What we have been mostly up to!

Well - great big congrats to son who did very well in his AS Levels and is very proud as are we! He was also dead chuffed to get his first job in the local pub all on the same day - what a happy boy!

Hubby and I had a lovely trip down to Welly via the Overlander (a 12 hour train journey through some fabulous countryside).

Here is the train:
Front end:


Back end (for viewing):


Here we are going at the speed of light! (not):


It was such a cool journey - I thought we'd be dead bored and slitting our wrists by the end, but no - it was really enjoyable. Beautiful scenery (the train actually slows down at the most scenic points), chats with our fellow passengers (Pommy couple who've been here for 40 years, Pommy couple who were here on holiday and 2 lovely Dutch ladies), a running commentary from the mystery voice and the delight of watching cows and sheep running like mad into the distance as we mosied along next to them! Sadly, we also saw at least 4 cars that had come off the road and crashed down the hills or cliffs.

This is a piccie of a very secluded platform in:

The Middle of Nowhere,
Between Auckland and Wellington
North Island,
New Zealand.



On the way down, we went past a HUGE volcano (Mount Ruapehu), which is about to overflow at some point soon, sending a lahar running down the valley:



Had to copy this photo as the top of the volcano was shrouded with clouds and mist when we went by!

We were carried past the sight of the tragic area of the 1953 eruption (Tangiwai) and learned of the lives lost there (including a train load of passengers like us). Now, with the threat of the lahar, safety is paramount and farmers have had to move their sheep (one farmer has moved 2500 of his sheep). Digger and bulldozer workers working nearby have to report into Wellington Railway Station every half hour.

When the collapse of the crater happens, 1.2 million cu m of volacanic ash, rock and water will plunge down the Whangaehu River bed. The lahar could be fronted by a bow wave of up to 2 m high.

From newspaper reports, it seems that everyone and everything is being prepared as much as they can be - but who knows what will happen? As I am learning fast in this country, nature is a very unpredictable thing!

Our journey also took us along the world famous Raurimu Spiral - basically taking us higher without going up too steeply (I think!) - here is some better info, explaining it in more detail for those of you who are more technically minded and more interested:

http://www.websnz.com/ttt/nzr/nzrrs.php3

Here is our train going around one of the curves (at the speed of light):



It was quite cool really!

We set off at 7.30 am from Auckland and arrived in Wellington at 7.30 pm! Luckily, our hotel was very close to the railway station, so we trotted up the hill and collapsed in our room for half an hour or so. After that, it was time to find dinner. We walked to the other end of the city, taking in the evening sights and proceeded to eat a lovely meal (as recommended by an internet friend) in the Masala Indian Restaurant! Yum....


More adventures in Wellington to follow.....

Right now it is Saturday morning and I'm about to get ready to go to Maraetai (pronounced My right eye). It is the offshore speedboat championships - should be really cool! And it's free too! Later on, we will go to a neighbours to celebrate 70 years and tonight is a 50th birthday party! Whew! Tomorrow - will be getting stuff ready for school - ah well........ Yep I'm back at school and another new school year has begun!

Typically, the weather is very hot and lovely and I want to be in the sea.... sigh......

Sorry I've been so long in blogging - been enjoying the summer here - it's GREAT!