House buses converge on town
With over 80 house buses and house trucks and every one of them different it was a remarkable sight at Ferry Reserve over Labour Weekend.
They began rolling in about Wednesday and will stay anything up to a fortnight depending on the weather.
Many house bus drivers have the highway as their home — no fixed place of abode and they are happy about it.
Most prominent of this group are Garry and Pam McQuoid whose 1960 AEC Reliance Converted school bus called Buster McBus is widely recognised on social media. The couple run a blog and post daily events on Facebook and Instagram. With over 1000 followers Garry says many live vicariously their lives through the diary he and Pam post.
Frequently visitors recognise the bus and drop in for a chat, fulfilling a need to help others.
Garry, a retired engineer, loves the open road.
Speaking for those like he and Pam he says there are no rates, no power bills to pay, no lawns to mow, no neighbours to fall out with.
A couple paying rent on their home keeps them viable, supplemented by Pam’s art inspired by what she sees on the road.
Another couple whose home is the road are Wayne and Serena Eltringham, formerly of Pahiatua.
They travel in a bus painted by teenage graffiti artists at their request, detailing the story of their life.
Each feature reflects events in their life.
Why were they in the Ferry Reserve?
Woodville locals Mat and Molly Foster, new to Woodville a year ago, began the meet last year advertising on Facebook and attracting 42 house buses last Labour Weekend.
This year the number has doubled. They love it says Molly. Woodville is a great little town and people really enjoy it and the reserve. Nothing much is planned — just games for the kids. People just relate to each other, share stories, shop in town and compare their mobile creations.
“People have come from as far north as Whanga¯ rei and as far south as Invercargill,” says Mat.
“One even created a new flag for Woodville.” Altogether they have contributed $300 in donations to further developments in Ferry Reserve.