Outings Report
April: Woodford Country Markets and Woodford Hotel Lunch
Hello members,
Few among us have had the opportunity to attend the 400th of anything. Sunday was my first. The run attracted the GTR and XU-1 Club as well with their President Mr Rule participating in the event. About 25 cars came to Woodford to celebrate the milestone.
The day started off with a well attended Drivers Briefing where that horn again sounded the start of a great day out.
Lane choice once again was well and truly effective and now the established way North. Lane changes were planned and adhered to even with the challenge of a lane completely removed from the Bruce Highway due to road works. The High Gain antennas attached by sought after rare earth metals and a degree of hope were trialled and seemed to prove their worth. All were in place on expensive paint jobs when we got home.
Radio comms. were very professional for the Club’s second run under the new Convoy Manual. The GTR XU-1 members seemed to like the interaction with great calls.
We had an advance scout “holding” our parking spot (Thanks Stuart R) along with our Security (Shayne P) who gave up his day to look after what he called a Car Park full of our Superannuation Accounts. The locals flocked to the spectacle while we supported the Regional Markets. Warren T. took the role of Championship points police, a thankless task but performed admirably. Thanks Warren.
Then it was off to the Woodford Hotel for great food and conversation with activities and for some lucky members, a copy of the first issue ‘Monaro Club of Queensland Convoy Manual’ nicely bound by our Treasurer Leanne McL. First came the Lucky Door Prize won by Tom M. following the introduction of a new method which reduces the expense on the Club coffers. A gold coin donation was collected which covered all the costs of the prizes. A new future leader emerged with Paddy W. (Adam W’s son) helping out as Junior Quizmaster with Quiz/Prize logistics, he took to the task with ease. Well done and thanks. This all unfolded as Donna W. and Adam W. won two (2) Huge Meat Trays.
Next was the Movie Quiz with Jayne’s latest offering of fun and now mostly ‘muppet proof’ multiple choice options. So it was an Easyrider trip in 1972 in our 66 Thunderbird followed by Red Mini Coopers and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the role of the Get Away Driver with our Packages stowed away in the Hudson Commodore with rego plate BAT-1 followed closely by the Truck from “Duel” as he raced the Flintstones’ Barney’s Blaster, Fred’s Footmobile and Wilma’s Walker down the mountain. First Place Tom M, Second Kim A. And third, a Tiebreaker won by John G.
The festivities culminated in the “Cutting of the Cake” enhanced by heaps of Robyn K’s cup cakes and a group photo of the event recorded in cyberspace forever. We were almost at our prearranged departure time before last drinks and hugs as we peeled off into smaller groups for their preferred route home. The largest group elected to visit the biggest Jail in Queensland and maybe wave to some relatives we don’t talk about.
We challenged WAZE, Garmin and Google Maps to get us back the Mt Mee Road way… nah, Jayne was right it was straight ahead. Some had issues on the way home with gremlins doing their darndest to upset our rhythm. Level heads and years of experience got us all home safe and sound and ready for the next adventures to Hervey Bay and Fort Lytton in May.
Pat MacDonald (Sparkles)
Outings Coordinator
May: Hervey Bay Run
Sparrowfart on Friday got us to Nudgee Shell for meetup with the GTR Club. Next stop Matilda Traveston after a nice smooth ride with no traffic. Maryborough sky’s opened up, drenching all until Hervey Bay. We survived a pullover with major fuel pump issues on an LC. Tom did Tom and stayed with the guys until they got moving.
We eventually made it to our accommodation about 30 minutes later than check-in time. Rain was persistent all Friday and Saturday with chamois left inside. Friday night was Pizza night with the GTR Club in the Motel pool area. Some went off to see the Bay and taste the local food. Saturday BBQ brekky by the pool was fabulous with the GTR Club putting on a great spread as part of our $40, three meal deal.
Saturday Markets and long walks followed. After our Nanna naps we ventured out on the ‘Naad’ (Esplanade) and joined a constant stream of Superannuation Accounts under strict but constrained constabulary on bikes and in cars. After this we were shuttled to the RSL where tables for 40+ thirsty and hungry car peeps awaited our arrival. Great food and cold bevvies consumed our time until the scheduled bus back. Some less patient Monaro Club Members opted for an Uber.
When we got in the brand-new Tesla Uber, the volume suddenly peaked on his Audio System to “I don’t like Mondays” by the Boom Town Rats. Before we knew it we were singing out loud like teenagers on our first drinking date. Next was “Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann” by the Beach Boys which stretched our vocal range and pitch but nevertheless resulted in us screaming to ‘go around again’ at the Motel drop-off.
No ‘catchup sleep’ had us up and at’em @ 7am, washed, dressed and fed. A quick chamois in the full sun and southerly change and we ventured to the Bunning’s Carpark to meetup with the best collection of genuine XU-I’s I’ve ever seen. Fifteen minutes later we rumbled into the Show ‘n’ Shine and joined 530 cars for the May in the Wide Bay annual Wide Bay Rodders event.
Hot and Sunny weather made the 10,000 steps a little harder with shade unavailable. The usual car show dramas ensued with the QR code voting system failing us. You see the QR code stickers were put on curved poles which made them useless. 10 People’s choice gift packs did get awarded regardless with 2 going to XU-1’s from a sister GTR Club upholding the Holden reputation.
Back at the Motel we settled down to a BBQ dinner with nibbles and drinks. We were entertained with a Quiz, (I wonder where they got that idea lol). We once again were treated to the dulcet tones of the GTR Club’s windup toy ‘Lisa’ who can talk more than me. But a more genuine person you will never meet. Joe and others had to bridle Lisa to let us go and have a sleep in and leisurely drive home.
After a quick stop at the Christmas Shop in Tiaro we ventured on the much maligned but actually traffic friendly Bruce Highway, stopping at the Banana Bender Pub for a Senior’s Menu lunch (with a free Pavlova, cream and Jam desert $20).
A great long weekend was had with friends both old and new. Thanks to Tom and Joe for the joint club run.
Pat MacDonald (Sparkles)
Outings Coordinator
