Paddy's Rest Run Report
28 February 2022
Considering the very wet conditions experienced over the past few days and the continuing heavy rain, we had an excellent roll up of fourteen members in seven cars. From the Port Macquarie area Allen, Pam, Peter and Roby joined us. From Forster John and Susan, from Kempsey Cath and Wayne; and from the Coffs Harbour area Mick, Chris, John, Jennene, Rhonda and Robert.
Things didn’t go quite as expected as the initial plan was to meet at Paddy’s Rest about half way between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour and then travel to Bowraville for morning tea. However we had to move morning tea to Macksville due to no café being open in Bowraville. The loop run to Macksville via Bowraville became unintendedly more interesting when most of us led by the run organiser managed to lose Mick who was leading the loop through to Macksville. We found ourselves going the long way around via an unexpected gravel road and fresh tar, leaving our beloved cars in need of some TLC at home. When we finally met up for morning tea in Macksville there was some discussion on who would be washing the cars with certain unnamed drivers (who will not be mentioned apart from their names beginning with W and A) suggesting their co-pilots normally do the car washing.
As we drove into Macksville Peter noticed that Allan’s bonnet had popped after hitting a large pothole, so Roby indicated that we should pull over, however Robert took it upon himself to leave the group by turning left and driving around the block. Fortunately, we did the drive into Macksville on the Saturday rather than the day before when the Nambucca River had flooded and broken its banks. Nevertheless, we did see the river brown and raging towards the sea.
Following morning tea it was back into our cars driving in the drizzle through some beautiful rainforest, reminiscent of Far North Queensland with some of our tops down to Scotts Head and Grassy Head as we drove towards our next stop at the Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
At Smoky Cape one white MX5 demonstrated a skilful and unconventional reverse park, which ensured that no-non MX5 would disrupt the photo shoot. Before long a guitar appeared with Mick and Wayne providing musical encouragement for those of the crew who chose to walk up the hill to the lighthouse. On the way down the rain began and that was the end of top-down motoring for the day.
We then set off for the short drive to the Trial Bay Goal, but as the rain had now set in, we just paused briefly before driving to South West Rocks for lunch at the Heritage Beach Café, which was not only delicious but delightfully shared with our club friends.
