A VENTURE INTO DEEPEST, DARKEST, AUCKLAND . . . .
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:44 am
A VENTURE INTO DEEPEST, DARKEST, AUCKLAND . . . .
After I had completed a "house (and cat) sitting" assignment for Carl (my son) and Katey (his new wife) in Devonport*, and they had returned, Neil Moore invited us "boys" to attend upon the hive of activity which is their Auckland Branch "Shed Night".
It was, (as all good scary tales start) a dark and stormy night, when we duly set off for the fabled "Shed"**.
Using a GPS unit we eventually left the comparative security of the city homes and lights and found ourselves on the edge of one of the deepest, darkest semi-rural environs of the Auckland area . . . . and being encouraged still further into the ominous gloom by the faint glow of the GPS screen with it's ghostly female voice murmuring further driving instructions.
It was about then that our hearts began to palpitate in anticipation of the "adventures" that may lie ahead!
As we excitedly ventured forwards, at irregular instants the stark and grey countryside would be revealed through the slashing torrents of wind driven rain by blinding flashes of lightning. In those instants of bright blue light, revealed were the ghastly shapes of the old and gnarly Macracapa trees, branches flailing about and crowding across the road as if ready to pounce on the unwary traveller. The mighty roar of the thunder was almost too much to bear . . it was almost drowning out the comforting, throbbing beat of the Subaru's exhaust note at times! After what seemed to be a lifetime of cautious driving (when in fact it was just a few minutes) Carl and I, in unison, involuntarily drew in loud gasps of breath as we both saw, slightly right of straight ahead and through the sheets of windblown rain, the faint glow of fluorescent lighting leaking out of the high placed windows of a large and shining building. At first the shining shed looked like a enchanted fairy castle to our straining eyes, but then as the car drew closer it was revealed as a "mortal" and highly practical workshop structure!
Drawing up in our steaming steed (Subaru!) on the road verge opposite, we, the occupants of the vehicle, conferred for all of 10 seconds before the decision was made that we'd just have to steel ourselves and make a dash for this place of mysterious and unknown delights . . . that is if we were to sample that which had been promised . Flinging open the doors we leapt to the sodden ground . . well Carl did! . . . . I didn't . . . as I had actually stepped into a deep puddle of icy cold muddy water . . . . in my slippers! Yes, I'd forgotten to dress appropriately and change into my boots for this auspicious occasion!
Running like the wind (and making an interesting sound of squishing, every second step) I sped to the shelter of the shed door. Once standing at the door we rapped out the prearranged secret entry code before gingerly turning the door handle and carefully opening the door on it's well oiled hinges.
After the darkness outside, the glare of the lights was incredible, but after a moment to adjust, this is what was revealed to our bloodshot and startled eyes . . .
Well, that bit's not quite true actually . . this was Supper Time. By the way the scones, jam and whipped cream, made by the mysterious someone/someones for supper, were delicious!
In the picture, (left to right) the people in the image are: Ken Brownlie, Jim Scott, John Godfrey, Neil Moore, Leo Bolter, Kevin Lord . . . . and Carl Bolter was also there, taking the picture.
What a warm welcome we visitors from the Central Branch were given. A great deal of tounge-wagging was indulged in and many "chalk on the floor diagrams" were made . . . no wonder we needed a cuppa tea!
* Devonport, Auckland, NZ
In Google Earth, use Latitude 36°49'50.85"S
Longitude 174°47'51.89"E
**"The Shed", use Latitude 36°50'40.47"S
Longitude 174°34'37.07"E
Leo and Carl Bolter
__________________________________
After I had completed a "house (and cat) sitting" assignment for Carl (my son) and Katey (his new wife) in Devonport*, and they had returned, Neil Moore invited us "boys" to attend upon the hive of activity which is their Auckland Branch "Shed Night".
It was, (as all good scary tales start) a dark and stormy night, when we duly set off for the fabled "Shed"**.
Using a GPS unit we eventually left the comparative security of the city homes and lights and found ourselves on the edge of one of the deepest, darkest semi-rural environs of the Auckland area . . . . and being encouraged still further into the ominous gloom by the faint glow of the GPS screen with it's ghostly female voice murmuring further driving instructions.
It was about then that our hearts began to palpitate in anticipation of the "adventures" that may lie ahead!
As we excitedly ventured forwards, at irregular instants the stark and grey countryside would be revealed through the slashing torrents of wind driven rain by blinding flashes of lightning. In those instants of bright blue light, revealed were the ghastly shapes of the old and gnarly Macracapa trees, branches flailing about and crowding across the road as if ready to pounce on the unwary traveller. The mighty roar of the thunder was almost too much to bear . . it was almost drowning out the comforting, throbbing beat of the Subaru's exhaust note at times! After what seemed to be a lifetime of cautious driving (when in fact it was just a few minutes) Carl and I, in unison, involuntarily drew in loud gasps of breath as we both saw, slightly right of straight ahead and through the sheets of windblown rain, the faint glow of fluorescent lighting leaking out of the high placed windows of a large and shining building. At first the shining shed looked like a enchanted fairy castle to our straining eyes, but then as the car drew closer it was revealed as a "mortal" and highly practical workshop structure!
Drawing up in our steaming steed (Subaru!) on the road verge opposite, we, the occupants of the vehicle, conferred for all of 10 seconds before the decision was made that we'd just have to steel ourselves and make a dash for this place of mysterious and unknown delights . . . that is if we were to sample that which had been promised . Flinging open the doors we leapt to the sodden ground . . well Carl did! . . . . I didn't . . . as I had actually stepped into a deep puddle of icy cold muddy water . . . . in my slippers! Yes, I'd forgotten to dress appropriately and change into my boots for this auspicious occasion!
Running like the wind (and making an interesting sound of squishing, every second step) I sped to the shelter of the shed door. Once standing at the door we rapped out the prearranged secret entry code before gingerly turning the door handle and carefully opening the door on it's well oiled hinges.
After the darkness outside, the glare of the lights was incredible, but after a moment to adjust, this is what was revealed to our bloodshot and startled eyes . . .
Well, that bit's not quite true actually . . this was Supper Time. By the way the scones, jam and whipped cream, made by the mysterious someone/someones for supper, were delicious!
In the picture, (left to right) the people in the image are: Ken Brownlie, Jim Scott, John Godfrey, Neil Moore, Leo Bolter, Kevin Lord . . . . and Carl Bolter was also there, taking the picture.
What a warm welcome we visitors from the Central Branch were given. A great deal of tounge-wagging was indulged in and many "chalk on the floor diagrams" were made . . . no wonder we needed a cuppa tea!
* Devonport, Auckland, NZ
In Google Earth, use Latitude 36°49'50.85"S
Longitude 174°47'51.89"E
**"The Shed", use Latitude 36°50'40.47"S
Longitude 174°34'37.07"E
Leo and Carl Bolter
__________________________________