EMRs

Mid Week Run – Beenleigh to Canungra

By Russell Carter.

Today (27/04/2021), saw 11 Lotus and 3 family cars meet at the BP Servo at Yatala for the start of the run that Mal Kelson had organised.

9.30am: Mal conducted the meeting by introducing everyone – one by one – with a short story on their background (a nice touch), then handed out our route directions.

A special welcome to a new member Andrew Olson.

This is a straightforward but exciting dash up Mount Tambourine – that is if you don’t get caught behind the family out for a drive. The usual drive down from the mountain to Canungra had a lot of damage due to the recent heavy rains and was closed to traffic, therefore Mal found us a new route which took us down the eastern side (Henri Robert Drive) towards the Gold Coast. At the intersection of the Beaudesert – Nerang Rd we turned right and soon arrived in Canungra.

The Outpost Cafe was our venue where we all settled in for hot coffee, food and a chat about the day. Everyone enjoyed the run and the company. Thanks again Mal for a job well done. The run home was at your own discretion.

Attendees were
Cosette Wooley – Elise 250 Cup
Greg & Chris Bray – Elan
Phil & Gail Hart – Elise
Bob Buttfield – Elan
Andrew Olson – Elise
Russell & Leigh Carter – Elan M100
Des Hill – Exige
Derek Dean – Lotus 7
Cameron Allan – Exige
Peter & Anne Yeomans – Caterham
Justin Goosen – Exige
Anne Blackwood – BMW (SUV)
Dave – Porsche
Mal & Chris Kelson – Toyota 86.

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Join the Lotus Club and win a Coronavirus Lockdown!

(aka a new way to get lost in a Lotus)

By Giles Cooper.

Daryl Wilson recently decided to take a step back in time and resurrect the Club Navigation Run concept, and after several days (and kilometres) of research and preparation, he came up with a suitable route – all located in the Greater Brisbane area (which, as you will see, will have more relevance later!).

So at 9am on Sunday morning, 28th March, five intrepid drivers, and their navigators, met at a carpark in Woolloongabba. Although it should be said that Steve, el Presidente, forgot his navigator, so had to do it all on his own! Daryl was also on his own as Moira had had a sleepless night – but as Daryl knew all the answers, and had already driven the route numerous times, this was a minor inconvenience for him.

More importantly, Peter and Leanne Drane had driven an hour and a half from the Sunshine Coast, while Janet and I had come an hour up from the Gold Coast, so we didn’t have a lot of sympathy for people with excuses (even for flat batteries!).

We set off with a list of 40 (mostly devious) questions for which we had to find answers during the 50-odd kilometre route, and it wasn’t long before a couple of people were seen going in the opposite direction to the others. The answer to an early question had us all in fits – “Name the web address on the 8th house on the left” – and when we got there, this old geezer was sitting on a folding chair taking photos of us all stopping outside his house. We thought he was planning to put in a complaint to the council, but just as we sped away, we realised it was Dick Reynolds – past Vice President of LCQ!

The directions themselves were not always totally clear (like there are NO traffic lights at the junction of Old Cleveland Road and Glenora Street – it’s a roundabout!), but that just kept us on our toes, and we all made it safely to our first refreshment stop at Frankie’s Coffee Bar. Did anyone spot the helicopter in the port? We never saw it at all, so couldn’t answer the question regarding its colour! And apparently the two 64 pounder Rifled Muzzle guns at Fort Lytton had been moved away the day before. But our discussions over the coffee were about what a great time we were all having.

Coffees finished, on we went, weaving our way down the Manly Esplanade and Marina, and eventually to the Holland Park Sports Club, who were celebrating their 80th birthday – and the Lotus cars (and a stray VW) had designated parking as a display!

There were lots of people enjoying the day, with food trucks, a band, model railways, barefoot bowls, as well as face-painting for the kids in order to keep everyone well entertained. (Current LCQ webmaster Vyvyan Black was even in the excellent band, singing and playing his trumpet!).

