March - April Run Report

Hunter Valley
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16^th March 2008

The 6.30am meeting place at Thornleigh McDonalds was very early for some and the quick fix of coffee and muffins certainly helped.
We were blessed with perfect weather for this weekend and we had a pleasant and uneventful trip up to the Hunter. Not even Peter got lost!
After checking into the motel at 9.30 most of the group set out on an all day winery/tasting/lunch tour organised by the motel.
First stop was Coopers Wines (probably too early to start drinking - but what the heck we weren't driving). Daniel, who readily confessed to preferring Burbon found some of the wines not quite to his liking (see pic) and was seen with some very strange facial expressions. After tasting and some sales it was back on the bus in a more cheerful mood and off to Hungerford Hill wines. Same deal again more tasting and sales which was to be the programme for the day. Next to a chocolate and cheese shop for a quick tasting to clear the palate and then off again to Mc Williams for more tastings and a very good lunch. To clear the palate for the wines of the afternoon most of the group had a cold beer with lunch.
On the bus again to Ivanho Wines where we were fortunate to meet winemaker Reg Drayton. More tastings and sales then off to a very small boutique winery, Vinden Estate. This was the most pleasant setting in the shade looking out over the valley with kangaroos. The service here and the hospitality was second to none.
With a little time left our driver, Alex, dropped us off at Petersons winery which specalises in Champagne and being located next to a chocolate shop had most of the group (especially the girls) very happy indeed.
After the day out, the group was a lot noisier on the way back to the motel, all chatting after enjoying a fun day.
Finding enough room in the cars for all of the wine purchased was the next major event!
The motel had organised a bus to take the group into Cessnock to the club which, as is the case with many country towns, put on a magnificent feed for $20.00.
As is the case with many weekends away, several of the group sat in the motel carpark enjoying a "quiet one" untill the small hours of the night.
Sunday morning and after a hearty breakfast we had to farewell several of the group who had other commitments, before we headed off to the Hunter Valley Gardens.
The gardens are truely magnificent and we spent quite a few hours wandering around enjoying ourselves before heading off to Wollembi for lunch. With the pub there being so popular, we decided on a small cafe for lunch. It was here after lunch that the group headed in different directions for home after enjoying a great weekend away ~ one which was agreed should be on next year's calendar of events.

Thanks to the members who made this an excellent weekend away:
David in his Red LJ, Alan Denise in their Gold LC, Stuart and Carol in their Gold LJ, Peter & Daniel in the Blue Ute, Sandy, Susan, Caitlyn, Cameron & Joshua in the Camry, Steve & Tina in the white ute, Gavin, Karen, Daniel & Cameron in the Black Holden, and Ian & Sandy (Guests for the weekend) in their Green Falcon.

Heading out to the wine tastings		1st of the day ~ Coopers Wines
Daniel wasn't keen!		Ivanho Wines
Vinden Estate - Excellent!		Funny what you can find!
Hunter Valley Motel		Part of Hunter Valley Gardens
Which one is Sandy?		Alan's LC at the Gardens
Dave leading the way home
Most of the group at Hunter Valley Gardens

Sydney Royal Easter Show Display
Sunday 23rd March 2008

18 cars assembled at Auburn Maccas along with drivers family and friends ready for the short 10 minute drive to the Royal Easter Show Display. After handing out entry passes and giving directions for the short drive to the site we confidently headed off.

Traffic lights and witches hats blocking our intended route at the showgrounds soon had us separated  and well spread out. A couple of frantic phone calls soon had us assembled at Gate 10 (our entry point) for the slow drive to our display area. For safety reasons, driving within the showground complex was at a walking pace only and this had some of the cars suffering with heating problems.
Our site was nearby one of the show entrances which provided maximum exposure for the cars and the RAS provided fencing which kept the public at a safe distance from the cars to avoid any damage.

Throughout the day members took turns in providing information about the club and cars to the crowds of interested people while others took advantage of seeing the rest of the Easter Show sights. This worked very well and it gave everybody a chance to look around the show while still providing information to the public.

Fortunately the weather was kind and the rain which was forecast stayed away.

At approx 6.00pm the fencing was removed and we assembled the cars for the drive to the NAB Show Arena for a parade lap with commentary given by Sandy.

