There are still some copies of our book of stories
Life Laughter and Love in the early years.
Cost $10, Contact Glad, Phone 483 7545

MYSTERY TRIP
19th March 2005

Leaving the Bus Depot at 9.00am, we travelled around the Birkdale Loop and down to the Museum after a slight delay on the way. Down Onewa Road, Lake Road onto Sylvan Avenue where the last of our members and friends boarded. Over the Harbour Bridge and along Customs Street then back along Quay Street, left at Queen Street where members were asked to leave the coach and follow Glad into the Britomart Station where they found they were catching a train to the Waitakere Station.

Just after 1lam the train arrived at Waitakere Station and everybody climbed on to the waiting coach and we set off for a drive through Taupaki, Kumeu, Huapai, and Waimauku and onto Muriwai Beach arriving there about 12 noon, a very pleasant place for lunch. Quite a few people went for a stroll along the beach and the many walks there. The Gannet Colony look out was our first stop on our return journey, not many birds about but the view was spectacular.

We then travelled through the Muriwai Valley Road and for some distance this was a loose metal surface. Seldom seen these days!! A visit to Borics Orchard for fresh fruit and vegetables and ice creams, then on past the Whenuapai Air Base and over the causeway to Herald Island or Pine Island as it was previously known. Glad mentioned that the early Birkdale strawberry growers, including his grandfather had travelled over in boats and gathered hundreds of bags of pine needles for use as mulch for their plants. We made a stop at small reserve by the waters edge on the northern side of the Island looking across the upper harbour towards the Paremoremo wharf. Down to the Island landing where the bus was turned around in a very small space, then back over the upper harbour bridge crossing where we able to see the progress made on the new bridge and approach roads.

Then a detour through the Greenhithe Village whilst Glad told us some of his experiences about early bus driving days in the area. Frank Larking, Jack Kendall, and Colleen Davidson won raffles. Down the Wairau Road and along the Northern Motorway and back to Sylvan Avenue After dropping off members, we arrived back at Verrans Comer at 5pm. All agreed that we had one of best days out yet, once again thanks to Glad and Betty for their time in organising this day out.

Coming Events

AGM, at St Andrews Church, Hinemoa Street

AGM, at St Andrews Church, Hinemoa Street
Saturday 14th May 2005 - 2.00pm

Guest Speaker: Mr IAN HANDRICKS CEO, Beyond Imagination Ltd. Members please bring a plate.

Stories Afternoon at St Andrews Church, Hinemoa Street
Saturday 18th June 2005 - 2.00pm

Door charge $2-00

Sunday 24th July 2005 -Visit to Blockhouse Bay Historical Society

Visit to Blockhouse Bay Historical Society, as they celebrate 145 years of settlement in the area.
Bus Departs Verrans Cnr 10-00am, Museum 10.30.
Book with Glad 483 7545. Cost $10.
MORE DETAILS LATER, PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A SUNDAY TRIP