CARAVAN HOLIDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 8

CARAVAN HOLIDAY

500 MILES BY ROAD. FOUR PEOPLE AND A HORSE TOT Al. COST A BOUT £7. A “covered waggon” containing four young holiday-makers from Hawera, drawn, by a veteran horse 27 years old, is at present resting at Taupo, after completing the major portion of a planned 500 miles holiday trip on the main highways. The party consists of Miss D. Hooper, Miss Bernice Entwistle, Miss Betty Entwistle and Master lan Entwistle, all of Hawera. “We left home on December 19.” said one of the party, “and have travelled through Taranaki, up the West Coast, through the Awakino Valley, King Country, Cambridge, Rotorua and Taupo. After two days’ rest we will proceed to the Chateau, Raetihi, down the Wanganui River road from Pipiriki to Wanganui, and expect to reach Hawera at the end of January. “We have had a tremendous amount of fun on our slow journey. Our 50-year-old *OOO horse-power’ vehicle seems the source of endless amusement and curiosity to other holiday-makers as they speed past us on the highways. Judy, our pioneer horse, was pensioned off some time ago, but we decided, after a similar successful trip last year, to take her on this holiday tour. too. “A Horse of Moods.’’

“She is a horse of moods and has given us cause for much entertainment and a little anxiety at different stages of the journey. She became very much alarmed during a severe thunder storm at Mokau, and quite unexpectedly sat down on the middle of the road, temporarily blocking traffic and stubbornly refusing to move an inVh. After much persuasion and a. little attention to our damaged harness we finally induced Judy to continue the journey. “She covers an average of 25 miles a day at a steady walk. The only occasion on which she shows any inclination to speed is when a dead rabbit is sighted on the road. Judy seems terrified then, and promptly commences an exhibition of bucking and running which would do credit to a horse of more tender years. “We all jumped out of the waggon on one occasion, prior to ascending a steep hill, in order to assist Judy. Now she takes it as a matter of course and will not attempt anv steep grades until she has looked round and made •certain we have all got out of the vehicle. Many Misconceptions. “We have been the centre of attraction on the roadside. When we pitch camp for the night, sometimes we are taken for gipsies, or members of a circus troupe. One old lady creared much amusement when she inquired if wo were distributing tracts throughout the country.

“Judy did not enter into the holiday spirit at Rotorua. The strong sulphur fumes seemed to unsettle her, and while we were camping she spent most of the time walking restlessly up and down the paddock alongside a feiPce. As we left the thermal regions and passed Whakaicwarewa ou our way to Taupo, she seemed so elated to be moving again that her usual slow walk was changed to a steady jog for a short distance. Hospitable Fanners. “The farmers have been most kind and hospitable to us during our tiavels, and on many occasions they have granted us the free use of paddocks for camping and grazing, and supplied fresh eggs and milk. We drove into one large motor camp, and, before we had time to explain that we only wanted to pitch camp and graze our horse elsewhere, we were promptly turned out. We were told the camp site was reserved for motorists only. “The trip has proved a great success so far, and a most, economical one too. Of •course, we scorn such luxuries a £ hotels. Two of us sleep in the wag gon, while the other two camp. The total expenses of the whole trip, including chaff, food and camping fees, we expect will not, l><> in excess of £7.’’