(photograph © Kiwidutch)
In a follow-up to yesterday’s post, we have embarked on our own little train journey a.k.a. “RailCruising” on the Mamaku Railway.
Considering that the tail end of an Australian cyclone passing over the North Island at the moment, and that this might possibly be one of the wettest days of the year, it’s no surprise that visibility is limited and therefore the stunning views that I know, are all in hiding behind the low cloud and driving rain.
Guess what? It doesn’t matter, we are still all having fun with a new experience and the kids are loving it.
Sure, a glorious day with amazing views and camera opportunities would be preferable but who can control the weather?
The squalls come in various shades of heavy to ridiculously heavy but the clackity-clack of the rails exudes some sort of magic, the kids imaginations run wild and there are even some shrieks of laughter when the local cattle line up on the other side of a fence next to the track and start slowing following us down the fence line in their curiosity.
It wasn’t exactly a case of being chased by a herd of cows, more just a quiet investigation of these bizarre intruders who are riding past the end of their paddock. Himself starts making “mooing” noises which the kids are equally excited and worried about, as they aren’t certain if this will illicit a positive or negative response from the cattle.
All that happens in reality is that we get stared at intently by about 20 pairs of inquisitive eyes until the end of the paddock breaks off the contact. (I do have photos, but Little Mr.was busy mugging for a camera feigned ”scared faces” etc. so those photos stay in our private family album)
I did at one point wonder if we should have waited to do the train trip on another day with far better weather, but the kids loved it as much as we did, so no regrets there. In fact, once back in The Netherlands, friends and relatives asked our children what they liked best about visiting New Zealand and this little train trip came up as Number One each time.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Every now and again the rain obliterated all of the view…
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The Station in the distance…
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Regardless of the rain, which I happen to loove rain anyways, the photos are lovely. And it’s great your children enjoyed themselves. I’m sure it will be an experience to remember!
Comment by LifebyJocie — April 23, 2012 @ 4:39 am |
Hi LifebyJocie,
Welcome to my blog… ok there is rain and there is rain… but at least it was summer and we weren’t cold
I think that Himself secretly enjoyed being on standby as ” reserve emergency brake-man” too, as this little train bought out the kid in all of us!
Comment by kiwidutch — April 23, 2012 @ 7:03 pm |
Haha I’m sure! and thanks for the welcome =)
Comment by LifebyJocie — April 24, 2012 @ 3:34 am
There’s something really sweet about that first photo.
Comment by Tilly Bud — April 23, 2012 @ 8:02 am |
Thanks Tilly,
What’s sweet is that you can’t see them pulling faces at each other or mugging for a camera (faces tilted back against the backs of the seats so that I could take an “upside down face” photo… or 20! LOL). Hmm in this first photo my children (gasp) are being … normal!!!!
Comment by kiwidutch — April 23, 2012 @ 7:06 pm |
Youre sense of adventure never ceases to amaze me, Kiwi!
This is definitely a trait you and Mister are instilling in the little ones. Never will they let a little (okay, ALOT) of rain deter them from seeking out something new. And, if you think about it, the rain gives you the PERFECT excuse to go back on another trip when the sun is shining! 
Comment by milkayphoto — April 23, 2012 @ 6:19 pm |
Tracy,
It’s a case of “Carpe diem”… Sieze the Day! (also it was an activity that involved no walking so I could take part too) We only get back to NZ every few years so there’s no point wasting time and sitting looking at the rain on a hotel window … and heck we live in northern Europe, we can watch rain on windows at home ALL TOO often LOL.
If you work inside most of the year and save hard so that you can travel, then it makes sense to try and make the most of every day of the trip, not just a few of them.(especially if the weather isn’t playing nice!)
Comment by kiwidutch — April 23, 2012 @ 7:32 pm |