In the middle of it all we found two more Lotus – Mark Forrester-Jones and Alan and Gerry Kenn in their respective Excels, who had missed the start due to car issues.

A few beers and some excellent pizza made for an excellent social lunch to end off the day, and President Steve Lennox made sure everyone received an award, which were all richly deserved. I am still not sure who won, but in this inaugural navigation run, we all agreed this was totally unimportant. It was SO good to have a different type of run where drivers and navigators all had to do a bit of work and communicate, finishing up around a table laughing at the enjoyment we had all had!

Many years ago we used to do these navigation runs with other clubs, and we would pile all the kids in the back of the family Falcon and EVERYONE was involved trying to spot the clues. It made for a fantastic and fun family outing, and to this day even 30 years later, my kids all fondly remember the fun we had on these events.

A BIG thank you to Daryl Wilson for his efforts in organising the day (a bit like herding sheep, I suspect). All of us agreed it was a great day, and we all look forward to doing more of them, and getting a few more people to come along. The more the merrier, and if families want to come along in the back of the family wagon, I am sure they would enjoy it too.

***STOP PRESS***
An overnight announcement by the Queensland Premier states that anyone who visited Greater Brisbane since Saturday must now go on a 3 day coronavirus lockdown – so even though we live outside that area, Peter Drane and I, plus our wives, are all now in lockdown because LCQ held the run totally inside the Greater Brisbane area!

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Border Ranges Day Run – March 21

Editor’s Note: The author is unknown, can anyone tell me who it is so I can add their credit?

Social Run 7.3.21: Is there a worse way to start a LCQ social run? The coffee machine was broken at our starting location, BP Jimboomba! A couple of quick-thinkers made an emergency dash to the nearest coffee vendor and soon enough the natural balance of affairs was restored and the troupe was ready for departure.

The group comprised about a dozen cars and around two dozen Lotus Club members and friends. Lots of Elises, an Evora, an Exige, two black Europa S cars (one looked concourse ready; the other, with GT stripes, I am told, was the quicker car) plus a couple of other cars from lesser marques (Porsche and Toyota). The folks were mostly from Brisbane, plus others from the Gold Coast and nearby Kooralbyn. Several newer members joined the run, which was welcome.

Carol did a great job of getting us all organised and emailing us a list of directions. Steve monitored attendance and texted group members a Google map with route directions – teenagers would have been proud of us Boomers using new tech. Hard copy instructions were also available for those so inclined. Luckily, Ken, as a significant ex-landholder in the district, knew the local roads intimately. He was able to provide the group with a heads-up on likely police speed-trap locations and hazardous sections of the Lions Road. Very important information. Ken led the delegation, stopping at intervals to gather up the group and provide advice on the route. He also slowed down the convoy at particularly hazardous locations.

Our route was south on Mt Lindesay Highway running through on the floodplain adjacent the Logan River, framed by mountain ranges. Mount Tamborine to the east and Flinders Peak Conservation Park to the west provided a refreshing vista in the distance.

Thankfully, there was a bypass around Beaudesert. As an aside note, when I got home, I checked the satirical Facebook group S#it Towns of Australia (check it out). Neither Beaudesert nor Jimboomba got a mention, although I would have thought both deserving of one.

We turned off the Mt Lindesay Highway onto Innisplain Road which became Lions Road and then Grady’s Creek Road. We all remember the terrible drought conditions of last year where the countryside looked like burnt toast. After the recent good rains, the bush was vibrant green. Grasses a meter high. Fire-damaged tree bursting with new growth. Brilliant.

It has been many years since I did the Lions Road run. I remember most clearly the terrible road. So many pot holes that there was virtually none of the original bitumen to be seen. And the bridges: wooden, shaky and somewhat disconcerting.

The road is now noticeably improved: some newer surfacing and some concrete bridges. However, it’s still tricky; one lane in parts, blind corners, potential for wandering livestock and animals, on-coming traffic appearing around tight corners, the necessity to space out the cars so as to avoid stone chips from the car ahead driving with two wheels on the dirt, plus some still treacherous bridge approaches and cattle grates which could easily rip off a splitter – or worse. Luckily we had a guide, Ken. Even with that, I still lightly grazed my splitter getting onto a bridge.

