MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR AND SURPRISE BREAKFAST, 17/6/12
A very bright and brisk morning, perfect weather conditions for the drive.
Members met in the car park at Mures on the waterfront at about 8.30, but team-leaders Rowena and Paul slightly later, so there was little time to discuss the route, venue etc.
APOLOGIES!
Peter and Patricia were in Gleaming Golf, Jon in Purring Passat, Gerry and Sue in Cute Clementine (Beetle), Kerren in Sexy Sirocco, and Paul and Rowena in Fastidious Freda (Split Kombi).
So, 5 vehicles and 7 participants!
Understandably, the chilly Tassie mornings may have discouraged more members.
The first part of the journey was into Davey Street and up to Fern Tree and then wound down through Neika;
a beautiful vista, unusually clear allowing views of gorgeous homesteads in the bush, curling wood smoke from cosy fires, lacy deciduous trees, quite enchanting.
Then, on to Longley, passed the old/newly refurbished Pub, even more lovely countryside and sights, through Kingston to Kingston Beach and the very welcoming crew at The Citrus Moon Cafe!
So we feel that we had everyone quite foiled by then!
We then enjoyed our hearty breakfast and great coffee, and managed to cover many topics, not just Vee Dubs, for almost two hours.
A very pleasant morning and hopefully many more on the agenda!
CURRANS ALDINGA BUG-IN & HOLIDAY APRIL 2012
In the weeks leading up to our holiday there had been a lot of rain and flooding in the general area where we were to travel in the central and eastern parts of NSW, although we had no set plans.
We set out for Devonport and the Spirit of Tasmania on Friday 30 March stopping in Campbell Town for lunch and a detour to Summerhill to see our friends Jan & Michael and had a meal at the Argosy in East Devonport before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania.
We stayed at Ballarat on Saturday 31 March and on Sunday travelled to Hamilton where we went into the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Many interesting exhibits and a video of Sir Reg’s history and we stayed the night in Hamilton. Next morning we stopped at the Big Wool Bales, a souvenir/café/museum. The museum was very interesting with exhibits of old tools and wool samples and note books going back to pounds, shilling and pence. We travelled through Casterton, the home of the Kelpie dog where there were several statues in the main street. We crossed over the SA border to massive pine plantation on both sides of the road and arrived at Penola. We had a look at some old buildings including the Cobb & Co Booking Office and a complex including the first purpose built school in 1867 by Mary McKillop.
On Tuesday 3 April we travelled through wine grape country in the Coonawarra district and stopped at Naracoorte on our way to Bordertown where we stayed with Peter’s school mate Rex and his wife Margaret for a couple of days. They took us to Kingston and we went sightseeing along the beach and the boat ramp called the “Groin” and a stretch of beach to the right is 42 Klm long and on the left a road along-side the beach with huge houses built where little old shacks once stood. We then went to Robe and drove up to an obelisk which can be seen at sea for up to 20 Klm. On our way back we turned off to Cape Jaffa where grapes were growing both sides of the road for kilometres. On Thursday 5th April we met up with Terry Patterson, John & Jan Stevens, Evan Davies, Eric White and Michael Cronin at the local pub as they were staying the night in Bordertown on their way through to the Bug-In.
On Friday 6 April we said goodbye to our hosts and travelling towards Tailem Bend with lots of on-coming traffic and most cars with headlights on. The Victorians passed us at 9.25am and they were out of sight in no time. Towards Mt Compass we were being bombarded with debris coming from the roadside trees as the wind was so strong it was also causing dust storms. We arrived at Port Willunga Tourist Park 12.00 noon and booked in and the wind is still very strong with dust in the air. We met up with many Bug-Inners from all states at afternoon tea where Mal Dodd welcomed every one and ran through details of the event. After Registration there was BBQ and it was very nice with choice of fish, chicken, steak, sausages and plenty of salads and bread. Beer, wine, soft drinks as well as tea and coffee were plentiful and sweets including ice cream topped off the meal and then there was live music to entertain us.
On Saturday 7 April it was the Show & Shine event at Serafino Winery at McLaren Vale, a very picturesque location. It wasn’t long before all cars were in place and visitors to the winery and participants were checking them out. We travelled with Terry for the afternoon cruise to Woodstock Wine Estate, Fruchoc Shop, a micro brewery at Myponga where enjoyed very interesting goodies on two platters provided by VWCSA and then continued on to the Myponga Reservoir which we drove over. We’d had a full day and returned to the CP.
