked over are reset where they fall, so the target gets ever wider.  Helen was the eventual winner.  We met up again in the evening, were split into three teams and did our best answering a quiz.  Some answers we got right, such as the name of a group of crows, known as a murder of crows, and some we got completely wrong.  But my team, the Spring Chickens were the winners!

The game of Battle Blocks

Sunday morning started with Robin cooking up a big breakfast in the van, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and black pudding, always a great start to the day. We enjoyed morning tea in the sunshine again, and doesn't Russell look smart in his new sun hat.

Gidday Russell

And then Selwyn took those of us interested to see his pigs.  One of the sows had a brand new litter, they arrived in the early hours of Saturday morning.  He picked one of the babies up so we could get a close look, my goodness, what a racket that little piglet made!

Brand new piglets

After morning tea we all packed up and went on our way, with two vans traveling north for a few extra days, and the rest of us were homeward bound.   We had a wonderful few days away in the country, many thanks to the rally families for organizing our weekend, and to our friendly hosts for sharing their rural property with us all.

Last Dunny for 240kms, that’s good to know

Six vans for the weekend

Solway Park for the Weekend

We departed for our weekend caravan rally a day early on Thursday, just because a three day weekend is always so much nicer than just two days.  There was a discussion which way we would go – travelling to the Wairarapa means crossing the Tararua Ranges in the North, or the Rimutaka Hill in the south.  Both trips take about two hours, just a shame there isn't a handy tunnel close by.  In the end we decided to head north, and we may well do the complete circle on Sunday and drive back home taking the southern route.  So up and over the Pahiatua Track we went, passing quite close to those huge wind turbines.

One of the many turbines

Sign at the top

Once down the other side I got our lunch out to eat while we were driving.  “Something I prepared earlier”, as the TV cooks say.  Bacon sandwiches, a muffin  and coffee were very welcome as we drove along.

Lunch on the go

A little further along we were slowed down with a Stop-Go sign and road cones keeping the traffic to one lane.  It was the “tree fellas”  busy trimming some trees below the power lines on the side of the road.  There’s always something to see when you drive along.

Working on the trees

We soon turned into Solway Park and found where we were to park up.  There are a limited number of power sites available, so it is a matter of first come, best served.

Robin put the club flag up, and there were four early bird vans which arrived on Thursday.  The weather was a bit too chilly so our first 4zees of the weekend was spent inside Bill and Val’s van, thanks very much.

Early birds, three vans and a motorhome

Later in the afternoon we heard the clip clop as horses walked past.  Here they go, with the riders all kitted out in their riding gear.

So nice to see the equestrians go by

Unfortunately there is no handy hall for our club to use so we will just have to work around the weather and hope the weekend stays fine. 

Mangatainoka and Foxton

After two lovely peaceful days at Norsewood we drove 62km to Mangatainoka Reserve, passing through the town of Dannevirke, with it’s Viking welcome and farewell signs, sadly my pics came out fuzzy.   Dannevirke, meaning "Danish creation" or "Danes' work" is known for its Scandinavian heritage, which dates back to 1872 when 21 Danish and Norwegian families arrived at the port of Napier and built their initial settlement in a clearing of the Seventy Mile Bush.

For all the beer lovers out there, Mangatainoka is the home of Tui Breweries.  The Tui Brewery has been around in one form or another since Henry Wagstaff discovered how good the water tasted in the Mangatainoka River in 1889 and decided to build a brewery. The most recognisable part, the Tui Tower, has only been around since 1932.

The famous Tui tower

It was a very hot day at Mangatainoka, and quite a few locals, and some hardy campers, were splashing about enjoying the coolness of the river, which runs jut behind the camping area.  A couple of small canoes joined in the fun, and we saw a serious angler with his line, a trout or two can be landed if the fisherman is lucky, o we have been told.

Mangatainoka River

We spent a lazy afternoon sitting outside under the shady awning, chatting to neighbours, and generally relaxing.  There’s nothing like a bit of R&R while on holiday, is there?  As the day rolled on, several vans packed up and left, with their spaces quickly filled as more vans arrived in the early evening.  This is a very popular  free camp.