Yet, the road was great fun – if driven with caution. You travel alongside Running Creek, West of Mount Chinghee National Park. The road winds back and forth across the river, past small farms and houses that surely flood when the water is up. The road turns east at the southern boundary of the national park for a couple of kilometres before bearing south, through the border ranges.

As soon as you enter NSW, the roads really do get better. Probably something to do with them having twice the population of Queensland and half the real estate and road network. In all fairness, NSW probably has some of the best roads in Australia. We will get to try more of them on the Grand Tour later in the year.

The drive through the border ranges is a treat. Tight and twisty roads up and down through the dry sclerophyll range forest, with patches of rain forest. After a good drive to the southern end of The Risk we joined Summerland Way and headed west for half an hour on wider sweeping roads in the valley between mountains – beautiful countryside. Eventually the road joined back up with the Mount Lindsey Road, just north of Wodenbong, our luncheon location.

The Wodenbong pub was good. Well presented, spacious and with good atmosphere. The lunch menu was pretty much standard country pub fare: burgers, steak sandwiches, fish, calamari or chops. Chips was the main vegetable – salad was a special order. The pub also made up some falafels for members of our group; which was good of them.

We all sat at a long table, chatting freely and enthusiastically about the drive with people we had only met that day. There was also a general consensus at our end of the table that having Steve permanently appointed to the role of Club President seemed like a good idea to us. A couple of us newer members signed up for the distribution list for the Early Morning Run (EMR) group that goes up to Mt Glorious on some Sundays for breakfast. If you are not on the list, contact Steve for details.

When ready, people headed north, back to Rathdowney, Beaudesert and beyond. Again, we crossed up and over the Border Ranges through some magnificent forest and stunning stands of ghost gums. Over the range, gentle sweepers meandered through lovely open country. Why is that some other non LCQ drivers are so light footed on the bends and yet so lead footed on the straights? Luckily, if you are driving a Lotus, overtaking them is not a problem.

All up, it took us about two hours to get Brisbane city. The worst bit of road on the trip? The Jindalee bridge. Many thanks to the organisers and participants.

If you are a club member and have not been on one of these social drives, you should give it a try. Suitable for young and old; experienced drivers or beginners. Hopefully we will see you at one of the outings.

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EMR to Mt Glorious 05/01/2021

Story and photos Dick Reynolds.

Ken Philp posted on the Facebook Group,

“Hey Dick, EMR shortly? Perhaps even during the week, say next Tuesday?”

So I thought, that’s a plan!

Posted an invite on Facebook and sent out the usual texts to the EMR text list (42 members).
Then I got carried away and invited two mates along as well, Michael in the car and Chris on his 1200cc BMW bike. Heaps of bods turned up and we promptly got away at about 7.40 am.

Great drive up a great road, following Jon Young, resident Mt Glorious expert. Arrived at the Mt Glorious Café, and ordered coffee and breakfast. Hats off to this terrific café, with prompt friendly service and great coffee and food. Told all the same stories again, ate, drank and laughed, then jumped in the car and went home down the way we came up!

What a terrific way to spend a Tuesday morning.

December Day Run

Story and photos by Cris Johansen.

John Barram did a great job of organising our final Sunday run for our unprecedented 2020, and it turned out to be a super and hot event.

With about 15 Lotus arriving at Esk for a coffee or breakfast before heading off at 10am it was not at all surprising that we were not joined by any cubbies, early Elans or S1 Elises as it was simply way too hot for a car without decent air-conditioning.

It was great to see some of the Club members who have only recently joined the ranks of Lotus ownership and everyone had the chance to get to meet and get to know some new folk.

We headed off after coffee on one of the great pieces of road going south west from Esk toward Crows Nest and for the first 25km or so were caught up in a convoy of semi trailers and / or grey nomads, so were a bit frustrated to miss out on some great Lotus roads. However we turned off and went across past Lake Perseverance and over to the New England Highway and this provided an opportunity for us to stretch our legs and enjoy a few moments of traffic free driving.

