Market, Museum and Vintage Gowns

Our caravan club weekend continued at Solway Park, Masterton.  The weather turned cold and wet, then back to warm Spring weather again.  With half of Robin’s birthday carrot cake still remaining from last week, I had frozen it to keep it fresh, defrosted it and there was enough to share with our caravan friends on Saturday morning tea.

Morning tea in the sunshine

Who doesn't love a Farmers Market?  This was being held just a short walk away behind the grand stand, so we wandered over to see what was available.  Mmm, fancy cheese, I couldn't go past that stall.  And not just any cheese, this is made from sheep milk!  We bought a few other bits and pieces as well, including locally grown mushrooms.  And I found a couple of items for future gifts, its always good to have something special tucked away for later.

Into the market hall, and cheese tasting

We had planned a trip for our club members to Pointon's Car Museum in the afternoon – this was a real hit with the men in our group.  Many, many vintage cars had been collected and restored over the years.   Look at these old dolls all nice and cozy in the back seat ready for a ride.  Oh my goodness, they are snuggled under a fur coat, as you probably did in those days.

We're ready and waiting

After a quick look around, I gravitated to the vintage gowns which had been collected by the lady of the house.

Ball gowns on display

There was a cabinet full of treasures too.  Old dress patterns and a selection of Home Journal magazines.  These sort of things are always worth a good perusal.

In the cabinet

I found these fur scarves/stoles hanging up, a couple of them had the little fox heads attached.  In my childhood elderly ladies all dressed up to the nines used to wear these around their necks, and I was terrified of those fox heads with their beady little eyes looking at me!

Fox furs

Outside behind the museum I saw some lambs in the paddock with their mums.  Nothing says Spring more than new lambs!

Spring lambs

Everyone was asked to bring a donation of a can of food to the rally, and I collected these and split them into two bags.  (I got this idea from a rally we had attended recently with a different group).  A lucky draw was held at morning tea on Sunday, with Helen and Val taking home an assortment of cans.  Thanks for everyone for taking part.

We packed up and left late morning.  There is a dump station at this camp, nice and handy indeed.  With that all taken care of, we drove down through the Wairarapa towns of Carterton, Greytown and Featherston, then up and over the Rimutaka Hill.  I remember seeing photos of this hill in much earlier times long before a proper road was built.  Then the only way to travel over the Rimutaka Hill was by bullock cart on a rather narrow track hacked into the hill.  Just imagine how long that journey would take, and you would feel every single jolt!

Rimutaka Hill Road

We had a great three days away.  Gemma bravely ventured out (with her harness and lead) one chilly morning and wasn't too impressed with getting her dainty paws wet.  And she was so scared when a dog barked and lunged at her that she didn't want to go out again at all.  The dog was on a lead, but even so, the owner would have known she would be frightened.  I always try to be very careful to see if any dogs are close by when we take her outside.

Arriving home, it was the usual unpacking and putting things away, and getting the washing done.  Wonder when our next trip will be?  Not for a while, I think.