Day -1 Part 1- ROWS AND ROWS OF ROLLS

This was the first real day of MONZA, even though it is Pre Day -1. Real days mean “needing to get up and ready to go somewhere”.  We were expected at Richard's to see his wonderful Rolls Royce collection, and if one is late to arrive, one misses the “opening of the garages”, which is said to be quite impressive.

We headed out for breakfast, meeting Roger and Linda in the lobby, and joined together for breakfast across the street.  Nancy and Dennis joined shortly thereafter, so we overwhelmed the little coffee shop that had just opened for the day.

The goal was to leave the hotel by 9:45 so we could be at Richard’s at 10:30.  Michael was in the parking garage with his new hire car, and ready as well to head out with the group, having added his plaque to the car to identify them as MONZA participants.  

Michael's New Car

We managed to leave by the desired time and headed out of town toward

Brookby, the home of all the Rolls, gathering in front of what appeared to be a garage for 3-4 cars.

Richard pressed a button and the  two garage doors opened to reveal a stable of MANY garage doors around a large courtyard. Richard pressed another opener button and all the garage doors around the courtyard opened simultaneously. Pretty impressive, that was.

Then, Richard proceeded to tell us about each Rolls Royce. How, when and why he bought them, and what he had to do to restore them, or not. 

Richard and his thorough explanations

Mind you, this was probably 40 cars. It took  awhile, and my back and leg were killing me by this time.  Up to the big house to see MORE cars- Rolls, Bentley’s and a Jaguar.

Richard drives ALL these cars, alternating between them as he drives to Auckland each day. He is 70 years old, and can’t see why he would retire….

Michael and Patsy with Rolls that belonged to Elton John

Elaine with Elton John Rolls

  

Presenting a thank you plaque to Richard

Some people then saw his collection of different types of poultry (chickens). By this time, I had settled in the room near the loo, where there was a comfy chair. So I watched and chatted with people on their way to the loo, until I was paged to head out for the next event of the day.