The group managed to get split up due to a couple of missed turns however arrived to a warm reception at The Barn and Scotty’s Garage at Upper Flagstone just before noon.

The venue is a treasure trove of old motoring memorabilia and for the older members of the group brought back memories of our earlier days of motoring in the county. Despite the venue having lost all internet connection and thus being unable to make use of eftpos we all managed to purchase lunch and a lovely cold drink before succumbing to the heat and making our way home.

We saw 44 degrees at one point driving through Gatton and were thinking of Andrew and Bridie in their S2 Exige that was suffering alternator troubles so drove home sans air-con! Fortunately they arrived and avoided the need to wait by the road in the heat be collected by the RACQ.

For the fortunate owners of cool Lotus cars it was a great way to avoid the heat, see some great back roads in and around the Lockyer Valley, catch up with old friends and make some new ones. Thanks John for putting the day together.

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Mid Week Run

By Russell Carter

The morning of the 25th August saw a gathering of Lotus at the BP Servo, Yatala all ready to head off on a mid week run organised by Mal Kelson.

11 Lotus – 3 Exige – 4 Elise – 2 Esprit – 2 Caterham together with a beautifully restored VW Fastback of Giles & Janet Cooper from the Gold Coast.

A nice surprise was meeting Terry Bosworth from the Gold Coast. Terry owns a one-owner yellow Series 1 Esprit. His father purchased this car in the USA in 1977 from new. The car is LHD with a very low mileage and is in original condition.

On leaving the servo we all headed on a direct route to Tamborine Mountain, on the way stopping at the Bearded Dragon to meet up with some Gold Coast members. We then had an exhilarating drive up the mountain and down the other side to Canungra where we stopped for morning tea at the Metz Cafe. After a lot of talking and eating we then made our own way home.

Unfortunately on the drive home Mark Mathieson had an engine fire in his Series 3 Esprit (a split oil pressure sender pipe sprayed oil over the hot exhaust). Fortunately Mark had, the night before the run, installed a ‘Blazecut’ fire suppression system which did its job, and not a lot of damage was caused. He was helped by some construction workers working on the road, who seeing the black smoke arrived with fire extinguishers to help. Thanks to these guys.

All in all a nice day was had by all. It was nice meeting up with some new faces from the Gold Coast area. Thanks to Mal for organising the day.

Those present:

Gold Coast
Giles & Janet Cooper, Winno Piddington, Terry Bosworth, Ngaire & Paul Bolton, Des Hill & Evan.

Locals
Daryl & Moira Wilson, Mark Mathieson, Pip & Kent Andres, Dave, Chris & Mal Kelson, Leigh & Russell Carter.

Apologies if I missed anyone out!

Random Glorious Two Wheeled Run

Story and pics by Vyvyan Black.

So the pandemic’s on, I have my Lotus in lockdown at the shop and Steve Lennox suggests a run up the mountain at a respectable hour on a Friday morning.

So I think “Get on yer bike, mate,” which is exactly what I do.

You see, just before Covid hit I was in need of a bit of transportation as the Plus 2 was waylaid. I’ve always wanted to get on a motorbike again but the missus wouldn’t allow it. A motorbike, I thought, would be a great solution and take the pressure off the Lotus as an everyday driver – which it had been for the last year or so, and would solve the issue of what car to get as a backup. Money being an issue, I just didn’t fancy a clone s***tbox, and I could just as easily end up with an unreliable one at that.

But two things happened since the first thoughts of getting a bike implanted themselves in my consciousness:

Number 1: No more missus around to hound me!

Number 2: I would soon be moving into an apartment close to town – no double garage there, a bike would be ideal. And so it was.

Okay, I say yes to the drive and hop on the Honda.

Oh what fun! Yes the Glorious run is just that, glorious in the Lotus. So, I hear you thinking to yourself, “What’s it like to ride the ridge on two wheels?”

