The local train

Went down to the local train station to get a few snaps of the "TranzCoastal" which runs from Picton downto Christchurch in about 5.4 hours.

More pictures from Blenheim

• There's a nice area around the Taylor River as it runs through the downtown area
  
  
  


• Another view
  
  
  


• A picnic area around the Taylor River dam
  
  
  


• Marlborough Provincial Museum also has a small replica of Blenheim of the past, at one point it was called "Beavertown". Here's the post office and dentist
  
  
  


• There's also a train station that services a 2foot scale steam railway that runs two days per month
  
  
  


• In the same area was this dual-gauge track that was significantly smaller, not sure what it is for
  
  
  

Nelson Model Railway Show

• Hall overview #1
  
  
  


• Hall overview #2
  
  
  


• Noel Cresswell's N-Scale Marlborough Layout, Picton Ferry
  
  
  


• Noel Cresswell's N-Scale Marlborough Layout
  
  
  


• Eurospeed II - HO
  
  
  


• Nelson NZR Group - Sn3.5 scale, using HO track
  
  
  


• Swiss Z Gauge
  
  
  


• Fairfield Branch - OO Scale
  
  
  

Spy domes and grapes

I thought this was kinda cool, the domes at the Waihopai Valley Government Communications Security Bureau

Back in Blenheim

Flight from San Francisco to Auckland wasn't too bad, had three seats to myself so I could sort of stretch out. Went through the inquisition from immigration and customs for no apparent reason. Maybe I should have gotten a haircut before I went? At least they didn't do a cavity search. All sorts of questions about where I will be staying and what I will be doing. What's my favorite color. What's the airspeed of an unladen swallow, etc. I guess they have to justify their job somehow.

Some on and off rain on the drive from Nelson to Blenheim, temperature probably upper 60's or low 70's. Going to go shopping for a fan to provide some psycho-acoustic masking in the motel room. Then I'll go to the supermarket and get some supplies. Internet connection in the motel room seems to work OK.

On my way

Drove down as far as Corona, California today. Got lucky with the weather, except for some heavy sleet west of Burns no real problems. Saturday I drive down to San Ramon and stay with Bill & Cydney. I leave from San Francisco airport on Sunday night.