Model A Invitation Run

This took place on Sunday the 19th August commencing from the Park just as you come into Waiuku. After a week of rain the day turned out fine if a little breezy.

After we arrived and met up with some of the friendly people of the Model "A" Club including Gavin Welch who was our Club’s President for a number of years, he was driving his Fathers Model A, we were handed out instructions sheets with the route interspersed with questions, Their questions were different from our’s in that they were on both sides of the road, however we managed to find most of them I think,then right at the bottom of the second sheet there were two questions one asking how many bridges we went over and the other how many Kms we had covered. (It pays to read all the sheets in advance).

We did a small drive around Waiuku then proceeded through country roads to Pollok, Matakawau, and Awhitu and onwards to South Head. The drive was very scenic and the country side fresh and green after all the rain we have been having lately, at one place they said if we looked hard enough we would see Australia, and at another look down if we dared, the bottom of the valleys are almost out of sight the hills are so steep.

Arriving at South Head Car Park all the cars lined up on both sides of the parking area, for lunch and to take a walk up the hill to see the Lighthouse which has been rebuilt at the top near the signal station. The lighthouse has been in several different sites, but is now back on the original site and has been restored it was not open when we were there, but sometimes it is. It is not now used as a working lighthouse.

On the opposite ridge about 100 metres away just below the crest is the signal station, it looks out over the Heads where the bar is clearly visible, it is a very narrow entrance way and it shifts all the time, it is a very dangerous entrance and a number of ships have come to grief there, with large loss of life.

Following lunch, we set off again following a new set of instructions, but without questions this time, turning off at Central Awhitu to follow Kemp Road, missing out Awhitu itself, and then turning off again at Pollok and going down Cemetery Road to Lees Gully Road (Did you see the Cemetery on the hill) to Te Toro, Waipipi and on through Waiuku.

Then we went out behind Pukekohe seeing two large Stationary Engines, going over a ford at the bottom of a steep hill, passing through small towns and market gardens until we reached the host of the days home (Paul and Louise) where there was a barbecue cooking sausages, to go with the chips, garlic bread, pizza cakes, and loaves etc; a real feast for everyone.

The host was a collector of all manner of things from models of vehicles, tins, tractors to be restored and 100’s of number plates. This was a long rally but very pleasant and interesting with a lot to see along the route. We would like to thank the Model "A" Club through Harvey Brewer for extending the invitation to us. Perhaps they may come to one of our Runs.

Those that went from our club were Harvey and Val, Paul and Delia, and Bud and Thelma.

Run to Orewa

This took place on Sunday 15th July the weather wasn’t marvelous it was dull and overcast with a cold wind blowing but it was a nice easy run through the countryside taking in Kumeu, Kaukapakapa, Waitoki, and coming out near the Silverdale on ramp to the Orewa Expressway, which comes into Orewa on the top side and makes its way onto State Highway 1 north of the main shops.

Those which attended were John and his friend Jim (Tourer), Ant and Karen, Thelma and Bud (Prefect) and the organizers Harvey and Val (Model Y) apologies were received from Chris, and Bob and Gwen.

During the run there were signs everywhere of the damage from the storm earlier in the week, mainly trees damaged and blown over there was a very large one down in the yard of the B&B at the intersection of the Parakai and Helensville Road they were lucky it ended up just short of the building, in some places later on whole rows of trees were down.

At Helensville the men headed for the Automania Model Shop, on the left just at the entrance to the main street. There are models of all manner of vehicles to make up, and already pre assembled.

Leaving there we drove to just short of Kaukapakapa where we turned to the right and proceeded to Waitoki, where the daily rain started but it did not last too long and had ceased by Silverdale, I felt sorry for all the bike riders who were out it, as it was cold as well.

The café we went to was called "Walnut Café" and was at the far end of town just before you start up the hill to Waiwera (well known for its hot pools). It was in very nice surroundings back off the road, it had wide verandahs in front and at the side where we had tables as we did not have a booking and it was very busy owing to a birthday party. (They were covered in with clear plastic covers and were quite cozy.)

Everyone ordered from the nice range available from cakes and pies to a good range of hot and cold dishes. The food that we received all looked and tasted very appetising.

After lots of talk and laughter we all dispersed our separate ways. Bud and I went down to the beach front and watched the wind surfers and their parachutes for some time there were a lot out as no people were swimming and they were all along the beach, in the wild and choppy surf.

Thanks to Harvey and Val for coming up with the route and the excellent café at the end, if you are into the coffee circuit this is one to check out.

Drive to Pine Harbour

This months run commenced at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa a suburb south of Auckland, for those not familiar to Auckland it is where they hold the Ellerslie Flower Show Event in November (so named because it originally was held at Ellerslie Race Course).

The two sections of the run were put together by Janice and John Gardner. The first section was by suburban streets out to Redoubt Road which goes for a long way when you are looking for a Tuatara (a little blue lizard on a gate post). Eventually going by other roads past Ned Kelly made out of coloured drums to Whitford.