And the answer is that it’s great, but you know what? As much as I love getting around on my Rebel it’s just not the same as in a Lotus. So I like to think I’m getting the best of both worlds – the Lotus for handling, agility and comfort, and the bike for visceral immersion and thrilling acceleration.

You’ll see from the pics that there were only a few of us: Steve in his oh so pretty Europa, Daryl Wilson in his lovely Caterham, Shane Murphy in his stunning Seven, and a couple of non-Club members in some old red thing … now what was it called again? Yes, a Ferrari Testarossa owned by Todd Maunder.

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North Queensland Runs

Waterfall Run in the Tropics

Photos and stories by Drew Dundas.

New Year’s Drive

Sunday morning saw a contingent of two Lotus, (John and Drew) along with one Mini Cooper S (Kaine) meet at Green Fields coffee shop on the Cairns Esplanade to catch up on the 2020s new stories and an adventure to the Atherton Tablelands.

We set off with a leisurely drive up the Gillies range and onwards towards Atherton for another coffee and chat stop.

There were some comments about one of the cars, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’, but it fell on deaf ears.

After a short and scenic drive through the historic town of Herberton, (note to self, drive this road again), we were treated to sweeping bends that negotiated their way around large eucalypt trees that quickly gave way to tropical rainforest. Turning right onto the Kennedy Highway, we found some challenging corners, past Mt Hypipamee and onwards to the Gentle Annie turn off. This road provided picture perfect panoramic views of the tablelands as we descended onto the waterfall circuit that leads to the infamous Milla Milla falls.

Time out for a pic at Milla Milla falls and then onwards to support local business in Milla Milla with yet another coffee at ‘Barista in the Mist’ that is located in the main street.

After a delicious break, the next stop was Lake Eacham where the crew separated with some having a quick swim in the Lake while the others returned to Cairns.

We are so lucky to have challenging roads, great scenery and terrific coffee shops so close to our door steps.

Rex Range and Omelettes

February Drive

Sunday morning saw the same 3 suspects and their crew, meet at Green Fields coffee shop on the Cairns Esplanade to catch up on the past month’s stories and then plan an adventure north to Port Douglas and surrounds.

We set off on a leisurely drive along the coast road north of Cairns towards Port Douglas. Eyes on the road as we drive past the nudie beach and then a few sideways glances at the spectacular views of oceans and beaches that this stretch of road offers. Gotta love Far North Queensland.

Driving past the Port Douglas turn off, we turned left before Mossman and strangely found ourselves on a short, winding and exhilarating drive up the Rex Range. Stopping only at the top to take in the views with a few local bikers who were also out enjoying the morning.

Back down the range again, twice the fun on the way down, and a stop in Port Douglas at Café Ziva. Talk was split up between cars, coffee and just what makes their omelettes so delicious,

Reverse direction along the coast road and back to Cairns.

Might need to consider a small fishing rod for the next drive north.

Until next time – Tight Wheel Nuts

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Sunshine Coast Day Run

By Gary Wrenn. Pics by Gloria Wade.

On the morning of the coast run the weather in Samford, my starting point, was damp with drizzling rain, so I made the decision to drive the TVR and leave the Seven behind. A decision I regretted by the time I arrived at Beerwah. The Sunshine Coast lived up to its name, the weather turned out to be perfect for club driving, especially if you were driving a Lotus.

Any concerns that I may have had about being a relatively new member on my first big Day Run with the club disappeared the moment I drove into the car park at Beerwah. At first, I was surprised that so many people knew my name, until I realised that I was wearing my Lotus Club badge. To see the number and quality of Lotuses that took part in the run was quite amazing. In total 27 cars and 45 people participated on the day, the range of Lotus models out to enjoy the sunshine included Elise’s, an Exige, Elans, Evora and a Seven thanks to Lockie Beecham who braved the weather to bring his Caterham.

