Gingers Creek Picnic Run
20 June 2020 / John Hansen
MX-5 Club of NSW Mid North Coast Chapter
Saturday 6 June 2020
Picnic Run to Gingers Creek Reserve
Oxley Highway
Saturday, June 6 was a fine if somewhat chilly day that found a group of six intrepid club members gathering for the first run since pre COVID 19 restrictions. Observing strict social distancing guidelines we gathered in a large circle around our cars for the pre run briefing. At 9:30 am we headed off for our morning tea stop in the Wauchope Riverside Park Reserve.
Jill and Peter led the way in their black NB, followed by Rhonda and Robert in a white NC with Judith and John’s grey NC being the sweep car for the day. Wauchope Reserve was really only a hop step and jump away along the Oxley Highway and we arrived shortly before 10 am. Except for a very energetic yoga group we initially had the place to ourselves so we were able to easily set up our morning tea observing social isolation in one of the picnic shelters which had a commanding view of the river sparkling in the sun.
The light wind was just cool enough to remind us that it was officially winter and the sun was pleasantly warming. Soon the table was groaning under the amount of food that had been brought for morning tea. A very cheerful time was spent just catching up with what we had been doing for the past couple of months; morning tea turned out to be a very lazy affair and eventually our run leader had to herd us up to tackle the run up to Gingers Creek Reserve. Due to the need for social isolating we would not be visiting the actual Gingers Creek roadhouse for lunch on this trip.
The weather was conducive to ‘top down’ driving and it was very enjoyable just tootling along the highway through Wauchope to the end of the 50 kph limit. Then we strictly observed the 80 kph signs as we headed out on the Oxley Highway. The roadworks from Wauchope through Rosewood have been completed and in seemingly no time we had passed through Huntington and the turn off to Comboyne Road. The posted limit is 80 mph up to this point which was reinforced by the presence of a safety patrol car just outside of the Rosewood area.
Once the limit changed to 100 kph it was a joy to open up the cars to blow the cobwebs out of the system and to get the batteries fully charged. The countryside was looking quite green after the rain and the hinterland was most imposing. In no time we had passed through Harry’s Plains, Bangor and through Long Flat. We noticed quite a few motorcycles around the Long Flat pub on our way through. After Long Flat there are some interesting long straights to Ellenborough and the Yarras turn off. After the long straights and gentle curves with occasional glimpses of the Hastings River the Highway starts to snake inland as it starts to climb up to Mount Seaview.
The Highway was in the thick of the previous bushfires with all of the greenery burning, the actual bitumen melting, falling trees littering the road and part of the road collapsing down into the valley as the timber edging supports burnt away. It was fascinating to see what a difference six months makes. A smooth new road surface and gleaming metal guard rails lined the valley side of the road. The regrowth was amazing with vivid green coloring through the trees contrasting with the blue skies. The trip up the mountain is a real MX-5 drive as the roads twists and slithers around the mountain contours. We shared the road with many motorcyclists who were also taking advantage of a perfect winters day for a fun drive out. Briefly meeting together at a ‘stop go’ traffic light for a section of road building before being spread out as the road reached the summit and then started its winding journey down to Gingers Creek. Our lunch destination was Gingers Creek Reserve at junction of Stockyard Creek Road which is a few kilometers from the Gingers Creek Roadhouse.
The temperature drops markedly as one goes up the mountain and although the sun was pleasantly warming we could feel the cold trying to seep in. We were able to commandeer a picnic shelter to ourselves where we could space out observing social isolation. Once again the picnic table was transformed into an inviting outdoor dining area. Photographs were taken and Peter one of the joint coordinators presented the New Member of the 2019 year trophy to Rhonda; while John received the MX-5 runner up trophy for the 2019 year.
A very enjoyable lunch followed with plenty of lively conversation and as a special treat musical entertainment. What is the ultimate accessory for a white MX-5 NC? Why a set of bagpipes of course, played by club member Robert. What a pleasant way of finishing lunch and the run, listening to the sound of the pipes, with the haunting notes falling in the cold mountain air.
We had a very enjoyable day to celebrate our first club run after lockdown with beautiful weather through magnificent scenery and a challenging road with plenty of food and good company. Thanks go to our coordinators for setting up the run and our run leaders Jill and Peter for such an enjoyable day.
Scribe
John Hansen
