Steam train and Vilagrad photos

[vilakins]

Here are some photos from the steam train trip to Vilagrad and back last Sunday.


The steam train at the Strand station in Auckland


Homeless on the far platform. They have furniture people have dumped including a couch and armchair, and this guy has a healthy-looking dog. The only trains that leave or stop at this station now are special excursions ones, though others pass through. The buildings are historical (for here) and protected so it's good shelter over there.


Bridge over the Waikato River near Ngaruawahia. This is the river that starts at Lake Taupo that I posted a lot of holiday pictures of (Huka Falls, rapids, river cruise).


The Delta Tavern at Ngaruawahia. We knew it was coming up so Greg got a picture.


Main covered area at Vilagrad. I was sad to see they no longer have the Vilagrad-branded chairs.


Our table with the two of the lovely guys we had lunch with. The two facing the camera had matching gold chains. :-)


The three brothers as shown in the brochure I acquired there: Jacob the winemaker, Adam the MC, and Kristian the chef. Jacob (the most Vila-like one) has cut his hair very short and grown a beard, and isn't now.


Jacob the winemaker in the brochure: a bigger picture than that on the website so I can see it's him and not his father as I'd thought. He looks rather like a Restal here.


The Vila Brothers performing for us: from left, Jacob the winemaker, Adam the MC, and Kristian the chef (obscured) in his working clothes.


Adam and Jacob


Engine plate--with steam


Train at Hamilton Station

Comments

[vandonovan.livejournal.com]

He really does look like a Vila-relative in that brouchure picture! Now I want a story where Vila's got a whole side of his family he either never knew about or never talked about (to protect them!) and they live on some neutral planet and sell wine and the crew visits and are totally impressed by the whole family. XDXD It's your kind of fluff!

Great pictures, as usual. The homeless stuff is sad, but I'm surprised they're allowed to keep there.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

But Vila could only stay with them if it was an AU and that would be sad. :-(

They are only allowed to stay because the station is hardly used now, and the far platform never is. They look fairly well set up, but it must be cold in winter.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

The resemblance is uncanny! But perhaps Vila might shave his head as a disguise? It would probably grow again.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Short hair and a beard would probably change him as much as it did Jacob. I've seen MK in a moustache (as a bodyguard on 'Yes, Minister') and I hardly recognised him. It didn't suit him either.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

That's one fine locomotive.

Was there another bridge crossing the river that isn't there now? Those look like redundant bridge supports between where you are and the road bridge.

Glad you had a good time.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I don't know but it looks like it. The picture was taken from the end of the train.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

It appears that the train is also on abridge while you were taking the photo.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I think we were; the railway bridge would be separate. Greg took that one and the Delta Tavern.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Maybe Vila Jacob was worried about being recognised, and is trying to change his appearance?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

And they adopted him! He's not dark like the other two and doesn't look much like them, but he'd be a good winemaker. :-D

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool. I love steam trains.

And that guy does look awfully... Restalic. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The Doctor brought him back here! ;-)

[mossymermaid.livejournal.com]

Steam train FTW.

And that guy must be related to Vila. ;-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Or he's an ancestor. :-)

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Come on, almost Vila there! You do know how to chose your trips! Nice place, this Vilagrad!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It is, and all run by the family who are all very nice. This is my third visit and there will be more. :-)

[jacteest.livejournal.com]

Love the engine plate with steam!
Hope you had a nice time.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Feel free to use it for any steampunk purpose. :-)

We did, though I was so tired when we got back. All that wine, food, and clackety-clack.

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

Great photos... I'm seeing the Vila-like resemblance, that's for sure. :-p

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It's amazing really, what with the name too. :-)