Holiday hosts roll with windy start

HIMATANGI Beach Holiday Park hosts, Margaret and Dennis Penney, are in for the “long haul” and have no intention of allowing a weather-affected 2009/10 holiday season opening to deter plans for the future.

Strong winds during the Christmas-New Year period caused chaos at the popular camping ground, with many campers leaving early or failing to appear after paying their deposit.

“The wind is destructive and has kept the people away,” said Margaret. “The whole camping experience and wind don’t go together – five windy days in a row is just hideous.”

She said the park’s regular campers were on site for Christmas and New Year, but from early January, as the poor weather continued, the phone calls started as people cancelled their bookings.

Though this season’s opening is the worst experienced by the Penney’s since they took over the camp nearly seven years ago, they are prepared to roll with the fluctuating fortunes of running a holiday park.

“We are here for the long haul and it never entered our heads to question any future involvement. We are not unlike the farmers – they can have a bad season but still have to keep going.”

Margaret said she had been humbled by the positive feedback they had received this year and campers in a new area at the park were delighted with the extra room and facilities.

“The (Manawatu District) council very kindly increased our land at the western end and we’ve been able to put in nine more powered sites and do up the old playground toilet block. The people down there have loved it.”

Another plus had been the record number of overseas campers using Himatangi Beach this season as a stop-over between Taupo and Wellington.