Hunter's River to Lake Run

15 March 2022 / Written by: Les Kibblewhite, Photos: Les Kibblewhite

The planning of the Hunter River to Lake St Clair run was to be the last summer season jaunt to the undulating hills at the foot of the Mount Royal Range, north of Singleton.

As this was a weekday run, there was a high expectation of a top down, mid 30 degree day with the peace of mind that the backroads would provide a particularly scenic route to drive.

Well, the run was declared wet prior to heading off from Raymond Terrace to Paterson via Tocal for morning tea with nine MX5 roadsters, predominately ‘red’ ones, windscreens awash with rain. What intrepid group of drivers and navigators. Note: We attracted an MX5 spectator in the foreground.

We left Paterson and headed to Gresford with no relief from the torrential rain, though, the Rain-X works great on an MX5 windscreen. The rain persisted through the farm-lets as we cruised through a country estate north of Singleton called the ‘Retreat, Lake St Clair still so thirty kms north on a narrowing pavement, or as we call it, our MX5 adventure playground.

As we neared Lake St Clair, the rain eased then stopped as we entered the recreational area. The lake provides a premium outdoor leisure facility. Swimming, sailing, water skiing, camping and fishing are only a few of the popular activities enjoyed on the lake. For the keen fishermen, Lake St Clair has been stocked with Bass, Golden and Sliver Perch and Catfish.  Hence the weekday run.

The foreshores of Lake St Clair provide attractive areas for picnics and barbecues.  There is another timid ‘red’ MX5 out of shot.

After a couple of hours, we departed with no regrets WRT the rain as we will put this on the run calendar again when the weather plays the game next year. Yes, it poured rain as soon as we left Singleton.