Coffs Harbour Yacht Club via Nambucca Heads.

15 April 2019

Mid North Coast MX-5 Club Yacht Club Coffs Harbour via Nambucca Heads and Sawtell Run Saturday 6 April
Saturday dawned with wisps of white clouds against a blue sky as we made our way over to the Rivermark Café for the start of an interesting MX-5 club run up the coast to Coffs Harbour. Allen met us with his highly polished red ND to give the briefing although he would not be joining us as he had home duties. We initially had a small group, Peter in his black NB, Graham in his blue BMW-MX-5, Judith and John in their galaxy grey NC and prospective new member Mike in his red NB. Mike’s car attracted considerable interests as it used to belong to a former club member. Allen and Graham conducted the run briefing and mentioned that more club members would join us at Kempsey and Nambucca. Graham would be run leader and Peter sweep car. After conducting the briefing Allen wished us ‘bon voyage’ and we were on our way.
From the Rivermark Café we proceeded along Hastings River Drive to the old Pacific Highway and then turned north over the old Dennis Bridge across the Hastings River. This stretch of road up to the roundabout to join the new Pacific Motorway is now a very pleasant and scenic drive; a far cry from the old very busy Pacific Highway. The drive up to Kempsey turn off takes a very short time these days even at the posted limit. Cathy and Wayne met us at the turn off in their burgundy NB and we all rejoined the highway, heading for the Nambucca Boatshed for morning tea.
The Boathouse was a new stop for some of us and it had an extensive menu with a pleasant outlook over the river. We met up with fellow club members Sandy and Chris, red ND, Rhonda and Rob, white NC and Sally and Warren grey customised NC. After an enjoyable morning tea we set off for Coffs Harbour using our local member’s expertise to choose a number of picturesque back roads. These turned out be quite scenic as they slithered around the river banks and provided an entertaining and very pleasurable drive off the main highway. Eventually we rejoined the Pacific Highway which we followed until the turn off to Sawtell. It was interesting to see the amount of development that has occurred in this part of the North Coast. Although there has been a large amount of development around Sawtell and the Main Street itself is still very picturesque, with enormous trees, seats and artworks on the median strip. We continued to follow back roads until we came to the main road leading to Coffs Harbour jetty.
Our lunch destination was the Yacht Club. The sunny weather had attracted many people out to enjoy the day leading to great competition for parking places. However, parking could still be found within an easy five minute walk of the club house. Lunch was a lively affair with plenty of discussion, fine food and ocean views. We took our time over lunch before reluctantly finishing the run and making our goodbyes.
We wryly noted that our goodbyes seem to take almost as long as lunch itself! Having a final chat whilst looking over the sparkling sea and watching the para-sailing on the ocean against a backdrop of the hinterland made it hard to leave. Finally we dispersed and made our various ways home.
It had been an enjoyable day, showing that even a lazy driving day in the MX-5, especially with the top down can still be fun. Many thanks to our club’s convenors and run leaders for organising the day. Also to Wayne for recording the day in photographs which can be seen on the Mid North Coast Club’s Facebook site.
 
Thanks to Peter McDonnell for organising the day.
Graham Rochester and Robert Partridge joint 'Run' Leaders.
Scribe John Hansen