| Well, this year El Presidente decided to
broaden our horizons with a trip to Port Macquarie for the 2010
President's Weekend…certainly different to last year at Katoomba. The
intention was to enjoy a good run up to Port and allow our Northern
members more chance to join in with a Club event. They did too.
On Friday we had some early arrivals, because when the Longbottom's got
there at lunch time, some Queenslanders were already ensconced and quickly
introduced themselves and of course a few drinks were enjoyed at the
invitation of the President of the Queensland Club, Spencer Yarrow. The
Queenslanders took off to have a look at the Tomato and Strawberry farm
over the river that afternoon.
The Haynes, Wheeler convoy paused to admire the countryside around
Bulahdelah… for several hours… on the way and finally arrived along
with the Atkinson's that afternoon. We enjoyed dinner at a local bowling
club and much chat and socialising was enjoyed.
| Saturday morning saw many more arrivals and we set off
for a visit to the Timbertown site at Wauchope, a very nice cruise
it was too. After much posing outside Timbertown, we ambled in and
had morning tea…which sounds mild enough, but does not describe
the amazing scones we had. There were platters of the buggers! Crisp
on the outside and steaming and soft inside…yum!
Lots of machinery was discussed on this visit with a steam
driven timber mill, horse pulled coach, some vintage and classic
cars and trucks and of course the amazing bullock team
demonstration. |
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Morning Tea.
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Some people had a rest on an unusual seat…
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We took off from there to a winery for a bit of tasting
(some gulping!) and returned to the motel to prepare for the AGM.
The AGM was well planned and conducted and fairly brief event despite the…
er comedians and hecklers, a bearded one and a twin pair!
After the AGM we all spruced up and went on a dinner cruise. This was a
wonderful way to top off the day, with the cruise boat stopping at a pier
along the river to pick up our fish and chips dinner. Some bums got a bit
wet once from acceleration.
One absolutely amazing sight was the millions of fruit bats flying over
the area, a non stop stream for hours.
Sunday morning we took a ride down the coast via Laurieton and called in
to visit Clive Gibson at his home. What a great drive and a wonderful
thing to participate in that visit. We rolled back up the coast road back
to Port Macquarie and had a look around town.
Monday morning saw a fair bit of tweaking and "hubbing" (To Hub
is described as 'Head Under Bonnet) going on of
course and after some photo sessions we farewelled each other and headed
off. If you want a weekend in the area, you could not go past our motel,
The Aquatic on Hastings River Road. It was very, very comfortable and most
scenic. A short walk to clubs and some restaurants, especially a coffee
shop/breakfast place over the water nearby.
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Some Tweakers obviously discussing the intricacies of camshafts.
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Bugger! Where's that Wally Lewis poster?
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Thanks to all the following people for making a great President's
Weekend a hit for us all and to Tony and Wendy for organising it.
Charlie & Lena Agius & Kerry & son - Tony & Wendy Atkinson
- Keith Cubbin - Mick & Colleen Haynes - Mick (& son) Hawville -
Kevin & Daphne Hickling Patrick & John Killalea - Glenn &
Dianne Longbottom - Col & Betty Smith Les & Helen Pendlebury -
Alan & Bronwyn Walker - Michael & Carole Wheeler Bob & Jocelyn
Williams - Spencer & Wendy Yarrow Harry & Joy Moreland - Roy &
Helen Gillespie - Bob & Sue Ward
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Wendy saw her first ever dolphin!
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