Rain Forest Express

Taking a moment to look through photos I've been taking over the last couple of months and have been reminded a great trip we did with the in-laws with the rather marvellous name of 'Rain Forest Express'. Being in able to travel into a rain forest and experience the closeness of the trees, learn a little history and see tunnel wetas, all in one train trip, the in-laws loved it and have to say, it was quite fun. The Waitakere ranges are a treat that is so close we enjoy them frequently but we'd never done the train trip. Rather popular, only running certain days/times, booking in advance required and all that, it is very well organised and well run. We were blessed with a stunning day and great views, an all around great day out, though Adam and I did both feel that we'd rather be out walking in the forest, it is a great option if you can't do that. Adams mum made an admirable effort walking up the hill to the dam, a determined woman indeed, so it was great that she was able to enjoy the rain forest at such close quarters.

Our latest trip to the Waitakere Ranges was over the Easter break, now 20 years of shift work means that public holidays don't really register, I've worked plenty and never really minded, rather enjoyed it in fact. Now I'm in a Monday to Friday job, blimey did I enjoy the long weekend and am have clearly registered and marked all the remaining holidays. I have to confess that I was so unaware of the public holidays, I though I came to work on the Good Friday and that it was only Monday off. How joyfully mistaken I was. We were promised terrible weather and we had some of the best weather Auckland has seen all summer (yes, it's autumn now, but you know what I mean). I was in full recovery mode, so didn't take one single pic while walking the Fairly Falls track on the Sunday. Fabulous time, blissfully long weekend.