Oversize!

While heading south from Tongariro yesterday we remarked on how many large vehicles there were on State Highway 1.

In a queue behind the local Police we were held up for a short while at the Bulls Bridge as two large vehicles were waiting to cross.

Accompanied by an escort vehicle the large crane took his time.  It is surprising that this trip was in the middle of the day.  Normally these large loads have to have special permits and are told what time the move has to be made when roads are quiet and are usually moved at night.

If you look carefully in the photo you may also see the oversized vehicle in the front of our queue waiting for his turn to negotiate the bridge.

Now what’s this all about?Now we see the holdup!One through one to go!

Once safely through there it was on to the dump station at Sanson (nice and handy to get to, relieving ourselves of all the waste water from the weekend away)) then home topping up with diesel in Levin on the way passed ready for our next trip away.

High Tea at the Chateau!

Moving on from Ohakune we headed for Whakapapa Holiday Park.  We have not stayed here before but it is just across the road from the Chateau.  Designed for smaller motorhomes we did not have a lot of choice of sites and occupied the largest 3 we could find.

Then yesterday we found ourselves with fellow members of the Heretaunga Caravan Club at the Chateau Tongariro for High Tea.

Left to right, Derek, Dot, Robin, Jenny, Geoff and Eileen.A feast fit for a king.Watch it Geoff let me move!

Afterwards Derek and I headed up to Tongariro Holiday Park to stay with our friends there for the night before moving on home tomorrow.  The other two couples headed off towards Whanganui and then home the next day.

More than Expected!

At the weekend we decided to head north with two friends to attend the NZMCA Chocolate Éclair Rally at Ohakune. The rally was extremely well attended with over 80 vans and we were lucky that the weather was so fine as most of us were parked on the lawn.  It was rather boggy in places after recent rain but no one had any trouble getting off when it was time to leave.

Over the top of the other vehicles.Mount Ruapehu from Ohakune.

We were extremely lucky with the weather despite the severe frosts in the morning, which kept us all alert. Ohakune is well known for carrots that are grown locally and we were lucky enough to receive a bag of local produce for a modest sum.

Derek and I wandered into town to have a look at the sights, came across a quaint second hand shop in a garage that was chock a block full of motor homers all with the same idea. We have stopped here several times while going to or from Tongariro Holiday Park but it is always good to see if there are any changes.

Great use for old skis!How's that for a letter box?

After morning tea and the drawing of raffle prizes on Sunday morning we spent a while talking to several motor homes we hadn't meet before.  Then it was time to move on to our next campsite at Whakapapa for a special treat  tomorrow.

40th Anniversary Rally!

All set up at Carnival Park for the weekend.Pahiatua Carnival Park Amenities Block, very similar to Carterton Motor Camp.

This weekend was the Heretaunga Caravan Club’s 40th Anniversary.  We were extremely lucky with the beautiful weather that we had.  The beginning of June being the start of Winter we never really know what to expect

We had to have a Birthday Cake.Derek being President had the job of cutting the cake.We’ll all be drinking out of these at rallies from now on.Now its time for the official duties. New members initiation into our club.

The program for the weekend was planned in advance and included an afternoon tea at Tui Brewery Headquarters at Mangatainoka (just for the boys of course).  This was very popular on Saturday afternoon and we had trouble finding seats initially.  There was a group of Motorcyclists and their pillion passengers that were enjoying the facilities as well. A great time was had by all and then we headed back to camp to partake in 4 zzzz’s.  They can’t get enough of that stuff.  The evening was spent in reminiscing over the many photos viewed on Selwyn’s projector and screen.  Memories are great for the old grey matter.

Sunday morning was free until a bush walk at 2pm and then our 40th Anniversary Dinner at the Purple Haze Cafe in the evening.

Carnival Park Reserve where we headed for our bush walk.Club members in Carnival Park Reserve.

Nice and close to the amenities in case of inclement weather, a heavy frost on Saturday morning but we couldn't have asked for better weather considering the time of year.