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Christchurch

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Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Jezz! What a lot of hi’s and hugs to give! Greeting everyone on the Extravaganza is no easy task. It was great to see everyone again.

That night I realized just how much I missed my friends from school. Leaving them was hard in the first place, but now they are gone it was worse than I had expected. It felt like a dull ache, especially now that Tiwai and Lettie are not coming until Timaru (two fairs away). Oh well I’m just going to have to suck it up and “make the best of it!”(our new family motto).

That weekend was the busiest start of season anyone has ever seen. And it was sunny!

                 A visit from the Wizard of New Zealand and the new Wizard of Christchurch.

We forgot about grumpy Mondays and boy did it hit us hard! We grumped our way around the city doing jobs and visiting op-shops, going to the Margret Mahy playground and picking up our new car.

Finally we made it to the New Brighton working men’s club (not glamorous at all!) and bunkered down for a wild stormy night.

Opps! I forgot one important detail. On their way to Christchurch for the Extravaganza Mels and Jonas’s bus caught fire in Wellington! They arrived back from dinner out to find the inside of their bus on fire, with their two Chihuahua’s trapped inside! They managed to quickly put the fire out and save the dogs. Mels had to give Izzy (the puppy) mouth to nose resuscitation, luckily she survived. Everyone came out almost unscathed apart from a few burns. They had to throw everything out. Completely strip out the bus!

OK back to us. The next day we moved onto Rakia gorge camp ground. Unfortunately it was right next to a loud under construction bridge, nothings perfect! I had developed a rather nasty cough, so when we went for a four hour walk I only did half an hour. Dad took me back to the truck while Mum and the boys carried on.

After that failed adventure we drove twenty minutes down the road to Te awa awa rata reserve, a favorite with the gypsies. We found all of the Lucky star crew fixing up the mother ship, (Mels and Jonas’s bus) so we gave them our moral support. Dad went hunting and shot a Red deer. Well done Daddy. The boys played with Koco (Mels daughter) and I made a delicious Lemon cake. We stayed at that peaceful haven for two nights, then sped off Friday morning for setup.

What a brilliant first week! Bye!

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Winter in Motueka

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Winter is a welcome holiday for us Extrava-gangsters. We fill it with buying stock, preparing our shop, maintaining our truck and for our family, making our new shows and practicing them. Not to mention going to school. Well sort of a holiday! The boys had their first day at school and it turned out… they loved it! Mean while I was loving being back at Rudolf Steiner my old school. It was great to see all my friends again, they welcomed me back with open arms and hearts. I had a lovely time.

                                           My classmates and I at a Hockey tournament

To begin with we stayed at kina beach. We said goodbye to last seasons shows with a ceremony involving throwing our end of season bouquets flower by flower in to the ocean.

After a couple of weeks we moved to Marchwood park (motor caravan camp ground).

Soon my birthday appeared on the agenda, so we planned a pretty primo party. It involved most of my class taking the ferry from Mapua to Rabbit island with our bikes. We then cycled along the trail to meet up with Mim (our truck) where Mum had set up a party. We ate, played and partied for the afternoon finishing by cycling back to the ferry.

                                                          Playing Port / Starboard

A month later Mum’s birthday came around. We decided to do something special with her. We packed up the car and headed to Golden bay to walk into Wharawharangi hut for a night. Mum and day had their usual mid winter swim in their birthday suits! We lit a fire on the beach (below the high tide line), toasted marshmallows and had a wonderful time. Happy birthday Mum!

A few weeks later we were back in Golden bay for the school holidays, this time with our truck. Daisy beach and Wharawhariki beach were the highlights of our trip.

                                             Cooking sausages over the beach fire

 

Over the five months in Motueka I enjoyed weekly Dance and Drama classes.

A lot of thought and practice went into our new magic show. Dad and I took Latin dance classes. Poor Daddy!

We also practiced our family circus show about three times a week which was not always easy outdoors in winter.

In September as a late combined birthday present Mum and I flew to Auckland to see in spark arena………… P!nk!!!!!! It was the most inspirational, sensational, performance I have ever seen! She is such a strong amazing woman.

