Campers undeterred by rain
A torrential downpour in Manawatu saw keen campers ducking for cover but their spirits remained high as they anticipated better days to come.
One campsite packed with campers was the Totara Reserve in Pohangina, where the rain bucketed down on Thursday.
Melissa Kirk said she had been going to the campground for the past few years, as it was nice to get away from civilisation over summer.
The poor weather had not dampened this year’s trip, she said.
Her family had set up their tents on the first day but had since expanded their campsite.
‘‘We have been here a couple of days so we thought we would put the marquee up.’’
She said the location was good for her kids, as there were other children at the campsite they could play with.
Being close to town also made it an ideal place to take children because you could nip back to pick up any forgotten items, Kirk said.
‘‘I’ve brought out quite a bit because I’ve got the kids but these guys just brought a tent and some food. There’s a barbecue here.’’
The facilities were well maintained but her advice to budding campers was to remember your bug spray.
Metservice meteorologist Sarah Sparks said Palmerston North Airport had the highest recorded amount of rain in Manawatu, with 9.8 millimetres falling in one hour and 13.2mm falling over the course of the day.
However, Pohangina was a close second with 7.8mm.
Sparks said the weather would fine up on Friday and would stay that way until Sunday, though more rain was expected next week.
Also enjoying the delights of Totara Reserve was Liam Robson, who said his group of friends had started coming to the campsite a few years ago. ‘‘No [cellphone] reception is a good thing, it makes it so much easier.’’
The heavens opening did not concern the group.
‘‘We just chill out, get out of the wet and have a few drinks.’’
On New Year’s Eve Robson said there would be a band playing at the campsite and he was hoping to get an opportunity to play with them ‘‘Usually we set fireworks off.’’
Every year the campsite had a best sign competition but Robson said the standard set was very high.
His advice for people heading off to camp would be to be over prepared as you never knew what the weather was going to do.
‘‘If you don’t think you will need it bring it anyway you never know what the weather is going to do, and bring a frisbee.’’