On Sunday 8 April we chose not to join the tour of the South Coast and toured locally. In the evening we drove to McLaren Vale Serafino Winery for the Presentation Dinner and it wasn’t long before the area was abuzz with everyone catching up on the day’s activities. Our table had Rod McSwain and Karen (WA), Scott Harper (NSW), Cory Seegers (SA), Colin Curtis (SA), John Short (SA), Terry Patterson (TAS), Col Anderson (NSW). Formalities included Chris Harper reading a note from Margaret Love and offering a trophy for the best original car in the Show in memory of Monty who passed away shortly after last year’s Bug-In at Perth, WA, Show Trophies (Best 10 of the Show – one of which we won), Motor-sport Trophies, the Mal Dodd award and Bug-In Spirit Cup. An auction was held by Dale Wilson (Life Member SA) of items he had accumulated from working with Volkswagen and then the handover to Chris Harper (NSW) of the Bug-In Banner. Lastly, the raffle was drawn and both Terry and I won prizes.
On Monday 9 April, the last day of the Bug-In a drive & cruise was organised of the Coorong. We opted not to do this trip and after saying our goodbyes to everyone headed for Tailem Bend via Victor Harbour, Goolwa, Strathalbyn and Wellington where we arrived at Jetty Road at 3.50pm as the ferry was leaving the other side of the Murray River and we were soon on the ferry and moving across the river where there was quite a line up of traffic for the next few crossings. We continued on the Tailem Bend and booked in for the night.
On Tuesday 10 April we had a look over the Murray River running behind the park and were away heading for Ouyen on the Mallee Highway. We stopped at Pinnaroo and visited the Mallee Museum which was very interesting with lots of farm machinery and printing equipment as well as old farm and household items.
We left the CP on Wednesday 11 April and went back into the town centre to get some famous vanilla squares and headed for Swan Hill. We saw a plantation of Cricket Bat Willows among wine grapes and stone fruit orchards. We arrived at Swan Hill Riverside CP on the Murray River’s edge where we stayed for two nights. We went on the Pyap River Cruise, part of the Pioneer Settlement Village complex, a leisurely cruise from Horseshoe Bend to the junction of the Murray River in NSW and down to the English Merino Sheep Station homestead before turning back for the return journey. The Murray was still in flood from heavy rains in February and had already receded 3½ metres.
On Friday 13 April we were on our way to Deniliquin. At Lake Boga we turned off to the Catalina Museum where we were given a talk about the use of Lake Boga as it was used as a maintenance station for the Catalina Aircraft during the Second World War and the missions they flew. We then wandered around the huge building looking at the various displays and the Catalina itself. About 15Klm from Deniliquin debris has been dragged back off the road and the road edges water damaged. We arrived at Deniliquin and booked in for two nights. We visited the farmers market where all sorts of produce was being sold, lamb, pork, olives, sauces and jams, specialist pasta’s, plants and fruit and vegetables. We then went into the town centre where we had a look at the park with its lovely waterway and magnificent red gums, ibis and ducks and a large metal pergola holding up an enormous wisteria. We went to Conargo and Clancy’s vineyard to have a look at the display of number plates (said to be Australia’s best collection) bottles and International Harvesting farm equipment collection. He also had a ’72 Beetle and several old bikes. They grew grapes, rice, olives and wheat as well as making several varieties of wine and they had a lovely cottage garden.
On Sunday 15 April we headed for Griffith via Jerilderie where there were patches of water on the road edge with some damage to the verges and one stretch of road was resealed. We then travelled on the Kidman Highway towards Griffith where we see evidence of the damage the floods have caused and more water remaining in the roadside channels and a swollen Murrumbidgee River. The cotton crop was in flower and rice has just been harvested and there were grapes, pumpkin, watermelon, stone fruit and oranges growing in the area. We arrived at Griffith and booked in for two nights. We went on the Scenic Drive lookout where Valerio Ricetti, an Italian hermit, lived in the caves from 1920 to the early 50’s overlooking Griffith. We had a look at the Pioneer Village with relocated buildings from the area with various displays from times gone by. There was also a building housing history of Italian pioneers of Griffith and surrounds. We drove back into town and on to Catania Fruit Salad Farm where we toured in an “air conditioned” bus and commentary about all the fruit and nut trees, (including an Italian pine tree which grew the pine nuts we use in cooking) and wine varieties they had. We went into the original shed where we saw a film on the property while we sampled some dried sugar plums (prune deArgen). We then checked out the tractors and drying/dehydrating part of the shed before we got back on the bus and toured the rest of the property including a stop for a taste of some Valencia oranges. We then were dropped off back at the house for some tasting of the produce made from the farm, jams, oils, mustard etc. We had a great time and chatted with the owners before we returned to the CP.
