Jenifer's Jottings.

The colourful line up of Leyland's that visited new members Paula and Roy Buchanan's residence to check out their BA Deluxe. This was before they had actually joined up. From L to R we see Fleming and Betty Biddick's N Executive, Murray Hatchard's CW Super, Don and Jenifer Alexander's AG Executive, Roy and Paula's BA Deluxe, Brian and Lyn Morris's PMAG over black leather Leyland and Ken McKenzie's BA Super.

November 6th dawned rather cold and overcast but that didn't deter 9 hardy souls assembling in 3 P76's and 2 "moderns" and setting off on our weekend trip to Methven. Along the way, we met up with Murray Hatchard and his Auckland friend Bob and that brought the total number of Leyland's to 4.

Our first stop for coffee was at Hororata which fared rather badly in the September 4th quake. We visited the historic church there which lost its steeple and sustained damage amounting to $6,000,000. We saw photos only of the interior which was reduced to matchsticks and rubble. We proceeded on to Methven and Bob couldn't help but be impressed by the snow covered mountains which loomed ahead - they don't have mountains like that in Auckland!

Once at Methven, we settled into our accommodation at the Abisko Motor Lodge where Brian and Lyn Morris, members from Waikouaiti, were waiting. Another Leyland to add to the fleet. After a brief walk around the township and lunch at a cafe, we then proceeded to the home of Joan McKay whose late husband Angus had collected years and years worth of memorabilia (I don't think he could have ever thrown anything out!) There was a lot of farm machinery and implements, old typewriters, antique kitchen equipment and a few old cars including a Nash, a Hudson and a Buick. An interesting display.

Our next stop was at Spring Lynne on the way to Ashburton where an old house, still carpeted and with kitchen and bathroom intact, was full of motor cycles. Motor cycles in each bedroom, motor cycles in the lounge, motor cycles in the hall. The oldest one was an old Indian circa 1924 and a Honda Dream 1959 which was the first of the Japanese bikes.

Back at Abisko Lodge where we had a roast dinner, we were approached by a guy who had seen all the Leyland's in the car park and came in to say he had one too! His name was Roy Buchanan and he and his wife Paula live just 2 kms out of Methven. They invited us to their place the following morning to see his newly painted Bitter Apricot Deluxe.

Don whisked out a membership application and they joined the club on the spot and will probably come to the AGM in Blenheim next March. As we were on the way to see Bruce Mcllroy's workshop, they decided to come too, so our fleet of Leyland's was now SIX.

Bruce Mcllroy restores and services Bentley and Roll Royce vehicles and has a collection of these cars from various eras. The workshop has to be seen to be believed - you could eat your dinner off the floor! Cars from all over the world are serviced here. Even some from Masterton that I know of.

We then all drove the short distance into Ashburton and rounded off our time together with a good lunch at the local Working Men's' Club after which we went our separate ways after a great weekend.

Our thanks go to organiser Sandy Downes who, due to illness in her family, was at the last minute unable to participate and share in the fun.

Sandy, we missed you and George