We pulled open the blinds this morning to see a little
commercial tourist campervan parked within the clubs hallowed grounds. It is
always a dilemna when considering the policing of these parks, tentatively but jealously
guarding them against interlopers, which is silly really; we pay our annual
subscription and attend to our self-containment certification which under club
rules is quite strict. This means that our members should in theory be
upholding very high standards as regards freedom camping. It should also be
notedthat large signs at the park gates tell the traveller to STOP and read
the rules, which include that only financial members are welcome within the
confines of the park perimeter.
Chris popped over to check the register near the gate
while I prepared breakfast, and whilst there, the occupant of the camper van
came over to him to ask where he should pay his tarriff. He had in fact
completed the register although had left the membership number space vacant. He
said that they had found the camp online which we thought rather odd given that
access to the membership area of the club website is restricted to code
holders.
Chris reported that he was a thoroughly decent chap,
not obviously a free-loader, but misguided all the same. He and his partner
were travelling New Zealand for two months so Chris suggested he might like to
join the club, and then as a member rightfully enjoy the benefits of
membership, as we do. We did remember later that membership these days is
restricted to those whose travelling unit is certified self-contained and this
little “Mighty” van did not seem so.
Hopefully he will find out the membership requirements when he goes on line
himself. However none of this dealt with the fact that this park over property,
as with most of them, has no toilet facilites or water available.
We sat about all morning reading and ringing ahead to
arrange Christmas accomodation after checking the five day forecast. Then after
lunch we made a move, heading straight up Highway One to Rolleston in the first
instance where we did our grocery shopping, leaving Countdown with a trolly
full of decadence.
Arriving at this south Christchurch NZMCA park, we
found it busier than ever; it would seem that we are not the only ones who
escape the commercialism and complexity of Christmas. I made the most of the
cheap laundry facilities and later we watched the sun set in a relatively clear
sky. Much of the snow visible on the far mountains when we were last here has
melted. Summer is here at last.
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