Mum delivered us back to Roselands in Papakura to the spot we departed from the previous day. It had been a nice catch up with mum who always went out of her way to get food into you. The feed of bacon and eggs for breakfast had been a treat.
As we strolled along Papakura streets I pointed out places of significance to Karl. Massey Park had featured greatly in my youth. Athletics each week. I had raced against Jonah Lomu here in a 100 metre sprint. This was well before his fame came as a rugby star and All Black.
We visited the cemetery where Karl’s great grandparents (Gert and Gummy) had a memorial plaque on the wall. Special moment.
Onwards through Drury and then the enormous development of Drury South. Huge industrial buildings and machinery working to change the landscape forever. Places I hunted for rabbits on that will never return to what they were.
Up and over the Bombay hills. Blazing sun and little wind. We stopped at Bombay school to refill our water bottles. School here would start in a few days. Teachers were inside classes doing their preparation.
Down Razorback Rd and across the motorway (SH1) over bridge. I recalled the time I had cycled down the Bombays. My speedo reaching 70kph and my concentration 100%. Now, the traffic is a never ending stream of speediness.
Pokeno lay out before us. Again farmland all consumed. The entire rooftop valley only reflecting shades of grey.
Beyond Pokeno we negotiated a one way tunnel beneath the road system and made our way just inside the road barrier all the way to the Mercer service centre. There waiting for us was my cousin Linda who would kindly transport us 6k up the Koheroa Rd to see and stay the night at Uncle Grahams.
It was great to connect and remember the times of deer stalking days.
My sister in law was a teacher at Bombay School. They live on Razorback Road.
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