Day 1: Kaitaia to Orewa

Monday 29th March

Host Auckland Mustang Owners Club

At 8.30 am approx 45 participants gathered in the hotel for the very first daily briefing, operated in very efficient manner by Ken Smith of the Auckland club. Following this the cars assembled up the main street of Kaitaia for a photo opportunity, perhaps causing Kaitaia's first traffic jam!

25 Muzzies assemble in Kaitaia's main street before departing on Day 1:
Event photographer Sandy Farrell contemplates how she is ever going to get sensible pictures in the chaos!

At 9.15 am the cars departed Kaitaia down the Coast Road towards Paihia in the Bay of Islands. On the way the convoy paused for a photo opportunity in beautiful Cable Bay.

Pause at Cable Bay for photos.

After a 15 min break the cars departed for Paihia and encountered several light showers just long enough for the convertibles to stop and put their tops up. Of course it then immediately stopped raining!

Cruising around the Paihia waterfront

By the time the cars arrived at Paihia for coffee at Hansen’s Café in the Maritime Wharf Building, the cars were 30 mins late and the schedule was already blown. The cars were parked on the Village Green opposite the café. 

Cars park at Paihia while participants cross the road for morning coffee in the cafe.

At approx 11 am the convoy departed Paihia and drove to Whangarei, arriving in the carpark behind Repco at approx 1 pm, where a sizable crowd awaited to view the cars. A BBQ lunch was provided by Wynn Fraser Paints.  George Roberts was not able to complete the conversion of his 2004 GT in time for the event, so he decided to join Wayne Ward at Whangarei and participate in the event as far as Taupo.  

Cars parked beside Repco in Whangarei

At approx 2.30 pm the cars departed Wynn Fraser for Orewa via Waipu, Wellsford and Warkworth.

Typical Convoy scene, Day 1.

On arrival into Orewa, the participants booked into their motels, rested and prepared for the evening activities.  At 7.00 pm participants and local AMOC club members gathered for dinner at the Orewa Surf Club rooms opposite the motels.  The meal was followed by an excellent Karaoke evening sponsored by Car Colors of North Shore Ltd and Mustang & Falcon Spares Ltd. I can confirm the AMOC do have at least 2 very good singers in Moses Bristowe and Maria Scott while several others entertained us with their efforts including the terrible trio of Wal Marshall, George Roberts and Wayne Ward who were awarded a prize just to get them off the stage.! The evening was finished by a "classy" rendition of Mustang Sally by everyone. Great time was had by all!

(Maria Scott, Janet Cartmell, Tracey Blackwood, and Irene Weibel)