Summer in Auckland, eh!? It was forecast to rain just overnight but the weather missed that and it kept raining. One sensible person suggested maybe the run would not go ahead but Trevor was prepared to risk it and the rest of us followed his lead, including the sensible person, albeit driving a Toyota.
Meeting at the BP, it did seem the sensible person had a point as we gathered under the McDonald’s front entrance with umbrellas and coats, and the temperature kept dropping. But we had a great turnout made up of new and returning members, young family members (some of driving age and some well under driving age) and a number of old friends. It was good to get back in the cars with their heaters.
We headed down the motorway in convoy, onto the Waikato Expressway and then the exit to Ohinewai and Tahuna – at least all of us except one car that apparently carried on to Huntly. We had a good run through to Tahuna despite the new seal and the rain!
We arrived in Ngatea at the Water Gardens and it was still raining. We lined up in coats, with our umbrellas and proceeded to pay our entry fee. 
Our members were stalwart – walking around the gardens, trying to hang on to umbrellas and take photos. The gardens were lush in the rain, the ducks were pleased to see us, there are a number of quirky features including the Can Museum, which was warm and dry!
We proceeded around the corner to the Glory Company for an early lunch and a round of hot drinks! As we queued up the rain seemed to ease and by the time we returned to the cars for the run back to Auckland it had stopped. Some of us were brave enough to go roof down – sigh! But the sun did come out and then the problem was my hat was somewhere under the discarded raincoat behind my seat.
Truly four seasons in one day! But a great drive on new roads for us and I have finally made it to Ngatea Water Gardens.
Thanks Trevor for organising and everyone for their great company.
Philippa West
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