Out and About

We've been away on a caravan trip for the last week or so.  Our destination was Cambridge, and we had a nice leisurely time getting there.  The first stop was the Gumtree Motorhome Park at Taihape.     Checking out the sign, I wondered what the overseas visitors would think, there are no koalas in New Zealand.  Although there were plenty of gum trees in the park.

Gemma travels quite well in the car, but I suspect she just puts up with it.  But once we get to our destination, she bounds into the caravan, jumps up on the bed, and relaxes.  She heard some magpies calling and was keen to check them out through the caravan windows.

Those are very big birds, Mum

Then we moved on to Taupo for two nights.  The iconic Love Taupo sign was still there, but not so easy to get to with the road changes and no parking available in front of the sign these days.  Tourists love taking their photos in front of this sign, so I was lucky to snap it with no one in front as we drove slowly by.

Love Taupo sign on the lake side

I had read about the award winning new Taupo Airport building, so we went inside to have a coffee and check it out.  The interior of the building reflects the local area.  Huge rimu logs salvaged from Pureroa Forest are a feature, as is the mauri stone that came from Tauhara Quarry.  Giant photos of majestic scenery adorn the walls.  It is certainly very well done.

Inside Taupo Airport building

The following day we pulled into the Cambridge Race Course, to meet up with the International Caravan Club (ICA) group for our four day rally.  This group come from different parts of the North Island and only have 3-4 rallies each year.  It was great to catch up with them all again.  Most of this group have motor-homes, we are one of two caravans attending.  Once settled, we joined the others in the large circle out in the wintry sunshine. 

Meeting up in Cambridge

The following morning we all headed off to the Muscle Car Garage, and the petrol heads in the group were in seventh heaven.  Inside the museum was a multitude of bright shiny cars and motorbikes.  Racing cars and street cars galore - where to start looking, there was so much on display.  The walls and ceilings were decorated with posters, and there was an assortment of car related items dotted around.

Such a lot on display

I’d had enough of being on my feet by this stage so went back to the main hall to sit down.  Robin joined me on the shiny sofa by the 60s style Milk Bar, just a pity it wasn't open and serving milk shakes.  There were plenty of photos of rock bands on the wall which I recognized.

Ready to sit down

The final evening at our rally was the celebration “0 and  5” dinner, all about sharing with those of our members who are celebrating big birthdays and anniversaries during the year, ending in an 0 or 5.  After our meal the names were called out.  Birthdays first, up they came to be handed a gorgeous hand made card.  Anniversaries were next, and we were called up, along with others, as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary later this year.  Of course there was a cake to share as well.

The anniversary couples

Our beautiful hand made keepsake

The rain had set in overnight, and the next morning the ground was sodden.  Everyone was packing up to leave but some of the large motor homes had a little trouble and needed help to get off the wet slushy grass.  No problem, Robin was happy to help again. With the strop in place, it was a matter of gently, gently, and the motor home was pulled off the grass and onto the shingle.  It was lucky that we had a car and could help.

Robin pulling the motor-home off the grass

The weather conditions were checked the following morning, a winter storm was travelling up the country, with cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow  forecast.  That was a worry, but we would just take it easy and drive carefully.   We saw several groups of snow ploughs parked up on the Desert Road, ready and waiting for the snow to fall.  That’s not something we ever see down where we live.

Waiting to clear the snow fall

The snow did fall as we drove along, falling  soft and sludgy on the windscreen.  And the temperature dropped lower and lower, right down to –1C.  Goodness me, that’s rather cold for us.  There was no chance of getting a glimpse of Mt Ruapehu in these conditions with the clouds so low.

Once past Waiouru the temps started to slowly rise and we left the low clouds, rain and sleet  behind us.  We decided to stop at Flat Hills for lunch, but a bus load of passengers beat us to the lunch counter, so we tagged onto the end of the queue.  This is just one of three buses which stop here each day for lunch, we were told, which must make such a difference to the turnover, I imagine.  As it was such a chilly day I was so pleased to see soup on the menu.  So it was pumpkin soup for me, a steak and cheese pie for him, a nice hot coffee each, and we shared a piece of carrot cake.

Sitting by the fire at the café for lunch

A couple of hours later we were pulling into our village.  I don’t know how Gemma always knows when she is almost home, but she does.  The caravan was unpacked and put away in its parking area, the first load of laundry was put on, and we sat and had a cuppa.  It was good to arrive home safe and sound, and luckily the expected bad weather did not arrive during our trip.