Club Cruise to Castlemaine
&
Clubhouse Sausage Sizzle
3rd February, 2017
&
Clubhouse Sausage Sizzle
3rd February, 2017
You know, you've really got to hand it to the Events Guys. I'm not sure if one or all of them have a connection to the Big Guy in the sky. For all of us that have an aversion to taking our cars out in the rain (surely it's not just me) we can be very grateful that one of the guys that organise these runs are on our side. Let me explain.
Last Saturday's run was the first ever (I think?) that we've organised for a Saturday - they've all been Sunday. And we know it doesn't rain on Sundays - that's why we plan them on that day. But, on this occasion, one of the Events Boys has taken a huge risk and suggested we do a run on a Saturday so we could incorporate a sausage sizzle afterwards and therefore you wouldn't have to take Monday off to recover. (Did anyone see Deano at work on Monday? Maybe he had Sunday and Monday off to recover....). Anyway, the point is Saturday could have easily been raining, but it wasn't. It started off warm with some clouds, but then got really hot. Sunday, on the other hand, was miserable. Cloudy, cold and raining all day. See my suspicion? The Guys must have a connection to The Top, or they would have planned this run for Sunday the 4th.....
So, as I've quickly explained, Saturday was a nice day and once again it was great to see a variety of members rolling up to the Clubhouse in their Classics. Quite a few rarely seen cars were on this run, but some of our most regulars were missing. Hoota was abscent, Wayno was missing and did anyone see Dean's Statesman? Apparently he was running a little late due to having some family time - with his family - and was at home sitting in the Statey ready to go and get fuel when the Prez called saying you'd better get your arse down to the Clubhouse now because we're ready to leave. Dean was at the Clubhouse 3 minutes later in his twin cab. He spent the day as a passenger in Shane's Torana. Which he said was a spiritual experience. You might have to ask him.
It was surprising to see Kim roll up in the Broughy, and Carmel bring her VK. I reckon the last time Carmel had the VK out on a run was back in July 2014 when we did the Heathcote/Toolleen Pub run. Back then they were having some annoying issues with the carby flooding/engine stalling, and maybe brake master cylinder hassles?
Anyhow, Carmel and Bree must have thought it was a great idea to take the Holden. And Kim, being a fairly switched on mechanic, had no doubt fixed the niggling problems and thought he would do the right thing and let them cruise down to Castlemaine in a separate car. We know the Brougham won't let you down, unless of course you don't put fuel in it.
We left the Clubhouse around 1pm and cruised up Pall Mall, and then out to Harvey Norman to regroup. Carmel and Bree were missing. Unsure where they were (fixing makeup?) we did the right thing and left Harvey Norman and headed out towards Maldon without them. Wilma's pristine HK Monaro was protesting at being caught at all the traffic lights and was doing a good job of overheating. Good samaritan Darren stayed with Wilma and her Monaro while it cooled down and she was on her way, hardly missing for more than a few minutes. Darren hopped back in the Ford and guess what? Flat battery. Seriously, what are the chances? Darren had watched all of us disappear over the rise, then looked behind for help before realising he was the sweeper car and there were no more. Luckily some guy from Harveys carpark was able to jump start the 351 and he also was on his way. And here were the rest of us just cruisin' down the highway. Apart from a rather annoying and getting worse metalic rattle/scraping noise coming from somewhere under the Rotor, we had not a worry in the world.
It was a hot day by now, and as we cruised through Maldon and on to Castlemaine, I began to miss and air-conditioner and was cursing the vinyl seats and the glowing red hot exhaust that sits directly below my feet. As we pulled up at The Mill in Castlemaine, members began the process of extracting themselves from their vinyl seated cars, pulling out their wet undies from places wet undies should never be..... you get the idea. So I wasn't the only one. Most had vinyl seats and very few - if any - had working air-cons. Wait, I think Kim has a velour interior in the Broughy and I bet his air con works. Damn luxurious Holdens. Ah, the joys of motoring in the vehicles of yesteryear.
Remember Carmel and Bree in the VK that went missing? Picture one of the busiest intersections in Bendigo - High St and Don, middle lane - green light, Holden stalls, won't start. Carby flooded. Drivers getting angry, tooting horns. I'm guessing there will be words spoken. The VK surprisingly made it to Castlemaine just after we'd arrived, but they'd taken a shortcut. All's fun, in hindsight.
While some members took the opportunity to checkout The Mill Bazzar/cafe/restaurant, due to the ridiculous heat of the day, it didn't take very long for everyone to find the boutique Brewery, and after a couple of cold and expensive ales, the sweat soaked shirts and the wet lower regions were forgotten and it was time to relax. Some more ales and an ice cream and soon it was time to hit the road back to Bendigo for a barbie at the Clubhouse. Some of us were smart enough to park in the shade on the other side of the road, but the rest of us, including me, parked in the gravel carpark in full sun. Not so smart. Bloody car is now ten times hotter than it was before. As we travelled back to Bendigo, the day cooled down a bit and it became a pleasant drive over the North Harcourt hills, through Mandurang and into Bendigo. As far as I heard, there were no dramas on the return trip to Bendigo, just the sound of thumping V8's and a Rotor. Back at the Clubhouse the barbie was fired up, the beers were flowing, and much crap was spoken through until around midnight. An outstanding way to finish the day.
