Chris and Jo's Mystery Run

As it was a sunny day, Cornwall Park was pretty busy when we arrived on Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago. We met Chris and Jo, Bud and Thelma, Gavin and Sophie, Stephen, John, and Brian and Bev, along with Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 (Paul and Delia).

After standing around and chatting for a while, we were handed a couple of sheets of paper with about a dozen questions and the location where you would find the appropriate answer. This required plotting your own route to minimise travel time as there was a time limit of a couple of hours.

We pulled out the map, decided on a circular route from our start point to our finish point at the clubrooms. There were many areas of Auckland that I'd never seen (including some you probably wouldn't want to stop in) and after dropping one question as time was catching up on us, we arrived at the finish to enjoy a BBQ and chuckle at everyone's stories.

Eventual winners were Max and 99, who managed to answer all questions correctly and be amongst the first to arrive at the clubrooms.

Run to Puhoi

Despite a forecast of heavy rain, Sunday dawned fine but cloudy. Karen and I arrived at Silo Park (the old Tank farm) just after 8:30am for breakfast, meeting John who'd arrived a little earlier.

After a short walk alongside the nearby cafes and restaurants, Karen chose Jack Tars and we ordered breakfast. When it arrived, it was huge - I was defeated and could only manage about two-thirds of the total plated food.

Still with some time to kill before the 10:30 departure, we were joined by Steve and ambled along the waterfront, then decided to grab a ride on the tram circuit. This was the last day before the lines were being ripped up to be re-laid after the road has been lowered (don't ask me, it's all part of Auckland Council's loony grand plan).

At the end of the tram loop, we arrived to the greetings of the rest of our cohorts for the day, Bud & Thelma, Paul & Delia, and Brian & Bev. Instructions were given out for those who wanted to go on ahead and we departed Silo Park and headed across the Harbour Bridge to the Albany Bus Station where we picked up Martin & Monique.

From here we toured through Dairy Flat, then out to John's old stomping ground of Waitoki (where Ngaire joined us) and out the back roads to Wainui and over the hill into Puhoi. The last portion across Krippner road was true back country with many large water-filled pot-holes, but at least the damp conditions did mean there was little dust.

After a regroup (and congratulations or otherwise on road choice), we drove on and lunched at the Puhoi Valley Cheese Factory cafe. Being that breakfast was so large, Karen and I required not much. Paul however ordered the Ploughman's Platter, a large board with all manner of meats, crackers and cheese. It looked delicious and as there was none left, I guess it must have been.

From here we each made our way home, with some of us stopping in at the second-hand store in Puhoi to see if there were any bargains to be nabbed.

Helensville Museum Display

We met early Sunday morning at Kumeu and drove from here out to Helensville Historic Museum for their Display Day (organised by the Kaipara Classic Car Club) via the back road - a pleasant 30 minute drive that comes into the back of Helensville.

Parked at Kumeu

After parking in the grounds, Karen and I wandered into town for coffee, and then ambled around all the shops before making our way back to the Museum.

The Museum display; Brian and Bev's 7Y at far right.

The rain held off until just before 3pm, whereupon we retired to the Kaipara Classic Car clubrooms for the prizegiving.

Brian and Bev's 7Y took out the trophy for Best Original Car; John and Jan, and Steven got medals for furthest distance travelled; and Bud received a medal for oldest attendee (despite his protests that he's only a young fella).

As the rain continued to pelt down, we said our thanks and left for home.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 6

Finally, a slightly later start to the day with a short(-ish) run back to Auckland.

We drove from Te Kuiti to Otorohonga for a McDonalds breakfast, which Bud enjoyed immensely.

Otorohonga: last breakfast stop of the rally

From Otorohonga, we took the road through Pirongia and regrouped at Ngaruawahia, then on to Pokeno for a food break.

With the rally essentially over, we each then carried on home, with all vehicles having successfully completed the journey.

Easter Rally 2013: Day 5

Today we began the return journey to Auckland, via the Forgotten World Highway. We left Wanganui early to regroup and fuel up at Stratford.

It was raining as we left Stratford and crossed the 3 saddles before a filling lunch at Whangamomona Pub.

Whangamomona Hotel, Forgotten Highway lunch stop

Whangamomona Hotel, Forgotten Highway

The rain had stopped when we left Whangamomona, we proceeded further on some of the smoothest gravel road I've experienced - smoother than the previous tarmac.

Ohura: once a thriving mining town, now a quiet backwater

Pulling into quiet Ohura, we had the museum opened especially for us. From Ohura we quickly rejoined the main highway and finished our day with fish and chips in Te Kuiti.