Saturday's Missing Outing

Irene reminded me about the following visit. I did not remember or go through the image set properly, but we did get out to a beautiful part of the city. We had been earlier when the wind put us off but this time it was warm and sunny. Last time we went by ferry. This time I drove the car.

Devonport is on a peninsula sticking out into the Hauraki Gulf. It is at the lower end of that part of the city known as 'North Shore'. It is a long established place. Before the bridge there must have been a ferry since without the bridge the journey round must have been much more than the half hour it took us today. Even today it is a busy ferry terminal offering commuters a chance to avoid the rush hour traffic.

It has been almost eleven years since we first went to the place that I was heading, namely Mount Victoria. Sally drove us up it the first time we came in 2003. This time I had to try to understand the confusing road signs on the mount. I was very glad that there were no tour buses going up or down while I was making the journey.

On top are two car parks. The top and the view from it is magnificent. In the distance, to the north can be seen Great Barrier Island. Across the Hauraki Gulf is the city and the bays on which sit the various holiday towns. Westward are Waitekere Mountains. To the east, looking across Rangitito is the island of Waiheke. Beyond that are the mountains of the Coromandel.

The whole length of the harbour bridge
 can be seen.

Rangitoto 

Along the bays to the Tamaki inlet

Musik Point with the edge of Waiheke to
 the left and the Coromandel behind

Tall ships

Close to us were the sailing and speed boats. Among them were two tall ships racing yachts. On land cricket was being played on the village green. On top families and tourists were enjoying the space and the view. Chinese was the most heard language. The top was also the site of the 'disappearing gun'. This is a huge rotating piece of artillery which was put in place in case the Russians decided to invade. They never did. The gun was fired once, shattering many windows. Following protests it has been silent since.

We drove down and parked again so that we could walk along the sea front. After some photography we made our way back along the motorway over the harbour bridge. The motorway is quite wonderful. It so clean and spacious compared to any in the UK.