Weekend in the Country

Last weekend was spent with our caravan club friends camped at a local dairy farm.

Each day the cows walked along the cattle race to the milking shed,one after the other.  There were plenty of newly weaned heifer calves which came rushing over to the fence, just in case we had some extra food or attention to give them.  And what about this big fellow resting under the shelter – he is sure the Dad of these calves.

Baby heifers and a very large bull

As we were staying on a dairy farm, Rally Captain Dennis had organised a milking competition for us.  Just as well that a real cow was not used as some of the contestants certainly had rough hands indeed.  Poor old “Daisy” had four legs, a tail, and an udder made from a rubber glove – I’m sure she would be mooing in desperation from the treatment she received from the less than gentle townies.  The winners were Murray and Val, who obtained the largest quantity of “milk” actually water, in the allotted time.

Murray and Val, holding their winners cup, with Daisy

Sunday was Anzac Day – 25th April marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles and open a sea route to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea.  The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians and New Zealanders who died in that war.  The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all from both countries killed in military operations.  Our group attended a 5.00pm Service at Otaki Cemetery.

Anzac Day Service at Otaki Cemetery

The afternoon service was well attended , and many people wore their own or family medals, plus red poppies.  We watched as members of the Air Force Corps marched  to the flag pole, the flag was lowered, ceremonially folded then presented back to the Otaki RSA representative.  The haunting sounds of a single bagpipe, and a lone bugler playing The Last Post, together with the recitation of The Creed made it a very moving remembrance service indeed.

Our day ended with a meal out together at Curry Town in Otaki.  Have to admit that we are not great Indian cuisine lovers so this was an experience for us.  We checked through the menu and professed to our dining companions that we didn’t really know the difference between a Rogan Josh, Korma or Tikka.  Eventually we made up our minds and placed our orders.  The food was nice, and the surroundings were very pleasant, and it goes without saying that the company was wonderful.

Dinner at Curry Town

It was a great rally, and Anzac Biscuits were shared for Morning Tea.  Some went on the bush walk through a lovely stand of native trees, protected and fenced off from the stock.  Sadly, the pair of us decided against taking part, with Robin’s bad knees and my bad back it all seemed a bit too hard for us both.  Never mind, we had enjoyed this walk last time we stayed here.

The only stitching I have done lately is to repair the lining in my hand bag.  After searching high and low for my keys, I finally discovered that they had slipped through a small hole in the lining.  So I had to carefully retrieve them, then set to and repair the hole.  Has this ever happened to you?