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Post Tour - Monday, 15th May - Drive to Mudgee
Awoke to fog and rain. So, who planned the perfect weather as well as a perfect rally? Lots of emotion packing bags after one week away, knowing so many participants were departing to all states and we may never see each other for sometime. Also, so many new faces and cars we only had a few quick chances to meet and had hoped to spend more time to get to know each other.
Nevertheless, Buick Rallies are always something to look forward to. Luckily, the clouds cleared and we were able to pack cars as well as have time for farewells. Needless to say, we left Motto Farm at 10 am and sadness turned to pleasure as we left in less traffic and here and there beautiful Buicks were once again catching attention of passers by as we drove away.
Even though we had travelled through some of the country at earlier planned Rally Tours, somehow it seemed changed. Perhaps due to some light rain last week, some green paddocks gave the countryside a better look. Once we passed the busy coal mine area, the coal trucks slowly lessened and it was a dream run with hardly any traffic for at least 200 kms.
Great to catch up for coffee stops, lunch etc. with many Buick groups and by 3 pm, we were driving into Mudgee. What a great day and looking forward to more special days ahead.
Wendy & Claus Gronau (1972 Riviera Boattail)
Post Tour - Tuesday, 16th May - Mudgee to Gulgong
Got up to a lovely sunny autumn morning at Mudgee, after a good rest in our lovely motel. While the boys stood around and talked Buicks, my friend Maude Smith and I went for a walk down the streets of Mudgee. I love the country towns.
Departed from the motel around 10.45 am and went onto Pieter Van Gent Winery and did some wine and port tasting. It was very interesting as this was my first visit to a winery where they actually had the big wooden wine vats. The Steins Winery and vintage bikes museum was very interesting and their wine and pestos too. Now, were off to the cheese factory for cheese and olives.
Had a lovely lunch at the Fromagerie Cafe. Had a good time with other members and it was nice to sit in the sun and chat. Conversation over lunch turned to what we are coming back as in our next life. One lady is coming as someone’s little dog, as long as she is spoiled. Another as a bear. Someone asked, "Are you coming as a Grizzly". Husband agrees, nothing much will change there. Another gentleman says he is coming as a prostitute in Melbourne and he is going to be the richest one ever because he is going to work hard, long hours. But, says it must be easy laying on your back.
Arrived at Gulgong and loved all the old buildings in the street. Enjoyed doing some more browsing around.
After a little rest, we enjoyed the dinner and the live show at the Opera House. I am a Coeliac sufferer and the persons who organised this outing, arranged for the proper food for me. It was truly appreciated. We are now looking forward to the next stage of the rally.
The Cancilliers and the Smiths (1939 8/40 Coupe & 1939 8/40 Sedan) - only participated in the Post Tour
Post Tour - Tuesday, 16th May - contd. (by the Flynns)
After another beautiful sunny day, heading for 22oC. After a late checkout at our Motel, due to Matt not feeling well, we took the Henry Lawson route to Gulgong. Saw the remains of the home where Henry Lawson lived as a child. We enjoyed a very scenic drive surrounded by 100’s of acres of vineyards and in 45 mins. passed three cars going in the opposite direction.
Drove into Gulgong and were convinced we were driving the wrong way down a one way street. The street was so narrow we had to pull into a parking bay to let another car, going the other way, past. The streets reminded us of a town out of an old western movie. We were going to walk the whole town centre but didn’t get past the Museum. Spent three hours there and were astounded by the vast range of items displayed - old tractors, buggies, farm equipment, war memorabilia, dolls, an old bank, barber shop, printer.... You name it, it was there. An absolute must for anyone going to this area.
Brian, Dianne, Matt & Michelle Flynn
Post Tour - Wednesday, 17th May - Gulgong to Wellington
Another great day dawned. The morning started with Ron Noonan and Stuart Syme and their collective heads under the bonnet of Stuart’s 1950 Jetback. Minor carby adjustment and all was well.
