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.  

Cars Inc

It was an outing with a difference with our Super Leisure Group friends last week, organised by Helen.  We were a little late leaving home, and with plenty of orange road cones to navigate, which always slows the journey down, we were running a little late.  The morning started off with M/Tea at Helen and Calvin's home, and a good catch up with everyone.  Then it was just a short drive to a "new to us" venue, Cars Inc, newly opened in Upper Hutt.

We had lunch in the cafe, plenty of choices with  both cabinet and menu food.  The cafe was quite busy with other patrons, just as well we had place our orders before 20 or so people from an adjacent table had settled.

Robin, Trish, Jenny, Calvin, and Helen

After our lunch, Robin, Calvin and I paid our entry fee into the car museum, while Trish and Helen sat chatting.  What a place, a real petrol head heaven.  There certainly was plenty to see, and admire.  

There were many cases of model cars, a collector's dream.  Posters and signs adorned the walls, petrol bowsers were dotted about, and the cars on show were gleaming.  Here are a few which caught my attention.

There was quite a range on display

I left Robin and Calvin to their deliberations, slowly walking around and inspecting each vehicle, and no doubt wishing they each could choose one to take home with them.  It certainly was an interesting place to visit.  We said our thanks to Helen for taking us to this new  museum, said our goodbyes, and headed on our way home.  

And what better way to drive home than along the old coast road, so much quieter now that the newish Transmission Gully takes most of the traffic.  And of course, Kapiti Island was calling me, so we needed a photo stop.  

Kapiti Island off the coast

It was a very enjoyable time out, catching up with our SLG friends, lunch out and a visit to the car museum.  And thanks to Trish for sharing some of her home grown apples with us, much appreciated.  It's my turn to plan our SLG outing for next month, wonder what idea I can come with?

Dunedin, here we come

It was time to move on again, so we drove back over the Presidential Highway again to Clinton, stopping again when something else caught our eye.  Clinton's Clydesdales is a famous five horse sculpture on the main street. It reflects and represents the town's agricultural history. The Scottish Clydesdale draught horse is the gentle giant of the horse world, and was the most popular animal for hauling wagons, and pulling ploughs and other cultivation equipment.  This monument, at Clinton in South Otago, is testament to the debt farmers had to Clydesdales, before they were replaced by trucks and tractors. 

The Clinton Clydesdales

The landscape was gentle rolling farmland, in the typical Otago golden grasslands.  As we drove along many, many motorbikes were heading towards us, roaring by as they made their way to Invercargill and the annual Burt Monroe Challenge.

Rolling countryside

I just love interesting old bridges, and we drove over the Balclutha bowstring bridge, built in 1935 to be earthquake and flood resistant to safeguard  against the two most common natural disasters to occur in southern New Zealand.  THiss bridge, spanning the Clutha River in Balclutha, South Otago, is one of the best-known road bridges in the South Island, and  is often simply known as "The Clutha Bridge".

Balclutha Bridge

Carrying on to Dunedin, 158km later we were at our stop for the next two nights, Woodhaugh NZMCA Park. This is quite small, but has all the necessary facilities, water, dump station and rubbish bins, and is very close indeed to the city.  The rain came down and chased the sunshine away, and the weather turned rather chilly indeed.  Most noticeable after all the sunshine and high temperatures we have had lately. 

Now in Dunedin

The main reason for our visit to this very Scottish city, was to spend time with my old school friend Merilyn and her husband Colin.  We spent an enjoyable afternoon/evening at their home the day we arrived, and the following day they came and collected us to go out for lunch.  But first, they took us for a look around the Otago Settlers Museum.

Dunedin was founded in 1848 by the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland.   The city has a rich  Scottish connection. It’s name comes from the Gaelic word for Edinburgh, and Thomas Burns, nephew to famous Scots poet Robert Burns, was among the early settlers.

Museum exhibits

A roast lunch was next, and Colin and Merlyn took us to a local pub.  It was certainly very popular, with most of the tables already reserved, but luckily we managed to find a spare table.  The roast of the day was pork, so that’s what we all ordered, and very tasty it was too.

