Raumati Beach School, 22–25 April 2016

As it was school holidays we were able to start the rally a little earlier than normal when at a school.  So it was around about midday on Friday when most arrived.

Turnout was a bit smaller than the club would have liked for our first rally at a new venue but the six vans that did turn up had a great time. Those that could not come missed a good rally.

The Fabulous Six

We had the use of a huge hall, which was very useful as the nights are closing in a lot sooner now, and cooling down quicker as well.

On Saturday the Hurricanes were playing the Chiefs at the Westpac Stadium so Bill and Val, Glenys and Dennis, Lorraine and Charlie, and Robin all armed with “Gold Cards” took the train into Wellington and then walked up to the stadium. Dennis and Glenys managed to score two free tickets so that was them organised, Robin nearly got a free ticket to the corporate area but that was given to someone else when the giver realised Robin was part of a group. It was a great night out and the trip both ways in the train was very entertaining. Pity the Hurricanes lost by one point.

Just before Kick Off

The local Kapa Haka group were using the hall on Sunday afternoon and some went for a listen. Otherwise we did what we usually do and sat around in the sun and talked. It is amazing what we can talk about.

Sunday was completed by all wandering along the road to the Local Bar “The Boundary” for an evening meal. It just so happens they had roast pork on the menu and the Heretaunga Caravan Club finished the pork off as after our last meal was brought out they rubbed the pork entry off the blackboard. It was yum and good value at $16 each.

Come Monday morning no one went to the dawn service and we all departed before lunch for home.

Kahutara School, 9–11 April, Joint Rally

This rally was hosted by the Wairarapa Caravan Club and although it would seem we have been to this site twice in a row, I have missed out on reporting of two other rallies we have had in the mean time. more on them later.

A very low key rally with 6 vans from each of Wairarapa and Heretaunga Clubs and one from Wainuiomata Caravan Club. The visitor from Wainuiomata was Lynn and Derek Keatley. Derek is the Central Region Rep on the CCNZ Council and he joined us to catch up on any matters that were concerning us and to report back on happenings at the CCNZ.

The vans

The rally followed the normal well proven formula of morning tea and 4zzzes. The rally was very relaxing and a lot of talking, catching up and reminiscing.

The only formal event was a game of disc bowls on Saturday afternoon, which Wairarapa won handsomely. They have obviously had more practise than the rest of us.

Selwyn, Robin and Harry(Wairarapa) – Disc thrown by Robin well short!

It can not go unreported that there were a number, oops and bugger, that happened over the weekend. First Dot and Derek had no house power in their van all weekend, except for a jury rig that Don was able to concoct. So they had at least two lights to see by, but no water pump (so no showers), fortunately the fridge was not effected. Next was Geoff and Eileen lost the use of their automatic satellite dome and in trying rig up an alternative signal, the cable was attached to the wrong terminal which had the effect of disabling half of their lights and short circuiting the power supply for the dome (a replacement dome had already been ordered). Then on the way to the Rally Jenny and Robin had the spat (plastic extension) over the right hand front wheel arch become dislodged by the wind on the Rimutaka Hill road (it had been previously damaged) which had to be removed to prevent further damage.

Robin removing the wheel arch spat before it gets ripped off

The outcome is that Derek sought advice and then remembered how to reset the house power supply, so all is good again in their van. On investigation Geoff found that a fuse had blown and when replaced suddenly there was light but the power supply is beyond repair. Robin is waiting for the panel beater to repair the mudguard under insurance.

A report on the rally at Lutz farm and the Easter rallies are posted below