At Mangatainoka Reserve

The next day we traveled down to Pahiatua and drove over the interesting concrete bridge.  I’m always impressed by the interesting bridges we find on our travels, and though we have traveled over this one many times, I love the look and the shape of the  lovely arches

Then it was up and over the Pahiatua Track, and look, more wind turbines.  Viewed from afar, they aren’t to threatening, but up close on the hill, they seem so huge!  I blame this fear on an engineering TV programme we saw recently, when one of these blew itself to pieces.

More wind turbines

Our trip took us via Palmerston North to top up with fuel at the Truck Stop, and go to the “new to us” dump station, for the necessary emptying job.  Thank goodness this chore is a designated “blue job” so I don't have to attend to it.  Not a bad outlook for a dump station I thought, in a such a pretty park like setting.

At the dump station

After our drive of 88km we arrived at our destination, the newly opened Foxton NZMCA park.  This is set in the grounds of the Foxton Race Course.  Why not stay here for a couple of nights, we decided, before heading the last 20km or so home.  We parked up close to the fence, as the race horses do early morning training.  If we are up early enough, we may get a glimpse of them as they gallop past our window.

Foxton NZMCA Park

And look at this gorgeous sunset, taken from Dave’s home, not too far away, when we popped in for a cuppa and a chat in the early evening.

Sun set at Foxton

We may still be on holiday, but the next morning we decided to drive into Levin to the walk-in vaccination clinic at the Events Centre for our booster shots, as long as there wasn't a huge queue snaking out the door, we decided.  There wasn’t, so we walked in the foyer, registered, and were shown where to go and sit while we waited.  After a short wait, we were both ushered into one of the cubicles, and the nurse told us the facts, made sure we were well, and got our verbal consent.  Then a quick painless jab, and we went to sit while we waited our recovery time, and we were good to go.  The whole process was quick and efficient, our nurse took the time explaining  everything and asked if we had any questions.  Go home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids, we were told.  We can do that, we’re still on holiday!  Maori Wardens were outside in the carpark directing the traffic, and one was inside the hall bringing people inside in the correct order.  Congratulations to all involved.

 

At the vaccination clinic

On the way back to camp we stopped off at Lewis Farms.  Unfortunately, the asparagus season is now over, but we bought some raspberries, keto crackers, an ice-cream for Robin and a coffee for me.  That will keep us going for a while.

Our morning purchase

On our last morning at Foxton, we were awake early enough to the sound of horses on the track.  And there he goes. And when the horses and jockeys had finished, the lawnmower came out.

On the track

After breakfast, it was time to hook up again for the last time, and drive home.  During this Christmas trip we have traveled 884 km.

Time to head home

Christmas in Kiwitea

It was nice to spent Christmas with the family this year, in rural Kiwitea, just north of Feilding.  We took the caravan up to Nicky and Robert’s smallholding, and with a bit of manouvering the caravan as tucked in behind the house. 

On the farm for Christmas

Grand-daughter Emma loves Christmas so knocked on the caravan door door  bright and early on Christmas morning.  This family always have a Christmas tradition of hot croissants with ham and cheese for breakfast,  delicious indeed, so much so that we have borrowed their tradition when we have Christmas on our own.  Then came the presents, and what a stack there were.  We ended up with a whole pile too.

Christmas presents galore

Robert has just been made “Master of the Hunt” and was thrilled with his gift of a new bridle in the club colours, and the plaque attached with his title. 

Robert, Master of the Hunt

Dog Noodle was thrilled with his gift too.  Every year he gets a pink plastic pig toy and one squeak from the parcel was enough to get him excited with anticipation, and he could hardly contain himself.   There wasn't much left of piggy by the end of the day, but he certainly had fun.

