Run to Allambie Cherry Orchard

01 December 2024 / Author and Photos - Mike Lawless

It was a cool morning, 21 members of the MX-5 club gathered at Daughters at Hall Café. Excellent coffee as always.

By 8:45, the convoy departed, splitting into two groups to better manage the road to Yass and the right turn off the Hume Highway onto the Burley Griffin Way. A brief stop at Newson Park, Harden for convenience and then on to the Allambie Orchard.

By 10.30am our 12 cars were lined up in the orchard making a display worthy of many photos by us and many others visiting the orchard. On arrival we were greeted by the owner of the Orchard, Rupert who provided a brief introduction to the art of cherry picking. You must pick cherries with the stem on. If you leave the stem on the tree a new cherry cannot form in that place next year. Leaving the stem on also makes the cherries stay fresher once picked for longer.

The cherries were plentiful and a great many varieties. It’s been a good year for cherry growing. At $10 a kilo they are a bargain. I dont know how many kilos the group took home in total but 6-7 kilos per person/couple seemed to be about the mark.

The cafe at Allambie Orchard also makes excellent cherry pie. And has an Italian Barista. Before departing the Orchard for lunch, many members were indulging in a late morning coffee accompanied by cherry pie and cream. Delicious!

More food being required we retraced our steps to the Wombat Cafe, where Cath and her staff did a great job accommodating us in the garden notwithstanding the slight appearance of rain! The cafe does an excellent line in generously sized home made lamb and beef pies which were a favoured choice for the delay. The small market stall selling wine by the glass added an extra frisson of pleasure.

With lunch done, some members departed for home while others took an additional stop at Barnes Emporium in Harden. A great place for an afternoon coffee or tea with the added bonus of shopping for frozen meat, hand made chocolates and lollies, honey, jams and other delightful gifts.

The return drive carried with it the contentment of a day well spent. A quiet day among the cherry trees. Regional Australia treating us to its simple delights. Good company with friends for the day. And a safe trip home for all.

Just perfect.