 |
| One of the Spitfire flying at the Airshow |
Bowling Club Blenheim - Freedom camping ($5 pp)
We were planning to stay at the nearby Vineyard during the Blenheim Airshow, but those plans went pear-shaped after the widespread flooding from the intensive rainfall nationally. But there was no problem, we found an excellent hard-standing place to park - at the friendly local bowling club. In some ways this was way better because it was near the town and also had some facilities.
Again we learned a lot from the local residents, over a beer or three.
There was also an excellent dog-friendly walk by the river where the dogs could swim in the car-park which had now become a temporary pool!
 |
| Blenheim - the flooded river in the evening. |
"Bombers, bullets, beer, bombs...& bowling: bank holiday weekend in Blenheim"
 |
| Compared to UK airshows, NZ airshows are amazing because the action happens right above you! (No worries about H&S here)! LOL |
Who would have thought it was even possible? No less than 8 Fokker (Red Baron - Baron von Richthofen) tri-planes engaged in aerial combat with RFC WW1 Sopwith Camels. Only at Blenheim Bi-annual Easter airshow!
Superb weather on the back of cyclonic floods up North - we were diverted from staying at a local winery as the river was still very high and we ended up at the bowling club car park with several other airshow goers. The great news is that they were very friendly and open most afternoons for cold beer ad bonhomie.
As for the show - we saw enacted battles with WW1 tanks engaged in land battles as well as a WW2 enactment to include a full size jet powered V1 "doodlebug" being chased by a Spitfire! YES it happened here!
Other air action included a display from a twin-tailed Venom (1947 jet fighter-bomber) and a whole squadron of Harvards plus plenty more including the famous Black Falcons - (Kiwi version of our wonderful Red Arrows - but with propellers).
The airshow began on the Friday evening with a fireworks display and then went on for two full days Saturday and Sunday. All weekend the skies were full of rare Warbirds. We even saw an Avro Anson doing a display.
 |
| explosions and tanks firing! |
Whilst in Blenheim, our wartime theme continued when went to the local cinema (not as nice as our home venue at the Cambridge Tivoli). It was very apt to see 'Their Finest' - although the cinema description wasn't clear it was based around Dunkirk, it was a delight to find out it was! Spitfire trips were $4,050 for 25 minute but were fully booked (Phew - Ed)- P40 Kitthawk flights and Dc3 (Dakota) rides also available. So heartwarming to see so much support for these vintage aircraft.
One of our objectives of this trip South was to visit places we didn't get to last time - so on the 17th - the weather was still good - we left Blenheim for the beaches southwest of Nelson.
No comments:
Post a Comment