People, do not despair, the seasons’ are turning. Pretty soon the cold wintery months will be replaced by the long, hot, lazy days of summer. Even better news is that members will have a pocket full of “getoutthere” taxi vouchers to explore our beautiful country side.

Here is a suggestion of a great day out, making good use of the vouchers, supplied by the Society.

The great New Zealand stream train experience at Glenbrook Vintage Railway –north of Waiuku - is very accessible to wheelchair users. The ride is also free of charge for people with disabilities.

People in wheelchairs, have a choice of two carriages to ride on. One is completely open and the other is a guards van, with a roof, sheltering passengers from the sun. The friendly volunteer staff are only too willing to fetch the specially made ramps, so that “chariots” can embark on the 12km return journey to Fernleigh.

The whole journey is great fun taking in nostalgic sights and sounds of yesteryear. The whistle blows and it is full steam ahead. The leisurely pace of Diana, the steam engine, allows her passengers the time to take in the beautiful rural countryside. The appearance of the guard in vintage uniform, who clips your ticket along the way, is a pleasant aside. At Fernleigh, Diana is detached and chugs down parallel rail lines, where she is hooked up again to the passenger carriages and we are all homeward bound.

Glenbrook vintage railways operates every Sunday and public holidays from late October to early June. It’s approximately 60 kms from Auckland City so it would take a far chunk of your voucher allotment but if you feel like splashing out, it is a terrific day out.