Start of Summer Run

14 October 2014 / Story by Mark Gray, Photos by Diann Miller Leer

With many Hunter Chapter members unable to make it to the Presidents Picnic and Concours d'Elegance at Lane Cove, we thought we'd start summer early with an early dose of Vitamin E on a leisurely run and picnic on Sunday 28 September 2014.

20 MX-5s and 33 people ventured out in warm 28C weather. The basic trip notes from Google varied by up to 6km but by the end of the day was within 1.5km. The variation in odometer from one MX-5 to the next was much more than that, so it made little difference in the end.

After leaving Beresfield, we needed some winding roads and after a quick detour along the Hunter Expressway we headed off to the Luskintyre Hills. Our morning tea stop was at Clarencetown for a choice of BYO or the hospitality of the local cafe.

We then headed back towards the coast of the Myall Lakes district to Hawks Nest (Jimmy's Beach Picnic Area), to enjoy the shade of the old paperbark gumtrees. We strolled over to the beach after lunch to enjoy the view across to Nelson Bay. Our departure plans were altered as an incident had blocked the drive over the Tea Gardens Bridge for a while, so we enjoyed a refreshing drink at the local before heading back to Newcastle and surrounds.

Over all, a great day out in the sun.