2020 Events
- Sunday Run to Ashburton (December)
- Christmas Dinner
- Garage Raid - Palmside (November)
- TransAlpine to Cromwell
- Garage Raid - Auto Restorations (September)
- Sunday Run to Duvauchelle (September)
- Sunday Run to Greta Valley (August)
- Sunday Run to Leeston (August)
- Sunday Run (July)
- Noggin 'n' Natter (June)
- Evening Run to Governor's Bay (February)
- Valentine's Day Run
- Garage Raid (February)
- New Year Family and Friends BBQ and Car Run (January)
Christmas Dinner - 6th December
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This year we decided on the Good Home in Ferrymead for our Xmas Dinner and we had 41 people respond to the invitation. The Menu looked pretty good and this helped us to make the decision where we should go. The room was decorated just for us and with the promise of a free Stella, we settled in for the night.
Everyone enjoyed themselves, and had a really good time with great food and great company. What an awesome way to top off another great year in the Southern Lotus Register. Thank you to everyone for coming along and making the night a real success. |
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Garage Raid - Palmside - 17th November
Sunday Run to Duvauchelle - 20th September
Enjoying the sunshine (but not the cold wind!) on the Summit Road, before heading back down to Duvauchelle for lunch.
Sunday Run to Greta Valley - 23rd August
The day started with overcast skies and light drizzle. Everyone met at the BP in Ravenswood for a coffee and a catch up prior to starting the run. It wasn’t long before it was time to go; we headed off to Oxford, 10 cars and 15 people. The was sun out and most of the cars had their tops off to enjoy the day. Heading through Rangiora, I could see the interest from everyone down the main street, with seven Lotus, a couple of MX5s (and an i30). People were looking and pointing at the different colours of the cars and probably (like me) thinking which one they’d like to have (other than the i30!)
Turning right at GAS in Oxford we headed towards Ashley Gorge and then onto Loburn, where a couple of cars turned left instead of right and subsequently went the wrong way [couldn't possibly be the directions again AJ? -ed]. The plan was to re-group at Waipara Hills Winery, well as I just said 2 cars took the wrong turn so we waited for them to arrive and thankfully that didn’t take too long. It was a nice sunny day so it was a good chance to have a chat and take some photo’s while we waited.
Turning right at GAS in Oxford we headed towards Ashley Gorge and then onto Loburn, where a couple of cars turned left instead of right and subsequently went the wrong way [couldn't possibly be the directions again AJ? -ed]. The plan was to re-group at Waipara Hills Winery, well as I just said 2 cars took the wrong turn so we waited for them to arrive and thankfully that didn’t take too long. It was a nice sunny day so it was a good chance to have a chat and take some photo’s while we waited.
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Now we had two route options, stay on Highway 1 or turn off and head for Waikari and then through the back roads towards Scargill and a straight run to our destination, the Fossil Point Cafe and Gallery in Greta Valley. Some went straight there and others took the longer scenic route and this certainly was enjoyed by everyone.
Our Hosts at the Fossil Point Cafe were brilliant, starting with a great chalk blackboard welcoming us with a really well drawn Lotus Roundel on it. The service was great and so was the food. We all had a great time just sitting around talking and having lunch. After a great lunch, slowly one by one we finished up and made our way home. Another great Southern Lotus Register Run and day out, thanks to everyone for coming out and having fun together. AJ. |
Sunday Run to Leeston - 9th August
Sunday morning; the sky was blue, the sun was out and it was probably one of the hardest frosts we’ve had this year, what a great day for our run.
We met at Spitfire Square by the airport. Some had a coffee, others mingled and looked around the complex as everyone arrived. With the sun shining, the tops came down. The plan was to leave at 11:30am and head off up to the Sign of the Kiwi and then down to Govenor's Bay. From there, we carried on to Teddington up through Gebbies Pass with a small stop at the Gebbies Pass Cafe. Then off again to Motukarara and through the back roads to Leeston, stopping for lunch at the Crate and Barrel..
