Cambridge - VW Nationals

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One night back at home after our four day dash then we took off again, this time in the split. Poor dogs, couldnt come with us this time either, and they love camping.

We stopped off at Franks place in Auckland (Eurofix) to talk to him about the wedge, then carried on just past Cambridge. We met three Auckland kombis on their way down, but didnt hang with them for long as they were going straight to Karapiro, and we werent. We found a great little free camp spot between Cambridge and Tirau, on a council reserve, Little Waipa Reserve. There were three other vans already there, and we all spread out amongst the trees, out of sight of each other but close enough to hear of any trouble. Not that we expected anything.

The next morning, Good Friday, we went back in to Cambridge then down to the camp ground at Lake Karapiro. A great spot, right on the lake. We parked up next to a kombi from the South Island, and settled in for a chat. Soon the camp ground filled up with kombis - splits, bays and wedges - and Beetles (with tents), and we met up with old friends and found new ones.

That evening was the welcome drinks and nibbles, put on by the Waikato club. A great start to what was a great weekend.

The show the next day was awesome. We all parked up on the village green in Cambridge. There was a huge crowd there, and not just those who came with their VW's. There were line ups of Beetles of all ages, buses from splits right up to a new T5 California, type 3's and a host of water cooled cars. Not to mention trade stalls, food stalls, bouncy castles and other things for the kids.

There was a bbq that evening with the prize giving. Not that we won anything, we dont usually! We'd hoped our “Tale of Three Kombis” - the story of us going to Christchurch, starting in the wedge, then the monster, and finally making it to the show in the split - might have got us some kind of VW spirit or hard luck prize, but unfortunately not.

On the Sunday was the usual convoy to a photo shoot location. This time to the Hamilton Gardens. It was amazing, we passed heaps of people on the side of the road waving at all the vehicles as we drove past. The photo shoot seemed a bit disorganised, the only negative, albeit a very minor one, of the whole weekend. We were all lined up in a field, and then left wondering what was happening. People wandered around taking pictures, but there seemed to be no formal shots. Two years ago in New Plymouth we had shots of cars with no people, then shots of everyone standing by their own cars waving etc. Still, it was nice to see all the vehicles lined up in one place. Mind you, not all the vehicles came, some stayed behind in the camp ground. That afternoon was free, but most of us headed out to the V-Dub Shoppe, Marshmeadow Road, the main show sponsor, for a look at what they had to offer. Its been a while since we went to see Paul, he's now got the shop fixed up, whereas before it was the workshop and a room full of stuff. He still has the workshop and room full of stuff, but also a shop to display a small proportion of it all. And of course there are still the fields of wrecks of cars.

The drive home on Monday was better than we expected. We left reasonably early, stopped in Auckland to see Judith, and were home not long after lunch (if you dont have lunch too early!). All the traffic was heading the other way. One good thing for living in Northland, the traffic usually seems to be heading in the opposite direction. It wasnt too thick heading south, the usual spots, heading into Orewa and Wellsford, were busy, but not the horrendous queues we have seen.

All up a great weekend. Big congratulations to the Waikato VW Club for putting the show on, and making it so successful. A great camping venue, a great show n shine venue. And great people too, proving that car clubs / fans dont have to be “boy racers” or similar, that they can be family based. Of course there were cars there capable of going fast, and getting to high speeds quickly, but the majority couldnt. How many of you have ever been stuck behind an old beetle or kombi and cursed at the speed?!?! Just think how much better it is to get somewhere slowly and safely, having time to appreciate the scenery, arrive somewhere relaxed...or are you all speed freaks?!

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Photos

Three beautiful Auckland kombis
A split, a bay and a wedge, what a line up

Lining up for the convoy
Our favourite bus in front of course! The most battered, badly painted one in the show! But we love her.