Great Success

Logo designed by fellow member Leicester Fifield of Geraldine.

Autotrail Motorhomes at the rally – spot the intruder!

Labour weekend in Levin turned on a wonderfully sunny weekend after the heavy rain on Thursday and Friday evenings. Somehow we had been selected  to source a venue and run the rally for the NZ Autotrail owners club. We had a wonderful weekend catching up with old and new friends.  The fact that we know longer own an Autotrail was of no consequence and we have been invited back for any future rallies.

Yours truly all set for the registrations.

Dot’s down to work.

Silverdale, one of the local clothing manufacturer’s had donated a gift voucher which was an early bird prize that was drawn on Friday night.  They profited by a large number of the attendees walking across and spending up large on quality clothing on Saturday morning.

Dan Monk of Auckland Motorhomes had donated a portable BBQ which we used as our major prize in a multi draw raffle. Members of The Levin Menzshed had also made two lovely wood turned Rimu bowls which were two of the prizes.

We had a wonderful evening with dinner catered by Raewyn’s in the Conference Centre at the AP&I showground's in Levin.

Audrey the winner of the portable BBQ together with Derek.

Sunday morning we headed off to Foxton by bus to attend the annual Foxton Spring Fling. A wonderful day was had by all and the visit complemented the talk by local historian, Tom Hayes, the day before.

A replica mill, reconstructed from an original flour mill on show in the AP&I show grounds.

De Molen windmill Foxton.

The Foxton Horse Drawn Tram was taking rides.

A beautiful Barrel Organ was attracting a large audience in Foxton.

Now who’s that with her arms around my husband?

We were exceptionally happy with the way the weekend went and from all the compliments and thanks we received, maybe a hard act to follow even if we do say so ourselves.

Labour Weekend Autotrail Rally!

The third New Zealand Autotrail Owners Rally was held in Hamilton New Zealand in June. Can we match this?

This weekend yours truly are hosting a New Zealand Autotrail rally in our hometown Levin, even though we no longer own an Autotrail ourselves since the recent sale of our beloved Gypsy Rover. Don't tell anyone, will you? Hope we don't get too much flack!

Visiting Government House.

On Tuesday our caravan club was very privileged in having a private tour of the Governor General’s House by the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Up early we were to drive the near one hundred kilometres to be there before 10.15am. We had to consider peak hour traffic but had enough time to check out our lunch venue before arriving.  We were all on time to meet up with our tour guide Owen  and had to wait at the gates for the Police Security Guard to open them for us.

Our entrance to the visitor centre , once the garage to the Governmental cars.

Heretaunga Caravan members in front of Government House.

The house was closed for 3 years in 2008 for major strengthening and refurbishing to bring it up to todays standard at a cost of over $40million.

Relaxing in the Conservatory.

Native Rimu Timbers in the Hallway

Maori Carving by the staircase.

The Levin ladies behind the Levin Chair. From Left, Dot, Jenny and Lorraine.

Anyone for dinner?

Beautiful Mosaic table of unknown origin.

Built between 1908 and 1910 the property consisting of nearly 12 hectares bordering Alexandra Park and the town belt below Mt Victoria on land that was previously Mt View Lunatic Asylum.

The remains of the wall to the Lunatic Asylum with early graffiti.

Early Graffiti.

The tours are free of charge and bookings can be made online or by phone. Information at www.gg.govt.nz/tours.

Tours can only be arranged when the Governor General (the Queens Representative in New Zealand) is not in residence.

We couldn't have picked a better day to visit as the tour had been organised months in advance.