Top of the South Road Trip Sunday 8th to Friday 13th October 2023
Doing things differently Peter and Pauline had a pot luck dinner on Saturday prior to the run. Making home made pizzas on the BBQ with deserts, wine and beer and some top shelf. This gave members Reg & Kate from Dunedin and Gary & Pauline from Manawatu to get to meet others on the run. These included Cerry & Sue, Nigel & Janice, Dennis & Viv. Having had lunch at the Bealey Hotel in Arthurs Pass for the 'Bathurst Run to Arthurs Pass' event, 8 couples headed for Hokitika. These included all above plus Dave & Gail and John & Raelene.
We stayed at the Jade Court Motel meeting up with Sam & Maria and Murray & Wendy. We dined at Stumpers which put Bathurst up on all their screens for us petrol heads.
The next morning after breakfast 10 cars left their mark at Jade Court with the owners videoing our departure.
A group discussion determined we go the coast road via Punakaiki for a coffee and comfort stop and onto our lunch destination at Rivers Cafe in Murchison. Nigel & Janice in their Turbocharged Mustang convertible led the way giving Viv a run for her reputation as a lead foot and has lost that title to Nigel. Dennis led the way from Rivers Cafe to our accomodation so we all kept up rolling into the Beachcomber in Nelson.
Dinner at Smugglers was great with most of us sitting around a large concrete table. We were joined by Peter and Dallas whom invited our group to their home. Gotta love impromptu events and this was a highlight for all the ladies with Dallas's inspired art and great gardens. Muzzy guys in the garage talking mustang stuff. Then we were led to a rural property for coffee and sausage rolls with a garage full of classic cars. Next stop Mapua Wharf for fish and chips.
Sometimes things don't go as planed like the Sprig and Fern loosing our booking. Cerry lost his glasses twice, Sue lost her cards (found) Reg lost his phone and found in the boot cavity and the Fancy Cow changed the menu on us, Murray locked his keys in the boot and Nigel got a parking ticket. These are the highlights as one says what happens on a trip stays on the trip.
Catch 22 Cafe stayed open and looked after 11 members and the Sands looked after 10 members due to Sprig and Fern cancelling on us. Wither Hills cancelled our booking for lunch at Blenheim asking us to have a set menu at $60 per person. So at Nigel and Janices suggestion we went to the Vines Village for lunch and what an awesome place.
Staying at the Commodore Motel (Ray Eades suggestion) thank you Ray. Linda made us all welcome and another great motel. Gary from Manawatu booked a maxi cab to take us to the Fancy Cow for our evening meal. Again they take a booking then change the menu on us but soon sorted and steaks back on the menu. With free days we visited the Nelson Classic Car Museum, The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim and a Chocolate factory.
It was a privilege to put this run together and thanks to all whom made this the fun event it was Peter and Pauline.
