Shoal Bay Brekkie Run
18 November 2013 / Chris Rhodes & Karl Mittman. Photo by Gary Nobrega
Sunday November 10 brought much needed rain to the Sydney/Hunter region, but not enough to deter the hardy band of BreakFast clubbers from an early run up the M1 to Peats Ridge. I then took the led to Kulnura, down Bumble Hill and the road through the Yarramalong Valley. Since the recent building of the Mardi to Mangrove pipeline this road has been resurfaced and improved almost to Victorian standards, nice smooth sweepers, lots of bendy bits complimented by pleasant rural valley scenes. A great stand alone day drive and our start for a good run to Port Stephens.
After a brief holdup following a horse float we then headed onto Hue Hue, Wyee then Mandalong Roads to re-join the M1 at Morisset, this route skirts the freeway on picturesque and interesting back roads. Anyone travelling north should explore this route as an alternative to the boring M1 especially early in the morning.
No time to waist on hitting the M1, we had to pick up members of the Hunter Chapter at Tomago Road waiting with their roofs down all keen to go on the other side of the Hexham Bridge. The drive up to Nelson Bay always seems to conjure up the promise of holidays, sun, sand and good food even on a cloudy day. The Shoal Bay Resort turned on a hearty breakfast for 17, in their function room, overlooking the bay with a personalised menu under our club logo, very impressive. This gave us a good chance to sit and relax before Karl took over the lead for the return home. CR
My chance to lead a BreakFast Run came at Salt Ash with me and my lovely wife Julie accepting the role with great pride. This was my first time to lead a Club run and over roads that were in my backyard as we proceeded towards Raymond Terrace to witness firsthand the devastation caused by the recent fires.
The bush was completely burned out on both sides of the road from Campvale through to Grahamstown Dam. The bushland was devoid of greenery displaying every shade of colour from brown to yellow with blackened tree stumps. it sure was a sight not forgotten easily. Very, very daunting indeed.
A quick run up to Seaham followed by a right turn onto Clarence Town Road for Butterwick and Dunns Creek, a road with good windy sections to satisfy the driver in each of us. We then drove on to cross the bridge near Paterson for Tocal to turn sharp right at Bolwarra Heights for Maitlandvale on roads well suited to MX-5s with my wife punching me in the ribs with delight as I led the convoy stretched out behind me. The route took us along lots of straights and plenty of twisties that allowed us all to enjoy the road if not the scenery.
From Braxton we took the tourist route past the North Rothbury and Lovedale vineyards to stop in Pokolbin Village for a well earned rest, coffee, cakes and even “hot chips” for the Sydney guys. After some funny stories and experiences just had over lunch, it was sadly time to bid farewell to our brothers from the south as we escorted them through Cessnock, over Freemans Gap and a final goodbye wave at Freemans Waterhole. A great day was had by all. KM
