Whangamomona" Republic Day-Jan19 2019

[MIKEP]

Yes that's what time I had scheduled to arrive Taumaranui

[pbaron]

Just arrived in taumarunui, crap getting out of Wellington at 2.30, got into wanganui at 6, good run up the para paras, see you all in the morning.

[MIKEP]

Are you in the SW or the Spyder?

[pbaron]

Neither, I am in my slk merc for this one, both mr2's need work before going on a longer run.

Are you in the SW or the Spyder?

[MIKEP]

Well we did it!! Thomas from Waikato in his Sw20 and me in my Aw set off on Saturday morning and went via Nguarawahia to Otorohonga and then through to Taumaranui. We met up at Taumaranui with Nathan in his VW Golf and Mike & Leslie in their Aw from "the Naki" and Pierre and his son in a beautiful silver merc and Keith and Sue in their MR-S from Wellington. We drove the Forgotten World highway to Whangamomena for the 30 year Republic day celebrations.

We did gravel ,dust, wild corners one way bridges and a 120 metre single lane tunnel hacked out of the rock with Pickaxes and shovels and aptly named "Hobbits Hole"

After getting our passports we checked out the Whip cracking,tug of War And the Sheep racing. We even participated in some "good old country tucker".

Left Whangamomena and drove the rest of the Highway to Stratford.3 mountain saddles,switchbacks and more bridges but damn so much fun.The trips a gem. that road has to be one of the best kept secrets in the country

Mike and Leslie's very tidy Aw sustained a breakdown on the way to Stratford when the alternator gave up so unfortunately they couldn't join us for dinner in Stratford

Huge thanks to Nathan who is a republic day vet and I think even speaks Whangamomean. And to all the others for making it such a great run.This was a real joint area effort with representation from 4 Areas.

Big ups and thanks To Thomas who is an excellent travelling " buddy"

We all had a ball.

[tw2]

That was a great trip, thanks Mike. Whangamomona was a very interesting place to visit. I almost want to go back at a random time of the year to experience what the town is usually like. Hopefully they seal that last little bit sometime. On the way back I ended up taking a right at Ahititi towards Ohura after getting stuck behind a truck on SH3. Amazing road to drive, unfortunately about 15-20km of gravel spread throughout the middle but the car was already dirty from the day before. Saw some abandoned looking buildings in the middle of nowhere and found some amazing corners (tar sealed this time). Definitely a special part of the country with some interesting history.

[optional]

Wow!
What a day!
The run to Whangamomona in particular was a blast. The run from there to Stratford a little less so. The traffic leaving the republic and a problem with one of the cars did take the edge off the day. Hope you get your car sorted Mike.
I have attached afew photos for those who want to know what the drive is like. We also have a short video taken from Sues iPhone of the tunnel itself. As soon as I can figure out how to up load it I will let you see what you missed if you weren't with us.
Keith