We then left for a visit with Ross McRae, who collects cars, and his daughter, Angela Kracht, who collects and trains dogs. Ross has a 1936 852 Super charged Auburn Cabriolet restored, a 1927 T Ford Doctor's coupe restored and a 1936 Graham Paige Sedan unrestored. Angela trains dogs for TV and film work. The star of the pack is Reba. This was the "BUGGER" dog used in Toyota's adds.
After Ross McRae's, nearly everyone made a beeline for Stack's bargain basement under the BI-LO store. Most of us bought things we didn't need, but were too cheap to pass up.
After lunch, Gail and I left for Wellington. The temp gauge on "old 26" climbed to just over 180 degrees on some of the hills but she took them all in her stride in top gear. A quick visit to the Japanese gardens just out of Wellington then back to the motel. The car needed a good wash to get rid of the coal dust collected off the road from Raymond Terrace to Mudgee. The white wall tyres had turned to MUD wall tyres. Gail and I were washing the car when Robert Croxford turned up with some magic white wall cleaner (can't remember the name of it) but it is brilliant. They look better than new.
The usual afternoon chinwag led to an evening barbecue and more chinwagging. Most people retired around 2000hrs (8 pm) due to the cool weather.
Something I remembered from the other day at Nelson Bay. "HISTORY WAS MADE". Four Western Australians, John & Sue Bell, Gail & Myself shared a table for lunch with four Victorians, David & Marge Barnard and Alan & Lavinia Jolley. "Can you believe it". What is this country coming to?. All jokes aside, we had a good meal and a great time.
Gail and I have had a great time, met a lot of wonderful people and look forward to renewing acquaintances with you all in Brisbane in 2008.
Dennis in "old 26"
P.S. I should have the 1955 46R 2 door hard top on the road by then
Post Tour - Wednesday, 17th May contd. (by the Noonan’s)
Leave Gulgong, first stop was Ross McRae’s collection of Auburns, with the added bonus of a trained dogs demo, owned by daughter, Angela.
Onwards to Wellington. The roads are quite rough and pounding the car, the exhaust crossover pipe hitting the road often. It’s only one inch below the lower convertor housing which I would not care to have hit the road. Further along a rock on the road hits the exhaust pipe and clangs around under the car like a pinball machine. An inspection reveals a dented and flattened exhaust pipe, no oil or petrol, but there’s a front shock hanging down the lower mounting broken off from the continuous pounding. At the motel, some bolts, nuts and washers from Repco and 1? hours and it should see the trip out. Wow, a few G & Ts after all this.
The Adler’s, Dean’s and Blitz’s are going to the Lion of Waterloo Tavern. We will come along in 10-15 mins. We arrive at the Tavern, but they will not take any more orders (the cook wants to watch the Mundine fight!). Back to town to a chinese restaurant and join the Bradford’s.
Back to the motel and a couple more glasses of sleeping fluid. 2.12 a.m. BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG. We both awake, I say, "don’t worry, it must be water hammer from the store room behind our unit". Bev looks out the window. "It’s the Police,." They have a drunk who has a key with a No.10 tag, "No, it’s not ours". Mr. Drunk decides to do a runner, the fuzz tackle him and throw him in the car. He promptly comes out the other side, a further scuffle and he is back in the car. The Spannenberg’s have the same awakening at 2.20 a.m. in the motel opposite. Was Mr. Drunk just on his way home to his own motel?
But now, I am wide awake and watch TV for an hour before flaking out. It seeks like ten minutes and it’s time to get up and go. Later that day, it appears a few small items were left behind but this was offset by the great day at the Angora Rabbit complex.
Ron & Beverley Noonan (1962 Skylark)
Post Tour - Thursday, 18th May - Wellington to Dubbo
Awoke to a beautiful sunny morning in Wellington. Went to Wellington Caves and Japanese Gardens. While waiting for our guide, we talked to the cockatoos and they talked back. Went into Cathedral Cave and our guide, Susie, asked if anyone could sing. What a shame Len Wright wasn’t with us. We were shown the many crystal and rock formations.
