RPM Cowra Weekend
16 January 2020 / Story by Grant Briggs Photos by Inma Vassar
On a beautiful and sunny morning, six cars met at Glenbrook ready for the day’s travel. We set off at 8.00 am heading up the Great Western Highway to our first stop at Hartley. Good drive up except the fact there were other cars on the road that were obviously out there for no other reason than to be road blocks. So rude.
Stopped at Hartley where another two cars joined us, Gary only just making it in time.
From there we headed off turning on to the Jenolan Caves Rd for a brisk run arriving at the Hampton Halfway Hotel for a coffee and cake and also to meet up with the 9th car to join us.
Once refreshed, we were off for the 80 odd kilometres to Bathurst via Oberon, stopping at the Bathurst Tourist Centre for a quick pit stop.
Off again heading to Blayney for lunch at the Exchange Hotel. The 10th car to join us was waiting for us on the main street, having travelled from Orange.
We all walked in to be greeted by the Publican to inform us that the Chef had done a runner two weeks earlier and the menu was not quite the same, however the new chef rose to the situation and though it may have taken a little longer than expected we were all fed and ready to go.
Off again for the 70 kms run to Cowra, it did threaten to rain at one stage on the drive and some roofs were put up but nothing came of it. We called into the Information Centre to have a look at the history of the POW camp, bit of a shopping buying some local wares and wine.
Checked into our accommodation and before long we had set up a table beside the pool for pre-dinner drinks and snacks where the all the world issues were solved quite easily in the end, Ian and myself had a long discussion about the wrongs of Australian Rugby and in fact we had it all worked out, it was evident they did not listen to us going on the game that followed later in the evening.
Pre-drinks done we crossed the road to the Imperial Hotel to settle in for tea. Meals were sufficient in size and quality to satisfy any hunger pains.
Sunday morning at 8.00 am we took the short drive to first the POW camp remains, then the War cemetery which was a very interesting look at a piece of Australian war time history.
On to the Japanese Garden for breakfast then a leisurely walk around the beautiful gardens. Once this was completed, it was time to say our goodbyes and head for home.
All up a great weekend with plenty of laughs along the way, We have to thank Wayne and Gina for doing the organising and being the run leaders, good job done.
