I love trains. It's no secret. In fact I even created a page about it in my book about it. So when a steam engine is due to come through Pukekohe, I hear about it.
It was the 100 year reinactment of the parlimentry special last friday. It was 100 years prior that the MP's had travelled from Wellington to Auckland to greet a visiting naval fleet. And so the steam train was passing through with a stop at Pukekohe at 2pm. I figured it would reach Paerata soon afterwards.
I was busy at this time though, my SIL had bought baby Samantha in to see us all, I'd taken the kids out of school to meet her, and see the train don't tell the teachers, and so I found myself doing two things at once.
I'm clicking away pics of this beautiful baby and notice the time is getting close to 2pm. So I bundle the kids in the car, which always takes twice as long as anticipated, and we head off for Paerata – 2 minutes down the road. Which I have cleverly decided would be a better place to see the train. Not so much of a crowd and a long track to see it coming down.
Roadworks. Down to 30km/hr and a lollipop man telling us to stop. Just for a bit. It's now 2pm and I have a train to spot. I start to stress just a leeeeeettle. Kids in the car asking if we are going to make it, I'm reassuring them we have plenty of time…
And we make it to Paerata. I decided to cross the tracks and go over the road to a place a little less busy. The 2 roads run one each side of the railway lines, one is a state highway and one has no traffic. I opt for the quiet one. I cross the tracks and head off down the road to find a place to do a u-turn and park.
And Braden squeals OHHHHHH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOODNESSSSSSSSSSSS! IT's THERRRRRRRRE!
to which I tell him to SHUSH!! NO WAY!!!! I'm driving, don't frighten me like that!!!!
And I look up to the sight of steam pouring it's way down the track. I had all manner of swear words trying to burst forth as I pulled a u-turn and literally RACED THE TRAIN down the road (I was in a flippin loan car! It was V6! How did the car people know I would be racing a train that day?!), realised I had no time to park and get the kids out so I raced it all the way back to the railway crossing, where the arm was down and the bells were ringing, DING DING DING DING – JUST as the train approached. I must have had 3 hands because I pulled on the handbrake, put it into P and grabbed my camera and starting clicking all at the same time.
And then i sit there. Deflated. And start apologising to the kids for pretty much missing the train and they are all "WHOA MUM, that was SO COOL!" – I've always loved sitting at the crossings with the bells going and the noise of the train going past. According to them it was the best place ever.
But no chance for photos of the kids, or amazing train pics or anything. I barely parked. lol
So, that was the train. Not as planned, but fun all the same.
I then went back to see Samantha and took more baby pics.
Alrighty – comments on the other posts are closed. The paper went to Janine King ( I think from Aussie?) and the punch went to nicola Armstrong (also from Aussie) who just coincidently went to Primary school with me. What's up with Aussie winning all the prizes? Anyway – send me your addresses, congratulations ladies and YAY thanks for the help with prizes, Stampin' Up!
ok. long week ahead. BIG week ahead. Lots to do.
Hey – did you hear I'm teaching in Christchurch in September? Two all new classes – limited spaces so click the link if you are in that area. I'd love to meet some mainland scrappers.
laters
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