The Hot Weather Continues

There’s been plenty of hotter than average weather around over the last couple of weeks.  Great BBQ weather, we decided.  So out came the Weber, and on went a large chicken.  The handy thermometer which gets inserted tells us when our roast is done.  There’s nothing wore than undercooked chicken, is there?

While Robin was watching over the BBQ with a cool beer in his hand, I was busy in the kitchen preparing the rest of the meal.

All this hot weather has consequences, especially down in the South Island city of Nelson.  Often dubbed the “sunniest place in New Zealand”, the city is hoping for rain.  A large fire has been burning out of control for the last seven days, spurred on by tinder dry landscape and windy conditions.  The fire has been burning for nearly a week and 3000 people remain evacuated - most from the town of Wakefield.  Hot dry and windy weather is expected for the Nelson-Tasman region for at least a week.

Family Lunch

How long was it, we wondered, since we four siblings had all been together?  Too long, of course, and this was finally rectified last weekend in Masterton.  Big brother Brian flew in with his wife Noeleen from Brisbane, to stay with younger sister Karla.  Elder sister Kathleen, with daughter Lisa and G-D Kate came down from Hastings.  And, as it happened, Robin and I were camping in Masterton for the weekend, so it all worked out well.

Jenny, Brian, Kathleen and Karla

As to be expected, there was plenty of chatter going on while we ate our lunch at the Cafe Strada.  Travel plans were discussed - LIsa and Kate are heading over to the UK soon, and we want are going to rebook the Indian Pacific train trip.

Kate, Karla, Jenny, Brian, Kathleen, Lisa and Noeleen

It was so nice to catch up again, let's hope it's not too long till the next get-together.

Solway A & P Showgrounds, Masterton

Solway Showgrounds has just opened up their grounds for campers about a year ago.  Our Caravan Club spent a lovely weekend here.

Agricultural and pastoral shows have been held nearly every year in Masterton since 1885. The present site  was purchased in 1908, with the showgrounds completed in 1911.  Lots of delightful buildings are on site, to accommodate the sheep, pigs, cattle  and poultry during the A & P Show days.

Most of our group arrived extra early on Thursday, and we made the most of sitting outside in the evening enjoying the beautiful sunset.

The final two vans arrived on Friday. The weather was scorching, so we made the most of sheltering under the large mature shady trees.

There was a handy water tap nearby and Selwyn took over the duties of water monitor, with a bit of help from the others.

Gemma enjoys being outside investigating fluttering leaves, and sharpening her claws on the tree by our van.  But she was a bit perturbed when a large magpie landed on the grass close by.  She was keeping a wary eye behind a tree on this unwelcome visitor who has a rather large sharp beak.

There was plenty organized to keep us busy over the weekend.  A trip out to a local café Clareville Bakery for Afternoon Tea was very pleasant indeed.  This building has seen a lot of changes.  Built in 1872 by W W Corpe as a Chapel and Sunday School, it was later known as Clareville Hall.  In 2002 it became  Country Charm Antiques, and then 2007 the café Devine at Clareville, and now trading as the award winning Clareville Bakery since 2013.

Then we had a BBQ meal followed by shared dessert, where everyone took along a dish to share.  Later in the evening there was a quiz to keep our brains active, won by us, Team Benton.  Our camping area emptied out on  Sunday after lunch, with just two vans staying an extra night, us and Don and Pamela.

Our Tiny Garden

We’re not great gardeners, by any means, but it’s a real thrill when we have veggies to pick straight from the garden.  At the moment we have some butter beans and tomatoes just starting to produce.

Yes, we know, it’s hardly enough to keep the wolf from the door, but these little lovelies are growing in our garden, so that’s exciting.

And we have a fine crop of rhubarb growing, which seems to take care of itself. Our home grown rhubarb went very nicely in a baked rhubarb sponge pudding I whipped up for dinner last evening.

Strawberries and Ice-cream

We were eating strawberries and ice-cream for a good cause.  The Strawberry Festival was organized by Property Brokers Levin to raise funds for Arohanui Hospice which provides specialist end-of-life care to patients in our area.  The hospice service is free and two thirds of the patients are cared for in their own homes.  Support for their families is also provided.

People were queuing up for their sweet treat, and Property Brokers staff were doing a great job.  Selling tickets, putting scoops of ice-cream into containers, adding strawberries, fruit sauce, and topping it all off with a shake or two of icing sugar.  It was a real team effort.

As we stopped to enjoy our strawberries, we listened to local singer Geoff who provided the entertainment.  At $5 per serving, it was money well spent, and all going to a wonderful cause.  Mind you, I did hear one man ask if he could have it for free, that was a bit cheeky, I thought.  Just as well he was refused. 

Changing Over

We caught up with our friends Louise and Robert recently, and got to check out their new acquisition.  They recently changed their Leisureline caravan for a 5th Wheeler.  The large American 5th Wheelers with multiple pull-outs did not appeal at all, so they purchased an Australian built Travelhome.

Unfortunately I forgot to take indoor photos, but the description of spacious and light sums it up.  There is plenty of room around the queen sized bed, and the walls are finished with light coloured laminex type wall board.  Louise and Robert are fitness fanatics, as the pair of electric bikes on the back of the rig testify.  Robert constructed the bike stand himself, using a fitting so that the laden stand swings out of the way if he wants to access the back cupboard.

We wont see them at the upcoming Leisureline Rally now they have changed over,  but hopefully will meet up on the road again somewhere soon.

BBQs and Devonshire Tea at Pohangia

After our tiki-tour around the Pohangia Valley all the men got their BBQs out and started cooking.  The plan was to cook and all eat together in the lovely fresh air.  We were having Scotch Fillet steak with zucchinis and salad and I noticed pork steak, kebabs and sausages were also cooking away.  And then, Robin cooked our Sunday breakfast on the BBQ the following morning – bacon, eggs and tomatoes.  This is the life!

BBQ for dinner and Sunday breakfast

Rally Captains Bill and Val had us all taking part in a spirited game of Lawn Darts in the early afternoon.  This was a gift a year or two ago, and Val decided it was time to get the game out and give it a go.  Nobody had ever come across this game before, so it was new to all of us.  Owen eventually won the competition.

Val and Owen

As a reward for all taking part so good naturedly, we then walked down the road to a lovely little café called Country Farye, originally the Pohangia Council buildings.  Our group was seated around the large horse-shoe shaped Council table, where no doubt many important decisions were made in earlier times.  The café is run by volunteers and opens in the weekends, with all profits going back to the community.  Many old photos were displayed on the walls, telling the history of this once thriving little town.

Scones with jam and cream and early photos

Monday (Wellington Anniversary Day) was terribly windy.  So windy that the sun awnings were taken down for safety’s sake, wouldn’t want any of them ripped and torn, would we.  For Morning Tea and 4zees we had to tuck ourselves behind some trees to get out of the wind.  A suggestion was made that those who wished could stay an extra night and depart Tuesday, meaning we wouldn’t have to get caught up in the long weekend traffic.  We thought a few might take advantage of this offer, and surprisingly, everyone stayed over. You can tell we are all retired!

Thank goodness the awful wind had dropped overnight, and we hooked up and left reasonably early on Tuesday morning.  Farmers in the valley had been cutting hay, and the paddocks were dotted with rolls of hay all bagged up.  Our first stop was the Dump Station, then we headed for home.  It was a great weekend, in beautiful surroundings – so nice to catch up with everyone again.