It’s a busy time on holiday

On our last couple of days in Napier we called into the cutest little sweet shop around, visiting here is just like walking back into yesteryear.  Remember all those boiled sweets from days gone by? Lovingly displayed in large glass jars, every type of sweet imaginable.   We replenished our supplies of blackballs for him, and acid drops for her. 

Birdwood's Sweetshop

Where to next?  It was time to purchase some tasty fresh cherries.  I love them and we knew there was a roadside stall reasonably close by.  Robin doesn't care for them, so they are all mine!  And just to finish off this particular shopping trip, the next place on our list was  Silky Oaks for a delicious Iced Chocolate.  Completely decadent, probably a million calories, but oh so tasty – and the weather was scorching hot, so we really deserved one each, we told ourselves..  This place has a café, a chocolate shop, and a gift shop, but we were rather restrained and didn't bother purchasing any more chocolate, I'm sure there is some left over in our Christmas gift bags.

Cherries and Iced Chocolate

Moving from Napier to Norsewood Domain we took the hot weather with us and did a drive around the area.  Then we drove on to Norsewood township, originally part of the 70 mile bush, and this area was settled by nearly 1,000 Norwegians between 1870-76.   Norsewood seems to have a thing for trolls, and I sat beside Father Norvirke, Mother Margit, and Son Ormvah mythological Scandinavian creatures which are said to populate the northern-hemisphere homeland.  They are considered good luck and stand guard over Norsewood, their beloved new town.

My new friends, the Trolls

It has been pleasant to sit outside under the shady awning an do a little more work on my stitchery projects.  I'm working on two caravan themed stitcheries, which will become a set of place mats for the caravan.

Stitchery time

Our last stop was at the newly opened Foxton NZMCA park.  This is set in the grounds of the Foxton Race Course.  Why not stay here for a couple of nights, we decided, before heading the last 20km or so home.    And just look at this glorious Foxton sunset.

Sunset over Foxton

We may still be on holiday, but the next morning we decided to drive into Levin to the walk-in vaccination clinic at the Events Centre for our booster shots, as long as there wasn't a huge queue snaking out the door, we decided.  There wasn’t, so we walked in the foyer, registered, and were shown where to go and sit while we waited.  After a short wait, we were both ushered into one of the cubicles, and the nurse told us the facts, made sure we were well, and got our verbal consent.  Then a quick painless jab, and we went to sit while we waited our recovery time, and we were good to go.  The whole process was quick and efficient, our nurse took the time explaining  everything and asked if we had any questions.  Go home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids, we were told.  We can do that, we’re still on holiday!  Maori Wardens were outside in the carpark directing the traffic, and one was inside the hall bringing people inside in the correct order.  Congratulations to all involved.

We’ve had our booster shots

The Foxton Race Couse is a training racecourse, so if we get up early enough in the morning we may well see some race horses being put through their paces.  There goes one, quick, get the camera.

At Foxton NZMCA site

We are safely home now, the caravan has been unpacked, and the first two loads of laundry have been done, with more to do to tomorrow.  We had a lovely time away and traveled about 884 km during our trip.