Waimarino Golf Club to Feilding Coach House

Yesterday we spotted a sole golfer playing in the rain, joined by another who was practising his putting.  Luckily, between them, they fixed the water problem, so we went to bed knowing that we could take advantage of the hot showers in the club room next morning.  After a night of torrential rain, we awoke to blue skies, sunshine, and the lovely fresh smell that comes after a down pour.  The golf club grounds seem very well maintained, with lots of tall mature trees.

The Tee

Parked in the grounds at Waimarino Golf Club

We travelled along SH49 and joined SHI at Waiouru, which meant we missed out all the windy bits of the Desert Road further north.

Typical country side close to Taihape

Our overnight stop was The Coach House Museum in Feilding, where we parked up in a very large car park.  Water was available, and the use of toilet facilities while the museum is open.  a large bus parked next to us, and the owners turned out to be John and his wife from our village – what a coincidence. 

Parked at the Coach House Museum in Feilding

The cost for overnight parking is either a donation, or as we chose, paid entry in to the museum.   The Museum tells of the local Maori and how European settlement brought dramatic changes into the local area, such as the wholesale felling of native forest for timber and clearing the area for farming.

Clearing the bush

There was a wide range of horse drawn carriages on display, such as this restored Dog Cart, built in 1882, and were a very popular family vehicle.  These vehicles were typically built with slat sides in the under seat area, providing ventilation for the gun dogs carried on shooting expeditions. 

Dog Cart

Block Drays are heavy duty carts with board sides, with the body mounted directly onto the axle without springs.  These could carry  large heavy loads.

Block Dray

The Governess Cart was designed to carry young children and made popular by Queen Victoria who loved taking her family on outings.  The high sides made it safe for youngsters, and a very quiet pony was chosen to pull the cart along at a sedate pace.

The Governess Cart

The Phaeton were light, fast, elegant coaches,representing the highest level of coach building skills, and could carry up to four people.  

  

Phaeton Coach

And here we are sitting in the Feilding and Kimbolton Royal Mail coach.  Climb aboard at own risk, the sign said, but we didn’t let that put us off!  The tinsel was left over from the coach taking part in the Christmas Parade.

Aboard the Royal Mail Coach

There was so much to see here, including  Otaki farmer Ferg Crawshaw’s outstanding collection of historic John Deere tractors and machinery.   This is certainly a museum to return to.

Part of the John Deere collection

Benneydale to Ohakune

Our rural adventure in deepest darkest Benneydale came to an end, and we hitched up, drove back down the little dusty country road to join up with the Ongarue-Waimiha Road.  Then we re-joined SH4 and headed towards Taumaranui.

Benneydale country

It was time to refuel, and while at the petrol station Robin noticed that the caravan hand brake cable had snapped.  Perhaps it had caught on something as we travelled around those windy country roads.  Peter came to our aid with a roll of tape so it could be held together in the meantime and not drag on the road. 

Securing the broken cable

Continuing along SH4 to National Park, the weather worsened, the temperatures dropped and the rain came down.  Mind you, we were travelling along the central plateau at a height of 830 metres or so above sea level, no wonder we were up in the clouds.  The National Park railway station does good lunches, I remembered from my last visit when I was travelling by train to Auckland, so I suggested we break our trip and stop for lunch.

The Station Cafe

The meals were hot and tasty after I had sent my broccoli and blue cheese soup back to be given an extra blast in the microwave, I can’t abide luke warm soup.  Robin had hot roast pork in a bread roll, and it looked great, plenty of meat with gravy.  The Northern Explorer train (Auckland to Wellington express) used to stop at this cafe for lunch, but does not do so any longer as the service has been privatised, I was told. 

Continuing our drive south, we passed giant tussock grasses of toetoe, (although we have always called them as toitoi)  with their large creamy flower plumes blowing in the wind.  In the old days, the Maori people traditionally used the stems to line the inner walls, roofs, and partitions of houses.  The hollow culms were also used as shafts for hunting arrows, straws and pipes, spears in games, and frames for kites.  They are still used these days in tukutuku panels, the ornamental lattice-work put around the walls of meeting houses, and a pattern woven among them of flax.

Toitoi growing along SH4

Just 12kms south of National Park, we drove under the Makatote viaduct, the highest on the main trunk railway line.  This impressive piece of engineering was designed by Peter Hay and built by J. and A. Anderson’s, and was completed in 1908, and it is 78.6 metres high and 262 metres long.  Sadly, there wasn’t a train crossing over as we approached the viaduct.

The Makatote Viaduct

We pulled into the Waimarino Golf Club and quickly found ourselves a site for the night.  The club house open but no one seemed to be around. Then things went a bit pear-shaped.  First we tried to  fill up the water tanks, but not a drop of water came out.  Which meant that the showers and toilets would not work either.  Then we set the burglar alarm off, and it rang, and rang, and rang some more.  Oh dear, the police will be arriving soon with a couple of large dogs.  Finally a couple of blokes arrived, and the water problem was sorted out, thank goodness.  After all this trauma, we really needed to have 4zees to settle our nerves.  

