21st March 2009

Had yet another great drive yesterday. We started at Loftus Oval at 8am. Most of us anyway. As usual, Avril rolled up at 8:30am and we left straight afterwards. In total, we had JohnG, MeiLing, Jasmine, Lee, Snapper, Peter, Avril and Floody, in addition to Fiona, Alex and myself. So five MINIs, a Polo GTI and a 135i.

Our first leg saw us pass through the Royal NP, along Sea Cliff Bridge, up Bulli Pass, onto Picton Rd and then Mt Keira Rd, detour to the dead-end and back on Harry Graham Dr, down Mt Keira Rd, onto the freeway to Albion Park Rail for fuel up. We then headed over to Jamberoo for morning tea at the bakery. Lovely coffee, pies and pastries!

Second leg was a quick loop up Saddleback Mtn via Jerrara Rd, Saddleback Mtn Rd, and Fountaindale Rd. Then back into Jamberoo and up Jamberoo Mountain Rd. We stopped at Robertson Pub for lunch but not before a loop to Kangaloon, Tourist Rd, and a return trip on Macquarie Pass (Alex spewed! Literally). The service at the pub was abysmal. Half our table were served very quickly while the other half (myself included), who actually ordered first, had to wait 1 1/2hrs to get a meal that included partially cooked chips! Very disappointing - they're usually much better.

After a LOOONG lunch, we headed off on the third leg to Kangaroo Valley via Wildes Meadow. We then went straight through to Cambewarra Mtn on Moss Vale Rd, cut across the ridge on (the other) Tourist Rd, turned back to Bellawongarah and down Kangaroo Valley Rd, hung a right onto Wattamolla Rd over to Berry. The latter road is unsealed for a couple kms, and was very skatey!

After a visit to the sourdough bakery in Berry, we headed for home in Albion Park. Floody and JohnG then discovered the joys of open-top MX5ing with a (very) quick run up Macquarie Pass. At least that's what they claimed. I suspect the lovely couple, with their matching white t-shirts, must have found a quiet hideaway for a romantic interlude! They did return with very large grins.

Dinner was a scrummy feast of homemade tandoori chicken and coriander/lemongrass chicken done on the BBQ. Lot's of beer, wine, etc consumed and JohnG was snoring on the lounge by 9:30pm!


PLEASE NOTE When you download the full photo the watermark isn't present