Me with Merilyn in the pub

.Next we were taken for a drive up to the headland overlooking St Kilda Beach.  But what’s this?  In the carpark beside us were people milling around outside a motor home.  Not only had they locked themselves out, leaving the keys inside, but a baby and toddler were locked inside, and getting rather agitated.  There was nothing we could do to help, and a locksmith was on the way.  Lesson learnt I’m sure, be sure you have the keys in hand when you exit the motorhome! 

We went and peered over the cliff edge at the pretty beach below.  But my goodness, it was blowing a gale, and we could hardly wait to get back inside the car.  Just as well that Robin took his cap off before he stepped outside, otherwise it could have been blown down to Antarctica!.

St Kilda Beach

We enjoyed a final coffee  together at the local garden centre and then  it was time to drop us back at the caravan.  Merilyn and Colin had grand-dog sitting duties to do over the weekend and had to hurry back home.  It was so nice to have such a great catch up with them both, hear all their news, enjoy a lovely meal in their beautiful home, and lunch out the following day.  Old friends are great friends indeed, and Merilyn and I go back to primary schooldays.

Colin and Robin  at coffee time

Blackball and Brunner

The most famous building in Blackball is undoubtedly the pub called Formerly the Blackball Hilton.  Built in 1910 it was named The Dominion.  In the 1970s the owners changed the name to The Blackball Hilton, as the main street is called Hilton after one of the early mine managers.  However, a threat of legal action from the overseas Hilton Hotel chain caused the name to be changed by adding “Formerly” to the title.

Formerly the Blackball Hilton

The town evolved around mining and rose to fame in 1908 when the miners went on strike for three months to extend the allocated lunch break from 15 mins to 30 mins.  The miners were taken to court and fined, and from this strike New Zealand's Labour Party was formed inside the hotel.  The West Coast weather brought the strike to an end.  In May the early winter rain flooded two other mines which were used to replace the lost production of Blackball and the pumps couldn't cope.  Several days later the Company agreed to all the strikers demands and work resumed again. 

Museum alongside the hotel, telling the story of the 1908 strike

Midmorning we packed a picnic lunch and set off to find Lake Brunner – somewhere we hadn't been before.  The rain as coming down, but it is the West Coast, after all.  Strangely enough, the locals had told us that there hadn't been any rain for weeks, so they certainly welcomed it. 

Arriving at  Iveagh Bay  we parked up at sightseers and day trippers car parks.   That was handy, we had a lovely lake view.   A group of youngsters were having a fine old time frollicking in the lake, and one of the Mums told me that the lake temperature that day was 21C, and it can sometimes rise to 25C!  . 

Water babies

The rain came down again and we ate our picnic lunch in the car, watching as a group of boys had a friendly water fight pushing each other off the surf ski.  There was much hilarity going on as one after the other were pushed off and climbed back on again.  There is a Freedom Camping Area across from the car park, with room for about a dozen vans, with a two night maximum stay. 

Another lake view

On the way back we took a detour to the Brunner Mine Memorial.  Early morning of 26th March 1896, mine workers tried to coax the team of pit ponies into the mine.  The horses reared and kicked and ran back to the stables, and would only enter the mine when they were blind folded and led in backwards.  At 9.30am there was a loud explosion  deep within the mine, flames and smoke billowed out, and 65 men lost their lives, including the reluctant pit ponies.  Because the company owned their homes, many families faced eviction.  Across the country, New Zealanders were moved by this tragedy and raised 32,000 pounds to help the families.

Some of the old mine buildings are still standing are across the river, with the bridge connecting both sides still in use.  Robin zeroed in on the statue of the miner across the river bank.  Last time we were down this way we explored the buildings still standing on the opposite side of the river.

Old Brunner Mine

Everyone who knows Robin knows he likes to have a good supply of caps to wear.  He had seen a West Coast one in the Blackball Inn so I went to get one for him while he was having a little snooze in the afternoon.  That should keep him happy.

His new cap

Moving on to Richmond

It was time to move on, so farewell to Higgins Heritage Park in Wakefield, and hello to Richmond.  The trip was via the dump station, where it was pouring with rain.  With that job done, we were heading to Robin’s sister Kaye’s new to us home in the country -  Kaye and hubby Jan had moved here two years ago. Look for the red barn, she said.  This rustic old barn had seen better days, and had a previous life as an apple packing shed.

