a signal station for shipping, artillery emplacements and various concrete army bunkers, some from as early as the 1870s.
The red and white air vents camouflaged as mushrooms on Mt Victoria were secretly painted by a couple of Devonport youths in 1988. I shudder to think if there was an air raid, the red color would give away what they are.
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On Sunday, we crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge and went to Devonport and drove up the summit of Mt Victoria. Named after Queen Victoria, the hill provides panoramic views of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and the inner Hauraki Gulf.
Over the years the peak and upper slopes have housed a signal station for shipping, artillery emplacements and various concrete army bunkers, some from as early as the 1870s.
It has been used extensively for defence and still has the typical bank and ditch pattern of a Maori fortified site, as well as 19th and 20th century bunkers and ammunition storage tunnels which can be explored, and guns aimed out over the harbour entrance.
A newly opened park above Narrow Neck Beach is Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve which has in the past housed both Navy and Army.
This place holds nostalgic feelings for me. When my late father in law came twenty five years ago, I drove him and made the same trip as I did on Sunday. He was very game and climbed down the bunkers. I did too with my eighteen month old daughter D. So I went by myself on Sunday and took lots of photos which I will post another time.
They do kind of stand out. Seems like they would be green or camo if they needed to be concealed.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and information. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the mushrooms!!!! My eyes bugged out when I saw them, it looks like something out of a fairy tale!
ReplyDeleteThe mushrooms kind of beautify the place a bit...
ReplyDeleteNot good in time of war, but works great for Ruby Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mushrooms!
ReplyDeleteI like the happy fairytale mushrooms.
ReplyDeleteKind of takes the sting out of the thoughts of a possible enemy attack.
I also like to wander down memory lane. when my daughter is home we have lots of old sites to revisit.
Maybe not the best idea for their purpose but I love the whimsy of those boys who did the painting.
ReplyDeleteNice photos and thank you for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ruby Tuesday
How interesting, I find it quite amusing that they though they looked like mushroom. Maybe in its day they did.
ReplyDeleteMy ruby link for you
Oh oh you are right they are pretty to look at but don't mess up with it. ^_^
ReplyDeletePop corn
what a funny picture! happy day!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Creative way to disguise air vents.
ReplyDeleteI love the mushrooms! I thought they were going to be an art installation or something of that sort. It's so much fun to get a glimpse of New Zealand!
ReplyDeleteHappy Rednesday,
Sally
What a wild and crazy idea to paint the vents like mushrooms....love it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel
Cool! Very clever!
ReplyDelete~Liz
Bless those youths in 1988, this is my kind of vandalism. The "mushrooms" just look happy. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing part of your country that is no longer needed. Thank goodness. The "mushrooms" make for a really nice red day showing.
ReplyDeleteThose mushrooms are so cute! I never would have guessed that they are air vents for bunkers down below. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHappy REDnesday!
Carol
Love the mushrooms!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
I love the mushrooms, they are cool ! Great info !
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Myrna
They probably should be repainted but I love them as they are. It reminds me of "Smurfs."
ReplyDeleteGoodness...you certainly cannot miss those RED li'l mushrooms... :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Ann. You don't have an email on your profile so I will try to answer you on this post and hope you find it.
ReplyDeleteMy pot is French and it is made by Cruiset. I think that is how you spell it and yes, they are VERY expensive. That is why I didn't have one and my daughter chose to give it as a gift. I do hope I spelled the name of the pot correctly. They are extremely heavy and that is why it stays on my stove much of the time.
Thank you so much for stopping by...it's a pleasure to meet you!
Mona
Hello again...
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned your son. You don't say when you lost him or how..but to lose a child is a pain I cannot even imagine. Losing the love of my life was difficult with my first husband of 43 years..and the dear friend and love in my second marriage, but to lose a son...my heart goes out to you. I am sending you a hug and all the comfort my heart can hold..
Mona