Boorowa Pub Lunch
08 November 2023 / Story and photos by Peter Wilson
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Departure was from Daughters at Hall Cafe, Victoria Street, Hall, where Jenny, the gracious owner, reserved two large outside tables. We gathered early for coffee before our 10:30 am departure. With twenty members, one visitor, and a variety of fourteen MX-5s, the clear, cool weather and a light breeze made it ideal for top-down driving.
This run was a waypoint tour, acknowledging the challenge of keeping all cars together in a convoy. The roads are mostly bitumen, though the occasional pothole tests the suspension.
We set out driving north along the Barton Hwy, Murrumbateman, and then turned left towards Yass. A short drive along Laidlaw Street for our first regroup to ensure we all made the right turn at Orion Street. Atop the hill, we turned left into Cooks Hill Road and followed, with some name changes, to our second regroup at Rye Park. The wind farms enroute had sufficient breeze to generate much needed electricity. Rye Park became a photo opportunity and most members had never been to this small village. The recent upgrade from gravel to bitumen has created more traffic and interest in the area. Maybe the recent development of wind farms has encouraged the road upgrade.
From Rye Park it’s a fairly straight road through open farmland to Boorowa. The canola crop looked poorly, a month after it should have been blooming. Don’t think it will be harvested!
Boorowa welcomed us with plenty of parking outside the Courthouse Hotel. It's a quintessential country pub where we were warmly received, enjoying a convivial time. It was a pleasant and leisurely lunch with the usual large servings of a country pub.
After lunch the group dispersed and six members enjoyed coffee at the Marsden St General before the return journey to Canberra and the completion of 220kms for the day. The feedback was positive, and all enjoyed the day.
(Mike Lawless was unable to make the run due to illness and we wish him a speedy recovery. We also thank him for assisting with the organisation of the run.)
Peter Wilson
