Central Coast Jaunt

30 June 2013 / Words by John Morgan, photos by Peter Hilkman & Gaye Morgan

A run down to Patonga sounded like a good idea as some of the Hunter Chapter members had done it before and had raved about the home made chips at the local fish shop. As this was the first run that I had organised and lead I was a bit apprehensive: would the weather be okay, would we lose too many people on the way, would it be an enjoyable run?

We met at Morisset Maccas and the first of the fears were relieved as the day had dawned clear if a little cool. Not cool enough though for all of our sixteen cars to head off tops down just after 9:00 am. The run south through Budgewoi and The Entrance went smoothly and our morning tea stop was Bateau Bay Picnic area where all the homemade cakes and other goodies were shared.

From here down through Terrigal and Avoca the group spread out a bit due to the many intersections and roundabouts. Suddenly I only had three cars behind me but thanks to mobile phones and Sat Navs we all met up again at Marie Byles Lookout which provides magnificent views south over Pittwater. No more problems from here on and we all arrived at Patonga ready for a hearty lunch. Luckily the picnic pavilion in the park was not crowded and we all consumed our fish and chips either in or around the pavilion.

As the Newcastle Knights had a home game, about half of the group headed off after lunch to go to the footy whilst the rest of us headed back to Woy Woy and then turned south on the Old Pacific Highway to Calga. What a great stretch of road this is, with very little traffic, winding its way down to Mooney Mooney Creek with flowing corners and quite a few tighter ones. I think all of our MX-5s were having a bit of a sing, now being on a stretch of road for which they were created. On then through Peats Ridge and the Central Mangrove and finally down the quite twisty Bumble Hill Road to the sleepy little village of Yarramalong. I had arranged with the ladies at the local Store & Café to use their ‘old tin shed’ for our afternoon coffee stop and we finished off our day here sitting around discussing things that MX-5ers discuss.

All things considered it was a pretty good day, made even better by a great group of fellow club members.