GKPE VI: Town and Country

[scotttnz]

OK, it appears that I have been nominated as official organiser for the sixth Great Kiwi POTN Expedition.

What we have so far is a trip south of Auckland, out Waiuku and Glenbrook way. A possible visit to the Glenbrook railway to snap the Steam and Vintage festival they have on that day, and for those keen to carry on:

Groupe F, acclaimed French pyrotechnicians who lit up the Eiffel Tower, French Football World Cup Stadium, Athens Olympic games, 04-05 New Year's Eve celebrations in London, are going to be lighting up the domain. Admission is free. Duration is 1hr, 45 mins.

All happening on Saturday 10th of February 2007.

Please register your intensions and make known your suggestions here so we can start organising transport etc.

Thanks!

[CliveyBoy]

I am planning to attend, and may have one or two other photographers with me. It would be helpful to have a starting time and place so that we can organise travel.

Glenbrook and Groupe F sound great. (I thought that our local paper said 10 March for the pyro show.)

[scotttnz]

(I thought that our local paper said 10 March for the pyro show.)

You are correct, so unfortunately Groupe F are off the agenda.

[lil_miss]

Count myself and Aaron in too... :) Looking forward to it.. lets hope the weather sorts itself out.

Will happily be a tour guide if needed :)

[scotttnz]

Count myself and Aaron in too... :) Looking forward to it.. lets hope the weather sorts itself out.

Will happily be a tour guide if needed :)

That would be great!

How does everybody feel about meeting at the Glenbrook railway at say 10am?

We could shoot the railway, then grab some lunch somewhere, go get some great landscape shots, fish and chips on the beach somewhere, followed by some sunset pics.

Any other suggestions?

[Moppie]

Sounds pretty good Scott.

If theres enough interest I can arrange the GKPE bus again. Turbo charged, air conditioned with the patented sliding photo-roof.
Seats for 6 avliable.

[CliveyBoy]

How does everybody feel about meeting at the Glenbrook railway at say 10am?

Fine for me.

[lil_miss]

Sounds like a good plan... We'll also have room in our car for two extra people if required.. leaving from Manukau city :)

[dgcorner]

Count me in! If there are just too few of us for the GKPE bus then I can take my car, swing by Scott and Moppie... Otherwise, we can take the bus and pick up both Aaron and Lil miss...

What's happened to Mark/rabsoft -- haven't heard from him for a while...

[joeseph]

I'm hoping to be avail - anything to avoid having to work is a bonus!

[theflyingkiwi]

at this stage during that time I will have no work so I shouldn't have a problem being in.

[Mark Vuleta]

Hello Scott I would like to attend as well, would be good cat put faces to names, my twins would probably like to go as well (mainly for the train but also go get out of Mums hair) so I would probably take my own car.

[scotttnz]

Hello Scott I would like to attend as well, would be good cat put faces to names, my twins would probably like to go as well (mainly for the train but also go get out of Mums hair) so I would probably take my own car.

Would be great to meet you!

[dgcorner]

Here's something I dug up from a few years back when I started out in digital photography... hopefully I get to improve my shots this time around... Taken with my Noink 5700 at Glenbrook

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/dgcorner/GKPE/Glenbrook.jpg

[theflyingkiwi]

well you should improve, this time you are using a Canon :)

[lil_miss]

So who else is comin?

[Wazza]

I was to be going, however 2 weeks ago, the unexpected happened, with my shifts changing from Sunday-Thursday, to Tuesday to Saturday - I already have many days off for upcoming weddings, not working the Saturdays between 17th Feb and March 10th, and March 24th. So I really must work next Saturday.

However if you guys are still around in Auckland, and there for a sunset, I could make that, (if I have a camera?!#@) - I finish work at 5pm.

[lil_miss]

We're still keen....

[scotttnz]

OK, so we have:

Me
Clive (& guests)
Moppie
Sarah and Aaron (Official Tour Guides)
John
Duncan (work permiting)
Mark Cuthbert
Mark Vuleta

Anyone else?

