John’s Hunter Midweek Run

04 October 2017 / Article: John Purcell - Photo: David Ho

On a sunny and pleasant Wednesday morning, 6 cars with 8 club members met at MacDonald’s Thornton for an easy-going cruise up the Hunter Valley to Gloucester and from there to Bulahdelah on John’s Midweek run. Or should I say on “JOHN’S ROAD WORKS” run. Yep, on almost from the start we ran into ½ road closed while tree felling or road works were being carried out. Diverting at Clarence Town and taking the side road through Glen William toward Dungog got us away from this but the wooden bridge across the Williams River at Glen William was a bit of a concern, as all the planks were bouncing up and down as we drove across, and I started to wonder if more than 3 cars on it at a time was a safe thing to do. More road works at Dungog then onto Stroud Hill road for a lovely clear run through to the Bucketts Way.

Morning tea at Gloucester for coffee and cake and then on the road again towards Bulahdelah. A diversion off the highway along Wootton Way (old Bulahdelah Mountain) where those wanting a “Spirited Drive” were given their heads in front of the rest of the group, everyone regrouping at the bottom of the hill before proceeding to lunch at the Plough Inn.

Lunch done we started to head home but not before a last diversion along Booral Road where those wanting to test the cornering abilities of their MX5’s got the go ahead to lead the rest of us. After regrouping again at Booral it was time to head home down the Bucketts Way and Pacific Hwy to say our goodbyes and split up at Raymond Terrace.

By all appearances everyone enjoyed the day especially those who hadn’t driven those roads before.