The Guide told us a password after entering the caves that she would require when we wanted to leave the cave, otherwise we may be stranded there. After an hour of wandering through the caves, it was time to leave - but wait, the password! No one knew it, or so they thought. Thanks to Michelle Flynn, we were free. What was the password you ask? "Tabberabberan Orogeny" - named after the Victorian town called ‘Tabberabbera’ where certain rock formations in the caves were first found.
Had morning tea in the carpark then went onto the Angora Farm for lunch and tour. Expected to see some angora goats but none to be seen. Instead, we saw llama, alpaca, bison, water buffalo, emu, ostrich, koalas, camels and then an angora rabbit, which the host, Lyle, started to shear.
An angora rabbit can be shorn four times a year. From one pair of rabbits, they can get 360 rabbits in a year!! The fleece from one rabbit will be enough for 1? jumpers. It took Lyle five years to obtain the necessary training/licensing to be allowed to keep and breed koalas. They had five koalas (two with babies). Lyle mentioned that if a female rabbit doesn’t want to mate, she will castrate the male by biting off certain parts of his anatomy (use your imagination).
All this was preceded by a lovely lunch cooked by the hosts - steak, sausages, potatoes and vegies, followed by fruit salad and ice cream.
From there, we moved on to Dubbo with most going straight into town. The Flynn’s and Deans called in at the "Dundullimal Homestead" where we went through a unique slab house, set on 4 hectares surrounded by farmland. Lots of old machinery and farm animals including Clydesdales and donkeys.
Finally got into Dubbo and checked into our motel. Unpacked the car ‘again’ and settled in for the night.
Brian, Di, Matt & Michelle Flynn
Our Overnight Stay at Dubbo Zoo & Wednesday, 19th May – Dubbo
Upon receiving the itinerary for the National Rally and looking at all the wonderful times that we were going to have, Joe and I decided that we would really like to do the overnight stay at Dubbo Zoo. But, after speaking to Pam at the Zoo reservations, we at first thought it was too expensive. After thinking about the pros and cons for the next few weeks, we decided that we would do it — after all we might never pass this way again. We decided that Thursday would be the best day, as this would give us Friday to look around Dubbo, little did we know at that time that we would not see much of Dubbo.
We arrived at the Zoo at about 2pm, which was a little early, so we were told that we could have a drive around the Zoo to fill in a bit of time (we were surprised that we could take the car into the Zoo) and be back at the gate at 2.30pm. When we arrived back we were told to proceed to the Lodge, where we were met by John and Helen.
Cars were left in the carpark and with our luggage put onto a trolley and John pulling it, we were taken to our Zoofari tent. The tents are made of heavy duty canvas with roll-up shades over the flywire windows, a heated tiled floor and a built-on ensuite and another 'room' that has table, chairs and a small fridge in it. The entire compound is surrounded by cyclone wire fences, security gates, solar lights around the paths and lots of trees and foliage everywhere, it felt very safe and secure and different.
After settling in, we went up to the main Lodge, where we had a talk to Tas, the chef, about what our choices for dinner that night would be — nothing was too much trouble (even when Joe wanted Apple and Rhubarb Crumble for dessert, but without the crumble and without the apple and lots of cream). After which, we sat on the verandah in the sun, tested the swimming pool (too cold), had a drink and waited for our first tour to begin.
At 4.00pm, we boarded the bus along with the other guests and started on the tour. The animals are all put into pens or night quarters at about this time and given their evening feed. First stop was the elephant shed where the three elephants were brought in by their handlers. We were given a short talk by the head handler, shown some tusk tips and teeth and then the elephants were fed. We were also shown how the elephants have learned to put their feet onto the bars so that the handlers can clean their feet when necessary — this technique is used for other things as well.
Next, off to the giraffes, the white rhino, the cheetahs and the lions. The last stop was at the maned dogs which were fed chicken carcasses while we were there. The pack consisted of one female (mother) and seven males (all her sons). It was hilarious to watch as the dogs chased each other around the enclosure trying to steal each other’s food, the dogs run very fast and they bay all the time. They settled down eventually and then slunk off into the trees to eat.
