JANE TRAVELS CENTRAL DISTRICTS PROMOTING BRIDGE

Click on Read More to join Jane on her journey around Central Districts promoting bridge and see her photos. An exciting trip and packed itinerary as I head off for another Bridge-It Jane's Flying Seminars Tours. This time to the Central Districts bridge region where I have Marton, Pahiatua, Feilding and Dannevirke to cover and the Regional Conference to address on Sunday.
Bridge-It Jane's Flying Seminars
Why do I keep booking myself on these early flights??!! Left home 5am Wednesday (boo hoo) You may recall it was a brisk morning on Wednesday. Into a tiny airplane and it started warming up around 10 mins before landing! Glad I was wearing my fur coat. My nights away in Tokoroa and Putaruru had taught me to pack thermals and BE PREPARED! A cheery chap called John from Rent-a-Dent met me at the airport carrying bottles of hot water. "You stay in the terminal while I de-ice your car". Right ... no arguments there. It is 7.05am, my eyes are barely open, de-icing is not on my agenda. I set off to Marton. I have packed my little satnav device which has never been ultra reliable. I hook it up and for 40 kms it keeps telling me to U Turn and head back to Palmy. My friendly John from Rent-a-Dent has given me very easy instructions, right, right, left then right and I choose to follow those. He also tells me to slow down in Sanson as the speed camera is always working. Very obliging. I realise that in my dozy state I have set the satnav to a Palmy address for later in the trip ... no wonder it keeps bleating at me to turn around. Beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies.
Marton 1
I arrive at the home of John and Sarah from outside Marton. They have a very interesting Chapman Taylor house and run Homestead Architecture Tours. I get my very own personal one.
Chapman Taylor house 1
Chapman Taylor house 2
Chapman Taylor house 3
Chapman Taylor house 5
Chapman Taylor house 6
Chapman Taylor house 7
Chapman Taylor house 8
Chapman Taylor house 9
Chapman Taylor house 10
A wonderful treat to be in an Historic Home of New Zealand.
I can hardly believe it when my host John Vickers asks me do I know Rachel Young? Yes I say ... I have just taught her to play bridge!
Off to the Marton Bridge Club for their chosen seminar on Puppet Stayman and Transfers. 16 come along including a carload from Taihape.
Marton Bridge Club
Interior Marton Bridge Club and host John
After the seminar I head over to Pahiatua to play bridge in their club in the evening. I am anxious to reach there before nightfall as I do not want to tackle the Manawatu Gorge in the darkness. It is coming to dusk and I see a road sign that is familiar yet I cannot recall why.
Tui land
Next I see a building I also recognise although I have never been this way before. I realise I have found the Tui Brewery!
Tui Brewery
I am the guest of Martin and Philipa Beech who have a lovely meal waiting for me. Off to play bridge with Dianne Hunter as my considerate partner. Just 4 tables at the Pahiatua club.
Pahiatua Bridge Club
Pahiatua Bridge Club 2
In the morning I set off for Feilding. Another less rushed look at the Gorge.
Manawatu Gorge 1
Manawatu Gorge 2
Manawatu Gorge 3
Manawatu Gorge 4
My host in Feilding Elaine is 80 years young and shouts me lunch with Marnie at their local boutique cinema.
Feilding 1
Feilding 2
Feilding 3
The seminar they have chosen is Leads, Signals and Discards. They drum up 26 enthusiastic members who all seem to enjoy themselves and we have afternoon tea halfway through.
Feilding Bridge Club
Elaine gives me a lovely evening meal with friend Jill and then they decamp to the club for the final night of a junior teams event while I am picked up to spend the evening playing Kings and Queens. Great fun ... two tables for teams home bridge. After 3 rounds of 8 boards the result is a draw. The ladies of Feilding and Maurice were great fun and plied me with alcohol and treats. Definitely my kind of people!
Feidling Ladies
A drive over to Palmerston North to pick up my offsider for the rest of the trip finds Curly Shirley decidedly crook. I leave her to rest up at her billet with NZB Secretary Alister Stuck and head over to Dannevirke. Back through the Gorge again, I am becoming an old hand at negotiating the twists and turns. I arrive in Dannevirke and immediately notice the Viking influence.
Dannevirke
There is a very cold wind blowing through town and the Ruahines are coated in snow.
Ruahines
Ruahines 2
I play bridge for the afternoon with my billet Godfrey. First board he puts me into a slam which I manage to make. Second board, another slam. Nothing dull about these hand dealt boards!
Dannevirke bridge club 1
14 come along to hear about Leads, Signals and Discards in the evening.
Dannevirke bridge club 2
A day off awaits on Saturday and then the Central Districts Regional Conference on Sunday hosted by the Dannevirke Club. They have given me the after lunch spot as I wake people up! Then a trip back to Palmy and flight home. I hope you have enjoyed sharing my journey. See you all soon. Jane