We then went past a bird garden some very smart houses in a big circle the “ford” was a road sign saying “Rutherford” back on the main road we turned into the Formosa Golf Resort, where the road ends at Pine Harbour, the Life Boat on display came off the Mikhail Lermontov and there were a lot of Norfolk Pines (everyone had a different answer to this).
Once in the Gateway restaurant we were seated together at two joined tables some of the meals took a little while to arrive but they were very busy as they were catering for another car club as well who had a large gathering. There was a small group in a tent affair playing live music outside it was pleasant to listen to.

After the meal the second part of the run took place with a tour through the streets of Beachlands this was in straight line navigation, after this the cars proceeded to Maraeti where we drove along the waterfront. Once back to the main road we proceeded to drive around the scenic coast line to Duders Beach, then turned inland to Clevedon, up West Road which included a very steep hill at the end. A couple more streets and we were back at the Botanic Gardens Car Park.

After a brief chat to everyone we all went our separate ways. We ourselves had a walk through the Gardens they had a brilliant display of poppies; there has been a lot of work done over recent times here if you are coming to Auckland they are well worth a visit.

Those that went on this run were Stephen and his friend Irene, (modern); Jim, a friend of John in his Zephyr Ute; Martin and his apprentice Josh (Y); Brian and Bev (modern) his car is almost ready; and Thelma and Bud (Prefect).

Thanks to John and Janice for doing this interesting run through areas you would not usually go, its always interesting to see different things.

Notes from the Breakfast Run

This took place on Sunday 20th May commencing approximately 8.45am with a Buffet Breakfast held at the ex "Springs Restaurant" now called Happy Days which is situated opposite the very nice Westerns Springs park which has a lake in the centre. This lake was the early source of Auckland’s water, the Pump house is now part of the exhibition buildings at Motat just along the road.

The meal cost $12.90 per person, and had various types of porridge and cereal, a selection of hot food like bacon, beans, sausages, hash browns, omelet, kidney etc. Juices, toast and various spreads, and of course a tea and coffee dispenser of different styles.

Those at breakfast were Paul and Delia; Ant and Karen and daughter Sarah with son Hayden; Ngaire; John and Janice, and Bud and Thelma.

After breakfast we were joined by Chris with his friend Mel for a short run devised by Ant through the suburbs to Parker Avenue in New Lynn where West Lynn Gardens are situated.

This is a garden planted on a site where there used to be a nursery, it is run by volunteers. Part of the attraction is a nice building with clear sides, fully enclosed from the weather where they raise Monarch Butterflies. As well there are paths wandering in and out of various levels with of plantings of camellias, azaleas, maples with larger trees as well.

After everyone had wandered about the gardens and made friends with the resident cat we all dispersed our separate ways.

City Run

The run this month was around parts of Auckland where we seldom go commencing from the old Central Railway at the Strand in Parnell. This has now been converted into accommodation for students, the railway lines have been extended into Auckland to the Britomart Transport centre and is a new underground railway station built.

Those who came on this run on a lovely warm sunny day were Paul and Delia, (Prefect) Chris and daughter Ellie (Ford Y,) Bob and Gwen, Thelma and Bud, (Prefect) Ant and Karen the organizers with apologies received from John and Janice.

The run took us along the waterfront past the new Vectra Stadium, Ferry Buildings, to Victoria Park, then to Franklin Road a tree lined street where at Christmas the households compete to put on the best Christmas Light Display it makes for a marvelous sight, into Ponsonby, where we commenced a page of the dreaded straight line navigation around the back streets.

The properties in these narrow tree lined streets with traffic blocks all the way along are very sought after, and huge amounts are paid for them, they are very often done up inside to a very modern standard the only thing remaining of the original dwelling is the fronts, very few of them have a garage or room for one so the cars are parked on the street which does not allow for a lot of passing space.

Eventually we made our way along Meola Road past the Keith Park part of Motat where the Airplanes are housed and where the Galaxy of cars is held in February, to Pt Chevalier Road traveling down it we came to a Café just before Coyle Park, a large open park for picnics and walking which is an entrance way to the nice inner harbour beach of Pt Chevalier.

At the Café the early arrivals had secured a large area in the corner, which was big enough for all to sit around the tables and have a pleasant time together over coffee and snacks of the buyer’s choice.

Eventually the gathering broke up and made their individual way home, a few were going to watch the racing at Pukekohe on the TV, others went for a walk along the beach in the sun before going home.

All in all it was a nice small run in an area you don’t normally go to, as it is not one of the main routes to anywhere.

On this run Paul and Delia had their very nice green Prefect which Paul has had for about two years, he has been overhauling the motor and getting it to a excellent standard, it was the first major run it has been on. Delia is not so sure of the absence of seat belts. It has a very low mileage and is original right down to the working wing signals. Paul is not sure if he is being seen so uses hand signals as well, as no one thinks to look at window level half way down the car for a signal.