Marton here we come!

Here we are at Marton NZMCA (New Zealand Motor Caravan Association) Park.

We had to go and check out the new NZMCA acquisition in regards to the old Marton Motor Camp.  What a great purchase and all the work done by volunteers to make it such a wonderful site.  Marton the town advertises itself as a Motorhome Friendly Town, the only one we have heard of.

A wander through the Park

We arrived early afternoon before wandering into town for lunch and a look around.  Derek cannot remember ever being here before just as I couldn't remember being to Eketahuna .  I think the brain remembers what it wants to at times.

A beautiful park on a beautiful day.

We’re on the road again!

This weekend we have spent a great weekend with fellow members of Wellington, Wairarapa and Heretaunga Caravan Clubs in a combined rally at a small country school north of Masterton.

Now what have we here?

We have all come away with a suntan that we never had on arrival.  Boy was that sun hot.  Not that we are complaining, of course.  Temperature in the van was in the high 20’s.

Parked at Eketahuna Motor Camp

After lunch we all packed up and gradually headed our own ways.  We are heading for Tongariro again for a few days so decided to check out Eketahuna Motor Camp on the way where our club is holding a rally at Waitangi weekend next February.  Pulling into the camp around 3.30pm we were surprised at the number of campers here.  Two pulled out not long after our arrival, (rather late in the day we thought considering most camps require you to leave prior to 10am).

Old swing bridge circa 1890 at Eketahuna.

After afternoon tea we wandered around to see what was here, a walk down to the old swing bridge of 1890, but there is not much left of it.  Looking into the river there were signs of large trees being blown down and signs of recent high river levels.  Derek was disappointed to only see one brown trout in the river.

Are we alone?

Today we decided that we would head to the movies for the second time this week. This is new for us We haven't been to the movies for so long we cant remember the last.

We saw “One Chance” a few days ago which is the life story of Paul Potts the opera singer.  We were in the UK when Paul won Britain's Got Talent in 2009 and it was great to watch his life story. We both had tears in our eyes at various times during the movie and well worth viewing.

Are we going to be on our own?

Today we decided to take advantage of the concession together with complimentary morning tea to see “Captain Phillips”, highly recommended by our friends Jenny and Robin. We thought we were going to be the only ones in the theatre but just as the movie started we were joined by one other couple Another great movie.  We could get used to this!

Fish What Fish?

Yesterday with good fishing forecast it was off to Waitarere Beach to try out Don’s Kontiki. Muggins being the only one in shorts was designated the one to head into the surf and set the Kontiki going.  There is about 2km of nylon on the Kontiki but we only let out about a km or so after baiting the 20 hooks on the long line.  Straight out into the surf we let it go for about 15 minutes before turning it off.  Then we sat down for half an hour or so, had lunch and then wound it back in again. What did we catch? only one Sand Shark.  Never mind there’ll be plenty more opportunities this summer we hope.

The beach was looking quite deserted once we had headed south away from the other fishermen.Parked on Waitarere Beach setting up.Baiting up the long line.Getting ready to launch the Kontiki.Off into the wild blue yonder go I.Our only catch. A miserable Sand Shark.Back into the drink he goes.

Chocolate Éclairs for Afternoon Tea!

This afternoon we had surprise visitors bringing Ohakune Chocolate Éclairs.  Bruce and Julie are our wonderful neighbours from Levin who also travel a lot in their motorhome. 

Today they were heading for Taupo for a few days and decided to drop in and surprise us with four enormous éclairs from a favourite shop in Ohakune.  They were lucky to get them as normally the shop has well and truly sold out by lunchtime.  

Afternoon tea made a well deserved break for Derek who had been busy painting.  Time to have a cuppa and a long chinwag on putting the world to rights.

See you guys at home when we all get there.

Someone knew when to go on holiday!

The burnt timber is cut out and ready for the new iron.

After the recent fire it would have to be this week that the roof would be taken off and repairs done before the new iron was replaced.  Two days cutting out the burnt timber and replacing the rafters before the iron was put on today.

It was getting too close for comfort so we moved.

We had to move the motorhome from alongside the house so that no accidents could happen with the manoeuvring the long sheets of iron.

Wind and rain forecast – hurry up.

The weather forecast was not encouraging but at least it was not as bad as it was supposed to be.  Odd showers when the old iron had to be put back temporarily until the rain stopped and the new sheets could be lifted into place.

Getting there slowly.

The roofers expected to have the new iron on before lunch.  Yeah right. More like 4.45pm before leaving us with no satellite reception for a few days.  Never mind we have an alternative on the roof of Gypsy Rover, but no sky reception, never mind.

Rainbow Trout for Dinner

Yum.  We were lucky enough to be given a freshly caught Rainbow Trout today. This is something we haven't had since before we left for The UK in 2006 when I managed to catch one myself at Matamata. Unfortunately we forgot to photograph it before demolishing it.  Never mind. Another time maybe.