It was such a nice day; 12 cars and 20 people having a great time navigating their way, mind you they did have a carefully prepared route with meticulous directions and this meant that everyone arrived at the right place in time for lunch... (well they certainly didn’t all go the same way, as the directions may have had a wrong road in them, so it was quite amazing to see everyone turn up at the Crate and Barrel!) When we had our welcome chat just before the run, I did say to everyone, "Here are your directions, if there are any mistakes blame AJ". Well, there was (at least) one, so guess who I’m going to have a talk with next !! ha ha.
Today was a really great day out with brilliant weather, really nice food and great company. Thankyou to everyone who came along. If you couldn’t make it today, I hope to see you on the next run.
Helene
We met at Spitfire Square by the airport. Some had a coffee, others mingled and looked around the complex as everyone arrived. With the sun shining, the tops came down. The plan was to leave at 11:30am and head off up to the Sign of the Kiwi and then down to Govenor's Bay. From there, we carried on to Teddington up through Gebbies Pass with a small stop at the Gebbies Pass Cafe. Then off again to Motukarara and through the back roads to Leeston, stopping for lunch at the Crate and Barrel..
It was such a nice day; 12 cars and 20 people having a great time navigating their way, mind you they did have a carefully prepared route with meticulous directions and this meant that everyone arrived at the right place in time for lunch... (well they certainly didn’t all go the same way, as the directions may have had a wrong road in them, so it was quite amazing to see everyone turn up at the Crate and Barrel!) When we had our welcome chat just before the run, I did say to everyone, "Here are your directions, if there are any mistakes blame AJ". Well, there was (at least) one, so guess who I’m going to have a talk with next !! ha ha.
Today was a really great day out with brilliant weather, really nice food and great company. Thankyou to everyone who came along. If you couldn’t make it today, I hope to see you on the next run.
Helene
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Sunday Run - 12th July
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Our first run since moving to level one and it was a nice mild day for us all to enjoy. We met at the Peg in Belfast, to find the MX-5 club, the Camaro club and the Ford Zephyr and the Zodiac clubs all there and getting ready to move out on their respective runs. The plan, organised by Phil, was to leave the Peg go through McLeans Island and travel to the Waimak Gorge, have a stop to re-group and take in the lovely view.
Once back on the road we headed for Oxford and a comfort stop, fortunately for some of us we parked outside Cruisy's Diner for a caramel malted shake and a caramel ice cream. Mmmm, I can vouch that both were very nice. |
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Next we headed off to Rangiora and then through to Pegasus and lunch at The Good Home. When we arrived, Graham and Bev were just finishing their main course. Kit was also there waiting for us. We all sat down for a really nice lunch and plenty of time to have a good catch up. There were, including 3 already at the Good Home, 17 on the run.
Helene
Helene
Bealey Noggin 'n' Natter - 24th June
19 club members met at the Bealey Ale & Steak House. It was a miserable cold night, but lovey and warm inside and the food was great. We all had a lovely time catching up, on the time during lockdown, cars, family etc. Looking forward to our next noggin and natter.
Helene
Helene
Evening Run to Governor's Bay - 19th February
Our third event in eight days was a well patronised run around the Port hills to the historic Governor's Bay hotel. Our host Jeremy organised a special menu for the group, with tables looking right down Lyttelton harbour. We started the evening with a run up Hackthorn, then a wee blow-the-cobwebs run around the summit, down Gebbies and back to Governors Bay. Great fun. Lets do it again.
Alan H.
Alan H.
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Valentine's Day Run - 16th February
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We all met up at McDonalds Ravenswood for our planned ‘Valentine’s Day' run. It was a balmy North Westerly day with the temperature in the early 20’s as we all arrived, and it rose to around 27 deg so it was a perfect day for the roof off.