The walking pace drive to the arena was again a worry with some minor overheating problems and for one White LC (driver will remain nameless) a long push as they had run out of fuel! The parade lap was fun and gave the thousands of people a chance to see our cars and hear the rumble of some V8’s driving around the arena.

After this we had the opportunity to park our cars securely onsite and continue with enjoying the show at night. About half of the group took advantage of the night time activities with the others heading home, with lots of showbags, after a long day at the show.

Thanks go to all members who assisted in the organisation of the day and helping with handing out information about the club.

Cars and drivers attending on the day were (along with family and friends):

Alan’s 1970 Verdoro Green LC GTR

David’s 1971 Etruscan Gold 1971 LC Sedan

Laurie’s 1971 Atlantis Blue LC Sedan

Ron’s 1971 White LC Sedan

Jorge’s 1971 Linamint Green LC GTR

David’s 1972 Salamanca Red LJ Sedan

Daniel’s 1972 Chateau Mauve LJ GTR

Stuart’s 1972 Patina Gold LJ Sedan

Sandy’s 1973 White LJ Sedan

Dan’s 1974 Burgundy LH SLR 5000

Gavin’s 1974 Claret Metallic LH Sedan

Ken’s 1976 White LX Hatchback

Ron’s 1976 Re LX Sedan

Len’s 1976 Sting Red LX Hatchback

Simon’s 1976 Hothouse Green LX SS Hatchback

Karen’s 1977 Midnight Blue LX Hatchback

Ralph’s 1977 Aquarius Blue LX Sedan
Tim’s 1978 Impulse Blue LX Sedan

Our display site (befoer the crowds arrived)
Slow going on the way to the parade lap		Parade lap ain the NAB Show Arena

This was a great day to showcase the club ~ one which we all hope to be invited to do again next year!

Southern Highlands / Berrima Club Run
Sunday 20th April 2008


By the scheduled start of the run we had 5 Toranas, 1 Ford and 1 VW Golf at Leo’s Diner in the light rain. Fortunately as we headed off the rain stopped and for the rest of the day we were lucky to avoid any more bad weather.

The planned trip south firstly to Sally’s Corner and then onto Berrima, took us along back roads so we could avoid any freeway driving.

To do this the we travelled via Camden, Razorback, Picton, Bargo, Tahmoor , Yanderra, Bowral, Moss Vale, Exeter and to Sally’s Corner.

By the time we arrived at Sally’s Corner we had collected 2 more Toranas. Pete from Wollongong and Ben from Moss Vale both who were out on a run for the first time in their cars.

At Sally’s Corner we were met by 5 Toranas and 1 Daewoo from the ACT/Queanbeyan Torana Club.

After quick hellos and a well needed comfort stop the now party of 15 cars headed for the short trip (again via back roads) to Berrima.

It was decided that the “girls” were going to do the rounds of the antique and curiosity shops in town while the “boys” did the normal things like discussing their cars and looking over the newer cars in the group, before meeting up at the Surveyor General Hotel for lunch.

Pub lunches ate always pretty good and this one was no different, plenty of good food.

By mid afternoon with the weather cooling down the group started to head off towards home.

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to attend on an overcast and showery day. It turned out being a good run taking in the back roads of the Southern Highlands.

Those attending were:

From Sydney
Simon - Green LX SS Hatchback

Alan & Denise - Green LC GTR

Jason & Kelly – Black LC GTR

Ralph, Mary, Alex & Lucinda – Blue LX Sedan

Ken & Sandy – Green Ford

Tim & Greg - Blue LX Sedan

Karen, Gavin, Daniel & Cameron – Blue LX Hatch

Peter & Daniel – Red LX Sedan

Ben & Brian – White LJ Coupe

Arron & Alexzander – Black VW Golf (Guests for the day)

From Canberra
Bruce & Danny – Yellow LH Sedan

Danny & Urshula – Red LJ Coupe

Pat – Yellow LH SLR 5000

Garry – Yellow LX Hatch

Trevor & Chris – Red L34

Laura – Silver Daewoo

In the rain at Leo's before the start		Sally's Corner we met the Canberra Torries
The boys chatting at Berrima		Lunch at the Surveyor General Hotel