Thursday 22 November 2007

The Great October Run

This took place on the 14th October a week earlier than usual owing to Labour weekend.

The run started from the Westgate Shopping Centre Car Park, at the end of the North Western Motorway, Massey. This is quite a large shopping area which in the future will get much larger as they have bought a big area on the other side of Highway 16.

Upon leaving here we traveled north along Highway 16, before turning into Old North Road, the next turn was into Peak Road, which takes you back to Highway 16. at Kaukapakapa. Followed this route passing all side roads until Makarau Road, this eventually leads through very scenic country side through valleys and hills, over the railway line at Woodcocks on to Warkworth. On the way were farms, forests, rivers and streams including several waterfalls.

The vehicles all met up again at the convenience car park in Warkworth, before going on to lunch a little further along the road, at a café looking out over the river. As it was quite windy we stayed inside instead of venturing on to the balcony.

Following lunch we made our way to the Warkworth and District Museum, which is in the country side just south of the town. This is a surprisingly good Museum and well worth a visit if you are passing through Warkworth a town most just pass through on their way north. But there is quite a bit to see and a well made walkway along the river.

After leaving here we traveled down S.H.1 turning off at the Puhoi turnoff, we were met at the store by Ted who escorted us to his home, where we were to drop off a reconditioned started motor for the Prefect he is restoring he also has a lovely red Austin that he has completed. A lot of time was spent in the very large garage workshop looking at the two cars. While there his wife Joy made everyone tea and coffee for afternoon tea and we had a interesting discussion about “Eels” how to catch them and smoke them.

For the final leg home some went by main road, while three went a back way, to Highway 16 and a reverse of the morning run. Those who went on this very interesting run were; Brian and Bev, Steven and his partner Irene, Paul and Delia, Thelma and Bud, and the organizers Harvey and Val.