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.

Shakedown Cruise!

Last weekend we took our new baby out on its first outing in our ownership.  Surprisingly enough the layout is the same as our earlier motorhome but 1.4metres shorter.  Believe me that makes a big difference with storage.  But we will adapt, wont we?

Our first view by email!

We had had ‘Gypsy Rover’ for sale for sometime as now we aren't living in her we planned to go smaller.  We received an email from a Blenheim couple as to whether we would be interested in a swap with their motorhome for ours and a cash difference.  Well it was worth looking at we thought, after many emails and phone calls back and forth, we finally agreed to meet in Wellington and view each others vehicles.  They made the trip on the Inter Island Ferry to meet up with us and were so confident they had booked a return trip with ‘our’ van a couple of days later.

Now I know I shouldn't be on the table …….but I do like it here.

But we were the harder to convince, many hours were spent over and under their vehicle until we proceeded with the deal.  I must admit Derek put them through the hoops and large amounts of cash (on their side) were paid to correct several problems.

Peek- a- boo I can see you!

The lounge area the same as before.

‘Watford’ the teddy lives here. (we found him in Derek’s hometown lost on the road while in the UK).

Beautiful upholstery and a lovely picture on the flat panel TV.

The kitchen area is a lot smaller, although the van can sleep 6.

Looking towards the cab.

We even managed to erect the attached awning.

Our first trip away was only 20 kms north to Foxton Boys Brigade Camp with the Heretaunga Caravan Club .  There were many extras supplied with the motorhome, new side walls on the awning, new carpet and a brand new stove.  All in all, not too bad, there are a few things we need to do but in the meantime it has not interrupted our busy travelling schedule too much.

Gypsy Rover is sold!

Don’t think you have seen the last of us though, more exciting times ahead.This is the replacement. More to come.

Wellington150 years “New Zealand’s Capital City”

Wellington celebrates 150 years as the nation's capital.  On July 26, 1865 parliament sat for the first time in Wellington.   Parliament first sat in Russell in 1840, before moving to Auckland a year later and then moving south to its more central position in 1865.

The Beehive, centre of Parliament Wellington, New Zealand.

The Cable Car looking out over the harbour.

Wellington celebrated the birthday by a sound and light show projected onto some buildings and a concert by Dave Dobbyn and the Orpheus Choir for 3 days only.

Beautiful lighting display to mark 150 years.

“Thanks to Stuff”

I must admit despite now living 93kms north of Wellington I always love going back to this wonderful city.

Autotrail Rally at Classic Car Museum.

Looking rather impressive from the roof.

Recently we joined members of the New Zealand Autotrail Club for a rally at the Classic Car Museum in Hamilton.  The weather was very kind to us when we left home on Thursday afternoon heading for Taupo.  Arriving just before 7pm in torrential rain in Taupo we stopped in the centre of town to get some fish and chips before settling for the night overlooking the lake and Marina.

Up early next morning we topped up with water before heading to Hamilton in lovely sunny weather.  We had a stop to make in Cambridge to pick up some spare covers for our Duvalays.

Spot Gypsy Rover?Classic Car Museum, Hamilton.Classic cars galore.1900 school bus.

I don't know how it happened but somehow Derek and I were selected to organise the next National Rally for Labour weekend. We have managed to secure a great site at the Levin AP& I Showground's so guess where we will be at Labour weekend?  We have offers of help so hopefully we will get the numbers that were at Hamilton.  Of the 200 New Zealand members nearly half are from Auckland or north of.  We will have to wait and see. Time will tell, fingers crossed.