We spent last weekend at a caravan rally in Carterton, a 150km trip from home. Passing through the town of Featherston I noticed a new art installation. The $600,000 Paul Dibble sculpture, designed to remember New Zealand's largest ever military camp, was dedicated late last year and is now on display in the town's centre. Paul Dibble said the concept represents the WW1 soldiers' marching from the camp through Featherston and up and over the Rimutaka Ranges through the Hutt Valley and into Wellington. Here they boarded the troop ships which took them off to war. This is a wonderfully evocative sculpture, showing all those young men proudly marching off to answer the call, with so many of them not returning.
Sculpture in Featherston
Our weekend rally was held in Carterton School grounds and one by one the vans arrived and found a place to park. Friday night was freezing! You can’t say we weren’t warned! The local campers told us that the overnight temperatures for Friday night would drop to minus 1 degrees – and it did! Brr, it was certainly cold! But a cold chilly night is generally followed by a nice sunny day. Thank goodness for fluffy winter sheets on the bed and bed socks to keep me cozy!
Staying at Carterton School
Over the weekend the activities took place in the school hall, with plenty of room inside for us all. I was intrigued with the embroidered curtains covering the windows. Sadly, I couldn’t find any information in the hall about these curtains, when they were done, or who designed them. They appear to be a snapshot of earlier pupils.
Embroidered curtains in the school hall
We all ate together in the hall on Saturday night, cooking and eating our own main courses. This was followed by a shared dessert, with everyone bringing their contributions. As always, there was a great selection on the table.
Desserts to share
After the tables were cleared and the dishes done, we played several games of “Card Bingo”, with Harry doing a great job as Caller. Sadly, neither Robin or I had a win, so didn’t get rich with our gambling. But never mind, it was quite a fun game to play. We are not card players at all, but this game doesn’t require any great skill.
My cards for Card Bingo
It was quite a busy weekend, so very little hand stitching got done. Always great to socialize and catch up with friends.
7 comments:
Very poignant sculpture! You were a tad Chilly! Lots of tales in those curtains....yummo desserts xx
with it being that chilly it was nice I bet to be eating and gathering in a building and not around a campfire! Although I imagine it warmed up in the day time - that is a beautiful sculpture
The card bingo sounds like fun. I don't think I've ever heard of it before. The embroidered curtains are practical as well as interesting.
Well worth the drive to your rally , interesting sculpture on your way... and fun time with your caravanning friends. Lovely sweets.
So good to have fleecy sheets and warm socks when it so cold . I also have a hot bottle in our van...
Great embroidered curtains and a shame there was no history on its Stitchers...
It would be interesting to find out more about those curtains.
Hi Jenny wow sounds like you had a wonderful time. I love the hall curtains what a great idea and all that food looks so yummy,hope you have a lovely week my friend xx
This looks like a lovely way to get together. I agree - the curtains do look interesting.
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