Meeting at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway at 10am and on from there. Planning to finish up with a sunset out that way.

My family are probably going to come to the railway with us. Can I car pool with another eastie for the rest of the trip?

[lil_miss]

According to MetVUW - weather should be quite good

[CliveyBoy]

No other photogs with me, but wife and grandson will be coming.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

[forsaken]

not sure at the moment. Will have to check my schedule

[dgcorner]

I may be taking a couple of friends with me - both keen to learn. One with a 350D and another with a 400D.

I can still take 2 more... Scott - you are most welcome to ride.

[Moppie]

No bus this weekend, my parents are taking to the Masters Games to compete in a BloKart demo race :)

Still got room for one more John?

[scotttnz]

I may be taking a couple of friends with me - both keen to learn. One with a 350D and another with a 400D.

I can still take 2 more... Scott - you are most welcome to ride.

I'll take tou up on that offer thanks John.

[dgcorner]

No bus this weekend, my parents are taking to the Masters Games to compete in a BloKart demo race :)

Still got room for one more John?

I'll take tou up on that offer thanks John.

Yep - all good. So, Moppie, what time should I swing by your place? We have one other person to pick-up by Botany Town Centre then off to Glenbrook.

Scott, we'll meet you there right?

[Moppie]

I have no idea how far it is to glenbrock, Im thinking about 45mins?

So you would have to pick me up at 9am if we still need to collect one other person on the way.

[lil_miss]

From manukau its about half an hour...

[Moppie]

Cool, so then 45 from Highland park is about right :)

I shall see you at 9am John :)

[scotttnz]

Scott, we'll meet you there right?

Yep, unless my family pulls out, and I will let you know beforehand if that happens.

Thanks.

[DiscoLizard]

Would love to attend my second GKPE, but I've got cricket all day :(

Looking forward to seeing some photos!

[dgcorner]

People, there will be a gazillion people there this weekend!!! It is the Glenbrook Steam & Vintage Festival. Opens at 9 and closes at 5pm. Entrance is free, but a small fee for rides.

Bugger though that all the friggin red tape has managed to stuff up the plans of people from Auckland to ride down to Glenbrook... and now they are taking their cars down... I can already imagine the traffic!!!

[theflyingkiwi]

perhaps it should be delayed 1 weekend?

[dgcorner]

A thought worth entertaining... there will be heaps of kiddies crying, exasperated and short tempered mums... dads? They'll be alright... that is why they bring the mums in the first place ;-)

[scotttnz]

All the more for us to photograph I say!

[Mark Vuleta]

I can't see it being too much of an issue, especially if we get there at 10am. The traffic wont be a problem. I'm still keen but this weekend or the next is not a concern.

[joeseph]

Saw some of the traction engines chuffing & whistling around the city today - man are those drivers awesome bringing their machines into the traffic. Mind you, should anyone get in their way I'm pretty sure which one would come off second best. Mass=good!
Another bright piece of news today, a scheduled network outage early Sunday has been postponed so toddler willing, I'll get a sleep in.
Saturday I'm free so have company car, will travel.

[Moppie]

All the more for us to photograph I say!


Absolutly!
Sounds like it will be a good day :)

[dgcorner]

Change of plans.... just visited the GP who strongly suggests that I not make Saturday a whole day outing... bugger! So, I have to head on back by 2-3pm... Oh well, 6 hours of photo-ops is better than none...

Apologies Moppie & Scott. I can take you with me but you might have to ride with Duncan on the way back if you are catching the sunset...

[Moppie]

No worries John, last thing you want to do is effect your health :)

Got a spare seat or two Duncan?

[joeseph]

No worries John, last thing you want to do is effect your health :)

Got a spare seat or two Duncan?
No problem, I got a whole carload. Totally agree about your health John - look after yourself!

[lil_miss]

We'll also be able to give you a ride back if needed.

