TAURANGA DRIVE
It takes little to convince me that jumping into my MACH SR7 and head out of Auckland is a good idea. This is quickly sealed with a couple of beers and or wine tasting options along the way. The Karangahake Gorge has always been a favorite drive; mind you I had not driven it for more than 20 years so I just hoped the pub was still open! It was and an obligatory 7oz glass of local ale with locals was another easy choice to make!


I am sure that over the next few years my MACH SR7 will become a poster car for a winery given that I thoroughly enjoy visiting as many as I can when I am back in New Zealand. Morton Estate Wines is a must stop venue, actually the wine is delightful and certainly matched by its iconic location.



Minimal trunk space did not stop a purchase of several bottles of Morton’s wine. I get a great deal of pleasure in sharing the MACH SR7 experience, kids just love this open air driving and the smiles show this total enjoyment. Actually my brother is a big kid who smiles as much as his passenger too!

New Zealand roads are really shocking and with the tax year about to click over the rush to dig/destroy/re-seal seems almost an epidemic. We were unfortunate to drive through the famous LIME on the road and not a happy experience. Looking carefully you will see the bird hanging on the muffler was not thrilled about its fate either.

Another stop on the way home was Cambridge and meet Simon “SimJen” from the Lotus Forum. Again it is great to meet Forum members, look at our cars, test drives and of course general seven chatter sessions.