By Stephen Broadbent
The inaugural Piha run took advantage of the daylight saving clock change and allowed everyone a Sunday sleep in for the 1pm start.
Meeting at the Northwest shopping Centre from 12.45 we expected maybe 5 or so cars, so it was a surprise to all to have 17 cars assemble on the roof top car park. Two new members Steff and Alasdair brought along a lovely 1275GT and a mk1 Cooper. Greetings done and the first assembly point mapped into GPS’s and iPhones, Ray brought a new twist by offering to take the lead with Jo as co-pilot. What a lead it was, lovely flowing twisty roads, ideal for Minis, saw us pull on the side of the Piha road with everyone still in group. The drive over to Piha was done in sunshine and the spiral down to the parking location at North Piha led to many photo opportunities, waves and smiles from those out enjoying their Sunday. Bringing up the rear in the only BMW Mini in the group gave me a chance to see people with Cell Phones videoing us, smiling and waving.
Picnic time at the overcast North Piha surf club gave us time to chat and take some photos before heading back to Piha for much needed coffee and food. Again, pictures and smiles galore as we pulled into the Piha Store. Ray again offered some spirited driving along the Karekare road back to the Arataki Visitors Centre. Only one member needing a Piha rescue as a large bump in the road collected an exhaust. Fortunately a stop by at some local friends provided a fix.
Our next stop was Wynyard Quarter, led by Richard and Trent as we set up for an impromptu photoshoot with Auckland as the backdrop. A quick drive around Wynyard and onto Queen street for more photos saw us disperse at about 6pm.
Hats off to all for making this such a fun day out. Everyone agreed that the afternoon run time really worked for this session and plans for the next beach run should be drawn up, so pack your togs, picnics and get those naughty Mini’s cleaned ready for the next one.
The inaugural Piha run took advantage of the daylight saving clock change and allowed everyone a Sunday sleep in for the 1pm start.
Meeting at the Northwest shopping Centre from 12.45 we expected maybe 5 or so cars, so it was a surprise to all to have 17 cars assemble on the roof top car park. Two new members Steff and Alasdair brought along a lovely 1275GT and a mk1 Cooper. Greetings done and the first assembly point mapped into GPS’s and iPhones, Ray brought a new twist by offering to take the lead with Jo as co-pilot. What a lead it was, lovely flowing twisty roads, ideal for Minis, saw us pull on the side of the Piha road with everyone still in group. The drive over to Piha was done in sunshine and the spiral down to the parking location at North Piha led to many photo opportunities, waves and smiles from those out enjoying their Sunday. Bringing up the rear in the only BMW Mini in the group gave me a chance to see people with Cell Phones videoing us, smiling and waving.
Picnic time at the overcast North Piha surf club gave us time to chat and take some photos before heading back to Piha for much needed coffee and food. Again, pictures and smiles galore as we pulled into the Piha Store. Ray again offered some spirited driving along the Karekare road back to the Arataki Visitors Centre. Only one member needing a Piha rescue as a large bump in the road collected an exhaust. Fortunately a stop by at some local friends provided a fix.
Our next stop was Wynyard Quarter, led by Richard and Trent as we set up for an impromptu photoshoot with Auckland as the backdrop. A quick drive around Wynyard and onto Queen street for more photos saw us disperse at about 6pm.
Hats off to all for making this such a fun day out. Everyone agreed that the afternoon run time really worked for this session and plans for the next beach run should be drawn up, so pack your togs, picnics and get those naughty Mini’s cleaned ready for the next one.
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