Majestic Mountain Meander
24 October 2016 / Words: Bricet Klören and Bob Judd; Photos: Bricet Klören, Bob Judd, Norm Barker, Kerry Evans
Canberra Chapter
Majestic Mountain Meander
Saturday, 10 September – Monday, 12 September 2016
Words: Bricet Klören and Bob Judd
Photos: Various, including Bricet Klören, Bob Judd, Norm Barker, Kerry Evans
The wild and woolly weather up and down the East Coast threatened to put a damper on the marvellous three day meander planned in the majestic Blue Mountains. Bob was out of bed very early on the Saturday morning of our departure, checking rain fall and river heights, concerned that the Abercrombie River would be impassable beyond Taralga at Bummaroo. While the river was slowly rising, the bridge looked OK, at 3:00, and at 4:00, at 5:00, again at 6:00, still at 7:00 and finally at 8:00 AM.
At the drivers’ briefing, Bob told everyone he would make a final call on pursuing the original route or an alternate one, through the outskirts of the giant Sydney metropolis, at our first stop at Goulburn. When the rain interrupted the drivers’ briefing, our keen contingent hastily retreated to their cars and zoomed off down the highway. It wasn’t until we were about to turn off onto Macs Reef Road that we realised that, in our haste, we’d left Roger and Jill behind! Fortunately, they caught up with us at Bungendore where we also picked up Jane and Wal.
While a very wet drive to Goulburn kept Bob quite anxious, we decided to chance the Abercrombie and continue on our intended route. Dan joined us at Goulburn, and 11 cars made the drive to Taralga for a lovely tea and scones morning tea at the Tangled Vine Café.
The road to Oberon proved to be a lovely, scenic one and, as hoped, the bridge across the Abercrombie was high and dry. Phew! We drove straight through Oberon to the gorgeous Mayfield Gardens. It had been tops up all day, and this certainly continued to and from Mayfield Gardens, with snow and ice conditions alerted on the roads. Mayfield Gardens is a spectacular venue, and well worth a longer linger, in dryer, warmer weather. But nothing dampened our lovely lunch joined by our final meanderers, Ben and Linda from RPM.
While driving the MX-5 is always a joy, we would have preferred kinder weather on the last leg of the drive into Blackheath, particularly when we were diverted by roadworks. Nevertheless, Norm assured us that, despite all indications to the contrary, the weather was under control and I should not fret, because the next two days would be spectacular.
With that reassurance ringing in our ears, we booked into the High Mountains Motel and happily made our way across the road for a wonderful group dinner at the St Mounts Trattoria. It is always so lovely to share a meal and conversation with new and old friends.
As Norm promised, Sunday dawned spectacularly clear and beautiful. Meanderers used the opportunity to investigate the sights and delights of the Blue Mountains – meeting up with friends and family, breakfasting at the Victory in Blackheath, poking about at Leura, sipping champagne at the Carrington, exploring the Megalong Valley, admiring the Three Sisters and the Norman Lindsay Gallery. Everyone enjoyed the glorious weather and the opportunity to spend a leisurely Sunday exploring.
On Monday morning, it was a sad farewell to our lovely hosts and the Blue Mountains. After photos, we joined the weekday rush down the mountain to Bathurst. I think we recorded the slowest time ever around Mt Panorama, dodging hoardings being erected and signs painted in preparation for the Bathurst 1000. It was so much fun, we ‘raced’ around again after morning tea at the bottom of Conrod Straight.
We then enjoyed a leisurely and lovely drive via Trunkey and Tuena to Crookwell, again crossing a well‑behaved Abercrombie River. We stopped for Lindner socks, sustenance at the Chat-A-Way Café, and a little shopping, before heading home via Grabben Gullen and Gunning.
It was a lovely relaxed weekend and one we will happily repeat.
