The Fantastical Flying Bed (Labour Weekend 1948)

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THE FANTASTICAL ELIING BED! (Alias Labour Week End ..1948.) As the official trip was schoduled"Ohnkune side" all those keen on ski-ing hied themselves off to the Chate eau side with Horry and his bus - and what a bus! We think such a write up worthy of space in our Journal. We have all heard of flying kites, flying helmets, flying training, etc, and, recently, flying saucers but have you heard of the Flying Bed? We have and further, have had the privilege ? of travelling in it from Weklington to Ruapehu. To most people it would just be an old bus, but to us it will alweys be the "Flying Bed." The trip was uneventful, everything going according to plani WHO said that? Certainly not the driver, or should I say the Pilot, nor any of the 27 passengers; I had better start at the beginning. Actually we did proceed according to plan from Wellington to Mangaweka, with the exception of being 20 minutes late getting into wind, the reason for this delay being that the bus was late in arriving and not the WAAFS. Piled out at Levin for the inevitable cuppa but did not stay long as we were hoping to get to Ruapehu before the T.T.C had arrived and bagged all the hut accommodation but we didn't have a hope of getting there before them, To get back to the scene of our Waterloo, travelling down Mangaweka Hill, which is quite steep, the brakes decided not to function and. not content with that, they threw the steering gear out of plumb by restricting their activities to the back wheels. Here we were despite the fact that the road very definitely went wandering somewhere down to the laft, making straigh: for a most unsatisfactory looking fence, which I imagined/would hurtle streight over on our mad rush to some other world. Meantime, Merv.(wonderful man) was standing almost bolt upright trying to get some results from brekes which, along with other things, he was furiously pushing and kicking with all his hands and feet whilst I, being one of the few awake at the time and one of the lesser few who knew what was going on, sat erect biting all my finger nails and tongue. Somehow, quite suddenly, we stopped, having flattened the Automobile Association's beautiful concrete and chain fence but not worrying about it overmuch. We were all out on the road in less time than it takes to tell, the majority of the crowd going round to the front of the bus to see what had been ahead of us. They discovered that we were about three feet from the edge of a 400 foot drop a "Fair go!" During their roconnaissanco we of the "faint heart" sat ourselves down on the few still standing posts to quiver like jellies and meditate re the possibility of thumbing a ride from the next car going to Wellington. Hitherto I had regarded the"Flying Bed" with some affection, it being warm, comfortable and equipped with a radio and having the ability to move, but now I decided it was a death trap intowhich nothing would induce me to return. However, it was very cold sitting on the fence, the "next car' going to Wellington" seemed as though it may not appear this week and anyway its brakes may be equally fallible; realising that I could not stay there ad infinitum, I was finally led, with no little trepidation, back to the chamber of horrors which was by now back on the road and facing the right direction.

On we went, crawling down the hill and up the other side to Taihape at about 51 m.p.h. using the gears in lieu of brakes. Somewhere along the route we saw an apparition in the sky; it comprised : a. red light gliding through the heavens witha column of smoke trailing behind it. There was some conjecture as to what it could be, someone suggesting a flying saucer; I now suspect that it was a meteor, but at that stage I was convinced that it was some sort of a van guard heralding the approach of Armageddon. My nerves were still a bit at sixes and sevens but as we drove slowly through the brilliantly moonlit night they became more or less mollified. From the sublime to the ridiculous, we left our lovely moon behind and went into mist, really thick mist of the variety which J.Arthur Rank loves to spread around his moors and/ or Dartmoor Prison. Nothing daunted, Merv. got us safely through that by dint of pressing his eyes to the windsereen, even then being able to see only about a yard of the road ahead. Ever and anon the truck would gc phut and out Merv, would have to go, armed with torch, spanner, pocket knife, and other tools to tinker with the engine and off we would go for a few more miles. Came the dawn, end still no mountain, we crept down the viaduct 9 that nightmare land of the "Dengerous Corner" and "Nerrow Bridge l Give Way" sign, and up the other side. With much much stopping and starting we finally arrived in the precints of the Chateau Tongariro and here, less than a mile from our destination, the engine coughed a mournful wee cough and stopped. Out jumped Merv. once moie to perch on the side and peer into that mysterious engine while Bob drove siowly along. Having observed all the wee revs and short circuits and brandished the pocket knife again, back came the cheerful grin and we were away, up past t he Chateau with such a burst of speed that people were at a loss to understand why we had taken so long to arrive. 