Our destination was Cruisy’s Diner in Oxford, a 50’s themed Diner with all of the interior being imported from the USA to make it’s appearance and theme very authentic. (www.cruisydays.co.nz) It was a really nice run out to Oxford and the Diner is such a nice place to visit, our food was ordered promptly, our host’s were very attentive and it wasn’t long until everyone was enjoying a hearty brunch. From here we headed inland a short distance to visit John and Sandra, John is 2 years into the build of his Saker. This will be a great car when finished and we all looked over, under, in around and every which way to catch a glimpse of all the special build ideas that John in incorporating, from the computer systems to the array of buttons and the Digital dash, all synced via bluetooth to his phone for maximum control. It was really interesting as John explained how he had arrived at the current stage and the hurdles that you must go through when building a component car. The power-train is a Subaru 3.0L flat four, trans-axle mated to RX8 rear hubs, and the list goes on. John and Sandra jumped in and out of our cars to check our seating positions and to get a feel for the low height of the cars, as the Saker will be similar. We all want to go back and see the next stage, and then for everyone to take their cars for a run. A Saker amongst the Lotus crew and the many other vehicles that our members have, that will be good. |
Next we went back through Oxford and out through Ashley Gorge and onto Amberley (passing a large array of Jaguars, Bentley’s a TVR and a Stratos HF, all going the opposite direction). Once in Amberley we then headed to Waikuku and ’The School’. This is now a collective with a great cafe and various shops all housed in the old classrooms. What a nice way to end our day, with a coffee and a cold drink.
Thanks everyone for making the time, and to John and Sandra for showing us your Saker, and the Ladies your lovely garden. AJ |
Garage Raid - February
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20 of us went on a visit to a private collection of motorbikes and cars in Kaiapoi. From Ford Galaxies and a Mk1 Cortina GT through to a really great collection of 1970’s motorbikes. For example: Yamaha RD350, Suzuki 250, Kawasaki 350, Suzuki TS125 through to a Honda CB650/4 Police motorbike in full dress with all the bells and whistles and many more. Not to forget the awesome collection of motorised bikes and scooters, even one that tops out at 120kph!!! Complete with expansion chamber and trick internals, these machines were awesome.
Our hosts, Tony and Pauline made sure we were very well looked after giving us a grand tour of their home and collection, afterwards we all went to our place for coffee, supper and a catch up. We had a really great night out, a big thank you to Tony and Pauline and to everyone for coming along for the night. AJ |
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New Year Family and Friends BBQ and Car Run - January
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The weather turned on a sunny warm day for our BBQ and car run. Sixteen cars assembled at the BP Pegasus outside Macdonalds for a morning coffee and catchup before the 10am start to the day. There was a great array of cars participating with most models of Lotus or Seven variants represented along with a selection of other makes including Mazda, Toyota, Ford and Jensen.
The first leg of the run to Oxford via Rangiora High street went well with a couple of cars taking a detour and one pulling out early. After a number of “where’s Harry” calls, he was located safely ensconced at Pukeko Junction having his morning coffee. After a short break and wander around Oxford taking in the weekend market the cars headed off to Balcairn via Ashley Gorge. This provided some spirited motoring with very little traffic on the road. At our destination at Bains Classic Motor House in the beautiful setting of “Winchester Estate”, Andrew Bain our host gave an overview of the development of the estate as well as a tour through the memorabilia and cars in the Gallery. Afterwards everyone was free to wander the gardens and view the sculptures on display. Soon the BBQ was underway and everyone settled in to lunch and a catch-up in the shade of the trees in front of the historic house. |
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The day came to a close with a presentation to Andrew and Jeremy to thank them for their hospitality. This completed an excellent day had by all with good motoring and great socialising. A huge thankyou to Murray for putting together the route, complete with maps, and his excellent BBQ skills, and also Anthony for his help with the preparation for the day.
Craig Harman
Craig Harman