Checkout some pics below.
Last Saturday's run was the first ever (I think?) that we've organised for a Saturday - they've all been Sunday. And we know it doesn't rain on Sundays - that's why we plan them on that day. But, on this occasion, one of the Events Boys has taken a huge risk and suggested we do a run on a Saturday so we could incorporate a sausage sizzle afterwards and therefore you wouldn't have to take Monday off to recover. (Did anyone see Deano at work on Monday? Maybe he had Sunday and Monday off to recover....). Anyway, the point is Saturday could have easily been raining, but it wasn't. It started off warm with some clouds, but then got really hot. Sunday, on the other hand, was miserable. Cloudy, cold and raining all day. See my suspicion? The Guys must have a connection to The Top, or they would have planned this run for Sunday the 4th.....
So, as I've quickly explained, Saturday was a nice day and once again it was great to see a variety of members rolling up to the Clubhouse in their Classics. Quite a few rarely seen cars were on this run, but some of our most regulars were missing. Hoota was abscent, Wayno was missing and did anyone see Dean's Statesman? Apparently he was running a little late due to having some family time - with his family - and was at home sitting in the Statey ready to go and get fuel when the Prez called saying you'd better get your arse down to the Clubhouse now because we're ready to leave. Dean was at the Clubhouse 3 minutes later in his twin cab. He spent the day as a passenger in Shane's Torana. Which he said was a spiritual experience. You might have to ask him.
It was surprising to see Kim roll up in the Broughy, and Carmel bring her VK. I reckon the last time Carmel had the VK out on a run was back in July 2014 when we did the Heathcote/Toolleen Pub run. Back then they were having some annoying issues with the carby flooding/engine stalling, and maybe brake master cylinder hassles?
Anyhow, Carmel and Bree must have thought it was a great idea to take the Holden. And Kim, being a fairly switched on mechanic, had no doubt fixed the niggling problems and thought he would do the right thing and let them cruise down to Castlemaine in a separate car. We know the Brougham won't let you down, unless of course you don't put fuel in it.
We left the Clubhouse around 1pm and cruised up Pall Mall, and then out to Harvey Norman to regroup. Carmel and Bree were missing. Unsure where they were (fixing makeup?) we did the right thing and left Harvey Norman and headed out towards Maldon without them. Wilma's pristine HK Monaro was protesting at being caught at all the traffic lights and was doing a good job of overheating. Good samaritan Darren stayed with Wilma and her Monaro while it cooled down and she was on her way, hardly missing for more than a few minutes. Darren hopped back in the Ford and guess what? Flat battery. Seriously, what are the chances? Darren had watched all of us disappear over the rise, then looked behind for help before realising he was the sweeper car and there were no more. Luckily some guy from Harveys carpark was able to jump start the 351 and he also was on his way. And here were the rest of us just cruisin' down the highway. Apart from a rather annoying and getting worse metalic rattle/scraping noise coming from somewhere under the Rotor, we had not a worry in the world.
It was a hot day by now, and as we cruised through Maldon and on to Castlemaine, I began to miss and air-conditioner and was cursing the vinyl seats and the glowing red hot exhaust that sits directly below my feet. As we pulled up at The Mill in Castlemaine, members began the process of extracting themselves from their vinyl seated cars, pulling out their wet undies from places wet undies should never be..... you get the idea. So I wasn't the only one. Most had vinyl seats and very few - if any - had working air-cons. Wait, I think Kim has a velour interior in the Broughy and I bet his air con works. Damn luxurious Holdens. Ah, the joys of motoring in the vehicles of yesteryear.
Remember Carmel and Bree in the VK that went missing? Picture one of the busiest intersections in Bendigo - High St and Don, middle lane - green light, Holden stalls, won't start. Carby flooded. Drivers getting angry, tooting horns. I'm guessing there will be words spoken. The VK surprisingly made it to Castlemaine just after we'd arrived, but they'd taken a shortcut. All's fun, in hindsight.
While some members took the opportunity to checkout The Mill Bazzar/cafe/restaurant, due to the ridiculous heat of the day, it didn't take very long for everyone to find the boutique Brewery, and after a couple of cold and expensive ales, the sweat soaked shirts and the wet lower regions were forgotten and it was time to relax. Some more ales and an ice cream and soon it was time to hit the road back to Bendigo for a barbie at the Clubhouse. Some of us were smart enough to park in the shade on the other side of the road, but the rest of us, including me, parked in the gravel carpark in full sun. Not so smart. Bloody car is now ten times hotter than it was before. As we travelled back to Bendigo, the day cooled down a bit and it became a pleasant drive over the North Harcourt hills, through Mandurang and into Bendigo. As far as I heard, there were no dramas on the return trip to Bendigo, just the sound of thumping V8's and a Rotor. Back at the Clubhouse the barbie was fired up, the beers were flowing, and much crap was spoken through until around midnight. An outstanding way to finish the day.
Checkout some pics below.
We'll see you on a cruise somewhere!
