To CBD by Rail

Mt Wellington domain is near the Glen Innis rail station. I take the train to Tamaki campus when I work at the composite centre. We decided to park the car in the free lot and take the train to pick up Emily's new backpack.

The trip to Britomart was fine. We hadn't checked the schedule, but our wait was brief. We had one hour in CBD before we needed to catch the train to our car so that we could pick up the appliances and rush to the ferry.

We got on the train early--this was not a good thing. Then departure time came and went. The train stayed put. Finally, they cancelled the trip. Another train failed on the line and we could not leave.

This was the good news.

When we boarded the train, the electronic sign said we were boarding the 16:08 to Glen Innes. When we got off the train, the sign said it was the 16:10, which does not go to GI. Had the train left as scheduled, we would be swept away in wrong direction at great cost for a return.

Yikes! For now forward, I'll get on the train at the last moment and make sure the sign doesn't change.*

So, we missed the 16:08, but we did catch the 16:40. Now we had a rush through the strange street plan to find our landlady.

After several course corrections and the most intense round-abouts we've faced yet, we got there. Of course we had tea and cake--they were delicious and much appreciated after our tramping.

Gaylene gave us fabulous directions to the ferry and we made it just before departure.

We got in line and waited. I saw all the cars--except the one immediately in front of us--put ahead and go onto the ferry. The car before us looked like a car headed to Waiheke; the car was stuffed to last cubic centimeter with goods. The ferry cost is high enough ($122 return for us) that folks fill their cars with groceries, appliances, etc. and drive it home.

We drove around the parked car, had a bit of trouble with our ticket, but then we were on board.

If we hadn't stayed in the cabin so long that other drivers were sounding their horns--because our car had them locked in--the ferry ride would have been a perfect end to the day.**

After Auckland area, driving Waiheke seemed to comfortable. No map necessary, we drove home for supper.

*When I went to Tamaki yesterday, I chose a seat that let me watch the electronic sign while I was waiting. It didn't change. That time.

**On our trip to Auckland, we were in the car 10 minutes before arrival. We heard them announce over the PA system that "drivers should go to their cars now. Passengers should queue in front of the cars. Thank you." So we thought they would do that on the return. They didn't. We wanted to stay in cabin as long as possible. We stayed longer than possible. Sorry! Won't happen again. We'll be in the car early.