In the Wilds of Benneydale

It was time to head for home, moving slowly southwards, so it was goodbye to our overnight stop at Glenview Club.  We headed down SH3 and stopped at Otorohanga, well known for the Kiwi House.  No time to visit the real kiwis today – but we did see these two very large kiwis outside the Info Centre.

Kiwis outside the Info Centre at Otorohanga

Geoff went on a hat buying mission from Haddad Menswear.  The company get their own brand of hats manufactured, 100% wool, and sell them at a very good price.  Robin purchased one from this shop last time we stayed here several years ago, and gets a lot of wear from it.  Then it was pizza for lunch all round, as the local pizza shop was doing a lunchtime special at $7 each, plus a free drink.  There was no way we could pass that bargain up. 

Geoff looking very smart in his new hat

We turned off onto SH30, towing the caravans up some rather steep hills and down again, then turning onto a narrow country unsealed road for several kms till we found our stop for the night.  This was on a sheep farm and we parked in front of the shearing sheds.  The lady of the house came out to welcome us, as we decided where each of us would park.

Staying on a sheep farm tonight.

She has lived here for 49 years, she said, moving in with four small children, living in a tiny caravan for a while, and schooling the children with correspondence lessons.  As well as helping to run the farm and bring up the family, over the years she developed Tapuwae Gardens, covering 8 acres. 

Power was available from the shearing shed, so I climbed up to have a look.  An assortment of horse shoes were nailed onto the wooden rail.  

The shearing shed

  Wool bales in the six stand shearing shed

The small camping area has quite a rustic flavour, and boasts not one, but three longdrops!  To the uninitiated, a long drop is an unplumbed toilet, just a toilet seat over a deep hole dug in the ground.  But these three had been flossied up, doors on each cubicle, decorated with flowers, hand basins, paper towels and soap available.

This way to the long drops

Sign inside the toilet block

Wonder why farmers seem to be attracted to peacocks?  We saw some recently at Alfredton, and now again at Benneydale.  The peacock took off quickly when we arrived, and later we had a visit from his mate and youngster.

Mum at the back and youngster in the front

We are staying here in rural Benneydale the one night, and moving on tomorrow.  Just hope that those strong wind gusts have died down by then.

Glenview Club, Hamilton

It was just a hop, skip and jump from  the Mystery Creek venue to Glenview Club, a short 13km drive.  A bit like follow the leader as the others had no idea where to go. 

  

Then it was a matter of using the on-site dump station before finding ourselves a suitable place to park up for the night.  Next stop for me was a visit to the laundry, before heading out for a quick drive around the local area for a few supplies.  Plus cat food, don’t want Muffy to go short, do we?

Glenview Club

Robin got chatting to the Club President, who outlined future plans for the grounds.  Twelve power points will be put in shortly, which will be a bonus for those of us who prefer to be on power if it is available.  There is plenty of room for others who are quite happy to camp off power.  The other change is to make the shower metered for a minimal $1 cost.  Plans are also afoot to lay down paving blocks to make a social area where campers can gather.  We did our bit by adding to the club coffers and met in the bar for 4zees.

Last time we stayed here, we were told about the local combined fish and chip and Chinese takeaway shop, and our meal there was very tasty.  So back we went again, for a combination of the two cooking styles.  We ordered snapper fillets and chip, plus a container of sweet and sour pork.  Once again, very tasty, and plenty of sweet and sour left over to do us for lunch the next day.  We passed a very sobering sight, a badly burnt house just around the corner.  Hope nobody was hurt.

What a tragedy

We are travelling on today through Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, to our stop for the night, a POP at Benneydale.  Never been there before, so it’s sure to be interesting.

Last day at Mystery Creek

Our last day at Mystery Creek was pretty relaxed.  Being Sunday, it was deemed to be just the right day for a bacon and egg breakfast, Robin’s speciality.  With a couple of essential chores done, such as dishes, shaking out the mats, topping up the fresh water, and disposing of some grey water, the day was ours to do as we liked.  Having previously checked out all the new caravans and motor-homes we wanted to see, entered various draws to win fabulous prizes, eaten at the outside Food Court, we felt we had just about done the show to death.  We all decided to attend the seminar advising on motor-home travel in Australia, presented by Gallivanting Oz.  Although well used to travelling the length and breadth of our own little old  New Zealand, the sheer size of Australia makes travelling there quite a different proposition altogether.  Not forgetting that Australia is full of crocodiles, and a multitude of poisonous snakes and spiders!  It was certainly a very interesting seminar, and we got quite an understanding of what is involved in this sort of holiday.