9 a.m. and here we were at last, really at Mt.Ruapehu. Of our actual stay on the slopes of that 9,175 feet peak I have not much to sny, ronanboring the old adage "If you haven't anything good to say, don't say anything." Out we piled and started pitching tents or looking for huts, the tents leaked before they were erected a a cloud having burst just as we arrived a and the Huts were all occupied by large quantities of gelignite or people. I don't quite know where the rest of the day went but it passed as days do, none of us went ski-ing, it was wet, cold and miserable, the only bright part of it being the evening when we went to a Hut dance, not so much to dance as to sit by the roaring fire by which we were able to dry our clothes and, temporarily, warm t he cockles of our hearts. The evening passed quicklyand ploa.santly We who were sans huts slept that night in the "Flying Bed". The seats made good mattresses but an accumulation of steam clung to the windows and dripped from the roof at intervals. Snow fell all that night and the next morning we woke up in a Christmas-Card-like fairy land much clicking of cameras and manywere the ex" clamations, some of delight at so much beauty and some of agony as a snow ball crashed on an unsuspectingar. The sun, forgetting for a few hours that it was Labour Week end turned on its best smile and the day promised well. Off we went, complete with ski chits, snow goggless lotion and much excitement, on the

"Special Alpine Transport" to Salt Hut, there to be issued with a pair of Skis each and one pair of stocks between the three of us. This was not much use, apart from giving us rather a professional appearance, in my opinion at any rate. We did all have a. flounder round in the snow though and would have enjoyed our few hours on skis if it hed not been for the icy cold sleet which blew in our faces and clouded cur goggles over each time we were enjoying the short run. On the whole it was not very pleasant sC, leaving the blizzard at Salt Hut, back to the "Fiying Bed" we went with the intentions of cooking a tremendous tea; not having eaten all day we were all suffering the pangs of.acute malnutrition. The primuses did not burn after the fuel supplies had been exhausted, naturally, so our tea was not as plentiful as we hed anticipated. We had cooked Some sausages and bacon, wiich supplemented by "door steps" and mugs of Milo, sufficed to appease appetites. Sitting quietly around smoking an after dinner cigarette and contemplating the day's misfortunes we were feeling quite despondent until Din arrived back from reeding a paper and told us ofthe week end's tragic events in the "outside world" as it were. It was so dreadful thet we decided our miror disappointmenta were not worth worrying about. On discovering that there was a fire burning again in the dance hall, we gathered up our slceping bags and hied ourselves orf to spraad ourselves on the fioor, where, along with a number of other homeless trampers and would-be-mounteineers, we slept extremely well. Breakfast the following morning was quite the nicest thing to happen all the week end, firstly, because we did not have to cook it and secondly, because it was ample and delicious, a really fine effort on the pert of Colin and Dennis. After that it was all we could do to pack up and drag ourselves back to our senctuary, the "Flying Bed." Thet vehicle was still not in Al condition and, we decided, would take some time to get back to Wellington so we left early, or meant to. It was noarly mid-day before we eventually took off but even then we were some hours ehead of the other vehicles making the return trip to Wollington that day. Once out of the chilly atmosphore and dreary mist surrounding Ruapehu we proceeded merrily along in the we.rm freindly sunshine, Merv. demonstrating at frequent intervals the super efficiency of the brakes which he had repaired during the week-end. As a result of our marvellous breakfast, which had consisted cheifly of bacon, sausages, and eggs, many of the passengers were feeling thirsty so we stopped under one of the numerous cascades from which they drank great mugs of sparkling icy water and filled a billy for future emergencies. The future emergency befell the "Flying Bed" instead of, or as well as, the passengers and its need being greater than theirs, the billy of cold water was deposited in the radiator from whence had come gurgles and steam, thus the temperature was restored to normal until we came to another hill. Lunch and other refreshments were partaken of at Taihape, the chief item of interest being large cups of tea which were refilled several times. The boys were very interested in the Waitress and even we found her rather fascinating - make up is a wonderful thing. Also evoking second glances was Colin who had sustained a gash on his forehead as a result of some skis crashing on him from the luggage rack.

