The population of popular glbti camping spot Vinegar Hill has exploded early with around seventy campers settled in by last evening. The early start to the camping season, which should see several hundreds of glbti campers and their families at the DOC reserve on the banks of the Manawatu River, seems due to the weekend falling just a day before Christmas Day this year. In past years the numbers have only swelled from Boxing Day onwards. Despite forecasts of rain, the weather at Vinegar Hill has been "fantastic," says GayNZ.com Vinegar Hill correspondent Calum Bennachie. "There was a little rain on the 21st, but since then, the only thing raining down on people has been sunshine." Trying to keep cool has been a major factor with many people swimming in the river which is low and crystal clear. The first river ride has already taken place. "It would have been on Saturday," says Bennachie, "but the inner tubes hadn't been blown up!" Events to look forward to include the Queen's Cocktail Party, an afternoon jazz party and the big New Year's Eve bash featuring home-made entertainment and the traditional bonfire.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 24th December 2012 - 8:35pm