Caravan, Show and Tell, and the Marines

We’ve just enjoyed a three day weekend away with our caravan buddies at Paekakariki Holiday Park.  Robin and I were the rally family, so had been working on a couple of ideas to keep our caravan buddies entertained for the weekend. Friday was a public holiday celebrating  Matariki which is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Matariki is a time to reflect on the past and those who have passed on, to celebrate the present with our friends and family and kai (food), and to look ahead and plan for the future.

We camped here for the weekend

On on first night in camp we met in the kitchen after dinner, all gathered around the long table.  Everyone had been asked to bring along a can of soup wrapped in newspaper, and we asked our club members to share about any future trips they were planning, caravan or otherwise,  as they selected one of the mystery soup cans to take back to their van.

Get your mystery can of soup here

Friday night was a Talent Night – members had been asked to talk about their hobbies, what they make with their hands, and bring some examples to show.  I wasn't sure how this idea would be received, but we were thrilled with the enthusiastic response.  We all knew Sue was an artist and she spoke about how a friend got her started in painting ten years ago.  She prefers to paint in oils but sometimes uses acrylic on the base and oils for the subject.  Sue showed us several examples of her lovely paintings, still life, birds, and portraits.  She is very talented indeed, and two of our members have already commissioned her work.

Sue with her paintings

Helen likes trying new things, she told us, as diverse as glass blowing, flax weaving, mosaics, painting bottles and cross stitch.  Knitting is still very much part of her life and she enjoys baby knitting and making socks.

Helen with her socks

Dot was up next to talk about her hobby of card making.  It all started when she moved to Levin and attended card making classes with her new neighbours. She told us about embossing, and upcycling used cards to make interesting new creations.  She really enjoys her hobby and often donates a collection of cards to the Op Shop to sell for their funds.

Dot enjoys making cards

I took along a selection of children’s quilts to talk about.  Some had embroidery, one was a panel, others were pieced, and all had been made in anticipation of the arrival of great grand children in the future.  The horse panel quilt, made because my two granddaughters are keen horse women, was voted the favourite of them all.  As I told everyone, this was the most simple one on display.  Just a panel, and borders, but I think it took top vote because it was so graphic.

Holding up my horse panel quilt

Several of the men spoke too, and showed us examples of wood turning, matchstick models, and one of the men brought along samples of his bread making for us to sample, that was rather tasty.  Rebuilding a car, working with the Amateur Emergency Radio Service, and e-biking both in New Zealand and overseas were other manly topics.  We certainly have a great bunch of talented people in our club.

Paekakariki Holiday Park is part of Queen Elizabeth Park, which has a connection with the American Marines.   In 1941 Japanese forces attacked Hawaii and the concern was that they would continue moving south.  To keep our country safe the government agreed to New Zealand becoming an American staging base, and camps had to be built immediately for the expected troops.   Camp Paekakariki, next door to the present day motor camp became an instant camp and housed over 5,000 Marines.  There were three main camps, all situated in or adjacent to present-day Queen Elizabeth Park. Camp Russell housed the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Camp Mackay housed the 6th Infantry Regiment, and camp Paekakariki housed the 8th Regiment. At one stage there were over 20,000 Americans stationed in the region.  The camps went up in a record six weeks, bringing monumental social change to the whole Wellington region.

The camps were used for training purposes as well as rest and recreation for those returning from the Pacific combat zone. The steep surrounding hills proved suitable terrain for marching and mortar practice, and the beaches were used to stage amphibian invasions.

Telling the story of the military camps

We had a great weekend away, fine weather but rather cold as to be expected in winter.  I did a little sock knitting, every row helps, doesn't it.