Saturday May 3^rd saw a compact team from Auckland venture oversea (Its not far enough to classify the journey as overseas!) for a TR weekend on the nearby Hauraki Gulf island of Waiheke.    Renown for its vineyards, alternative lifestyles, multi-million dollar weekend residences, expensive wine, isolated beaches, WW2 gun emplacements and lots of associated tunnels, fishing etc Waiheke is only a short journey by fast catamaran from downtown Auckland or a slightly longer voyage (longer time but shorter distance) by car ferry from Half Moon Bay.

The team assembled at Half Moon Bay on Saturday morning to join this adventure organised by John & Eileen Lee.    Three TR's and a Triumph 2500S boarded the ferry and about an hour later drove ashore at Kennedy Bay on Waiheke to set off to explore the island.   The roads are interesting to say the least, some sealed but others not and everyone was grateful for the recent rain that kept the dust at bay.      Meeting up with Trevor Hynds who was already on the island first stop was the Saturday flea market at Oneroa ... everything from old books, alternate medicines, junk, home produce on sale from hopeful vendors.

After the flea market it was east to Stony Batter to explore the gun emplacements and quite extensive tunnels and underground spaces left over coastal defences built during World War II but not actually completed until hostilities were well past.   The large guns are long gone but the whole area is maintained by DOC and open to explore.   From Stony Batter the drive continued to Man O War Bay at the Eastern or "bottom" end of Waiheke for a picnic lunch on tables thoughtfully provided for visitors by the council and DOC.   A very peaceful environment with good views of other Hauraki Gulf islands and across to the Coromandel ranges in the distance.

Following lunch next stop was the new Orapu wharf for a photo stop and general explore.   Quite a few holiday mansions hidden away amongst the trees and again a refreshing outlook of the surrounding islands and yachts passing by.    Shortly afterwards Passage Rock Vineyard was a very convenient stop for afternoon tea with wine tasting and other temptations to absorb an hour or so before heading to our overnight stop at Onetangi.  After a short walk and tidy up everyone enjoyed a good meal at the local eatery before retiring.

Sunday dawned in a somewhat damp mood and this was free time for everyone to do as they wished before gathering at a Oneroa cafe for lunch before heading back across the water to the mainland on the big ferry.

Thanks to John & Eileen Lee for organising this excellent weekend.

(Photos - RBJ and Canon)

John Lee (TR6) & Richard Wooster TR7) backing onto the ferry at Half Moon Bay

Emma Wooster captured the weekend on video ... watch next years OSCA's for the outcome

Lunch stop at Man O War Bay

The three TRs at the new Orapu Wharf

End