A Dutch tradition

 10th December

I knew it, shot up in bed and heard the distinct sound of galloping horses.

Without opening the door (it's a sliding door that can be annoying to anyone parked nearby as it is opened) and because it was still pouring with rain, the side window was flung wide, and I got these shots from within.

At a canter

Second time around the course

At the gallop

This NZMCA site was busy, even quite late motorhomes and caravanners were arriving. Foxton has a lovely beach and I assumed the weekenders were arriving to spend time there but having visited the Dutch windmill, Den Molen, and shop, found out that a Merry Main Street market was to be held for the first time closing the main road into and out of Foxton. wow, good job we were leaving for Waikanae today! This from their facebook page

We will be filling Main Street in Foxton with
Market and Craft stalls
Food Trucks
Live stage entertainment
a lane of children’s games and entertainment
plus there may be a visit from Saint Nick in Santa’s Grotto!

Entrance to Merry Main Street will be FREE! So, come along with the family and celebrate an early Christmas with great food, terrific shopping, and amazing entertainment in fabulous Foxton!

Cost: Free! 

Sounded fun, it wasn't for us though. More fun would be had at Marilyn and Davids and with only two days before we leave for THE South Island, spending it with special friends was much more important. See Marilyn I did listen! Gosh, I got it in the neck from her! I should explain that writing North Island or South Island is a no no. The word THE must be put in front first.

 

Den Molen

 Lots of goodies purchased including the traditional chocolate letters given out during the Christmas period. Two I's were found, as was a D for David, but when it came to M for Marilyn, we almost tore the huge stacked up pile apart trying to find one. Not one to be found so the next best thing was to buy the W and turn it upside down.

 

 

jj

Looks like an M!

Do you fancy a bit of the history of why chocolate letters are given in Holland? You're going to get it anyway.

 

Letters became associated with Sinterklaas in the 19th century, when a sheet was used to cover St. Nicholas presents. A bread dough letter, placed on top of the sheet, identified where each gift was located. During the 1800s advances in cocoa bean processing led to the production of the chocolate bars.

 

The arrival at Waikanae was a tad later than planned due to us getting in conversation with a Brit and Kiwi. Time flew by, and before we knew it over an hour had passed. Phoned Marilyn to say we were just leaving Foxton and again got it in the neck asking why we never check our phone messages or answer any calls. I gave my excuse of not hearing it over the noise of the Toy and never taking it with us when we went out. The object in question was my old UK red phone which had a New Zealand sim card and used predominantly for our hotspot Wi-Fi. (oh, but I didn't mention the sound was on mute.) Anyway an hour later we pulled into their drive. 

 

Lovely to be back and to get such a wonderful greeting. Proves they love us really although when Marilyn made me write 10 lines of 'Pohutukawa' so the words could be fixed in my head and pronounced properly, it did make me wonder! I mean, the only way I could remember the name was to say Poo Hoot A Cow A! I thought that quite clever! Anyway, Pohutukawa (Christmas Tree) is that lovely tree that blooms during December and January.

 

Buds opening to show how crimson the flowers are.

 We played the card came Quiddler, David won, I came last! Dinner was that lovely lasagna promised, gosh it was good, and as for the hair cut, scissors at the ready for tomorrow.