Friday;   2 groups left for Mt Gambier, first group at 11am , 2nd  group 2pm. Meeting at Tailem Bend  the 1st group headed off via Keith where we stopped for lunch ,while the 2nd lot were going via the scenic  route down along the Coorong. After arriving & checking in, the cars were washed & then time for our social meet & greet as some members come from different areas & often we only see them once or twice a year. Tea was held at the Commodore Motel where we were staying.

Saturday; gathered all our cars together & then went to the Lady Nelson info centre where our club was invited to display our cars with the Southeast  Street Machine Association. We were given pride of place for our cars, the front row against the footpath. While some of us stayed & checked out the cars, others were given a tour of Mt. Gambier by Graham Johns’ uncle in a 1940s clipper bus that he had totally restored. Before the car show had finished our club was challenged to a Tug of War against the Ford boys. After selecting what we thought were 4 heavy weight man mountains, it was on, all 6 seconds of it, all over red rover, the Ford boys rolled them. Ours need more weeties to muscle them up. After the car show had finished, we were invited to join their end of day cruise which some of us went on. A nice 90km run through some nice country & coast, finishing up at the Blue Lake Park. The evening meal was held at the Mt Gambier Hotel, or as the locals call it (the G spot). This was another great meal & a late night for some of us.

Sunday;  Meeting at 10am, we then headed off on our traditional long weekend cruise, with a quick photo shoot at the Blue Lake. 1st stop was the Feasts museum, with the biggest collection of R-series Valiants I’ve seen anywhere, most of them he had restored himself. There is a huge collection of anything, everything & whatever in between. After about an hour or so, back on the road to the Tantanoola Hotel for lunch. After lunch we had a professional photo shoot of our cars with a team using a gryo-copter for aerial shots & then some special effect shots. Sunday night is the big club BBQ shindig, & this one was no different. Starting at 6pm & finishing at (who knows) what time, I sure don’t. Entertainment was supplied by storytelling by Stu & his attempts to become a hobby farmer & Barry & his jokes, & somehow the Pres still managed to be the butt of it (well done Barry). Cooking was done by Big Dog KB (aka. Squirrel) & Bling (who said vegetarians can’t cook meat.) One of the highlights was Gus getting a plaque for travelling the longest distance given to him by Pres. Rob. Whyalla to Mt Gambier. Good on ya Gus.

Monday; Cars packed & checked out, some decided to head straight for home, while about 17 off us decided a more leisurely trip via the Naracoorte Fossil Caves for a tour. It was here KB almost met his match with a giant Tassie Devil, but survived to meet one of the original KB’s. KB’s close encounter shook him up so much, he then confused his lefts leading us out of the car park to the cave & we had to do our usual club U-Turn (no run is complete without one). Good on you KB, the tradition is still in tack. After the cave tour, it was onto lunch at the Naracoorte Hotel where we met some who thought shopping was a better idea. After lunch, goodbyes said, it was then time to head home.

A big thanks to Neil & Chris, Goof & Mel for a terrific weekend.

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