MG Manawatu

A fine sunny morning, a gentle breeze, what better way to spend the day than with a top down MG run to nowhere! Twelve cars assembled at the Bulls Bridge and we made our way along the back roads behind Marton to Turakina picking up another MG. From there we motored on to our morning tea stop at Springvale Park in Wanganui where we were met by three Triumphs to join us for the rest of the day. Great to have the TR’s join with us and there was much friendly marque rivalry throughout the day. We now had our usual fleet of MGB’s & GT’s, MGF’s, Frogeye Sprite, Stag, TR2, TR4, TR6 making up the group for the day.

The bonnet was up on the Stag at morning tea – evidently they were “just looking”……yeah right! From there we motored towards Waitotara and turned off onto the Waitotara Valley Road – a great drive along a scenic winding route beside rivers, over bridges and through rugged farmland and beautiful native bush. Some care was required en route as Bill was seen herding sheep down the road in his MG and we also encountered goats, hawks, an old Stag, and a mother pheasant complete with a row of tiny chicks!

We arrived at our lunch stop in the middle of nowhere at Ngamatapouri School and hall. Gay had arranged that we could use the hall and grounds for our lunch in the sun. A rather large “hug” of Teddy Bears came out for the picnic and a vote was held to determine who Morris Gordon Bear (MGB) would like to get more friendly with…….the winner was Bruce & Sue’s Aviator Bear.

After a very leisurely lunch and natter in the sun we headed back along the valley road back to SH3 and a short drive to an afternoon tea stop at Ashley Park for a cup of tea, ice-cream, an antique or two or just to get friendly with the chooks, alpacas, donkey, goat, bulls etc….. It was now time for everyone to make the trip home after a lovely sunny day in the company of good friends. The round trip from Palmerston North was 203 miles so a good drive at a leisurely pace. Thanks to Gay and Bill for organising another interesting run to yet another new destination!

And just a little reminder, 2009 is nearly behind us and it is time for all of us to start thinking about what runs and destinations we can all come up with and help to organise for 2010.

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