Heading Home

All good things have to come to an end, and our trip away was winding down as the four of us started heading home.  Gemma was her usual relaxed self during our time away – she tolerates the car travel by cuddling up besides me facing backwards.  It’s always a bit scary for her getting from the car to the caravan, but once inside she is perfectly happy and relaxed.

She loves looking out the windows, or just having a snooze

Heading home, our first stop was Ashley Park, north of Wanganui.  It is many years since we have been to this camp, and there are new owners since our last visit.  There are lots of bird aviaries and animals on display here and we went for a walk around.    The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Goldie had a lot to say and we were amused by his repertoire.  Val was having quite a conversation with him, but had to watch her fingers though, there was a sign warning about him biting, naughty Goldie. 

Hello, Goldie

There were many aviaries to look at, full of excitable birds.  Lots of animals too, pigs, (my favourite)  goats, sheep, ducks and chickens scurrying around, and peacocks too.  The peacocks always announce their presence with rather loud squawks, but kept themselves well hidden as we were strolling around the farm animal exhibits.

Who wouldn’t love that piggy face?

Our final night was staying at the Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park.  We had never stayed here before, and it is a nice little camp with young enthusiastic owners. Just outside our caravan window was a pretty lilac coloured bush, absolutely covered in bees.  I’m not sure of it’s name, but the bees just loved it.

There was all sorts going on the following morning as we were packing up to leave.  Three old wooden cabins had been sold and were being removed.  We watched as the first cabin was lifted up a little, and the sling was slid underneath, then up, up and away the cabin was lifted up onto a truck.  All done, luckily, without mishap. I had a great view out of the caravan window.

Removing the old cabins

Saying goodbye to Bill and Val, our traveling companions of the last week, we headed for home, arriving back in time for a late lunch.   We had a great time away, and it’s always nice to stay in a new place or two.  The weather could have been better but then it is always a bit marginal in Spring, can’t seem to make up it’s mind, sometimes it’s nice and other times it’s horrible. Spring has truly sprung here at home, our lovely kowhai tree is covered in gorgeous yellow blossoms, full of nectar and they attract our native birds, particularly the beautiful tui.  When we moved here seven years ago, we brought this tree with us as a young seedling from our garden, and it is growing bigger each year.

Our kowhai tree