Christmas in July - Hunter Style
29 July 2014 / Words by Frosty the Mid Year Snowman, Photos by Peter Hilkmann
The concept of Christmas in July was introduced to give the people of the Southern Hemisphere the experience of celebrating Christmas in cooler weather like our Northern cousins do. For the Hunter Chapter that concept certainly was a reality as the mercury dipped below zero for the overnight stay in Walcha. A sea of white greeted everyone on Sunday morning; admittedly it wasn’t snow but a heavy frost.
Sixteen cars set off from a wet Beresfield on Saturday morning, heading up the Pacific Highway to a comfort stop at Bulahdelah. Picking up an extra car from MId North Coast Chapter we set off on a tentative run along the Nurbushring (Wootton Way), exercising caution due to the slippery conditions.
Following a morning tea stop at the Taree Service Centre we were able to get the rooves down and complete the customary drive by photo shoot en route to our lunch stop at the Wauchope RSL Club. Peter Hilkmann braved Kuntry Kuzzin's passenger seat and came up with some great photos of the MX-5s cruising up the highway.
After refuelling our stomachs we emerged from the club to a downpour. Scattered showers were to be the pattern for the afternoon as we headed up the Oxley Highway, now joined by another two cars from the Mid North Coast Chapter.
The sight of the "47km of winding road" sign is enough to put a smile on the face of any driving enthusiast. Today was no different despite the varying conditions. Regardless of whether you are out for a fun drive or just wish to enjoy the scenery, the Oxley Highway is certainly one of the best MX-5 roads in Australia.
Following afternoon tea at Ginger's Creek Café and a stop at Apsley Falls, the group rolled into town to check in for our overnight stay at the Walcha Motel. Pre-dinner drinks at a local watering hole were topped off by a hearty Christmas roast dinner back at the motel’s restaurant. In appreciation of how the motel has looked after the club on our many visits there our Convenor Mark Gray presented a framed photo taken on our previous trip of the MX-5s parked in front of the motel.
In addition to our icy start on Sunday morning we were also greeted by a big country breakfast in the restaurant. We set off for Kootingal, just north of Tamworth, to view Glassy's Petrol Museum. This private collection of petrol and oil memorabilia, mixed in with a few other things, was a fascinating trip down memory lane. Owner Ricky Glass kept us entertained for over an hour and a half with stories of the more unique items. Words fail to do justice for just how interesting this was. As one member said over the radio as we were leaving, "the best five dollars I have ever spent". Helen Mayo even managed to get away without receiving the big stick but that's another story.
The weather was now glorious as we headed into the Hills of Gold for our lunch stop at Nundle. Some members took advantage of a visit to the Nundle Wool Mill and stocked up on socks. A pleasant post-lunch drive following Dungowan Creek to Port Stephens Cutting ensued.
At the top of the Cutting the local boys said their goodbyes and headed back down to Tamworth. The main group continued to Gloucester via Thunderbolt's Way and on to home. Another fabulous weekend of MX-5 motoring accentuated by great company. A huge thank you to organisers, Mark Gray and Stephen Carter.
Click here to see lots more photos by Peter Hilkmann
