Walcha Weekend Away

14 March 2016 / Words: Mike Walkden-Brown; Photos: Keiran Rodgers & Wayne Lang

Our group of 15 bright eyed and enthusiastic MX-5 people met at Port Macquarie for our annual weekend to Walcha. In our group were new members Sandy and Chris Clarke driving their new red 1.5L ND, John and Judith Hanson driving their white NB, Stephen. Also in our group were Liwan Hanson from the RPM chapter driving their blue NB. A big welcome to all and a big thank you to Wayne and Cath Lang, Kevin and Carole Attrill , Peter and Keiran Rodgers, Graham Rochester and Pingky for their ongoing support for the Mid North Coast Chapter.

Unfortunately Greg Cox, Peter and Jill McDonald, Jenny and Barry Luttrell, were unable to make it this time so it became an exercise in logistics to sort the breakfast arrangements due to some late changes creating insufficient numbers for breakfast in the Motel Restaurant for Sunday morning so we made our own arrangements.

Just a fabulous weekend away and once clear of Wauchope there was next to no traffic and that wonderful scenic drive on The Oxley Highway to our lunch stop at 'Gingers Creek Roadhouse'. Oh Oh, a little mishap when Wayne shared my milkshake by accident to the amusement of all who of course laughed and made fun of him, the bastards! Wayne stayed a long way away from me after that - I thought I had BO.

After lunch we said our goodbyes to Peter, Keiran, John and Judith, who had prior commitments and had to return to Port Macquarie.

Our smaller group of nine and 5 MX-5s continued on our way to Apsley Falls and then our motel rooms at Walcha, dinner at the bistro of the Apsley Arms Hotel and after drinks and dinner a good night’s rest.

I can't describe what a joy it is to drive an MX-5 on well formed windy mountain roads with great scenery and no traffic, nothing compares.

Sunday was another beautiful day and just a joy. Due to the light traffic we had lots of time and had a long rest stop at Nowendoc and cruised into Gloucester well ahead of time where we met Graham and Pingky who joined our group for lunch and the return trip through Booral and Bulahdelah to Port Macquarie.

By that time we were 3 MX-5s and decided to drive Wooton Way both ways for the joy of it and return via Foster. A bad accident at the turnoff to Foster cancelled that idea as the road was blocked, so we continued and went the back way into Port Macquarie.

I think all would agree we had a beaut weekend away and a terrific drive. My thanks to all who were able to come and perhaps a few more from other chapters next time who I'm sure would just love this drive.