Back to the Lodge, for a pre-dinner tidy up and everyone meets in the lounge for a drink, chat or a look at one of the selection of books that are there, then into the dining room for dinner.
John seems to be in everything — not only is he there to greet you when you arrive, take you on the tour, have a fountain of information about the workings of the Zoo and where the animals come from, but he also waits on table. After a truly wonderful meal with everything exactly as ordered and arriving without a hitch, it is time to grab a warm jacket and back on the bus for the night tour. By this time, all the animals are in their night quarters and we take torches with us as there are no lights where we are going.
First to the hippos — mother and son — who obligingly come out of the water so that we can see them (although the food is a great incentive). On this tour, we saw the Galapagos tortoises in their night shed, Susie the Wombat — who is on a diet as she is overweight (sounds familiar, doesnt it?), and the male, Bongo — he is not on show during the day, only the females.
Back to the Lodge again, where Joe and I are the only ones to partake of coffee and port. John and Tamara come to join us in the lounge and we spent a cosy hour or so just chatting until it was time to call it a day. John had told us earlier to put our Pjs on the floor and they would be warm to put on and then put our day clothes on the floor and they would be warm for the early morning tour, great heated tiles.
We were up early for the morning tour, which is about 7.00am — before breakfast. The giraffes are first on the agenda and we fed them carrots — long necks reach over the high fence and long tongues take the carrots delicately — they do not like the ones that have been dropped in the dirt. Leaving the giraffes, we went to feed the black rhino — very carefully — you are not allowed too close at all and must be at least an arm’s length away. Then to the Simian Apes, who were very noisy and excited, as there was a school group watching and John told us that the apes really play up to the children.
After this, it was time to go back to the Lodge and have breakfast — which was a huge buffet breakfast, after which, we waddle back to our tent to pack, get back in the car and drive back to the Zoo. We then got a bike (which was included in the package) and spent the next 3 hours riding around the Zoo — we had sore bums afterwards. We saw more of the animals that we had either seen or missed on our tour and lots of Buick people. After lunch we exited the Zoo, it had been a very hectic day and a half.
This was one of the highlights of our trip and great value. If you haven't been on the Zoofari, do yourself a favour and GO!!!
Dorothy Blitz
Post Tour - Saturday, 20th May - Dubbo to Parkes
Woke this morning to an overcast day and left motel in light rain. We are heading now to Parkes, our first stop will be peak Hill, where we will do a Gold Mine Tour, but first morning tea.
Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine sits atop the hill overlooking the town. Gold was first discovered in 1889 and, while the mine is inactive now, there was a recent period of intense mining here. There are five open cut mines in Peak Hill. $87 million has been taken from the mine at a cost of $67 million, hence the name "the town with a heart of gold".
Our Tour Guide took us on a 1.2 km walk around open cut sites. At the end of our tour, we were shown a one ounce nugget of gold. A very informative tour.
Coming into Parkes, we struck 4kms of roadworks, complete with one inch of mud all the way. So, after the unpacking on arrival at our motel, together with the Padgett’s, we hit the car wash before it set hard to the cars.
Some of the group visited the Radio Telescope at Parkes. We finished off the day by all getting together for a barbecue for dinner. A great day was had by all.
The Greens (1947 Super Sedan)
Post Tour - Saturday, 20th May contd. (by the Noonan’s)
As this was a short trip, there was no real hurry, 90 kph would suffice. Just out of Dubbo, a Military Museum. Just as I pull into the side road, Dennis McGavigan is coming out. It is closed. By the time I turn around and get back onto the highway, Dennis is ? mile down the road. We keep him in sight for about the next 6-7 miles, then he’s gone - 1928 Sport Tourer, no 1928 Speed Tourer.
