Gloucester - Out of hibernation run
22 November 2020 / Roby Leckenby & John Hansen
The MX-5 Club of NSW Mid North Coast Chapter
Out of Hibernation Run
Sunday 8 November 2020
Sunday 8 November was a special day for our Mid North Coast Chapter as it marked our first run out for months since. Like bears emerging from their winter hibernation we tentatively assembled outside Olivers at the Port Macquarie Service Centre a.k.a ‘The donut’. Would we recognise each other and our cars after four months? That was the question!
The answer was yes, yes, yes. Run leader Roby and Peter appeared with their heritage NB that had undergone a very fetching roofing refit in the intervening months, Pam and Allen with their immaculate ND, Kathy and Wayne in their well presented NB, Jane and Greg in their MX5 GT RF Limited and Judith and John with the NC and Peter our co-cordinator who had injured his back and could not drive his beloved NB who still came along in his KIA.
After much chit chat and catching up we signed in and set off on the first stage of our run down to the Bluegums Cafe at Krambach. We followed the well worn route down the Pacific Highway to the Coopernook turn off and then onto the Lansdowne Road to Taree. This was a good way of blowing away the cobwebs and experiencing the joy of MX-5 driving again. The weather was quite warm and it was tops down with an eye to the weather in case of rain. We noticed that the road had not improved since our last trip and in places seemed to have even more bumps and patches which certainly woke us up!
Most noticeable was the change in the scenery, the fields had changed from being brown and dry to green and lush and provided a great contrast with the hinterland rising on the horizon. Our convoy went through Taree turning right to cross the Manning River, onto the turn off to Krambach and then along the Bucketts Way. This road was well surfaced and passed through a variety of countryside with an interesting mix of corners ranging from fairly large sweeping corners to ones with a tight radius, just the type of road that is a pleasure to drive in an MX-5. As this road is popular route to Gloucester quite a bit of traffic was encountered coming the opposite direction. The road twisted and turned through Taree South and places with interesting town names such as Tinonee, Burrell Creek and Kundibakh until we finally arrived at Krambach, where Susan and John in their NB were waiting for us.
Fortunately a large group of motorcyclists were just leaving the Bluegums Cafe as we arrived so seating and complying with the COVID 19 protocols was not an issue. The Cafe had picturesque outlook as can be seen in the photographs that Wayne posted on the Mid-North Coast Facebook Web Page. Judith and John left the run after morning tea leaving Roby to take up scribe duties for the rest of the ride.
After devouring a delicious and significant morning tea, and in John’s case maybe this was brunch, he declared the egg and bacon roll to be in the top ten for value and taste; Judith and John returned to Port Macquarie. The remainder of our group proceeded to enjoy the winding road to Gloucester’s Lions’ lookout. The view encompassed Gloucester township and Gloucester Tops.
Photos were taken, idle chit chat ensured and intimate conversations were had. Greg and Peter R, being the only two original remaining members of the chapter, reminisced about one of the very first runs after the chapter was founded, which was to Gloucester in conjunction with the Hunter Chapter.
We then returned to our cars and made the journey back to Krambach, which was bustling with parked bikes and vehicles lining the length of the main street, for a pit stop, prior to taking the road to Bulahdelah via Nabiac. This included a spirited drive along the Nurbushring (Wootton Way).
Various forms of local wildlife including echidnas and a peacock were observed very close to edge of the road. Due to impeccable timing on behalf of the run leader, we managed to arrive in Bulahdelah shortly after all of the café’s and the pub had closed for lunch! Then by default and not by universal acclaim, Oliver’s became the source for lunch selection. Fruit smoothies, hot wraps and drinks, were chosen and we all wandered down to the park by the river to sit relax and devour healthy food. Food critique was an essential component of course, and for some Oliver’s will be placed at the bottom for future choice, for others, exclamations of ‘yummy’ were observed as the food was devoured.
After this lovely luncheon location, we made our separate way home with Wayne, Kathy, Peter and Roby deciding to return via the Nurbushring as the Wootton Way is referred to in our club. Driving amongst the flooded gums (Eucalyptus Grandis), was particularly delightful for the passengers and cornering technique practice, provided a thrill for the skilled drivers. The forest appeared to be regenerating after the extensive bushfires earlier in the year, with vigorous vine growth over the new growth understory, and beautiful young erect flooded gums reaching upward.
All in all the day was declared to be a success and it felt really good to come out of hibernation and enjoy our cars and the company of fellow members. Many thanks to our co-ordinations Peter and Allen for doing the considerable administration in setting up the run and to Roby and Peter for leading the convey. Also thanks to the tireless work by Wayne in taking and posting the photographs onto the Mid North Coast’s web site.
Your scribes
Roby & John
