April Fools Run
06 April 2016 / Story: Josh Fitzgerald Photos: Ian Nunn, Josh Fitzgerald
1st of April is traditionally a day for silliness and trickery, but aside from a cheeky April Fools newsletter from the Hunter Convenors, 1st of April this year also brought the last Friday of Daylight Saving. What better way to wave goodbye to the last late afternoon sunset than a top down drive to Birubi Beach for some food by the beach side.
As some made the mad dash straight from work to our meeting spot, others were already in Friday afternoon relax mode, waiting and chatting with the other members in the car park. During a quick driver briefing another member pulled up in his rather large B-Double truck asking cheekily if he can join in, perhaps even going as sweep. There aren’t any restrictions on what vehicles can participate in club runs, but Stephen thought it best he keep to his schedule instead and continued on.
Thankfully heading in the opposite direction to the general work traffic we made our way over the Hexham Bridge and across Tomago Rd to Nelson Bay Rd. While the roads weren’t your tradition MX-5 roads, the afternoon air and fading sunlight was enjoyment enough with the roof down. Not before long we reached our destination at "Crest – Birubi Beach".
Being the beautiful afternoon it was, the main beach car park was full so we headed for the overflow carpark – down onto the (very firm) sands of Stockton Sand Dunes. The opportunity was not wasted to get some photos of the line of MX-5’s (and one members 3MPS) basking in the glowing sunset stretching across the sand dunes.
With the sunlight diminishing we headed up to the restaurant. The restaurant is part of the surf club building and is in the perfect spot with sweeping panoramic views right down Stockton Beach to Newcastle Harbour with the light from Nobbies Lighthouse clearly visible after dusk. With orders taken the food started arriving. It’s not easy to serve a table of 19 people but the staff and chef were up to the task and the food prepared was absolutely perfect. Scotch Fillet on the Bone, Barramundi, Beer Battered Flathead, the menu had something for everyone and didn’t disappoint. Crest is now my new favourite restaurant!
With dinner finished and tables cleared, and daylight saving well and truly gone we said our goodbyes in the cooler night air and headed our own way home, with roofs down, because we can.
Ian's Photos: HERE
Josh's Photos: HERE