With the end of winter came my school play and my Drama class play. Both high on my list of priorities as when I grow up I would like to become an actor. The school play was a stunning success (surprisingly as we wrote it ourselves). It had me staring as Julia the love struck roman princess. The title was Ludus Roma (roman play). Thank you to all my classmates and our devoted teacher Margot.

In my Drama class play we all got to create our own characters. My character was the sassy Clarissa De Vain, a detective.

                   Clarisa De Vain

The play turned out to be fabulous. The last performance was the night before set up in Christchurch, a tight squeeze. After the play at 9pm we drove the two hours to Murchison, stayed in a cabin then continued with the four hour drive to Christchurch for setup.

Whew what a busy winter! Now back to the Extravaganza. Bye!

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Taupo / Tongariro crossing / End of season!

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On our way to Taupo we met up with Lette and Tewai at a secret hot pool known only to people with google maps. It is marked as “Hot and Cold”. A hot stream joins a cold stream, hot, cold and everything in-between. We had a yummy soak. Yani came along too.

After that we drove onto Whakaipo Doc reserve and stayed there a couple of nights, exploring, schooling and carving pumice which you find on the beach.  On Wednesday we got a good view of Mt Tongariro, on Thursday it was time to do the crossing!

There were plenty of gypsies keen on the walk so we got up early, crammed into vehicles and drove to the Mangatapopo car park. The track was fantastic. Steep and barren like the moon. It was fun walking with the Gypsies. The Red crater and Emerald lakes were amazing.

We all charged across with no problems. Meanwhile Mum and the boys walked to Mangtapopo hut then drove to the end of the track to shuttle drivers back to the start. By the end of it everyone was foot sore and ready for a soak at Tokaanu hot pools. Then we had Indian in Turangi with Keanau and Julia.

After much debate followed by a vote it was decided to go ahead with the Taupo fair in-spite of a terrible weather forecast. The weather turned out to be terrible and the fair was a flop. However we did have a uproarious end of season party.  Mum and Dad presented us with trophies for all our hard work in our shows.

There were prizes for all the gypsies. The usual dancing and shenanigans took place.

Sunday was a wash out so we high tailed south, heading for Motueka and Steiner school.

That was the end of our third season on the Extravaganza. So many adventures and so much fun! I am so tired I could do with a little rest! Bye!

 

 

 

 

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Rotorua

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“Now for the daily weather report with Dylan Daisy Ashton. Rotorua; light rain, heavy showers, sunshine, clouds, hot, cold, freezing, warm and windy, changing hourly throughout the weekend!”

We had a new and brilliant location right next to the swan spotted Lake Rotorua. Unfortunately the council had double booked our spot. Instead there was a small carnival in our place and we set up nearby. On top of that the council health inspectors came in special vests with video cameras, to shut down all our food and drink stalls. Our health certificate that had worked in every other town in New Zealand, some how did not work in Rotorua. I know, right? Ich weiBes schon gut(private joke). What beardy weirdies the inspectors were(they were all bald and bearded, even the ladies). 

Saturday night we visited the Carnival. It was… garish, gaudy yet extremely fun. My favorite game was the laughing clowns. You have five ping-pong balls to put in their mouths and see which number slot the ball goes into then add up the numbers and sum is the number of the prize you get. All of the prizes broke within two days. But that didn’t matter, we still had fun.

Like a $2 shop only its $5.

Our world travels never stop. Sunday night we visited Thailand in a stunning whorl of new and delicious flavors at Wild rice Thai cuisine on Rotoruas “Eat street”.

Monday morning after a short watch of Americas got talent, our new favorite morning habit, we wandered down to a small jetty. Out of the morning mist softly shrouding the lake, swans glided gracefully towards us and our bread. Squabbling and squawking they slowly ate all the bread as we drank our morning drinks(Hot chocolate, Tea, Coffee, Milo).  Bye!

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Gisborne

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“Screech!” I skidded to a stop at a red light in the Gisborne traffic skills bike park.  It was just along the road from the new Gisborne grounds.

This year the grounds were right next to the sea, much better than last years park. The weekend was a “Meh” one, freezing cold, showers and quiet. The people of Gisborne are used to hot, sunny surfing weather. When it turns cold they hibernate and stay at home.

Playing magic with Riley, Aden and Keaneu

Saturday night Mum and Dad went out on a date, so I baby sat the boys and stayed up late watching Serena the teenage witch , my favorite episodes.