On Tuesday 17 April we were on our way to Temora and at Yoogali the grape vines went for miles belonging to Casella Winery that makes Yellow Tail wines and exports to the American market. We stopped at Yenda where 6 weeks ago it was 1.2 metres under water and is now dry and dusty. We arrived at Temora and found a council run CP. We went to the Temora Aviation Museum where there were large posters of the history of the Temora area from pre-war times and prior to Australia having an aviation industry and of the evolution of the ejection seat. We went to a hanger with three aircraft being overhauled one of which was a Spitfire with the engine dismantled in a trolley frame. We then went into an adjacent hanger with about 15 assorted planes from a Tiger Moth to a Canberra Bomber. We went to the Information Centre and Temora Rural Museum which was set out very well and we had a quick look before closing time so we went back the next morning and looked over the rest of the exhibits in the many sheds before we travelled to Cootamundra and booked in to the CP. We drove to Jubilee Park/Captains Walk and had a look at all the past captains of the Australian Cricket Teams and a statue of Sir Donald Bradman.
It rained all night and it was noisy with trains loading and/or shunting through the night and on Thursday morning 19 April we called John Collins, who we first met in 2001 on the Shannons National Tour to Canberra, and made arrangements to have coffee in town with him and his wife Joan. We all talked for a while until it was time to move on to Young. They thanked us for calling them and it was good to catch up.
Travelling on Olympic Way the country side is picturesque with all the autumn colours and the hills are green. The avenue of trees leading into Young was very colourful and we booked in to the CP for 2 nights. Next morning we found our way to Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory where we tasted some jams not had since we were kids and bought Quince Jelly, Melon & Lemon Jam, Fig jam and some choc sweets. We went out to the Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Gardens which was a tranquil place with well kept grounds on the top level of the pool the scent of roses was in the air as we walked around. On our way back we found the Young Pioneer Museum which was a school until the 1970’s and was filled with exhibits from early times. It was a very good display of the early times of this gold town and cherry growing area. Young was the first town to have houses connected to steam powered electricity.
On Saturday 21 April we left Young for Goulburn via Boorowa and Crookwell which were very picturesque places. A few minutes out of Crookwell we saw the wind farm that was the first one connected to the national grid and was built in 1998. We arrived at Goulburn South CP at 3.45pm. Peter tells me this is the first time since leaving Ballarat we’ve seen traffic lights!
On Sunday morning 22 April listening to Australia all Over we heard there had been a landslip between Braidwood & Batemans Bay and that’s where we intended to go. We headed for Braidwood and went into the Police Station to enquire about the road to Moruya via Aralen as it was shown on the map as unsealed and he told us that it was four wheel drives only as it was pretty muddy, so we decided to go through to Cooma and forget about going via the coast. We then drove down to the bakery which was very busy and there were several club classic cars outside, 2 X Mercedes, Rolls Royce Corniche, 1954 Ford Ute and several others further up the street. We then travelled back 28Klm to Doughboy on the Kings Hwy towards Canberra. We continued on into the ACT where a massive roundabout and new road has just been completed into Queanbeyan and back into NSW. The Monaro Hwy is excellent with more traffic than we’ve seen in a while. The countryside changes as we entered Snowy Mountain region into open sheep, cattle and horse country. Arrived at Cooma at 3.15pm and on to the Snowtels CP for 2 nights where we reworked our itinerary. Despite the change of plans we had had a good day’s travel through some very pretty country. We went out to the Discovery Centre which was an information hub for the Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme where we watched a short film re the plan, building and achievements of the scheme beginning from 1947. It took some 30 years to complete. This was the coldest day since we left home.
Tuesday 24 April we woke to rain and left Cooma on the Monaro Highway towards Bega. It looks gloomy all around and the terrain is treeless on rolling hills. We changed to the Snowy Mountains Hwy and the rain appeared to ease. Descending through forest on Brown Mountain road the lower side of the road had washed away and had been reinforced with layers of caged rocks. You could also see on the hillside where the banks had been eroded. We emerged the forest to sunshine and beautiful green pasture and dairy country. We stopped at Bega Cheese Factory and a huge storm went through. Arrived at Tathra and booked in to Tathra Beach Family Park. It was cold with showers every now and then.
