Gypsy Camping Wairarapa

Gypsy River Camping

Gypsy River Camping in the Wairarapa is so unexpected. This is a camp consisting of  hand made gypsy caravans - three of them in all -  plus a cook house, in a characteristic gypsy style semicircle grouped around a campfire. This is the perfect gypsy get-away. These charming little caravans of many colours are in the back of a field, not so far from a pleasant river, surrounded by tall willows and verdant pastures.

The gypsy camp is charming. There are three sleeping caravans plus a cookhouse and bathroom. One of the vans even has its own pot belly stove and electricity. The others are for you to enjoy the candlelight -  and the campfire light if the weather is kind. 

The kitchen has everything you could need including some delightful surprises: - Was that three tins of fresh baking ready to be devoured?? More than I might achieve in a year or three. Outside there is the barbecue all gassed up and ready to use-  and inside you will find every condiment and utensil you might possibly require to cook the perfect gypsy meal. What's more there are games for the bored, and for breakfast the fun of making toast over a retro frame on the gas stove. All your breakfast needs are supplied.

The bedroom caravan with the bunks is full of colour, not to mention luminescent stars in the deep blue internal sky.

Outside there is space to romp; space for games . What's more there is a flying fox and a giant swing to make the most of, as well as canoes if the river is playing ball. The outside bath is tucked into a private dell surrounded by bushes and flaxes. Your host will light the fire for you and show you the tricks of achieving a perfect bath. Here is a clue. Do not keep stoking the fire too close to bath time....

 Once the summer season has settled, the fairy lights come out to add an even more magical touch.

There is nothing more perfect than a bath under the stars and a campfire on a balmy night.  The gypsy camp is near to Masterton but it might as well be a million miles away.

It is a wonderful way to spend some time.This is the kind of place that needs a repeat performance.

http://www.unusualstays.com/

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Akupe Gypsy Caravan

Akupe Gypsy Caravan

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Not more than ten minutes drive from Martinborough is Akupe Farm. Only hard to find if you are driving too fast, you may be fraught with doubt as I was,  as to whether you had missed it or even whether you were on the right road. However the directions from the owners are good and there it is, just where  they said it would . Do not expect to actually see the gypsy caravan - its hidden from the road. Obviously in terms of privacy this is a good thing; -  in terms of being sure you are in the right place - not quite so reassuring.

Akupe Cottage and Akupe Gypsy Caravan sit near to each other behind a cluster of tall trees. Painted maroon and white and sitting on its metal wheels it is indeed, a gypsy van. However it has been in one place for a long time and in all honesty its not likely to be heading out onto the back country roads again at any time soon without a good deal of work.
A little more love and care to the exterior would help a lot with that critical first impression as you pull up alongside your accommodation for the night.  Inside however, the van is spotlessly well kept, and has an interesting, patterned theme throughout. Is it an authentic gypsy sense of style? - maybe not. (It doesn't have the remotest similarity to the vans in 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' - thank goodness!)  But it's appealing none the less, with its lacy curtains and floral trims. I liked it.

The van has a pot belly stove, an inside shower and toilet, a small kitchen, and a very comfortable double bed. Unfortunately not being smart enough to work out how to make the fire go, it was the heater for me.  Ditto for the gas fired hot water! There were instructions for this, but whether I got these wrong or whether I  simply didn't wait long enough for things to heat up, enough, I never really managed to work out.

However the van has some lovely touches. The convenience of having all those services tucked in under the one roof was a pleasant surprise and is not to be underrated. The bed was ultra soft and was clad in a gorgeous satin duvet cover and matching sheet and pillows.. So nice! The windows were leadlight with ruby red cathdedral glass in the split stable door.

I must admit I like to meet the owners when I choose a place to stay but it was not to be. No doubt they were respecting my privacy which is in itself a considerate approach, just not my preference.Who put together this cosy little creation I wondered. Where did the van come from? Was it very old? Was it ever on the road? So many questions ...

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/