The old red barn

We needed help to get the caravan parked up, there just wasn't room enough for Robin to swing the van around.  It  was Jan to the rescue with his trusty digger, which luckily had a tow ball in the front.  Although we had to watch out for the rotary clothesline on one side, and a row of fruit trees on the other. 

Help from Jan

Finally we were in place, with room to pull the awning out.  And facing the right way for our departure in a few days time.

Our home over Christmas

We'd had a bit of a disaster several days earlier when our modem up and died.  So Robin had to hot-spot my phone to give us internet.  Why my phone?  Because I had whole lot more data than he had, I didn’t know that.  But now I do know how to do hot-spotting, so that is something new learned.  A phone call was made to Net Speed to relay our problem, and we were promised a new model would be couriered out to Kaye’s address.  Seems there has been a couple of upgrades since we purchased our modem 5 years earlier.  We can’t complain about the service as the parcel was ready and waiting for us when we arrived.  The new modem is much bigger than our previous one.  Robin spent quite some time setting it up, putting in passwords, and wondering where it’s new home will be.  It won’t fit where the old one was, and he may well have to purchase a longer cord, he thinks, to set it up elsewhere.  In the meantime, it is just popped up on the window ledge behind the sofa. 

The size difference between the new and the old

We’ve been out and about doing a little shopping, and  braving the crowds who are hell bent on getting their last minute Christmas things too.  Jan had given us a “two for one” voucher to visit the Nelson Classic Car Museum, but by the time we arrived there, we both decided to just have lunch in the café, and save the visit for another day.  Robin’s knee was rather painful, and my back had decided that enough was enough!  What a pair of poor old crocks we are.  Never mind, we will hopefully come back later to look at all the cars.  Meanwhile, I took a few photos of cars on view, just to show we had been there.

View from the café, across the pool

Look at this beauty displayed in the gift shop, a 1909 Packard, in elegant white with brass accessories.

How about a spin in this!

This 1988 Excalibur was on display outside the building.  It is known as a Neo Classic sedan and was styled after the 1930 Mercedes Benz.

1988 Excalibur

The weather here has been rather changeable so far.  Warm sunny weather, then the sky clouds over and the rain pours down.  Fingers crossed for a sunny Christmas Day.

Higgins Heritage Park

We did a convoluted drive yesterday, leaving the pretty alpine village of St Arnaud on the way to Wakefield.  The reason was that the nearest dump station was in Tapawera, very important as we were moving on, so that's where we headed first.  The drive was very pretty, up and down hills, and through forested areas.  The road was rather windy, so we just took our time driving along.  In fact, there was hardly any traffic at all, we noticed.

Hop growing is a big part of the local economy, and we passed plenty of these vines growing up the supports.  As every beer drinker knows, hops are an important part of the beer brewing process.  I presumed that this large building was a hop processing plant, but no, hops are grown inside under cover.

Growing hops, outside and under cover

We had previously stayed at Tapawera on a farm POP, travelling with three other vans on tour and I remember being encouraged to milk a goat.  Which I did rather tentatively, concerned that the goat would take exception and would kick me.  Our hostess gave us some goat milk to take with us when we left.  Here is that significant picture from all those years ago of my fumbling efforts!  Ten years younger and not quite so grey.

A younger version of me

There have been a lot of changes to the small town since our last visit back in 2012.  Gold was discovered in the 1860s but it was such a small amount that no one made their fortune.   Tobacco was grown in the Nelson-Motueka area from the 1840s and provided jobs and wealth to the district for over 70 years until demand reduced, pushing growers to switch to other crops such as fruit.  Tapawera currently produces blackcurrants, berries and hops, as well as farming dairy, beef and sheep.

Moving on, we made our way to Wakefield, close to Nelson for our next stop.  The traffic was definitely getting busier as we drove along.  90km later we arrived at Higgins Heritage Park, our stop for the next two nights.  This POP (park over property) has a large grassed area for parking, water and toilets available and a bargain at $5.00 per night.  Once again, we are camping on our own.

Here we are, on our own again

Higgins Heritage Park has a series of large buildings, housing specialist collections.  It runs a series of Open Days and it appears that in-between times, club members come and work in their own areas – a bit like a giant Menz Shed it seems.

Just some of the many sheds on site

From the Wahine which sunk 10th April 1968

Plenty to see

Gemma and Robin resting after a big day