We opt out of the Gold Mine Tour at Peak Hill but decide to hang around. A brief tour of the streets then home in on a coffee shop. Soon after, we are joined by Rod & Judy Adler, as very little seems to happen in Peak Hill other than the local drop in for coffee and gossip. The local blacksmith breaks out of his coffee and newspaper to join our clap trap. The next hour passed quickly. He suggests we visit the local car market. I said we looked at them coming in. "No, not that nut, he won’t sell anything". This we had been told back in Dubbo. He said, "down the back streets, ‘Big Boys Toys". I had bought Just Cars in Dubbo, but Peak Hill had failed to register. The ‘blackie’ rings the yard, no answer, he says go down there and look over the fence. Off we go along with Murray & Teresa Lizatovich. The gates are locked but Dave, the yard owner, is up the back and comes down. Opens up, "bring your cars in". He rings the owner of BBT’s. Victor is a mexican who has the local take away food shop and imports mainly Fords from South America. Most of these cars appeared to have come from the bottom of lakes - being wire netting effigies of what they once were. But, the hot rod movement keeps the stock turning over despite the prices.
Another hour quickly passes by. Onward to the "Dish", some light rain but clear at the Dish. What a great place at this time of year. Joined Peter and Bev Nicholson for a very nice lunch in the diner. A couple of hours went by at the Dish very easily.
Onward to Parkes, check into the motel, then usual clap trap and bench racing. For us, it’s into town to a chinese restaurant. When we return, the barbecue group along with many empty bottles are celebrating Fran Wright’s birthday. By 9.10 pm, it was all over. It was quite cold (and all the bottles were empty).
Ron & Bev Noonan (1962 Skylark)
Post Tour - Sunday - 21st May - Touring around Parkes
A leisurely day today, so we are able to take advantage of no packing, small mileage and magnificent sunny morning. An easy drive of 8.5kms to the Macusani Alpaca Country Shop and Cafe, where we were shown alpacas of numerous colours and were allowed to pat a six weeks old alpaca.
We were given a very interesting talk by the owner. He has about 35 acres of land and is running 70 head of stock. One of the interesting points was in a flock of 300 sheep, alpaca will keep predators at bay, whilst lambing is in progress. Alpaca wool is the second warmest in the world, after polar bears. There are only 7 sets of twins known in the past 16 years in Australia. The shop was full of alpaca products and an excellent morning tea was provided.
We then had sufficient time to do our own thing, so we drove to the Lookout overlooking Parkes. From 1 pm, we visited the Machinery Museum where there were a shed full of very old trucks and a great number of all makes of tractors. Also a "thrashing" machine and a working demonstration of farm machinery. A point of interest was a carriage of the Silver City Comet, where some of us took advantage of the seats and pleasant conversation.
Afternoon tea was then provided by the ladies of the Museum. A lovely day to finish day seven (of the Post Tour).
The Liddy’s
Sunday evening
On the Sunday after visiting the Museum, we were invited by Fay to see the Harness Racing at the showground between 5 & 8 pm. Hans & Alison went and Fay was there selling tickets for $1 and we bought some. When my number was called, I won $70 - lucky Alison! It was a good time watching the horses run then the cold got to us and we went to the Workers and Citizens Club for a welcome tea.
The Spannenbergs (1964 Skylark Coupe)
Post Tour - Monday, 22nd May - Parkes to Orange
My Mother’s birthday, Edna Caldwell (84 years). This morning at 10 am we went to the Albion Hotel in Forbes, visited the Bushranger’s Hall of Fame. Went under the hotel, saw where the gold was assayed, then got ready for transport by Cobb & Co to Bathurst-Sydney. We saw how the bushranger, Ben Hall, and his gang terrorised people on the road. The exhibits of guns etc. were very interesting. There are different rooms under the hotel used by the patrons where it was cooler to drink our beer. The Opium Room, with its thick door and pokey hole for person identification, was very interesting. This room was used by the Chinese and others to use the opium. All this happened during the 1860s. There was a tunnel underground from the hotel to all the banks used for transporting the gold. The tunnel was built by the Chinese. Very interesting indeed.