There wont be THAT many ppl at glenbrook - its not that bigger place and I've not heard much publicity about it... if there is too many then we can always move along and find a nice landscape somewhere :D

[theflyingkiwi]

just a quick question or two, what time are we all meeting up? and where?

[CliveyBoy]

just a quick question or two, what time are we all meeting up? and where?
10am.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
Turn left off motorway at Bombay and head to Pukekohe. Use bypass round Pukekohe to Waiuku. Watch for right turn sign near to Waiuku.

[theflyingkiwi]

thanks clive

[lil_miss]

10am.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
Turn left off motorway at Bombay and head to Pukekohe. Use bypass round Pukekohe to Waiuku. Watch for right turn sign near to Waiuku.

Eek - that's a bit of a long way.. lol

You're better off getting off the motorway at Drury and turn right under the motorway. Follow that till you get to an intersection just after the Caltex (golf course) turn off to the right (signposted to Waiuku). Follow that all the way until you go through Kingseat crossroads, then the passing lane up the hill.. about 1km after that you will hit an 80kmh zone.. first road on the left after that (JUST after it ) right next to the Glenbrook hall. and follow that - you can't miss it :)

Going via Pukekohe will add about 10 mins to your driving time.

Map attached! :) Follow Karaka Road off the motorway - and then onto glenbrook road. You can see the train track - faint black line to the bottom left. Station marked with X :D

[joeseph]

:-) I think Clive was directing Mark from Hamilton... thanks for the map!

[lil_miss]

Ahh of course - didnt look at that :D hehe..

[theflyingkiwi]

Ahh of course - didnt look at that :D hehe..

:lol: :lol:

[CliveyBoy]

:) We Southerners have to look after each other, y'know!

[Moppie]

:) We Southerners have to look after each other, y'know!


And remember to turn left, not right :)

[scotttnz]

Hmmmm....must remember to charge batteries tonight!

[theflyingkiwi]

Hmmmm....must remember to charge batteries tonight!

that is indeed a very good idea :lol:

[dgcorner]

Hmmmm....must remember to charge batteries tonight!

That and the protable hard drive! Hmmm, what lenses to bring... then again, I just have 3 lenses these days!

So Moppie, I still pick you up at 9am but you hitcha ride with Duncan on the way back, right?

Scott, sames goes with you if your famly decides to back out...?

[Moppie]

Cheers John!

Do you still remember where I live?

[dgcorner]

Cheers John!

Do you still remember where I live?

Hopefully I will be wide awake not to go to your old address:p See you at 9am.

Batteries are charging... lenses dusted... stuff is ready... now all I have to do is sleep and wake up to a fantastic day of shooting;) Oops, I have to cook dinner first!

[lil_miss]

So anywhere in particular that we meet at the railway?? lol

[Moppie]

I'll see you in the morning John!

I think we all have enough phone numbers to contact each other when we get to the railway?

[theflyingkiwi]

here's a question for everyone, how long would it take to drive from hammy to glenbrook?

btw my phone number is ... gone now a pm me if you would like it.

[joeseph]

here's a question for everyone, how long would it take to drive from hammy to glenbrook?
I'd be guessing 1:15

[theflyingkiwi]

thanks. I am planning on 1:30, just txt my brother too, he's coming a long.

[lil_miss]

I'd say under an hour... :) only because I used to live in Waiuku and travel all the time :D hehe

[theflyingkiwi]

I'd say under an hour... :) only because I used to live in Waiuku and travel all the time :D hehe

yea that's because you know the roads. :)

but it shouldn't take that long.

[lil_miss]

Well there's really only one road from Pukekohe to Hamilton :P and with the new motorway part it should be even quicker :D

[theflyingkiwi]

Well there's really only one road from Pukekohe to Hamilton :P and with the new motorway part it should be even quicker :D

at least you know then from Hamilton to Puke I'm not going to get lost :) I got a map so that's fine.