It seems a bit strange to be talking about going away on the King’s Birthday Weekend, I find. Especially after 70 or so years of the Queen’s Birthday, but I’m sure we will get used to it. The particular date is staying the same, and we had a caravan weekend away planned.
But first, we had the firemen come calling. No, not for an emergency, thank goodness. They were coming to do several smoke alarm assessments at our village, and we were on their list. And here they come, the fire engine was parked a few doors away from us, and three burly firemen came calling. They checked and replaced our current smoke alarm as it was out of date, and installed an extra one as well. Such pleasant young men, and so helpful. This is a free service, and much appreciated.
On their way again
After lunch we hooked the caravan up and drove away for the three day long weekend. We were staying at Himatangi Beach Camp, always well maintained, with lovely clean facilities. Just a small turnout this time, with just three of our vans attending the weekend. The weather was fine, but that wind certainly had a bite to it, so we enjoyed the first 4zees of the weekend inside our van. Being a long weekend, there were plenty of arrivals during the afternoon, and beach buggies rolling in and out of camp visiting the nearby beach.
Staying at Himatangi Beach
How about a visit to Viv’s Kitchen at Sanson on Saturday, we wondered? That sounded great, but then there was a big decision to make, shall we do morning tea, lunch, or afternoon tea? We all agreed that lunch sounded a great idea so off we went. Viv’s Kitchen is well known for Cream Horns which the others enjoyed, but we prefer the big squishy chocolate eclairs. Two came home with us for dessert that evening.
The staff at Viv’s Kitchen are dressed in 50s full skirted dresses and are kept very busy in this popular café. Our helpful waitress very obligingly took a photo of us all, insisting she cleared the table first. Oh, she said, she hadn't used a camera for a while, young people generally use their phones these days.
Our lunch table cleared away
For lunch the next day I cooked up some tasty little treats. These are breakfast sausages, wrapped in bacon,and baked in the oven for half an hour or so. We had some hot for lunch, and they were just as nice eaten cold for lunch the following day.
Bacon wrapped sausages
After lunch we took a drive to Foxton Beach. The beach was busy, beach buggies were driving around, some people were paddling, and we noticed one brave family sitting on the sand having a picnic. Goodness me, the wind would have been rather cold down on the beach, I imagine. Vehicles are allowed to drive on this beach, but at their own risk, I imagine.
Foxton Beach
What better way to finish off our afternoon than an ice-cream back at Himatangi Beach Store.
Ice-cream time
At the centre of Himatangi Beach village, by the beach entrance, sits the town’s mascot, a giant sculpture of a buoy, covered in a mosaic-tiled scene of sea life. Each year, the buoy wears a giant Christmas hat to embrace the festive spirit.
Mosaics sculpture at Himatangi
The name Himatangi stems from a legend about a famous warrior chief, Matangi, who fished and killed a taniwha that was eating his relatives. The verb "Hi", meaning "to fish", was added to create the name Himatangi. In Māori mythology, taniwha are large supernatural beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea, especially in places with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers, similar to a serpent or water dragon.
Although I had taken both my knitting and stitchery bags with me, neither project got worked on over the weekend. Obviously we were keeping busy and having too much fun!
9 comments:
OH, I was looking for a photo of the cream horns and eclairs!! Sounds like you had a fun weekend.
looks like it was a little chilly for ice cream :) chocolate eclairs sound wonderful to me I haven't had one in ages. Yes most use their phone for photos now I know I do tool They take such good photos and it is one less thing to carry around as you already have it in your pocket or purse.
Yum--choc eclairs--my favorite too. Looks like you had a nice trip--even though it was chilly. It has been unusually chilly here for June in these parts. That wind off the water is still cold...the sun has been hiding beneath the gray skies caused by the Nova Scotia wildfires...hoping it clears soon. Hugs Julierose
This post reminded me that I need to have a maintenance guy stop by and change the batteries in my smoke detectors. I think I would have ordered an eclair at Vic’s, as well.
When I was a kid that used to be an ice cream cone and was a sign for the general store just behind it. It was also a round about . ( 1950s )
I love joining you on your trips.
The Fire Department does the same thing here. It has been awhile since they paid a visit and I expect them to show up again sometime this fall.
God bless.
That was a fun adventure! I like the sausages!!!
Lovely weekend away......and the little sausages looked tasty! Love the sculptures and the origin of the place name. Glad tge fireman's visit was a safety check xx
It sounds/looks like a lovely weekend away, Jenny. Even here in Northland it is a bit chilly to spend much time on the beach now!
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