Had lunch at Eugowra in a cafe. There are some old buildings which are very interesting.
We then had a great drive to Orange. The sky was blue, the sun lovely and warm, but everything is so dry. We came to our motel, Oriana, and settled in. Then, while the sun was still shining, had a little drive around the place. We then went for tea to the local RSL Club and had a ride there and back in John & Ruth Knight’s ’37 Woody. What a lovely day it has been.
Hans & Alison Spannenberg (1964 Skylark Coupe)
Post Tour - Tuesday, 23rd May - Day tour around Orange
The day broke bright with the sun shining on the frost covering the cars, as we had just had the coldest night in Orange so far in 2006. 1880 took some coaxing to start, but a combined effort by Marie and myself soon had him/her running and warming up. We arrived for ‘briefing’ at the Oriana Motel noting several vehicles still covered with frost. The crews set off to form up in convoy a short distance out of town to travel to Manildra, where the cars were parked outside the Amusu Theatre to be photographed.
In the theatre its walls were adorned with movie picture posters and lifesize photos of Elvis, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, along with Tony Curtis and Robert Redford. We were, after being issued with the obligatory packet of Jaffas, treated to an informative and educational program which first conveyed the history of the Amusu Theatre and its creator and owner, Allan Tom (Tomie) OAM "a true pioneer of the Australian Motion Picture Industry". We were then educated in the finer art/fashion of design and manufacture of swimwear circa 1919 and the life changing "benefits" of drinking tea -- seems women are destined to meet and marry a tall, handsome man, honeymoon on a luxury cruise and return to reside in a magnificent harbourside residence with panoramic views of Sydney city and magnificent bridge being built. The tea? Why Bushells of course! - the year circa 1929. By the way, it seems to help if you have a tea leaf reader named ‘Margaux’.
This was followed by ‘The Sentimental Bloke’ who sic: edja cated us wif ‘ow ta meet ya Ma-in-lore, cor. The Story of Doreen and Willie. Next we witnessed the "Adventures of Dot" who showed how to catch the ‘right’ man after revealing the cad. Dot and William embrace. Finally, the attending car fanatics were instructed in how to treat your trusty, faithful vehicle by "Bimbo, who, although being thrown on the junk heap because he caught cold and coughed a few times, replaced by a new modern vehicle, was able to forgive his owner and take him back.
At the end of the show, we were able to view the carbon arc projectors. Unfortunately, we were not able to see them working as the operator was not able to get them started (should have shown them the story of "Bimbo").
Several couples then made their way to the ‘Imperial Guest House’ around the corner, owned by relatives of the late Allan Tom, where they indulged in a magnificently, delightful meal. Others of us proceeded to the town Molong, where we partook of a much more ‘sumptuous’ meal of pie and vegies from the local bakery.
After lunch, the throng (at least some of them) attended the Coach House and Craft Centre where we witnessed weaving and viewed (with commentary by Vivien, the President of the Yarn Market) the tapestry which was manufactured to commemorate 200 years of Molong and its history as a stopover for the Cobb & Co Coach line.
The town of Molong seemed a very sleepy, slow moving, laid back place, however there is actually a deeper underlying situation as the town is still trying to recover from severe flooding which is still affecting parts of the town. Apparently, one hotel cellar is still suffering from water inundation. Eventually, the time all too soon arrives which signals we must depart this town to return to our overnight accommodation to prepare for our dinner date with the local car club.
Leaving town, 1880 is pulled over by the constabulary and Rod is requested to count backwards from ten while the officer holds a detection device adjacent to his mouth. Rod is glad he only requested a count from ten, otherwise he would have had to take off his shoes. Successfully passing the test, Rod was permitted to advance 1880 on its way back to Orange.
After a short while back at our accommodation, it is time to proceed to the Gladstone Hotel where we were the guests of the Orange Car Club. And so, we bid farewell to our fellow club members and return to our accommodation, after another enjoyable day, for some well earned shut eye ready for our journey to continue to Lithgow.