South of Taihepe we ran out of waterfalls end the boiling radiator was 1eo vimply remedied; Merv. still juged blithely out occasiorstly nd, using a mug for a dipper, oraged to fill the billy frou th3 small muddy looking ditches ar Lbu side of the rris We vieved with interest t'n scene of Sor Pricay nigrt dilemn and WTe thri ful that Mervis attempts t- 21: our vehiclo had succeedel wheu they did aud no later. Otherwis: Sto Peier would not have been kept miting for us to have "another cigarette." We would have piled throuch the Pearly Gater too Tepidly for him to issus as wiih wings, unless he issues wirgs with mors dispatch than S0n4 people issue skis. By the tis w3 rec ched Hurtervill. most of te other trucks bearing trampers tk to Wellington had overtakea 13 so we knew we had to travos under our owa steam from here on. Treviously I hr. thought it would not matter much if we did breur. down as ons of the other drivers had offend to give us a tow should we ge1 into such a predicement but now sven he had eate up the miles ehcau, thinking that if the old bus could get part i2 ine way "then it must follos as night follo. day" that it coulo get all of the way. We of course hoped thas such wonld be ths case but had our doubts, doults which wers ified soon enough. As fas as Eulls things went smoothly enougli, somparativsly speaklug, but from there on we hardly went five mics withoui Merr. having to make fune adjustment, the ignition har gone flet or blown out or wnatever ignitions do, the petrol pipes hada stoppage aid the lights fussd. why", I wondersd, = are vehicles always rererred 3o in the feminine bender when they all, and *his one in particular, have so many of the undesirable traits pertaining to men? They are unpredictable, uncomoperntive, contrary, and obviously think that the most minor defect is suffivient to exeupt them from an: actil ity whatsoever." Enough of this digressing, The lights were ropaired ata service station but the other troubles steyed with us in spite of Merv's very frequent attempts at repair which were, perforce, of a rather makeshift nature, even our chewing gum - well chewed - being taken from ust one stage and slapped on a pipe somewhere. Still we pressed on, not quite regerdless. To make a lung story short, it was after 11p.m. before we actually arrived in Wellington but the fact remeined that we hed, in spite of the meny failings of the engine and the awful suspense of wondering whether we would ever get to the top of Ngahauranga hill, arrived in Wellington. Towards the end of the journey te empers had becore slightly frayed, especially those of the personnel who feared thay would miss their last bus or train from Wellington to homes in distent suburbs, Their fears were realised and at least one passenger had to beg a bed from city-dwelling friends that night, others were relieved of a goodly portior sir worldly wealth by taxi iTars. Jist to top *hnge off, when the last of us lamgl.sod it was to discover th: our pack: 0:t disappeared from the luggace bor, This was just lively, she straw sbat creaks the Camai 3 back, but *:3r. winat was one misforton, uure or leus to :s? A mere bagatelle by nor aad we were too tired to care anymore. Sy tne nert mornicg vo cared very such. aad were more than a. little rerturbed to heer that several enquiries which Dia had so kindly merle to trace our packs :ad proved fruitsess. Anywes Juring the course of tho morning another pood Samaritan rong up to infor.. J that he had both packs sefely stored at hon nd that he would return ther. - 3 that night, which he caly dics so it we. d cafo of all being well that enis well. And so for us aabour Weekend tnis year was really one out of the bag, but it, vis an experiane "hich none of us would have mssed, it will give us sonetht - - about whine to think and chat for many mont's to comeand always we will Py tril bute to Mervos "the good driver" whose plsasant disposition Througnst this hertowing journey and patient persers.arse were at all times vorthy of praise and emulation. The party wa.s:- T..n Bain, Inez Bluck, llan Bur. Den Collites Tare Cracknel' Ruth Dixon, Horry Dixon, Nar CV mieberg, Eric Rekket, Brien Heati, Ione McIntyre, Max Martin, Pike Redding" ton, Muriel Sinclair, Cllen Slattery, 3ob lillirms, T:oxr ? 9 Stan Kinder, Dennis O'Neill, Colin Horne, Noeline Lowe, 3ill Campbell, Kathleen Tunnell, llon King, idele ? 9 and one nome unknown. I.ivo