Sunday week ago we got word that my " inspirational friend" that we saw in Napier, had lost her battle with leukaemia. I had always wanted to go back to Invercargill for her funeral so we changed our original plans to head on from the Bay of Plenty to the Coromandel. Instead we made tracks to Auckland so that I could fly out from there. We had a couple of nights in Waihi on the way to attend to basics like washing and a general clean up. There is a NZMCA camp at Admore Airfield so we decided that Stephen would stay there while I was away and spend as much time with Leigh as he could. Admore is some distance from Te Atatu South where Leigh lives but it was a good safe site and close to the Auckland airport.
Admore Airfield has an interesting history. It initially was built by the Americans during WW2 as an airbase. At the end if the war the base was used as a Teachers College from 1948 - 1974. This was a residential College with accommodation in the barracks. The site of the NZMCA camp is now on part of these grounds.
Since my return from Invercargill we have relocated the bus to another NZMCA camp, this time at the Tui Glen Reserve which is only a few kilometres from where Leigh lives. Initially we didn't think this park was very secure but on closer inspection we discovered that there is a well fenced and locked gate separating us from the general park.
This area also has a very interesting history. It is the site of NZ's very first official camping ground back in 1925. Several cabins from ships were put on site to provide accommodation for holidaymakers. In fact the word 'cabin' that we use to describe a cabin in a camping ground comes from this very park. The first cabin was purchased in 1921 was the Masters' cabin from the Union Steamship Company Freighter the "Wainui" and it can still be seen at Tui Glen.
More information about this reserve can be found at http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ei/pdfs/specialplaces/tuiglenabout.pdf.
Today the reserve is used as a park and it is linked to the Henderson shopping centre by a walkway. The original cabins have all had their exteriors restored though they are not used. There is a large playground that is well used by families and it is the start of a walkway/cycleway.
Admore Airfield has an interesting history. It initially was built by the Americans during WW2 as an airbase. At the end if the war the base was used as a Teachers College from 1948 - 1974. This was a residential College with accommodation in the barracks. The site of the NZMCA camp is now on part of these grounds.
Since my return from Invercargill we have relocated the bus to another NZMCA camp, this time at the Tui Glen Reserve which is only a few kilometres from where Leigh lives. Initially we didn't think this park was very secure but on closer inspection we discovered that there is a well fenced and locked gate separating us from the general park.
This area also has a very interesting history. It is the site of NZ's very first official camping ground back in 1925. Several cabins from ships were put on site to provide accommodation for holidaymakers. In fact the word 'cabin' that we use to describe a cabin in a camping ground comes from this very park. The first cabin was purchased in 1921 was the Masters' cabin from the Union Steamship Company Freighter the "Wainui" and it can still be seen at Tui Glen.
 |
| An original 'ship's cabin.' Note the porthole shaped window. |
More information about this reserve can be found at http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ei/pdfs/specialplaces/tuiglenabout.pdf.
Today the reserve is used as a park and it is linked to the Henderson shopping centre by a walkway. The original cabins have all had their exteriors restored though they are not used. There is a large playground that is well used by families and it is the start of a walkway/cycleway.
 |
| A photo of the original Manuka Shade cottage built in 1908 and shifted on site in the 1960s as seen below. |
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment