17 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 30, ISSUE 2 - 2024 REACHING CLUBS SINCE 1995 Wairarapa visit for Palmerston North Cossie Nineteen Senior Adjunct members left Palmerston North on Tuesday 19th March, 2024 for a 4 day holiday in the Wairarapa. Accommodation for the 3 nights was at the Copthorne Solway, which was very pleasant. A full breakfast was included in the room rate and meeting for breakfast was a good start to the day. We travelled with UZABUS and once more John was our capable and obliging driver. The weather was perfect for the 4 days, so we were lucky. After leaving Palmerston North we headed straight for Featherston where we visited the Fell Locomotive Museum. They welcomed us with a Devonshire tea which was much appreciated as we had had an early start. The Fell Locomotive Museum houses H199, the only locomotive of its type in the world, and Fell brake-van F210. H199 is one of six engines designed for use on New Zealand’s famous Rimutaka Incline. The locomotives climbed gradients as steep as 1 in 13 (7.7%) on the 3-mile (4.8km) railway between the settlements of Cross Creek and Summit in the South Wairarapa. We viewed a movie which put the operation into perspective and explained the history and then viewed the display, hosted by our knowledgeable guide, Malcolm. An enjoyable and interesting museum. Next, we visited Cobblestones Museum in Greytown, a working historic village right in the heart of Greytown, where you could see how Wairarapa’s early settlers lived, worked, and played in the 1800s and 1900s. Authentic heritage buildings, gardens, stories, and beautifully curated artefacts set the stage for a fascinating journey through time. Another enjoyable visit. A craft chocolate shop in the grounds was well patronised. Some free time in Greytown then, when some shopped and many just wandered around the boutique shops after having lunch. We then progressed to the Solway in Masterton, where we dined that night. Wednesday dawned a perfect day for our visit to southern Wairarapa. We first visited Kahutara Taxidermy Gallery, a natural history museum housed in a genuine log cabin. The mounted collection included a bird collection, a rock collection, insects, butterflies and exotic animals and birds. This collection was a little disappointing as it was a bit “tired”. It would have been more interesting if a talk re the taxidermy process was given, although Karen who showed us around was very informative and willingly answered questions. We then continued on to a sheep station- Kawara station. This is a 900 acre station on the edge of Palliser Bay, than runs 3000 ewes and 500 cattle. It was so dry that the bus was able to drive across the paddocks to the edge of the cliff where we got a marvellous view of Palliser Bay. The weather was perfect – blue sky, smooth water and no wind – would be awful up there in a southerly. Barry Jones organised this visit as his father used to work on this station and Barry could remember it as a boy – he managed to get a few photos of where his father lived, so this made his day. We had a look at the large woolshed as well. This station is run by the owner, Don who is 85, his son and a worker. A fish and chip lunch at Lake Ferry Hotel was next on the agenda and what a yummy lunch it was as well – beautiful fresh fish and a welcoming host made it more enjoyable. We then went out towards Cape Palliser lighthouse, but could not get right to the lighthouse as the road was not able to take long vehicles. Back to Solway, via a tiki tour of Martinborough and surrounds. Dinner at Citizens club that night which was most enjoyable with good food. Thursday dawned fine once again as we set out for Riversdale beach and Castlepoint and it was interesting to hear that some members had never been out this way. A look around Riversdale Beach and all the new houses in the new sub division up on the hill. Coffee and icecreams were found at the shop and the owner even provided chocolate biscuits for us – great hospitality. Off then to Castlepoint via Tinui, where we stopped for lunch at the Castlepoint Hotel, which reopened last October. Both food and hospitality were great and they were very welcoming. Castlepoint was windy as per usual and no one took the opportunity to climb up to the lighthouse as all the steps could have been a bit much. Back to Masterton then, and I know a few had a snooze on the way back as it was very quiet on the bus – too much lunch. Off to Citizens club again for dinner – roast night – and what a lovely meal it was. Unfortunately all good things come to an end, and we checked out of the Solway on Friday morning. A comfortable stay there, with good facilities and the cooked breakfast was great. The rooms were a step or two away from the restaurant so we were able to walk some of it off walking back to our rooms. First stop on the way home was Hattenburn Gardens just out of Carterton. This to me was the highlight of the holiday. Anna Kingsley, along with her husband Malcolm Batchelor, have created three acres of fruit, vegetables, artwork, herbs and flowers opened to the public just over a year ago, with Kingsley promoting creative ideas for growing using permaculture principals, recycling and networking. Anna and Malcolm were very welcoming and hospitable, with Anna taking small groups of us around the gardens on her electric golf cart, so we could view the interesting sculptures throughout. The property is self sufficient and off the grid with solar energy and a windmill providing electricity requirements. “Development of the gardens will never stop,” Kingsley said. “There are at least 19 more projects on the To Do list.” These include continuing development of a food forest, with its wood-fired hot tub – recycled, of course. The food forest has been designed to show how you can keep costs to an absolute minimum. Much of what they use, or plant is free, gifted, cheap, or they propagated it themselves. Using things that are of little value to others is a favourite – sheep dags from farms is one example of free mulch. The visit was a great success with many of us coming away with ideas for the garden. Good weather also helped. After having lunch in Masterton we then went to Middleton’s model railway, one of the largest model railway layouts in NZ, situated just south of Eketahuna. Colin has collected trains for years and it is an impressive layout. The decade displayed at present is 1970’s and Colin changes the decade every few months. An interesting visit. Home to Palmerston North, with everyone agreeing that it had been a happy and relaxing holiday. We all agreed that the timeframe was good – 3-4 days and the time of year. Hawkes Bay is the destination for 2025, so watch this space. CLUB LIFE: TRAVEL Hattenburn Gardens just out of Carterton has three acres of fruit, vegetables, artowrk, herbs and flowers which opened to the public just over a year ago. Kahutara Canoes & Taxidermy Gallery 177 Pahautea Rd, Featherston, Wairarapa | 021 176 5608 | kahutaracanoes@wise.net.nz Museum visits: Cost $10 Adults, $5 Children, $20 Families Kahutara Canoes: Freedom paddling (unguided) from $40-$70 per adult, $20-$35 per child with drop off & pick up included. Trips are 3-17km & also include a visit through the Museum. Kayaks / canoes, paddles & life jackets are provided. Carterton, New Zealand Open every day - Dawn to dusk $7 per person, No need to book 99 Hinau Gully Rd, Carterton | 021 552 112 annakingsley@inspire.net.nz www.hattenburngardens.nz
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