Seminar about motor-home travel in Oz

There was another trip back in the afternoon to see which family won the Resene Caravan Do-up Challenge which had been taking place all weekend.  The contestants entered their own older style caravans in the competition, which had to be registered and warranted.  Resene Paints provided the paint, and curtaining of their choice, and there was a member of Resene’s giving  expert knowledge, but no practical help, all weekend.  The contestants had several challenges to complete, from upholstery, curtains and cushions.  Some wallpapering had to be done, this could be as little as inside kitchen cupboard doors, or wallpapering a full wall,  this was at the contestants discretion.  The final countdown took place, and three judges looked through the caravans and made their decision.

The winners with their many prizes

The family with the red and white caravan were declared the winners, and walked away with quite a range of prizes.  Because of the time restraints, the contestants worked on the interiors, the front and one side only of their vans, but will be able to take home sufficient Resene products to complete the rest of the exterior at their leisure.

Inside the winning caravan

During the day campers were packing up and heading home, and the number of caravans around us had decreased considerably.  During 4zees the men took quite an interest as the caravans and motor-homes offered for sale were driven away.  Some were tandem, with motor-homes towing a caravan behind them.

Look, there goes another one

Tandem towing up the hill

With so many people on the road after the show, we decided to take advantage of the offer to stay an extra night, and will be leaving Monday morning.  Not that we are going very far, we are heading back to Glenview Club in Hamilton.

Barn Dance at Mystery Creek

The tickets said, “Grab your cowboy hat and boots, enjoy a roast meal before square-dancing the night away.” There were plenty of wanna-be cowboys sporting hats, we noticed, as we walked up to the Bledisloe Hall for the Saturday evening entertainment.

Bledisloe Hall

The hall, although large, looked very plain from the outside.  Once inside, it was quite a different story.  Along each side of the hall were a series of different decorated rooms behind glass walls.  This was a peep into the past lives in colonial times, dining room, sitting room and bedroom, amongst others.

  

Beautifully decorated colonial style rooms

We were joined at our table by our Wairarapa caravan friends, Rae, Dave, Lynn and Noel.  The wine on the table was sponsored by Leisureline Caravans, and interestingly enough, all of us were Leisureline owners except for Geoff and Eileen who have an Swift caravan.

A couple of cow-pokes

Our table at the dinner

With just two members, a guitarist, and a young lady who was in charge of an Hammond organ, synthesiser and drum machine, the pair of them produced a lot of loud rocking music.   Unfortunately, no square-dancing took place so we didn’t get to practise our Do Sa Dos, Promenades, or Spin Chain the Gears.  Believe it or not, many years ago the pair of us were members of a local square-dancing club!  But we took our turn on the dance floor and shook our dinner down.

It was a fun evening in good company, and we all had a lot of laughs together.  Colin Bates, owner of the Leisureline factory, had a table at the dinner, so several of us went up to him to thank him for his generosity in supplying wine for the dinner.  At 10.30pm we decided it was time for bed and wandered our happy way back to our respective caravans.

A Walk down Memory Lane

Classic caravans, lovingly restored to their former glory – that’s what we saw and admired today.  Most of them were accessorised with camping items from former years, and several seemed to have a classic car attached too.

  

Dubbed “the oldest known Liteweight in existence”, this Kiwi classic was built in February 1950 and was the 22nd caravan to be made.  The restoration has only just been completed this month in time for the show.  Our first caravan was a Liteweight, and we purchased it in the 80s, but the shape had changed considerably by then.

1950 Liteweight

“Wee Belle” (1959)  is one of the small number of Bellevue caravans built in Cambridge by Ian Plaw.  This one was restored just a couple of years ago.

1959 Bellevue Wee Belle

The red and white Concord attracted an awful lot of interest but I couldn’t find a date of manufacture for this one.  It looked very smart with the matching sun shade and deck chairs, and people were intrigued with the fancy chrome bike rack on the back.

Concord caravan with chrome bike rack on the back

Leaving these classic beauties behind, we walked up to see huge lumbering caravan named “The Cottage”, which featured on TV last evening.  This is not one that would be towed on the road, we presume, as it is 40ft long and has an axle weight of 9410lbs.  With a huge bed, lounge with lazyboy recliners and kitchen with a freestanding countertop, it is massive, and made to be parked permanently on site somewhere.  Not quite us, we prefer one we can tow behind us.

The Cottage

Back inside the huge indoor show area, we stopped off to see what was happening in the Resene Caravan Do-Up Challenge.  Two older caravans were having a make-over, and all the interior fittings had been removed for repainting.  New curtains were being whipped up, I noticed, and no doubt the upholstery will be redone as well.  We will have to pop back tomorrow (the final day of the show) and see the final results. 

Working on the make-over

I trudged up the hill in the blazing sun to get another photo of the huge number of people at the show.  Caravans and campers on site have now reached 525, and day trippers continue to pour in.  The exhibitors must be well pleased with the number of people attending.  Some are sure to be ordering new caravans.

View from the hill