We decided to have a rail adventure on Sunday, as another “Open Home” was planned at our place so we had to make ourselves scarce. So down to the station we went, and boarded the almost empty Matangi train. Quiet “beep, beep, beeps” filled the carriage, making us sound rather like a submarine gliding silently along deep under the sea on a secret mission. These new trains are very light and roomy, with bright blue upholstery and lime green painted railings and handles. A row of folding seats allow for up to three bicycles to be carried, and long straps fixed to the back of the seats keep the bikes secure. The carriage slowly filled up as we travelled down the line, including a cyclist who took advantage of taking his bike on the train with him.
Plenty of rooms for bikes
There is also plenty of room for wheelchairs and baby buggies. Another innovation on these new trains in the lift down access ramp making it so much easier for passengers in wheelchairs to get on and off the trains.
Access ramp on train
We arrived at Wellington station and had a little time before boarding our second train of the day to Waikanae. A staff member on duty stopped to talk to us. It turned out he was a fellow caravanner who keeps his van permanently on site at Himatangi, and recognised us from our last visit the the camp. We chatted about the Matangi trains, how comfortable they were to travel in, and the high tech features they are equipped with. Such as the earthquake sensor, which stops the train when it detects movement in the rails. Seems the sensor is very sensitive and in the early days of operation was being set off when the train travelled over a bit of rough track or a set of points, although these teething troubles were soon put right.
Boarding the train to Waikanae, we travelled through a couple of short tunnels, through farmland and past Paremata Harbour chock full of expensive boats.
Expensive boats in Paremata harbour
Mana Island lay out to sea, and is a scientific reserve holding many native animals and plants that are rare on the mainland. The island is under the care of the Department of Conservation and has a policy of ongoing native tree replanting and animal release schemes. The island’s name is an abbreviation of Te Mana o Kupe, meaning "the mana of Kupe".
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Then it was just a short trip up the Kapiti Coast and a few more tunnels before we arrived at Waikanae station. Our friends Geoff and Eileen were waiting to collect us in their shiny new car, and took us back to their home. As happens with any new car, the boys just had to take the obligatory admiring look under the bonnet.
Check this out
Our tummies were rumbling so it was time to go out for lunch to the nearby Otaki shopping area. There was a new cafe that our hosts were quite keen to try out. As expected, Geoff and Robin ordered a variation of their favourite meal, a Big Breakfast. The menu had some interesting choices, Eileen chose bubble and squeak with black pudding, and I decided on Moroccan flavoured French Toast with bacon and mushrooms, absolutely delicious.
Big breakfasts for the boys
We enjoyed our tasty lunches, followed by coffee with a chocolate fish on the side. Then it was time to get driven back to Waikanae station for the first of our return train rides home. Kapiti Island, now a bird sanctuary, always dominates the view in this part of the journey.
Kapiti Island
Looking down on the highway and foreshore from the train
We backtracked along the coast line, passing by Pukerua Bay and we could just make out the faint outline of the South Island away in the distance on the horizon.
Pukerua Bay and the South Island showing faintly in the distance
Arriving at Wellington station we had five minutes to exit our train and jump aboard the train travelling up the Upper Hutt line to take us home. Luckily we made it with a minute to spare, and relaxed in the final train trip of the day, our eyes getting heavy as the carriage gently rocked us as it travelled along the tracks. What a great day we had. Four train rides each, all courtesy of our gold cards, and lunch with friends. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday, we thought. However in our hurry to change trains we both lost something Robin left his best hat and Jenny misplaced a magazine – bugger!
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