Weekend at the Red Barn

This was a big weekend for us, it was Robin’s first time towing the caravan since his knee replacement.  We weren't going too far for the weekend, about 60km or so each .  He managed very well, of course, as well as driving, there was the hooking up to do, the legs to wind down, a bit difficult with his knee not bending very well.  He was on his feet quite a bit for this first trip away and was quite sore and achy when we returned home.  The Red Barn was a “new to us” venue, camping available on a farm, and we were joined by our caravan club friends.

Our caravan parked beside the Red Barn

What a weekend of strange weather we had at the rally, it was warm, wet and thundery.  Generally, the days were fine, but by late afternoon the clouds would roll in, thunder would rumble, and the heavy rain would fall, and fall, and fall.  Although we didn't sight any lightening, Mr Google tells us these two always come hand in hand,  and it is not possible to have thunder without lightning. We certainly didn’t notice any, but the lightening would have been flashing somewhere in the sky.  Gemma was happy cuddled up inside, mostly. She has practically outgrown her favourite place on top of the sofa, but curled up tight can can just about squeeze herself into the corner.

Gemma is snoozing

Our group was offered the use of the implement shed to gather in for our morning teas and 4zees, but the resident swallows were not at all happy with our presence – I think they were busy building nests inside the shed.   The birds  were rather agitated and flew about, swooping from corner to corner.  Gemma came on her lead to join us one day  and really enjoyed the interesting smells everywhere, until one of the swallows swooped low and buzzed her!  People were bad enough, but to bring  a cat as well, just too much!

Happy caravanners nice and cozy in the implement shed

Pat planned a little 4WD adventure on Saturday, he was told that he could drive through the farm and reach the Manawatu River.  So off we went, three 4WDs in a row, with the front car opening the gates, and the back car closing them, as you must do on a farm.  The grass was so thick and lush we remarked it was rather like driving over the African  savannah.  Instead of being attacked by lions, we were set upon by a bunch of steers who galloped up from the adjacent paddock. Just as well there was a fence between us.

Here they come, thundering towards us

One of our newer lady members brought our a quilt to show the ladies.  I remarked that I didn't know she was a quilter.  Oh no she said, she doesn't sew, but got it made for her bed in the caravan.  We all oohed and aahed over it, it was full of caravan prints.  She has a vintage style caravan and this quilt looks right at home on her bed.  I know I took some photos of the quilt but goodness knows where they went, how frustrating!

I can show you this though.  I cleared the mail box when we returned home from the weekend, and there was a small parcel from my daughter.  I had sent her up some handkerchiefs which I had tucked away for several years, the type which have tiny stitched holes around the edge to add a simple crotchet edging.  I knew I would never get them done, as I  don't know how to crochet and it really seems too hard for me to learn.  Low and behold, she had done these two in no time at all, different edging on each, and said in her message that she really enjoyed doing it.  It is such fine work, and I’m very proud of Nicky as she has taught herself to crochet, something that I couldn't manage.

Such lovely work