Red sky at night!

Catching up on missed sleep was high on the priority this week and relaxing a little in the garden. As well as catching up with the guys at the Menzshed some time has been spent helping a friend with a Garage sale.

Hopefully this means another beautiful autumn day tomorrow.

This was quite successful but there is still plenty more to dispose of yet. I relieved him of an old bicycle which has now been put back into service with 2 new tyres and tubes and an old kitchen bench which is now installed in our garage for extra storage and an indoor work bench ( for those days when it’s too cold outside to do anything else).

Taken from upstairs over the rooftops.

The bicycle has had a few test runs and I have discovered that I can still ride even after years of having never been near a bike.

Normal service to be resumed.

All lined up at MCC site at Foxton Beach

After a horrendous two weeks things are starting to get back to normal. Over the week-end we were rally family for a caravan club rally held at the Manawatu Caravan Club private grounds at Foxton. The weather we had requested turned out just fine despite the forecasted rain and we were able to stick to our game plan of a mini Petanque competition which was won by Geoff. The evening entertainment was boys and girls names starting with the letters A.N.Z.A.C. A & N for Boys, A & C for girls and Z for either. The result for this competition was a complete and utter whitewash by Cath  who must have sat up half the night collating her list. Well done guys.

Ready set –GoThis is what we're after!Great weather for May.  Levin had the national high temperature too.

On our way home on Sunday we called in to see our American friend Dave. He presented me with an old clock that he had inherited from his mother which had fallen off the wall and sustained some body damage.

Monday morning and I was back off to the Menz Shed having missed the previous 2 weeks. Dave’s clock was taken along and has now been repaired. It is still under clamps until the glue sets hard and will be finished on Thursday. While at the Shed I did manage to get a bit more done to my project of a kiddies toy castle.

Arriving home I found that Dot had our evening meal of wild paradise duck all prepared.  The Caretaker had spent the weekend out hunting with the start of the Duck Shooting Season.  We were incredibly lucky to receive two duck breasts each to try.  Dot had soaked them overnight in water that was replaced several times before marinating them today in mayonnaise.  The breasts were cut almost in half through the middle and stuffed with precooked onions and mushrooms, then wrapped in bacon and cooked in the oven for 45 minutes.

What did we think with our first sample of wild duck.  Disappointed to say the least, quite tough, although I ate mine Dot gave hers a miss. Checking our friend Mr Google it appears that duck is best eaten medium rare.  Oh dear.

RIP Mum

Life changes so quickly.  Only 22 days ago we were celebrating my Mother’s 97th Birthday.  Today at exactly 8am she departed this life while Dot and I were sitting with her.  Since having a flu injection 3 weeks ago she quickly deteriorated.  Spending up to 12 hours at her bedside every night for the last week today was time for her to finally let go. Thanks for everything Mum.

Ladybird, Ladybird!

In the last week or so we have been inundated by ladybirds,  Yesterday I counted at least 40 on one window, inside and out.  Where are they all coming from?  I assume this is a good sign.  Any ideas?

There was an article on Radio New Zealand news last month of them being released down in Canterbury as a trial to eradicate the insect tomato-potato psyllid.

97 not out!

Happy 97th Birthday Mum.

Yesterday saw us head south to Papakowhai where my Mum was celebrating her 97th birthday. She had had her hair done especially in the morning although it was Sunday.  Looking bright and happier than we have seen her for a long time.

Another 3 years and a telegram from the Queen may be on its way.

Turakina and Koitiata

Turakina Estuary. The fishermen were having no luck.

Plans were varied for Monday as some of the group were going to stay an extra night, some were heading further north and 3 of us decided on a short journey south to Turakina and the Koitiata motor camp down at the Turakina river mouth.

The only way onto the beach is 4 x 4.

We had to book this as it is only a small camp with just 8 power sites. We had vision’s of huge traffic hold ups trying to get out onto SH3 from Mowhanau but surprisingly the road was very quiet. Down at Koitiata we wandered through the sand dunes and out to the estuary where fisherman were unsuccessfully trying to catch their supper. No point in me trying my hand.

Novel mail boxes at Koitiata, Turakina.

The back of this motorhome at Koitiata was a shock and they haven't even been on a narrowboat. Gives us an idea though!

Tuesday came around all too quickly and we were on our way home, and back to reality. Until next time!

Easter at Mowhanau.

After our two day stop over in Wanganui we headed north to the little seaside settlement of Mowhanau. Along the road towards the camp is Bason Botanical Gardens which was bequeathed to the people of Wanganui by the Bason family and administered by the local council. As we had time to spare and the weather was good we called in for a visit.

Walkway to the Conservatories in Bason Botanical Gardens, Mowhanau.

Compared to some Botanical Gardens they are small but with other family bequests they have been made into a family friendly area with 3 free gas BBQ’s for picnic’s, trail’s through planted area’s and 2 hot houses for tropical plant displays. Well worth a visit.

A new rest shelter in the Bason Botanical Gardens, Mowhanau.Looking down over the parkYours truly surveying the waterfall and getting ideas for home.The lake needs a good clean out.

At Mowhanau we met up with the rest of the club members for our Easter Rally. The camp filled up quite rapidly over Thursday and Friday to the extent that it would have been necessary to hang out the No Vacancy sign. We have never seen a camp so full for a very long time which just goes to show that camping is still alive and well.

Heretaunga Caravan Club Members took up one corner of Mowhanau Motor Camp.

Over the week-end we had a beach hike where we collected articles for a beach art competition. Another competition was a sand drawing using glue and sand on a A4 sheet of paper. Judging was done by the camp proprietor. Our entry didn’t win but our beach art entry was taken to be displayed in the camp’s coffee bar. 

Beach combing for an art competition.If you could get this tree stump off the beach it would be priceless as an art form.

On the Sunday a picnic was organised to take place in the Bason Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately the weather had deteriorated overnight but it did hold up long enough for a slightly windy picnic before the rain arrived an hour or so later.