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Friday, June 26, 2020

Rainy Days Camping

Time to move on again on our trip, and we drove along the Desert Road.  No chance of a photo of Mt Ruapehu this time, the mountain was covered in low clouds.  After a brief stop for lunch, off we went again.  Turning off SH1 we took the road over Vinegar Hill.  Vinegar Hill was named after an incident in early colonial times: a bullock cart carrying barrels of vinegar overturned after the bullocks slipped on the muddy track on the hillside, covering the hillside in vinegar from the broken barrels.  Couldn't you just imagine the mess, and the smell!

Before too long we arrived at our destination.  Ashhurst Domain has sports grounds, play areas, a pretty little camping area set amongst plenty of mature trees, and is extremely popular with families over the Christmas/New Year holiday season.  Some families return here year after year we have been told.  But plenty of room at this time of year, with only a few camping in winter.  And just across the way through the trees is a peaceful cemetery.

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Such a pretty place to camp

During the night the rain came down, and the wind blew through the trees sending debris down on our caravan roof.  We did wonder how the bad weather would impact on our trip the following morning.  Luckily the wind wasn’t an issue and we drove over the Saddle Road where the wind turbines on the Apiti Wind Farm appeared out of the mist at the top of the hill.

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Wind turbines on the hill top

Our stop for the weekend was at Mawley Holiday Park, Masterton, where we are meeting up with our caravan club friends.  More rain, but we mustn’t grumble, in this part of the country the farmers always seems to need rain.  Much too wet outside for Gemma’s dainty paws.

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Baby, it’s wet outside

Just the sort of weather to sit inside all nice and cozy and do a little stitching.  I stitched a few more flowers on the garland surrounding my cute little teddy bear.  The blue dashed lines are quilting lines.

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A little more stitching

10 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

looks like a nice peaceful place - how many days do you usually stay at each place you stop at? sometimes we just stay overnight and other times 2-5 days in the same place and then see everything in the area that is worth seeing. We do not meet up with other campers though like you and Robin do

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Hi Jenny, I had to tap each picture to see it...probably cause I’m on the iPad. It sure looks comfy there inside your caravan. Lucky Gemma to travel in such comfort. Love your embroidery. Safe travels!

Janice said...

That’s what I love about the van - no matter the weather you can sit inside snug and dry. So much better than our days tenting it or in the little camper trailer. The stitchery s coming along very nicely.

Julierose said...

Nice spots you've chosen for camping--glad you are having a great getaway...
we are in dire need of rain here--hoping maybe tomorrow's predicted storms will bring some to our parched landscape...hugs from afar julierose

FlourishingPalms said...

I've never traveled as you and your hubs do, but it looks nice, especially being able to take your home along with you! Certainly motor home traveling is becoming more and more popular here in the US, as outside-the-country travel isn't possible, and it's safer to take your home with you as you go. Too bad my hubs will not consider going places that way. So, we remain at home, watching Florida Coronavirus numbers climb all around us. I'm grateful for my sewing room where I can create and create! And I'm glad for you to find those moments too, as you travel. Your embroidery looks sweet. Makes me think of the embroidered blocks baby quilt my mother made for my little sister, when she was born.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Looks a beautiful spot Jenny. Shame about the rain but as you said lots of lovely sewing time which is looking lovely x

Jackie said...

The stitching is coming along nicely.

It always seemed to rain a few days when we were camping.

God bless.

Maria said...

Pretty place you are camped.
Nice to have the stitchery to do when it's rainy...

Karen S said...

I am pleased the weather hasn't dampened your travel enthusiasm. There is so much to see regardless of the rain.

Karen's Korner said...

Gorgeous stitchery. Nice to have something to do with your hands while sitting and watching the rain come down. Enjoy the rest of your road trip.