Packard & Pioneer Museum Maungatapere New Zealand

Packard & Pioneer Museum Maungatapere New Zealand.

http://www.packardandpioneer.co.nz/

Well its been a while since I have posted. Life has been hectic with work and moving to a new apartment so I have not had the time I needed to get on here and post. However I am here now to tell you about the Packard Museum in the upper North Island of new Zealand.

About 2 hours drive north from Auckland city is a little area known as Maungatapere. There is a coffee shop an art gallery, petrol station, A bike place (if I remember correctly) and the Packard Museum.

Housing literally hundreds of vehicles this complex has fantasticly restored vehicles and to the other extreme "junk" vehicles of all kinds. If you remember the yellow road working vehicles they are all here in various stages of disrepair. Tanks, machine guns, anti aircraft guns, trucks of all kinds, tractors and cars everywhere as well as trains, carts and all sorts of old things are all around.

The second floor houses the classic motorcycles as well as sewing machines, typewriters and old push around vacuum cleaners. Oh and telephones.

One could either call this a treasure trove, a hobby that got out of control or a glorified junk yard.

The "Tour" lasts around an hour or more where the group is guided through various warehouses of vehicles and climaxes with the storage area for the Packard collection of lovingly restored classic cars.

Check out the link at the top of the page for times and prices.

Well worth a look if you are interested in vehicles, motors and the like.



 













Well that all for this week. I may have another busy moving weekend this weekend but hopefully I will have something to talk about  next week. ^^

Until  then have a great weekend!

The Ellerslie Intermarque Concours and Classic Car Show 2014

The Ellerslie Intermarque Concours and Classic Car Show 2014

Sunday the 9th of February 2014

http://www.concours.org.nz/

Well this is a late post! But recently I have gotten a new job so I am spending a lot of time learning the new processes and procedures as well as the business and its structure so not much time to spare these days!

I also went up north this weekend to visit a car museum which I will report on next week. However to day is all about the Ellerslie Car Show.

I was rather impressed at the size of the show covering a vast area around the horse racing track. All sorts of cars were represented from the ultra modern to the very classic. All cars were in fantastic or immaculate condition. The venue was great with tailored lawns and shrubbery it made for a nice and elegant setting to display the vehicles.

Admission was $15 however I was admitted free (by sheer luck and fortune :) but again the food vendors were taking advantage by offering hot-dogs on a stick for $4.50 (if I remember rightly) Shaved ice in a cup for $4 and other horrendous prices for simple food. I am not sure if it is the vendors or the venue which dictates these prices but needless to say I didn't buy anything.

The day started off slow as I was one of the first few through the gate but to my surprise the overcast day opened up to a sunny afternoon and many more people ventured out.

I must say that this is one of the better car shows put on and it was well set out and was positioned in a well groomed setting.

I was especially looking forward to seeing the Back to the Future car which was inside the main building on display and I was not disappointed!

Lets have a look at some pictures and a YouTube video of the day:























As I mentioned before next week I will take you to the Packard Museum located near Whangerei.

Until then have a fantastic week! ^^

Auckland Pet Animal Expo 2013

Auckland Pet and Animal Expo 2103
ASB Showgrounds 28 September 2013

This week we step back into the archives to last year when I went to the Pet Expo.

This is an annual event held at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland:
http://www.petanimalexpo.co.nz/

An interesting idea for a show to say the least but a good day out if you have small children.... well it might be a good day if your child doesn't get headbutted by a goat :) (which did actually happen to someones child).

Horses can be ridden for a cost, goats and pigs can be petted and fed and you can see animal entertainment such as sheep dogs or show dogs performing tricks.

Police dogs, tiny dogs, big dogs, cats, birds and many other kinds of animals are on show for the public.

Lots of products were available to buy for your pet and you could even purchase a pet if I remember correctly.

Still an unusual show.  One of the first shows I went to after arriving back in New Zealand and I was unsure what to expect. There was a camera shy owner of some cats... a strange thing when coming back from Korea where everyone is taking pictures either with their camera or smart phone... but this is New Zealand I guess.

Good if you have young children. Enough said. ^^

Here a few pictures and a video:









This weekend is the classic car show on at Ellerslie Race Course on the 9th of February. I will be there taking pictures of the Delorean and what ever else is on offer.

So all going well that will be the update next week! ^^

Until then have a great weekend and I will see you next time! ^^