Eleven cars turned up at our starting point in Albany, some new members and some not so new – always nice to see new faces and meet new people. Our esteemed president, David, had swapped his usual co-pilot for his grandson, William, who kept us all entertained with his various stories about his grandfather. As part of our Run organisation, Alison and I waved our wands and stirred our cauldrons to produce perfect summer weather for our sunny Sunday sortie.
Armed with maps and directions we shot up State Highway 1 (dropping a gear, of course, for a good throaty V8 roar when going through the tunnels) to Brick Bay Winery near Snells Beach – our first of three destinations. We were joined there by our twelfth car, and well done to Carol Everiss for getting there despite being in a wheelchair.
Brick Bay Winery has an amazing award winning glass building, cantilevered over a water lily fringed lake, and it was here we sat, ate, drank and chatted. About half of us then did the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, winding 2kms through a valley amongst native bush, vineyards and small lakes, with an interesting selection of sculptures to admire, critique, and gasp at the asking prices.
Leaving Brick Bay we continued out to the coast to Martins Bay, where we enjoyed our picnic lunches under the sweeping Pohutukawa trees. Only one member (Greg) was game enough to go for a swim, proclaiming the water perfect. The rest of us relaxed, enjoying the dappled sunshine and warm weather.
From here, with slightly reduced numbers, we headed north to Morris & James Pottery at Matakana. We wandered around admiring their impressive pots and other artistic creations before claiming a table in the courtyard for afternoon tea. More than a few of us chose to sample the local vino, relaxing in the atmosphere enhanced by a musician entertaining us with slow guitar tunes. At 4.30 the staff started to shut up shop so we all headed home, pausing for a last car photo opportunity under the avenue of trees. All in all a great day out.
Barbara Lokes