Wednesday 25 April we left early for Merimbula, Pambula and Eden where it rained heavily through bush country on the Princess Hwy and into Victoria and Cann River where we stayed the night and chose a motel as the CP was by the river. It had been a wild and windy day with debris on the road and branches in places. We turned on the heater and the television as the Anzac Day Football was on. Peter became unwell and we didn’t get much sleep but it was warm in the motel room. It rained and blew all night and we were on our way on Thursday 26 April to Lakes Entrance stopping at Orbost for a spell. We had no rain on the journey but there were gusty winds and the weather improved as we went. By the time we arrived at Lakes Entrance it was quite warm.
On Friday 27 April Peter was much better and as we left Lakes Entrance the boats looked lovely on the water as we passed through. A pleasant drive through farming country on the Princess Highway between the towns of Bairnsdale and Stratford. As we came through Sale there were large bridge and road works going on; the first lot of actual road works we’ve seen. We continued on to Pakenham for the night as it left a shorter distance for us to travel in the built up traffic towards Melbourne.
On Saturday 28 April, our last day, it was sunny at least. Travelling on the M1 we missed a GPS instruction and were driving towards Philip Island! We were soon turned around arriving 1 block from the shopping centre of Mordialloc where we had lunch. We were away with the GPS instructing us towards Middle Park where we called in on relatives and stayed for tea before leaving for the short drive to the Spirit of Tasmania where we went to straight to our cabin as it was forecast to be cutting up rough at the beginning of the journey.
We had a good sleep despite the ship rocking and rolling through “the heads” and beyond. It was Sunday 29 April and a very cold morning with mist all around but with the satisfaction of being on our way home. We stopped at the Ross Bakery for morning tea. We were home at around 11.30am after travelling almost 4.000 Klms and put the heater on and started the unloading and stacking away. Good to be home!
Story and pics by Patricia Curran
Fourth Annual Picnic at Ross
The sun was shining as we left home for the fourth annual Picnic @ Ross, but as we got nearer we could feel it getting colder and there was substantial cloud over Ross as we approached.
It was freezing cold as we met George & Jill and Andrew at the meeting point south of Ross and as we drove in we were joined by Alex and Geoff.
We were parked in the centre strip up the hill from the Town Hall and were then joined by another Beetle later parked opposite us. The sun had come out and it was going to be a lovely autumn day.
We checked out the market in the Hall and ran into Roly & Robin.
We then walked to the paddock in the main street which was packed with classic cars (including a Kombi and three more Beetles).
After lunch we checked out some of the other cars parked in the paddock next to the Hall and then returned to our display and chatted with people interested in Volkswagens and the club.
We also saw a Karmann Ghia parked nearby.
At 1.30pm the Post Vintage Club began their presentation and random numbers were drawn by Senator Carol Brown with a lucky few given prizes and it was announced that there was in excess of 800 classic cars in Ross and that over 400 were parked in the paddock on the main street.
It was a good chance to catch up with members from Launceston and Devonport at this unique event and I thank those members who made the journey to Ross.
‘Story by: Patricia Curran
The latest Club Newsletter
Click here to read the VW Newsletter July Aug Sept 2012
Show n Shine 2011 Report
SHOW & SHINE, 2011 It was decided at our September meeting that we would have our Show & Shine in conjunction with the Claremont Girl Guide’s Trash to Treasure Car and Bike Show to be held on the Claremont Village Green. We had been invited to this event in previous years but it always coincided with our own Show or was too close to it. We met prior to entering the ground so that we could be parked as a group and left some spaces for the Jackson Volkswagen display models, an Ambulance Private Ambulance and Nino’s Formula Vee. A couple of the members returned with Nino to Bocchino Motors to pick them up and drive back to Claremont. It was sunny when we arrived and we all wandered around and checked out the stalls around the ground and some of the other car displays. There were cake & sweet stalls and coffee for sale in the Girl Guides Hall which was welcome as the weather turned very cold and showery. This new building was officially opened during the day with many politicians and Glenorchy City Council members in attendance along with Girl Guide officials and Girl Guides dressed in uniforms from earlier times up to the present day. After lunch it was time to announce our trophies and the prize winners were: 1st Prize Patricia Curran 1955 Beetle 2nd Prize Paul Muszalik 1971 Karmann Ghia 3rd Prize Wayne Bennett 1963 Karmann Ghia Bocchino Motors Prize Simon Stanbridge 1976 Beetle Shannons Prize Kerren Murtagh 2005 Mk V Golf GTI Shannons Prize Alex Damen 1990 Transporter VWAT Encouragement Glen Morris 1970 Beetle Before we left the grounds, Nino and Peter and I presented a $50 donation from our club to Mrs Robyn Midson the Girl Guide Leader, which was gratefully received. Patricia Curran
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