1880 owned & operated by Rod and Marie Davidson. (Qld)
Post Tour - Wednesday, 24th May - Orange to Lithgow
The morning after the night before. Last night’s dinner had been pre-arranged by Keith and Nancy Packham from the Orange District Antique Motor Club and what a night. The Gladstone Hotel was walking distance from our motel, away from the CBD of Orange, plenty of parking and a fabulously decorated rustic room for our dinner. A special thanks to the Orange Club Team. The Hotel couldn’t have been a better choice.
Not as cold or as much frost as the day before for our departure from Orange. We drove straight to Bathurst, as having set the rally, we have visited Milthorpe on two occasions, so decided to give it a miss, as we were the last to leave the motel and did not have a lot of time if we wanted to catch the 0100 train at Lithgow. Most entrants visited Milthorpe and enjoyed the ‘quaintness’ of this little old historic town.
Of course, we had to drive Mt. Panorama (as rev heads do) and spotted several members visiting the National Motor Museum. We decided to have morning tea at the top of Mt Panorama. It was brisk and windy, so we enjoyed a cuppa from inside the car. Then off to the Zig Zag Railway. Some had already boarded the 1100 journey. We enjoyed lunch (soup) in the car park awaiting the 0100 train. Some ate in the railway station and purchased the entire stock of meat pies and sausage rolls.
It is one of the great steam train experiences. It took a while for some to understand what Zig Zag means. All on board with cameras took lots of pics. The sky was clear and beautiful scenery. Joe Blitz managed to con his way into the loco for the ride home. Fortunately for Joe, there was not a spare shovel!! The rest of us were in cattle class chewing coal dust.
We found our motel and decided to eat in to avoid the cold and watch the State of Origin. Sorry Queenslanders!.
Graham & Narelle Weekes (1963 Skylark)
Post Tour - Thursday, 25th May - Lithgow to Katoomba
Gee, it’s crook when the tour organiser has to write his own report - just kidding. Thank you to all those who volunteered to write up the ‘event book’.
After a very casual start, Claus & Graham visited the Small Arms Museum leaving the two girls at the motel. We were joined by others to experience a very interesting tour. I was intrigued to see the diversification of products that the factory produced in its day. From sewing machines to auto parts and Sunbeam Mixmaster components along with tools. The building was commenced in 1900. By 1943, employment had grown to 6000 plus another 6000 at nearby factories. During that time, total production was 4200 items per week. In 2005, the factory employed 105 people producing the Steyr.
We proceeded to Mt. York for a commanding view of the Hartley Valley where we were joined by Claus and Wendy, Ric and Tony Gentilcore (from Sydney), where we had a cuppa. Hartley township was also visited by some for morning tea and a look around the historic township.
After booking into our motel and checking on the arrangements for dinner tonight, Narelle and I did a quick tour of the sights to take a few pics to complete the pictorial. She had come down with the dreaded flu and took the opportunity to rest during the afternoon.
Some members had deviated to Jenolan Caves and from all reports, thoroughly enjoyed their experience. Many took the opportunity to fight off the tourists and sightsee the Katoomba highlights with the scenic railway, skyrider, walking trails, waterfalls and the many other sights. Our members had a great time.
Following drinks in the late afternoon at the motel, it was off to the RSL for our farewell dinner. The meal was good and hearty. Between courses, we were entertained by Greg North, who brought a whole new meaning to bush poetry. Greg had us all in the aisles with his changes in personality and accent. He is a very talented and skilled entertainer. He was called upon for an encore performance after dinner.
Eric North and Graham Weekes recapped on the Meet and thanked all for attending and supporting the Nationals. Margaret North thanked all the young people for their attendance. The Queensland, West Australian and Victorian States responded with Rod Davidson, Murray Lizatovich and Norm Bradford respectively.
The following morning, some left early for the long trip home. The rest were very casual, enjoying a huge breakfast at the motel before their departure. A lot of the Sydney folk accepted an invitation by the Norths to join them for morning tea at their Leura home.
Graham & Narelle
Posted 07/2006 |
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