Riding 2 Up

So, Simon's brother Tim found himself a Vespa. None other than JC, Simon's ET8. While trawling Trademe one afternoon, we came upon a bargain we couldn't resist and organized the sale so we could act.
Yesterday was spent zooming around, 2Up on our latest aquisition. Meet "Judas, the Betrayer":





So, Judas, as we are calling it for the moment, is a Vespa GTS 250 with a custom bright orange paint job. Sweet...

Welcome to 2009

After a nice beginning to the New Year and getting back to work for the past week, we are finally back. Today we went for a scoot up toward South Head to MacNut Farms for breakfast. There is a small cafe there and the food is decent. The service is only so-so as the people working there aren't really friendly and somehow make you feel as if you're inconveniencing them by patronizing their restaurant. The real reason to go here is for the view. We sat out on the deck which overlooks a large pond to the left, another smaller Lily pond to the right and a manicured garden leading off to a walk through the macadamia orchard. Sorry, no photos...D'OH!

In other news, Simon's brother Tim is looking for a scooter after being inspired by ours. He's very interested in getting a Vespa and came out for a jaunt on ours. At the moment, the market for them here in NZ is pretty competative and the prices have risen since we snapped up ours. Hopefully one of these days, we'll be able to post about a ride that we've taken with him and share his buying experience with you all.

Holiday Interlude

It's that time of year. That little week between Christmas and the new year where you tidy things up, eat leftovers, relish your favorite gifts, and go out to the sales to snag those things Santa forgot.

And sometimes, it's the week when wayward postal items find their way to you. Like today when we received a gift sent from a friend in Australia. A travel journal with this cover:
Now for that trip to Europe so we can properly use it!

PS - not sure where you can find this journal at the moment as on the online shops seem to be out of stock.

Santa Rides a Vespa

Merry Christmas from Simon and Angelle!

From the archives

Recently, we told you Simon had a visit from an aquaintance called Chris who has a Maico. Chris was kind enough to send us some old photos so we thought we'd share!

This Maico raced on Murawai beach in a 1/4 mile sprint. It took the 250cc trophy against motorbikes! Probably mid-60s when this photo was taken. The rider is wearing a very classy combination of socks with sandals and what looks to be a horse riding helmet or perhaps hardhat.

Chris' brother in law going down One Tree Hill in Auckland. The front end of that bike is in Chris' current Maico.

This guy used to race in Wellington in the early 60's. That thing strapped to his back is a petrol tank! YIKES!!

The Caged Bird Still Sings

And why not when the cage looks like this:


So, Simon's mother has a late 90's model SLK that currently resides in our driveway. It's a nice alternative to the scooters when the weather's not quite right or you're picking something up that's just a bit too big for the underseat compartment!

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

On the last Saturday of the month, we went for a nice ride. Down to Waimauku Food Station to eat pancakes, up the back way to Simon's parent's Orewa Beach house, then over to Albany Mega Centre via the Motorway for some shopping, then back towards home. Around...120kms. Whew! All in a day's ride :)

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