A Mustang owners history lesson 101: Originally The Tai Tapu Hotel was the first hotel in Tai Tapu, it was built in 1856 when Edmund Shakespeare erected an accommodation house called Shakespeare’s Accommodation House. The Tai Tapu Hotel provided accommodation and sustenance to drovers moving stock on the three-day trek from Banks Peninsula to the Addington Market.
In 1861 The Tai Tapu Hotel was granted its liquor license and became known as the Ellesmere Arms Hotel, the name it retained until 2003. In the 1860s the hotel was also a popular stopping place for the Cobb & Co coach on its daily return trip from Akaroa to Christchurch. (Click insert to see historic photo)
Mid Week run to Tai Tapu Hotel, Wed 21st June
A friendly country pub, the Ellesmere Arms (generally known as the Tai Tapu Hotel) has been the local watering hole since the 1860s. It was originally a stage coach inn, complete with stables and forge, on the road to Akaroa.
What a great run this turned out to be Twenty Two cars met at the Papanui Club for an 11am departure, the weather gods were on our side and the convoy left on time. Twisting our way around the back of Christchurch Airport and on to West Coast Rd. Up past the Prison and taking a sharp left into Kirk Rd where Two more Mustangs joined the convoy.
We traveled down and through Templeton hanging a right into Jones Rd running parallel with SH1. Hanging a left into Robinsons Rd where another Mustang awaits us. At the end of Robinsons Rd the local school children were out to cheer us on they got lots of toots and waves from all of us. We get to Springs Rd and head to Lincoln then cruise past the university through Lincoln and on to Tai Tapu.
Looking at all the cars parking up and being met with more Mustangs whom came direct to Tai Tapu along with one Toyota Surf.
In total we had Fifty Eight Mustang Enthusiasts for lunch. The staff at Tai Tapu were awesome as was the food and service.
Thank you all whom attended for the great feed back and encouragement you give Pauline and myself for putting these midweek runs together.
Many thanks to Peter and Pauline for organising the Gold Card Cruisers' runs and there detailed report.
READ ALL ABOUT Peter and Pauline Watt your Gold Card Cruisers' run organisers
