29th & 30th March

​

Thermette Challenge

​

The Thermette Challenge has been mooted several times, then came the planning of the Autumn Tour and wanting it to be a weekend event akin to the Hunua Spring Tour. This would give our branch two all encompassing events in the year and nicely spaced apart. Then the question was, what to do on the Saturday? The Thermette Challenge—of course!

 

A small group had gathered by 2.30 pm on Saturday, with four teams assembled ready to take on the challenge. The challenge was to light the Thermette in a timely fashion then make a drink and something to eat and present this to the judges within 30 minutes.

 

With many laughs and digs at each other, a ‘little’ smoke wafting the way of the judges (conspiracy?), water vessels transferring H2O to Thermettes, pans and food being dealt to, it was a laugh from start to finish.

 

The teams were:

​

Team Name        Participant              Assistant               Branch

Stan the Man      Stan Richardson    Jeremy Brook        Waikato

Me’n’u                 Trevor Appleby       N/a                        South Waikato

Russel-up           Russel McAlpine    Jocelyn McAlpine  Auckland

Gordon Blue       Peter Alderdice       N/a                        Auckland

 

The Judges were Shaaran Price and myself—Jodi Tomlin.

 

Shaaran and I were amazed by the calibre of the entries and the feasts we were delivered.

 

Team “Stan the Man” were clever enough to supply their drink and eat all in one, providing the judges (after being reminded that we were judging their effort) with a Cup’a’Soup, very Continental of them!

 

Contestant “Me’n’u” went very classic with Sausages and Fried Eggs served with Bread & Butter accompanied by a good ol’ cuppa!

 

Team “Russel-up” nearly didn’t make the start line, when en-route to the clubrooms realised that some of the ingredients were still on the bench at home. It turned the very flavourful, cooked to perfection, gourmet omelette with mushrooms, tomato and cheese served on a tray with plunger coffee a bit of an expensive exercise. But it was an awesome effort even if more costly than planned! J

Contestant “Gordon Blue” was the overall winner of the challenge, presenting the judges with first course—Miso Soup, main course—Chicken Satay with Udon Noodles and a palate cleansing dessert of freshly picked sliced peaches and Greek yogurt.

 

The whole exercise took about an hour with many shouts of support from the observing crowd, laughs at the chaos that was happening before us and finally great rounds of applause for each team as the judges presented the scores—Masterchef style—pauses for effect and all.

 

Thank you all for taking on the challenge. Well worth it!

​

After the Challenge there was a light meal served that evening before we headed home to get a good night's rest before the Tour on Sunday,

​

Autumn Tour

​

This year’s tour over 75 miles was predominantly in the Otaua area on the northern side of the Waikato River Mouth.

​

We had a total of 17 entries, 10 of whom choose the competitive rally. Three Vintage section with the rest in the post era class. Among the entrants were 3 Waikato Branch members.

​

The day turned out very sunny and the views of the surrounding countryside, Tasman Sea and the river were stunning.

​

After lunch the course wound its way around the back of Pukekohe into Patamahoe and out to the finish at David and Linda Jones’ property in Clark’s beach, where afternoon tea was provided and a lazy look around David’s collection of vintage and post era cars.

​

Our thanks go to the Marshals for assisting in the running of the event. To Russel and Jocelyn McAlpine for checking the run and being start and trail car. To Gary Bright and family for marshalling at the Lunch break, John Stokes as the marshal just after the lunch break. To Shaaran and Alan Price for organising the tea coffee and clean-up at the lunch break and to Jodi Tomlin who baked and served the delightful afternoon tea at the finish.

​

And a special thanks to David and Linda for opening up their property for the afternoon.

​

For the competitive entrants, the overall results were:

Rodger and Val Ball                            First Vintage vehicle

Stephen and Tracey Winterbottom      First Post Era vehicle

​

Overall winners

Rodger and Val Ball

​

Thanks also goes to this year's Tour plotters - Glenn & Marion Morris