MC 242221 dated 21-03-1970

(Above): Once upon a time in 1970 a new union was formed and duly recorded by the Dept of Home Affairs. Today we are 44 years from that point, I thank and congratulate my partner for her tenacity, thick skin and faithfulness for such a ling time.

To mark the commemoration of our 44th anniversary, we made a simple pilgrimage in the form of a repeat trip which we undertook just over three years ago in 2011, to Wellington Waterfront and Central City. I would also make use of my Supergold pensioner’s card for the first time.

(Above): I simply flashed the train conductress my superannuation card and she issued me with this free pass. Cheap at the price, thank you.

(Above): We drove down to Waikanae station and parked outside in all-day free parking. No security guards, no shady characters, no loiterers, just parked cars. The station is spotless, and the lady in the ticket office most courteous and helpful. When we arrived, our train was standing waiting, and at precisely 9:30 we glided out of the station, headed for Wellington, about 70 kilometres to the south.

(Above): The train inside and out is in pristine condition, with the latest electronic next station indicators, current time and automatic voice information and safety announcements. The stations for the various lines a-la-underground-style shows our Kapiti line in olive green with stations in sequence: Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Paekakariki, Pukerua Bay, Plimmerton, Mana, Paremata, Porirua, Kenepuru, Linden, Tawa,, Redwood and then Wellington.

(Above): The scenery outside is varied, colourful and interesting. The moon even obliged and appeared in this one. Thank you, Mr Moon.

(Above): On the right-hand side (western), one can see State Highway 1 far below and the well-known Kapiti Island across the bay. 

(Above) After an hour on rail, through tunnels and over bridges and mountains, we approach the end of our southward journey. We plan to spend most of the day just lolling around the streets and take a look at the Botanical gardens above the city again.

(Above and below): Jeanette stops off at Shed No.5 and at the Info board at Queens Wharf for a photo.

(Above and below): I waited at Dockside in the waterfront and at Plimmer Steps in Lambton Quay. Guy with top-hat and tails, with the hound is John Plimmer, English settler and entrepreneur, is said to be the Father of Wellington.

(Above) Cable Car Lane off Lambton Quay is a short passageway between main street shops to the cable car station, with the able car leading up the steep mountainside to university residences and the Botanic gardens and planetarium at the very top. Here I find that my Supergold Card buys me a free ride to the top and back. Nice.

(Above): View from the driver’s cabin with all the electrical switches to enable the upward journey. Everything is spotlessly clean, and the vehicles move in superb silence up and down the steel rails. On our previous blog by Bloke On The Bus, there appear a number of photos taken in 2011

(Above): We travelled up and down in cable car number 2.

(Above) Morning tea at the Boat Cafe at the top cable car station. Very good food.

(Above): Jeanette outside the Wellington Planetarium.

(Above): Do you have the time? As easy as, you imply stand on the calendar day/month, with your back to the sun, and your shadow will point to the correct time. It’s a tad before 12 noon, according to the sundial at her wrist.

(Above): On top of the hill stands this Krupp Gun. It was manufactured in Essen and served the German army throughout 1914-18. The crest of the Prussian Foot Guards Artillery Regiment can be seen on the top surface of the barrel. The gun was captured near La Vacquerie in France in 1918 by the New Zealand Division. At the end of the war, many pieces were sent back to NZ as war trophies, and this gun was gifted to the City of Wellington in 1920 in honour of the soldiers from the Wellington District.

(Above): One of the city street scenes. Please refer back to our 2011 blog by Bloke On The Bus for other shots.

(Above): The Wellington Cenotaph (also Wellington Citizens War Memorial) a short way from parliament at the intersection of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street. It is the focus of Anzac Day (25 April) commemorations in the City, every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during WWI

(Above): The well-known “Beehive” the common name for the Executive wing of the NZ parliament, situated at the corner of Lambton Quay and Molesworth Street.

(Above) Wai-Titi Landing. This monument represents at Treaty Agreement between Te Atiawa/ Taranaki whanua to commemorate the significance on this landing ground area.

(Above): After a very pleasant and eventful day we arrived home to such a wonderful surprise. A special delivery by our postman in the form of a carton by post from Durbanville South Africa. Sender Mrs Frankie Jones. What s huge surprise, what we can only describe as a monumental labour of love and devotion – a huge king size bed crocheted overthrow blanket -  a comforter, I’m told. Jeanette was so overcome with emotion, it took a full half hour to get her back to normal speech. And Frankie has made it in the Duck Egg turquoise colour which matches all the colours in the bedroom-to-be.