Thursday 16th December started with rain, only this time it did not clear up by lunchtime. We had been looking at visiting MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology, so the weather confirmed that decision. We caught the bus for the 25 minute journey and then enjoyed looking around the exhibits which included a number that were “in steam”. One of these was a Scottish made 300 HP pumphouse double beam engine with a 16 ton flywheel – there is something about very large steam pistons in motion.... all the valve mechanisms are on show and, along with the mechanical regulator, were all highly polished.
The museum also includes a large tram restoration area, staffed by volunteers and with trams in various stages of repair.
One of the restored trams is used to transport visitors to another part of the museum which is the aviation section. Although this had some impressive aircraft including a fully restored Lancaster, the area was rather higgledy piggeldy which rather distracted from the display.
We spent about 4.5 hours at the museum before braving the rain to get to the bus stop and heading back to the city centre and our apartment, picking up some provisions on the way. It was then kettle on and clothes in the tumble drier time!
Then it was chill out time before starting the packing ready to leave NZ. We will be very sorry to be leaving, but of course looking forward to catching up with the family in Canada.
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