Lunch Run to JJ's at Batemans Bay

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12 February 2023 / Story: Brian Clayton; Photos: Anda Clayton, Rose Smith, Senia Gaunson, Christine Ciccaldo

Lunch Run to JJ’s at Batemans Bay

10 February, 2023

After a week of very variable weather including fierce storms on Thursday, Friday dawned fine and sunny and it was a happy crowd who gathered at the meeting place in Milton. Apart from Run Leaders Anda and Brian there was a mixture of established chapter members Anne and Graeme, Karen and Bob, Martin and Sue, Bob and Linda, Bill and Jan from Illawarra, new chapter convenors Geoff and Rose, visitors Senia and Bob from Illawarra and new members Rick and Christine.

After coffee and (for some) cakes, 9 MX5s, a mixture of NB, NC and ND, set off for our run down the coast. Following normal procedure, we regathered at South Ulladulla where we started again. Unfortunately, in our attempt to start off as a group a couple of cars found themselves with a caravan and a couple of motor bikes in front of them. Along the road, as one caravan obstacle exited, two more joined the highway. Meanwhile, the run leader, concerned there may be a problem, slowed, waiting for the tail to catch up. Eventually three of the four missing cars re-joined the convoy and we proceeded slowly into Batemans Bay where our faithful tail end Charlie, Bill and Jan, finally caught up. An eventful but nonetheless pleasant, if not slow, run down the coast. It is always a pleasant drive down south with the forests providing a shady and cool drive and the road providing the sort of curves much loved by drivers of MX5.

First stop, by popular demand, was a return visit to the Batemans Bay Museum where a one hour guided tour had been arranged, especially for our chapter. Some members had seen it all on a previous chapter excursion and opted to explore the grounds and nearby sights. We were joined at the Museum by Mike and Madhu. Suitably culturally enriched we moved off to our appointed lunch engagement at JJ’s. A pair of Police cars moving at high speed down the main road with sirens blaring provided a bit of excitement for our short journey.

At JJ’s we met up with James and Giulia, south coast members of Canberra chapter, who live locally, and we commenced lunch in our usual fashion with greetings for old friends, selection of seats and much chatter. Drinks and meals ordered we settled down for another fine lunch.

As the afternoon wore on we could see the dark clouds gathering to the south and also to the north and so we said our farewells and headed for home, hopefully in time to beat the storm. Another successful multi chapter event, looking forward to the next.