Hunter and MX5 at the boat house.

29 March 2025 / Chris Wyatt

Ray and Marlene from Hunter chapter let us know that they had organised a run from their district of the vineyards down to the historic town of Windsor and the Macquarie Boathouse café on the northern side of the Hawkesbury River, the original home of the market gardens for Sydney. They were asking if we wanted to join them on their run.

Life happens, and we were unable to organise a group to run up to their starting point in time to leave with them. Not wishing to miss out on a good time Sandie and Paul made a decision to do an extended run around the mountains and end up meeting up with Hunter at the venue.

A nine o’clock departure at the Glenbrook theatre saw MX5’s of every vintage head west up the Western Highway in overcast weather. Overcast is always good for roof down motoring especially as “it never rains on an RPM run” (ref. Lisa Bunn). Traffic that time of the morning is usually good so we proceeded gracefully through the old towns of the Mountains and the continual road widening works now at Medlow Bath. Giving our customary blast of horns as we passed Blue Mountains Mazda, we ended up meeting Donelle at the One Tree Hill Café at Mount Victoria for a hearty morning tea. Recently reopened under new owners the service was fast but pleasant for us with great coffee and a range of quality cakes. Many of the locals had found comfortable corners to sit and read inside and others with their dogs were on the veranda doing the same.

After a quick comfort stop all headed out up the Darling Causeway and over to Bell and back down one of our favourite routes to Windsor’s twin town of Richmond and a sharp left turn down to Freemans Reach. Unfortunately passing through Bilpin we were forced to put up our roof.

Heading through the escarpment we were hearing a lot of distant radio chatter on channel 55 before recognising the dulcet tones of Ray talking to his group and spotting their cars in the northern distance. We had done it again. Our second run to meet Hunter and arriving at exactly the same time.

The Boat House has a large, covered area and the two groups of around 45 people filled at least half, with all the usual noise and frivolity as we met up with old friends and new. The fish meals that we had were up to their usual high standard and everyone had smiles on their faces.

Thanks to Marlene, Ray, Sandie and Paul for organising another great day out.