We enjoyed a three day weekend way with our caravan club friends, staying in the grounds of Oroua Downs School 30kms away up SH1. The Maori name Oroua means “place of dredging for shellfish” with the coast not too far away. The wind blew, and blew, and blew even harder, meaning that it was only comfortable to sit outside on the day we arrived, buffeting the caravan and trying it’s very best to whistle back down through the Range Hood over the oven. After that, with the addition of rain, we made good use of the school hall.
Gemma wasn’t too upset about the weather and spent most of the weekend stretched out on the caravan bed., only stirring now and again to demand her next meal. Cats have the best of lives, don’t they.
Don’t bother me, I’m resting
Saturday was a free day, and we met back in the hall and ate our respective evening meal together. Originally we had planned to BBQ, but it was much too windy, and then the rain came down. What’s happened to Summer, I wonder? This was followed by shared desserts, when everyone brought along a plate of something scrummy, I particularly remember the trifle, meringues and chocolate balls, all rather delicious. Meant to take a photo or two, but obviously we were too busy eating.
Then on Sunday morning we traveled up the Woolshed Café up SH1 just before Sanson for Morning Tea. What’s that in the garden, it’s a Moa! You wont find any of these wandering around these days. The Maori people arrived in New Zealand sometime before 1300, and all moa genera were soon driven to extinction by hunting and, to a lesser extent, by habitat reduction due to forest clearance. By 1445, all species of moa had become extinct, along with the mighty Haast's eagle, which had relied on them for food.
Woolshed Café for Morning Tea
There were two large tables set aside for our group. Some decided on a late breakfast or early lunch, while others had the usual cabinet food such as cheese scones (yummy) or various cakes on offer. All with tea or coffee, of course. There was a great selection of gift items available, and I purchased something to put aside for one of the grand-daughters for later in the year.
Our bunch of happy campers.
As Monday was Wellington Anniversary we enjoyed a three day weekend away. Many thanks to Barry and Dianne for donating lovely fresh plums from their orchard for us. On returning home my crock pot (slow cooker) has some simmering away, we will enjoy some cooked plums for breakfast. Another good rally, and so nice to catch up with everyone again. And as expected, once back home in Levin, that pesky wind is nowhere to be seen.
Then today, Tuesday, I drove up to my LQS Fox’s Cottage to join in the ladies in the knitting morning. This is a casual get-together, and as my Tuesday are often rather busy, I get there when I can. As well as the knitters, customers often come into the class room for a chat and to see what everyone is doing.
Fox’s Cottage
I had taken along two knitting projects for the morning, unsure which one I might feel like working on – a child’s blue cardigan, using up left over yarn from my recently completed jumper. And another pair of socks, knitted in 4 ply this time instead of the more usual thicker yarn I had been using. The socks won so I happily knitted and chatted for a couple of hours.
Two knitting projects
11 comments:
What a lovely getaway you've had. :)))
We have been told to double mask here as the very contagious mutant viruses have come to our shores...
This morning Tom and I went to the grocery (he helps with lifting the bags into the car) and all the clerks were double masked I noticed.
There will not be vaccine for our 2nd shot until April 2nd...so we, at least, have partial immunity...whatever that really means!! But we are staying isolated still--almost a whole year now...missing our family a lot...
Hope you have a great day hugs, Julierose from across the sea...
looks like you have been busy socializing and having fun. Windy and camping are not a combination to like. It does make eating outside and cooking outside next to impossible doesn't it and then no sitting around a campfire either. nice that you have a building on site available to use.
The Rally sounds fun in spite of the weather. Gemma certainly knows how to deal with the weather. k^^
Sorry the wind was such a nuisance on your getaway with friends. It’s quite windy in my area so I understand how it can be unpleasant to be out in it. Your knitting projects are lovely.
A very social few days. Thank goodness you had the use of the hall on the weekend. The Woolshed Cafe looks like a nice place to visit. Your toes will be toasty this coming winter with those socks.
Your getaways make me wish we had never sold our trailer, though since we are still locked down with covid-19 and it is winter here I will live vicariously through your travels.
Love those socks.
God bless.
Glad you enjoyed some time away with friends and your knitting.
You still had a nice time away despite the weather...
Gosh, your get-away sounds so nice, in spite of the wind and rain. Just being with PEOPLE would feel so good! I discovered recently, after taking a slow walk through our neighborhood, it's really wonderful to even have across-the-street "yelling" chats with others! Real interactions are rare, except on Zoom. And going someplace, especially to eat desserts and pastries sounds decadent! Nice that you know how to knit and can easily take it places to socialize with like-minded people. You're livin' the dream, Jenny!
Sounds like a lovely time away regardless of the weather!
Really enjoyed this post Jenny. Ah Gemma...can she tell time like my Bella who miaows at 3 for treats and 5:30 for supper? Supper is when she gets her canned food; otherwise she grazes on her dry stuff as she deigns to. The trip looks like a lot of fun; it's crazy and seems even crazier that I would be writing this, to see you all in a big group laughing and talking and no masks and inside... Less than a year ago I wouldn't have believed I'd ever write or think or live this. No restaurants open here, takeout only, which we don't mind as we weren't big at eating out anyhow and a pizza at home is great! Too bad about the wind and rain but better in a caravan than in a tent, right?! Been there done that, never again!
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