Norm’s November Magical Mystery Tour

29 November 2023 / Words and pictures by Norm Barker

On a sunny November Wednesday five cars and seven people gathered at the Spotlight car park in Queanbeyan. Three other cars had to withdraw at the last-minute due to personal circumstances, but the small group were enthusiastic for a good day out in the wonderful countryside around Canberra.

Heading west, the convoy took the Sutton Road out to Sutton and on to Gundaroo. The countryside had dried out somewhat over the last month as we had little rainfall. The roads were reasonably quiet except for the dreaded caravan between Gundaroo and Gunning.

At Gunning we stopped for morning tea/coffee at the Merino Café. The range of slices there was second to none and the coffee was good. Rhys and Adrian sat at a table outside in front of Rhys’ new ND which attracted some admirers and Rhys was more than happy to show off his car.

The usual chat and stroll down the main street completed, we followed the old Hume Highway until it joined the new Hume. Joining the light traffic, we continued our morning drive to Goulburn. Parking at the central park, everyone retrieved their picnic and we took advantage of a vacant covered picnic table just opposite our cars. It was a pleasant warm day and the mature trees in the well-kept park provided plenty of welcome shade. As usual, some brought food to share and we were all well fed.

Having noticed that the southbound lanes of the Hume before the turn off to Canberra had road resealing, the vote was unanimous to return via Tarago and Bungendore. At Bungendore most of the group were Northsiders and so took the right turn and Norm carried on to Queanbeyan. A good day was had by all.