Illawarra's Christmas in July Run

03 August 2016 / Words & Photos by Bryan Shedden

On Saturday 9 July, 15 members of the Illawarra Chapter met at Haywards Bay for a drive to Gundaroo. We were joined by Wesley & Lena's friends Bryan & Ann who hired an ND for the day so that they could sample the MX-5 lifestyle. We made the right impression because within two days, they bought themselves a Stormy Blue NC and joined the MX-5 Club!

 

The plan was that we'd arrive in Gundaroo by noon for lunch at Grazing with the Canberra Chapter and help them celebrate their 20th Anniversary. So just a simple 2.5hr run down the Hume Highway, right? Not a chance! We're in MX-5s and only the best driving roads will do us.

With clear blue sky overhead, Fiona led us south (not west) to Nowra via our well-trodden path of Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa and Bomaderry, before skirting around HMAS Albatross for the scenic route through Morton National park to Nerriga. I'm usually the driver, but this time Fiona steered and I was in the passenger seat. It gave me a great opportunity to snap some photos of the picturesque descent of Bulee Gap in eerie mist.

 

We made a brief pit stop at Nerriga Pub and many homemade treats for morning tea emerged. Jan produced a batch of scones still warm from the oven (with jam and whipped cream, of course), and Fiona served ANZAC biscuits. Perfect accompaniment for a hot tea from the pub.

The call to lock & load saw us dash to our MX-5s, and head west to the brand new Oallen Ford Bridge, and climb towards Windellama before turning onto Sandy Point Road and Cullulla Road. These are superb driving roads through the dry sclerophyll forests of the Southern Tablelands, with plenty of lovely flowing corners. At Tarago we skirted around the southern end of Lake George via Bungendore, before crossing the Federal Highway for the final squirt to Gundaroo. Like clockwork, we arrived bang on noon after our 250km drive!

We quickly joined the festivities in the Stone Room at Grazing at Gundaroo, and you can read about it in Iris & Tony's story. Suffice to say that us visitors were made to feel extremely welcome, and we were amongst the last to leave! Some Illawarra members even won some lucky door prizes, which came in very handy for their overnight stay.

Thank you Canberra Chapter and congratulations on your 20 years.

Click here for more of Bryan's photos from the event