Jamberoo Ramble

07 August 2022 / Story: Ian McMurtrie; Photos: Rose Smith, Anda Clayton

JAMBEROO RAMBLE         04 August 2022         

Weather: Overcast with intermittent rain; temperature mildish; roads didn't seem slippery.

Participants: Geoff, Rose, Brian, Anda, Bob1, Linda, Ian, Paul, Bob2, Karen, Martin, Sue, Bill, Jan

 G'day's etc. were exchanged and they were as keen as ever to get away. "Gentlemen and ladies" start your engines (your scribe may have seen too much TV).

MX5's (I call mine my "Therapy Car"; as soon as I head to the garage I can feel the excitement mounting and that first relatively gentle - the motor is still cold - growl from the motor causes me to say YES) took to the Princes highway;    now only 13.2 klms (??) to Nowra.

Through Nowra and over the Nowra bridge (completion of this structure is supposed to be at the end of 2022).

Participants carefully negotiated the speed camera area and eagerly set their sights on the Kiama bends.

I imagined drivers and co-drivers singing along at the top of their voices (I was) whilst the radio played "Blondie - Call me"; American Pie (played the whole 8 mins 42 seconds - guess someone at the radio station needed a break); YMCA etc.

Probably a few temporary headaches and sore throats were caused by the bass / treble etc. (this happens to me when I get too enthusiastic). This is one of the true pleasures of these therapy cars; better when the top is down (due to intermittent rain this was precluded) but it’s not bad with both side windows down and the heater on.

Following an inspection of the Kiama Blow Hole (lots of huff and puff but no spray) and sticking to the planned agenda morning tea (usual excellent selection of consumables) was eagerly consumed at Diggies Cafe.

Time to mount up and on to lunch at Jamberoo.

Whoa - I'm a bit ahead of myself. First some of what we came out for - driving the hills of Kiama etc. I imagine that all the ubiquitous bends that to us Zoomers are sheer delight are seen as nuisances by the locals - too bad they should buy their own MX's (really everybody should have one; probably don't need two - too bad for the co-driver who some call "she who won't let me spend" or "she who is always right"; my one saved our house from a scammer but that is another story).

Jamberoo mountain is known for its many, many, many (that's enough) bends, which were driven carefully, respectfully, anticipatory and legally (the 6 speed 'box deserves a
mention; ok Bremmer etc. can also be mentioned) and after some stops for admiring and being impressed by the views of the fields and coastline (no whales today) It was on to the Jamberoo pub.

Lunch and conversation (about what - can't tell - sorry, what goes on on runs stays on runs) were eagerly/ successfully/willingly (can't think of any more; are these adverbs, verbs, nouns - who cares) partaken at this delightfully designed pub (old - school 2 storey inn hung with sports photos plus a beer garden, bistro etc. (one of the pub's features is its unique "Johnny Warren Museum").

Forgot about the traffic - fairly light all day. The Kiama bends - enjoyable as usual. My only gripe is how come road contractors can get the roads so smooth and council employees can't (we feel the bumps but it is still enjoyable).

Regretfully the time to say farewell and head for home came in due course (we'll sleep well; I don't sleep that well the night before an eagerly anticipated run - think I got 1.5hrs the night before; I don't think I would be the only one who missed out on some).

While I am writing this a heavy rain shower is occurring.

We could be so lucky, lucky - who sang that; thanks to Kylie our singing budgie.

Thanks to Geoff and Rose who organised this great run.

Ian McMurtrie