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Post by shorty on Jul 2, 2011 14:48:14 GMT 12
Seeing the bulls Bridge in the background of one of the Skyhawk photos I just thought would ask if any one had any anecdotes about:
(a) the infamous bridge parties
and
(B) when the bridge fell down and upset the MQ commuters
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Post by paddy on Jul 2, 2011 17:12:04 GMT 12
Can't remember a lot of the bridge parties. To much alcohol but they were good.
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Post by furyfb11 on Jul 2, 2011 17:16:46 GMT 12
Seeing the bulls Bridge in the background of one of the Skyhawk photos I just thought would ask if any one had any anecdotes about: (a) the infamous bridge parties and (B) when the bridge fell down and upset the MQ commuters Bridge collapsed June 15 1973. |
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Post by shorty on Jul 2, 2011 17:25:16 GMT 12
If my memory serves me right those of us living in the married patch got paid an allowance for having to travel the extra distance to get to work.
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Post by paddy on Jul 2, 2011 17:45:00 GMT 12
If my memory serves me right those of us living in the married patch got paid an allowance for having to travel the extra distance to get to work. That would have been via the Kakariki bridge and onother 30 to 40 minutes. Anyone remember the Raft Races. I'm amazed no one was killed. But we were young and stupid then. |
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Post by jonesy on Jul 2, 2011 19:25:57 GMT 12
I remember the wire fence put up so that young inebriated airmen didnt fall off the footpath into the oncoming traffic!
The island parties at the intersection of SH1 and Tangimoana Rd.
Wasnt there some big bonfires under the bridge too? Road seal sure took a beating then...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2011 19:30:13 GMT 12
Are you guys talking about drunken parties actually on the bridge?  |
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Post by shorty on Jul 2, 2011 19:36:47 GMT 12
I posted some shots of one of the raft races (1972?)sometime ago (probably in my stash thread)
I can also recall a loaded car transporter falling on its side at tha sharp corner in the bottom of gully on the detour road. Spilt new Fiats all across the paddock!
Was there at some of the bonfires under the bridge where beer was served in plastic buckets.
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Post by jonesy on Jul 2, 2011 19:43:06 GMT 12
Never heard of parties on the bridge, but quite often would be cycling home to bulls after a good session at the club, negotiating the footpath on the bridge was always a challenge! Getting to the other end of the bridge safely was sometimes an issue....
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Post by guest on Jul 2, 2011 20:36:18 GMT 12
Are you guys talking about drunken parties actually on the bridge? Usually under the bridge, Dave, better supply of firewood to keep the party going. Also needed to be 'under' the bridge to avoid the random piano dropped from road height. ;^) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2011 22:01:40 GMT 12
I hated walking across that bridge, even in daylight while sobre, but it was a mission at night whilst drunk. I never went into Bulls much, wasn't worth the walk in my opinion.
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Post by oggie2620 on Jul 3, 2011 7:31:38 GMT 12
Don't tell Glen that Dave. Under bridge parties sound fun. Wonder if the current guys have em.
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Post by horicle on Jul 3, 2011 14:03:35 GMT 12
I rememder the 15th June 73. Night of the Ohakea Sgts Mess Winter Ball, and the bridge fell down before us dedicated Mess Members had started home to change and pick up wives. Fortunately in days when 80ML was the minimum for night driving. Great Ball, do remember driving home.
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E.T.
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 78
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Post by E.T. on Jul 3, 2011 19:08:13 GMT 12
Never heard of parties on the bridge, but quite often would be cycling home to bulls after a good session at the club, negotiating the footpath on the bridge was always a challenge! Getting to the other end of the bridge safely was sometimes an issue.... One Wednesday after "sports" (stacking firewood at Geoff C's place) I recall driving back to Base in my Mini and stopping at the bridge because it seemed too narrow. I paced the width of the car and then the width of the bridge . . . parking back on Base wasn't too flash either! wouldn't do it these days! raft races - I think almost every year someone nearly drowned trapped underneath the raft after tipping over. Nearly did it myself once! [Was trying to post a pic from one of the raft races but it's not worthy of a photobucket etc account.] |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 3, 2011 19:19:33 GMT 12
ET, email me the photo and I'll put it up for you.
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Post by shorty on Jul 3, 2011 19:49:58 GMT 12
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E.T.
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 78
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Post by E.T. on Jul 3, 2011 19:59:17 GMT 12
The drums method for the rafts was not the best as they were a) too bouyant at the start, b) too hard to attach properly to a frame and c) usually filled up with water before the end. When I first arrived at OH Radar Bay I wondered what the big pile of inner tubes was for on the inside roof of the section - Raft Race time I found out!
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Post by shorty on Jul 3, 2011 20:33:39 GMT 12
My photos were taken (I think) at the 1972 race. The tube one with the bra and knickers flying I think were armourers, The drum one were framies(Pete someone in front), the ones next to them without shirts are Neil Griffin in the front and Johnny Mathews behind him, I can't recognise the guy behind Johnny
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Post by Tony on Jul 3, 2011 21:35:44 GMT 12
Was trying to forget this aspect of my time at Ohakea - NOT
I drank more beer from the parties than water that I swallowed during the raft races - and I swallowed a hell of a lot of water.
Also remember the night the O's biffed the mess piano of the bridge.
The bus driver nearly pooed himself when the bridge fell away from under him.....Don't blame him.
In those days roads were classed I, II or III depending on their load carrying capability.
Funny that Wilson Rd was reclassified from Class III to Class I overnight!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 3, 2011 22:44:52 GMT 12
Here is E.T.'s photo mentioned on the previous page:  I meant to add this which E.T. added in the email to me: "This is the Radio & Radar Bay raft from sometime mid-late '80's prior to the start of the race. The blue couch was a feature of the R&R raft for all the races. cheers George (E.T.)" |
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