The Cars, The Dish and Elvis
16 March 2022 / Words:Brendan Barr. Photos: Brendan Barr
There was a sense of excitement building throughout the state as MX-5ers from Illawarra, Sydney, South Coast and Canberra prepared for the multi day journey. The first in a long time.
So like in cowboy westerns, small herds of MX-5 cars and occupants gathered in different paddocks and then started to journey towards rendezvous points along the route to the endpoint where we would all muster together.
Illawarra joined Sydney on Picton Rd, we met South Coast and Canberra at Goulburn, where all the jackeroos and jillaroos descended into the wonders of the Roses café to imbibe water laced with coffee, and cakes to die for.
Stockman Bob mustered us all together for a gave the safety talk highlighting dangers being faced, - stampedes, scarcity of food or drink, getting lost, price of petrol – perils he was sure that we could surmount, given we have a beer company rep and a chocolate company executive in our midst!
So off we drove, hollering and a yipping. The route was long, luckily our beer representative had it mapped out for us …. Watch Brigid's mapping of her journey.
On to Boorowa and the infamous ‘Peppers Diner.’ The invasion caught them by surprise, but food and drink was supplied with a smile and a hope that we will return someday. (See Running of the Sheep)
One jackaroo's steed was giving problems. Unknown at the time a faulty alarm indicated that his petrol was running dangerously low. By the time the herd reached Eugowra the gauge was registering that ‘the well has run dry.’ Bob’s warning of the price of petrol proved correct, when the unmanned petrol station bowser swallowed money and produced not a drop of petrol. Stockwoman Senia kindly offered to shadow the hapless rider of the petrol-less steed as it took a gamble and headed for Forbes.
We all stampeded into the Plainsman hotel, where jackeroo Wes gleefully jumped in the nearest waterhole. So cool and refreshing. The rest chilled their insides with a variety of coolants at the afternoon meeting before heading to a nearby ranch for some well earned ‘Range Fare.’ To our disappointment prairie oysters weren’t on the menu.
Saturday morning found lonely cowboys searching for breakfast throughout town before returning for morning muster. Then we were off to McFeeters Motor Museum for a fine display of horsepower, and stocking up on supplies that suspiciously looked like presents for grandchildren.
With stomachs rumbling after another drive we descended on Déjà Brew Café, Parkes for a caffeine hit.
Senia, our herd leader for the day, cried ‘wagons ho’ as we pulled out to head for ‘The Dish.’ Soon she must have spotted Indians as we were quickly made to circle the wagons, not once, not twice but three times, maybe more!
How to 'circle the wagons!'
It sure saved the day, as there was no more trouble until we reached the Dish, where we arranged the wagons near a shady tree.
We entered ‘The Dish’ and were provided 3D glasses to view some amazing films on outer space. An extremely tasty lunch under the canopy in full view of the Dish was mesmerizing, as the Dish rotated in its quest to unlock secrets of the universe. Our enjoyment was interrupted by an employee wanting us to move our wagons as a tree had fallen on some! Concerned riders quickly returned to view the destruction, breathing a sigh of relief when finding that a miraculous escape had been achieved. Although some minor scrapes had ensued (sorry Brian and Wes) the largish tree had just missed us! The horizons were scanned for pesky Indians, but none were spotted – aliens got the blame.
Returning to our camp, we once again required a long hydrating session, where many stories of the day were recounted. Even better our beer company rep gave a short talk on a range of ales and invited all to taste the fare. They disappeared faster than a bull at the open gate of a cow paddock.
Dinner saw us split between the Asian chefs. Some wanted Thai, some Chinese. Thai proved to be the best choice, because we got to eat. The Chinese fare was not delivered despite 2 hours of waiting, that group left for some real cowboy food – an all beef pattie did the trick!
Sunday morning we resumed our drive to finally meet The King, not of cowboys, but of Rock ‘n Roll. Yes Elvis was alive in Parkes it seemed, at least someone said he hasn’t left the building yet. The Elvis exhibit was, quite amazingly, linked to another car museum, so off we charged to gaze in wonder at the patience people have in restoring these autos.
It was then time for the herders to split to return to each Jillaroo or Jackaroo’s homestead. Many routes were taken, some via the plains of Wagga others via Bogan Way, which may have been entirely appropriate for any member residing in Albion Park, but he returned via the Blue Mountains!
A seriously enjoyable event made possible by the careful planning of Bob Downing and Senia Gaunson of course of the many people who let the wind blow freely through their hair, or around their ears in my case, who made wonderful friendships with other members and explored this wonderful country.
Photos you say? Well if you haven’t seen any, please choose from any or all of these links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mx5illawarra/