Well and truly destroyed

Christmas lunch was a feast of BBQ chicken, glazed ham, salads, yummy desserts and a glass or two of bubbly, eaten picnic style outside under the shade of the gazebo.  The girl’s boyfriends were there too, so it was nice to get to know them a bit better.  Also invited were some neighbors who live alone, so it was quite a lively bunch.  We were fit to bursting after lunch and I must admit to a nana nap in the afternoon.

Poor Gemma was traumatized by the household cats.  The older cat PK (Psycho Killer) had gone missing for several months and only just returned home.  Meanwhile, the family had just acquired a young kitten, so both of the felines were rather put out with each other.  And then, we arrived with Gemma in the caravan, so there was a bit of hissing going on and Gemma couldn’t cope with this at all. We decided that it would be better for Gemma, and our peace of mind, if we kept her in the caravan, well away from the other two cats.  But that didn’t stop them from coming to the door, ready and willing to sort out this townie cat who dared to enter their patch.

PK on the caravan doorstop

Life on a farm doesn't stop jest because it is Christmas.  Thee were chickens to feed, so I went to help with that.  We could hear the chickens clucking away behind the trees in their chicken yard, quite a soothing sound, really.

Daughter Nicky with one of her chooks

Robert went to collect two steers to fatten up on Boxing Day.  And there was baleage to deal with, holidays or not.  It was mowed today and will be baled and wrapped tomorrow.

Hard at work in the hot sun

We had a lovely time here in Kiwitea, eating our meals on the picnic table under the gazebo, enjoying the warm sunny weather, and generally relaxing with the family.  It’s almost time to move on, where to next, I wonder?

Rally at Foxton Racecourse

It was just a short 25km trip up SH1 to get to our weekend destination at Foxton Racecourse for our caravan club rally.  This was a “new to us” venue, off power, but with toilet facilities and a meeting room available underneath the grand stand, which served our purposes very well.  Being a Combined Rally, we were pleased to welcome four caravans from the Wairarapa Club who joined us for the weekend.

Staying at Foxton Racecourse

Friday night is sometimes fish nd chip night, especially when we are away.  This necessitated a trip down to Foxton Beach to visit Mr Grumpy’s Fish and Chip shop, world famous in this area.  In the height of summer, queues of keen customers have been known to stretch out of the door and along the footpath.  No generic battered fish here in the fryer, you get to choose which species you would like for your meal.  We ordered two fillets of blue cod, chips to go with it of course, and for something different, a side of battered cauliflower served with cheese dipping sauce.  Our delicious meal was taken back to the caravan and eaten with gusto.

Mr Grumpy’s

The sound of galloping horses woke us on Saturday morning.  And there they go, around the race track, while others were patiently waiting their turn.

Horses at the racetrack

Later in the morning I climbed up the steps on the grandstand to see what I could see, looking down at several of our vans parked at this side of the grandstand.  And that’s a lovely view over the racecourse.

View from the top

Robin was busy in the afternoon doing an exercise when he measured  the total overall length of each van.  This included the draw bar, and any bike racks and spare wheels attached to the back of the van.  All necessary information to know when making a booking on the Inter Islander ferry.  As well he measured the tow ball weights using his tow ball scales.  The results were a surprise to some owners, it seemed.  Caravan lengths varied from 7.1m to 8.84m.  There was a huge variance in the tow ball weights, which ranged from 90kg to a whopping 370kg.

The weather was warm enough to enjoy 4zees (Happy Hour) outside.  Then we had use of the meeting room later when we all gathered to eat our dinner together, followed by a game of Card Housie.

4zees time

Then later in the evening the weather turned to custard, as predicted.  Bad weather traveled up from the South Island,  bringing torrential rain and gale force winds.  A couple of our more prudent friends decided to head for home after dinner, just in case.  Luckily the rest of us saw the evening out without any mishaps, but we all packed up and got on our way on Sunday morning straight after morning tea.  The rain had eased by then, but as any caravanner knows, towing in strong winds can be a bit of a worry.  We made it home safely, and hopefully all our caravan club buddies did as well.

It was a great weekend away, always so nice to meet up with everyone again, and welcome our Wairarapa friends to our rally.