Monday morning we trucked to the mechanics so they could fit a new clutch to “Mim” our truck. Mum took us out for fish and chips on the beach. We bought some back for Dad who was underneath the truck. Poor Daddy all black and greasy! That night was spent in the mechanics yard. Tuesday morning Mum, the boys and I decided to drive to Opotiki’s Island view holiday park to meet up with some of the Gypsies. We had to stay in a cabin as Dad did not make it that night. The rest of the week we spent on school work, play time and long walks on the beach.

Finally the time came early Friday to leave paradise for set up in Rotorua. Bye!

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Havelock North

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“Splish, splosh.” The water swirls down the channel. “Quick shut the gate!” I yell. Lette shuts the gate and the water comes to a standstill. We let the water build up until we think it’s high enough, then open the gate. “woosh.” It zooms down the channel and into the pool at the bottom. I love the new water park and playground on the grounds in Havelock North!

The two day weekend was hot, sunny, busy and all together enjoyable apart from the fact that we all felt exhausted from our terrible week of sickness.

Out for dinner after pack down on Sunday night.

 

After that weekend we slowly wound our way to Mahia peninsula and parked up at Stewart and Carol Bells park over property to plug into power and freeze the venison in the freezer. A storm was coming and our solar panels won’t work well in cloudy weather.

Oh. I almost forgot a very sad thing happened on our way to Mahia. We passed a goat on the side of the road that had been hit by a car. Its legs were broken. We stopped up the road and Dad put it out of its misery. R.I.P poor goat.

Mahia peninsula has one of the two Rocket Lab launch pads in the world. Awesome right?!

That night the storm kicked in and it was still going full bore when we high tailed it to Moerere hot pools the next morning. “Ahh… lovely!” After the too good to be true soak we sped to Gisborne and another park over property for the same reason.

Disaster struck Thursday afternoon on our way to the grounds. The truck clutch was slipping! Eventually we came to a standstill right when we were turning into the grounds, blocking two lanes of traffic! A random kind motorist towed us clear. How unfortunate, now we need a new clutch. This weekend Gisborne. Bye!

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Napier Easter weekend.

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“Oh! Found one!” “Here’s another!” The shiny purple wrapping gives it away in the early morning light. All the gypsy kids run frantically around the Extravaganza shouting and searching for Easter eggs. Today is Easter and April fools day, so in the end we got a few duds. Acorns aren’t that yummy!

Sunday night there was supposed to be a movie. But it turned windy all of a sudden and everyone was “Too lazy.”

The gypsy kids enjoyed a ride on the mini train which ran right past our truck.

The four day weekend at Anderson park blitzed by sunny and busy, we ended on a high note, somewhat exhausted.

On the last day Jaz got a tummy bug, no shows for him! He just lay there all day, quiet and still. It was quite nice to tell the truth.

Tuesday morning at 7.30 we sped to Haumoana to secure our spot by the sea. Dad left to go hunting with his mate Paul. Good luck! Mum the boys and I spent a lovely afternoon on mattresses in the sun. 4am saw me with my head in a pot puking my guts out. Luckily pots are plentiful in our house truck as Dallas followed soon after. We are such a sharing caring family. Thanks Jaz!

The next day was the longest most wretched day of my life. “Blurgh, yuck!” I hate puking. That night at 11pm I awoke to pumping music and yahooing. The gypsies were having a party right next door. Mama bear stormed outside enraged, yelling obscenities at them. Needless to say the party was over. I woke up the next morning to discover that Mum had “Quit the Extravaganza!”  Whatever!

Mean while up in the mountains Dad stood up stretched, ate his breakfast and lifted his leg for a good morning fart. Unfortunately and surprisingly much more than a fart came out! Poor Daddy he had caught the bug and pooped his pants! He buried his best undies in a hole in the ground, never to be seen again. The upside is he did get a Stag!

Making a stop motion Lego movie on the beach.

Friday morning we were all feeling a bit better and headed for set up in Havelock North. Bye!

 

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Cuba dupa!

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“Ring  ring ring” finally ! The call had come from Jonas to drive onto Cuba street to set up for Cuba Dupa festival.

