Jaguar Drivers Club revved up by visit
The Wellington Jaguar Drivers Club slipped quietly into Dannevirke on Friday evening, May 6 for a rally around Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay over the weekend.
After settling into the Destinations Motor Lodge, they popped in, dined and enjoyed the ambience at the Dannevirke Services and Citizens’ Club on Friday evening.
Next morning in glorious sunshine the 24 cars, drivers and passengers headed out on Weber Rd turning north with the first place of significance being the world’s longest place name — Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, — before visiting the Porangahau Hotel for lunch.
They commented that the landscapes were amongst the most spectacular they had ever seen — one driver calling it “New Zealand’s best kept secret” — and they also were amazed by Porangahau Beach, much different from around Wellington.
That evening they dined at Bistro on High.
Next morning they once again travelled the Weber Rd, this time turning south and dining at the Pongaroa Hotel which lived up to its reputation for good food before heading south through Pahiatua back to Wellington.
The club was delighted with the visit and promised to return again some time. They liked Destinations Motor Lodge particularly as it gave secure parking for their precious cars.
One in particular owned by Janet Paape, boutique owner and fashion commentator, had a jewel encrusted steering wheel and other fashion adornments on her 2016 F-Type while Murray Mason’s 1962 364 righthand E-Type had a history of competing in hill climbs and flying miles in its early days.
Thanks to Covid, trips out by the Wellington club have been pretty limited in recent years which makes this trip so much more precious.
Ray and Doreen Black from Dannevirke were part of the group for the first time since Ray bought his 2011 XKR touring car a few months ago. They found being included by the group very pleasurable, saying “they are a lovely bunch” and admitted they had travelled to places they had never seen before.