Saturday 23rd February 2013 Coromandel weekend run
What stunning weather we have had this summer. I doubt a day has passed where it hasn't been at least 25 degrees. Clear blue skies and loads of sunshine. Saturday was no differant. Some of us met at the BP service centre near Drury at 7.30am for breakfast and the rest arrived around 8.30am.
13 lovely gleaming clean little cars. We started with a run through all the back roads from Drury to near to Thames. Veena joined on at the "castle" and off we went. Mark lead and the roads were perfect for our cars. Twists and turns a plenty.
Thames had their usual saturday morning markets on which we walked around for an hour and people got their coffee fixes etc. Mark, Suzie, Pat, Cam, Vivienne, Claudia, Christine, Keith, Robyn, Ken, Marty. Trish, Veena, Preeti, Graham, Judy, Chris, Oliver, John, Tina, Cam, Aileen, John, Vicky and myself all did a lovely parade around Thames and left heading for Hot Water Beach Cafe. On arrival we all parked opposite the Café, on the grass verge. Plenty of people paid a lot of attention to a great line up of smart little sports cars (and a Toyota MR-S). A quick lunch and then a walk along the sand to dig the toes in and sample that burning sensation the Hot Water Beach is so well known for. A little run up the road to Whitianga followed and a night at the Peninsular Motel. The Motelier had lost the room list so a small moment followed until it was rediscovered and the room numbers allocated. The lucky Motelier had a full house that night, all from the Zed Owners Group.
Some people went off and took a boat trip which was thoroughly enjoyed. (see pictures) One or two others chose to veg out or go for walks. Two parties bought small dogs with them as the Motel was dog friendly (a fact they don’t actively advertise, but friendly nonetheless) Some others said that if they had known, they would have bought their little pooches with them as well. This is something that individual members should be asking for themselves
Dinner that night was a casual affair with a great pile of pizza’s purchased, and distributed to the tables and chairs outside rooms 2, 3 and 4. Lots of casual and friendly conversation and all off to bed quite early to be ready for a quick run through to Coromandel the next day.
After a good nights sleep we all lined up outside the motel for the owner as well as ourselves to take many, many photos. We cruised on out of Whitianga after the addicts lining up at the local coffee fix outlet. Its a lovely drive heading north from Whitianga around the bays and then heading inland over the hills into Coromandel town. We walked in en masse and announced to the lovely lady at Peppertree that there were 21 of us for brunch. Service and food was excellent though. A couple of cars headed home after that but the rest of us headed out to Driving creek railway. Pat and Vivienne walked the dogs while the rest of us boarded the train for the ride up the mountain to the top viewing platform. A really lovely trip crossing over a double viaduct as well as going through all the replanted native bush. Views from the top were stunning.
At the end we headed away. Some driving back to Matarangi, some to Pauanui, and the rest of us south to Thames and home.
A lovely weekend, superb weather and very congenial company.
Till next time, TTFN
Pauline & Mark.
13 lovely gleaming clean little cars. We started with a run through all the back roads from Drury to near to Thames. Veena joined on at the "castle" and off we went. Mark lead and the roads were perfect for our cars. Twists and turns a plenty.
Thames had their usual saturday morning markets on which we walked around for an hour and people got their coffee fixes etc. Mark, Suzie, Pat, Cam, Vivienne, Claudia, Christine, Keith, Robyn, Ken, Marty. Trish, Veena, Preeti, Graham, Judy, Chris, Oliver, John, Tina, Cam, Aileen, John, Vicky and myself all did a lovely parade around Thames and left heading for Hot Water Beach Cafe. On arrival we all parked opposite the Café, on the grass verge. Plenty of people paid a lot of attention to a great line up of smart little sports cars (and a Toyota MR-S). A quick lunch and then a walk along the sand to dig the toes in and sample that burning sensation the Hot Water Beach is so well known for. A little run up the road to Whitianga followed and a night at the Peninsular Motel. The Motelier had lost the room list so a small moment followed until it was rediscovered and the room numbers allocated. The lucky Motelier had a full house that night, all from the Zed Owners Group.
Some people went off and took a boat trip which was thoroughly enjoyed. (see pictures) One or two others chose to veg out or go for walks. Two parties bought small dogs with them as the Motel was dog friendly (a fact they don’t actively advertise, but friendly nonetheless) Some others said that if they had known, they would have bought their little pooches with them as well. This is something that individual members should be asking for themselves
Dinner that night was a casual affair with a great pile of pizza’s purchased, and distributed to the tables and chairs outside rooms 2, 3 and 4. Lots of casual and friendly conversation and all off to bed quite early to be ready for a quick run through to Coromandel the next day.
After a good nights sleep we all lined up outside the motel for the owner as well as ourselves to take many, many photos. We cruised on out of Whitianga after the addicts lining up at the local coffee fix outlet. Its a lovely drive heading north from Whitianga around the bays and then heading inland over the hills into Coromandel town. We walked in en masse and announced to the lovely lady at Peppertree that there were 21 of us for brunch. Service and food was excellent though. A couple of cars headed home after that but the rest of us headed out to Driving creek railway. Pat and Vivienne walked the dogs while the rest of us boarded the train for the ride up the mountain to the top viewing platform. A really lovely trip crossing over a double viaduct as well as going through all the replanted native bush. Views from the top were stunning.
At the end we headed away. Some driving back to Matarangi, some to Pauanui, and the rest of us south to Thames and home.
A lovely weekend, superb weather and very congenial company.
Till next time, TTFN
Pauline & Mark.