We drove onto a street just off Cuba street. There, were all of the gypsies parked on the pavement, setting up with concrete blocks to tie the straps for their awnings onto.

I was so excited . I stayed up till midnight, then fell asleep exhausted. I woke up early and peeped out my window. Yep, we were still way down town in wellington setting up!  “Oh my gosh, Eeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!” I was so excited!

The Extravaganza and Cuba dupa kicked off at 12pm, for 12 hours we sold our crystals, performed, danced, played and explored. Thousands of people thronged the streets, 4 stages pumped out music and shows. It was massive.

I fell asleep exhausted at midnight again, and woke up on Sunday to do it all again. This time from noon to 6pm.

We packed down on Sunday night and high tailed it to Lyle bay, happy and full of festival.

The next day we passed through Masterton briefly stopping at Nana and Pa’s to gather some firewood (Dads crazy about firewood, its’s his thing) and have a cup of tea.  After that we trucked on to Anzac park in Norsewood.

The next morning at 4am Dad left to go Deer hunting. We got up at a much more respectable hour. I spent a lovely morning baking a three layer lemon cake which was ready just in time for when Dad came home. It was Delicious!

Unfortunately Dad failed to catch anything.

Late that afternoon we drove to Haumoana, where we spent the rest of the short week before our four day Easter weekend in Anderson park Napier. Bye!

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Palmerston North

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Friday afternoon Yani gathered all the gypsy kids together and took us to the science museum. There, to our utter delight was a Lego exhibition! I made a stop motion movie with Lego people. We all ran around crazily laughing exploring the exhibition.

Saturday night all the gypsies went down to the Ten pin bowling alley and bowled for best winner and best loser. It was super entertaining.

Palmy fair was not as good as last year but still lots of happy people.

On Sunday night we dragged our hungry selves to an Indian restaurant with the peculiar name “Arranged marriage” Dads jokes were not funny!

We hauled over the hill to Masterton, parking at the Moata park over property. Dad had the Flu so he was horribly grumpy. Mum and him had a huge row, she chased him around the paddock hitting him with her skirt. It was hilarious yet terrible at the same time.

We had a lovely sleep over with Nana and Pa while Mum and Dad had a date and cooled down a bit.

Down came the rain and our plans for going to Kaitoki regional park were splattered. Instead we sped to Lyle bay, Wellington and the new Te papa art exhibition. The Toi art exhibition was varied, colourful and interactive. My favorite exhibit had hundreds of colourful ribbons from dark to light like a rainbow hanging from the ceiling. At the end of every ribbon was attached a teardrop shaped glass bottle. Inside each one, matching the colour of the ribbon was a crystal, spice or some other natural substance. The exhibit signified hope and new beginnings. It smelt wonderful.

Friday morning was a stormy one, grey and hostile. We schooled then headed down to the marina to wait for the call to go and set up for Cuba Dupa. Bye!

 

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Granddads Funeral

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We covered him in crystals to sooth his soul and let him go peacefully.

Saturday and Sunday were a frenzy of preparations for Granddads funeral. Friends and relatives started arriving, patting me on the head and saying “so sorry”. I didn’t know who any of them were.

We woke up early Monday morning, the day of the funeral and drove to Napier to buy savories for 200 people. Then made haste for the church in Puketapu.

The funeral was held; long, sad and heavy on godly talk which was to be honest a bit irritating. Charlotte, Renae (cousins) and I recited a poem. He was carried out of the church to the melancholy strains of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah

Mum was one of the pall bearers. Granddad was very heavy but Mum is very strong. She carried him gallantly all the way out to the cemetery where he was laid to rest on top of Grandma.

Granddads graveside.

That night we drove, exhausted to Haumoana where we slept long and deep, lulled by the crashing waves. We woke up, spent some time on the beach, then I made apple pies for lunch. Yum! The rest of the day was spent relaxing, playing and more relaxing in the shade at the beach. Wednesday we fitted a new lock to Granddads shed, we had to force our way in since he had lost the key ages ago. We then made our way out of town to a reserve in Norsewood.

Thursday we schooled, played and relaxed before moving on to Pahiatua where we arrived late at a dilapidated netball court and playground that served as a campground.

The next day we drove to Palmy (Palmerston North) for setup. Bye!

A New Zealand travel blog By Dylan Daisy