After a lovely breakfast supplied by the friendly staff at the Vianta Café and a well-presented briefing by Clive and Gloria we were all set to go. The first leg was from Beerwah to Kenilworth but not by the ‘normal’ route. We went West out through Peachester up to Maleny and on to Kenilworth using highway 22. Although I have driven on this stretch of road in the past I have never experienced the feeling of seeing Lotuses in front and behind me for the whole 1 hour plus drive.

Kenilworth was a good choice for Morning Tea, great little coffee shops like Nanna McGinn’s where we enjoyed our morning break. More importantly it has ample parking even for an additional 27 Lotus’s on a busy Sunday. A special thanks to Clive and John Barram for paying the bill of those members who ‘did a runner’. I know a little about this kind gesture as I was one of the guilty ones.

The second leg from Kenilworth to the Glass House Mountains Village took one hour and fifteen to one hour and thirty minutes depending on what route you chose, or should I say if you chose the wrong route and found yourself lost. This section of the run has amazing views of the mountains and some of the best drives of the run, especial the single lane section on the way up to Mapleton. Another part of the drive worth a mention was the dusty section before Kenilworth, Giles Copper, the Peking to Paris veteran would have been reminded of the Gobi Desert roads if he had been with us on the day.

As with Kenilworth, the Glass House Mountains Tavern was a great spot for lunch and to end a really enjoyable morning, plenty of parking and good food. The Campfire Restaurant and the Outback Bar well worth a visit if you find yourself in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast.

Being new to the club and partaking in my first Club Day, one obvious thing that stood out was how everyone was not just enjoying the driving and the magnificent scenery but how everyone was enjoying the camaraderie. I am sure other members would have noticed the friendliness of some of the locals as we passed through the smaller towns. On one section of this drive, before Maleny, even the local police were so friendly that they stopped one Elise just for a chat and to admire the paint work. I was going to stop to say hello myself but the driver of the blue Elise appeared to be in a deep conversation and exchanging contact numbers at the time so I gave it a miss. Just another example of camaraderie, well done Peter.

One word to sum up my first club day drive: brilliant, I enjoyed every minute. Thank you to all the members who made me feel so welcome. From all who took part on the day a big thank you to Clive and Gloria for putting in all the hours of driving it took to organise such an interesting day.

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EMR September 2018

Words and Photos by Shane Murphy.

The bearer of all glad tidings, Dick Reynolds issued the cry, there is coffee, bacon and eggs in them their hills, be at the Gap at 7.30 or be square.

Steve Lennox had the legals covered with our official CAMS sanctioning paperwork, boxes ticked, all accounted for. Luckily for Steve, Gail was at hand to keep the process above board.

Interestingly, read into the picture what you will, yours truly parked in the disabled spot and “Smoking” Jon availed himself of the ambulance bay. Before we get all thingy, the medical centre was closed for the day and no one was disadvantaged by our oversight.

A clear day promised much, entirely obvious to the Brisbane motorcycle community who formed ant tracks to get up the hill. Luckily for us the car park banter was so compelling that most of the bikers had hit the road before Dick, always anxious, slipped into his machine, pumped the load pedal a few times, snuggled up to his furry tunnel and summoned us to get going – so we roared out of the pits and headed west.

With the Club’s good reputation top of mind, Jon had undertaken a reconnoitre (on the previous day) and declared a police alert. Luckily this forward thinking paid off, as two motorcycle coppers were on patrol all morning.

A sight to behold when Dick, Daryl, Jon, Jason and I led the group in our Sevens, the world seemed ok.

A good grouping included Darryl in his Targa-ready Exige, some random Elises (Phil & Gail, Adam & Co, Mal, Rob and Steve in his Europa.

Justin & Sam plus Wade & Aston in a couple of randoms crept up to Mt Glorious hidden in the pack, even Mike in a two-tonne Ford made it to the top of the hill.

With coffees and breakfast finished and with the tom-tom drumming about police activity the group crept home, dignity and wallets intact, or so I believe at the time of writing.

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Fast B-roads Run

THE DROUGHT BRAKE(R).

Story and photos by Sam Murphy.

After a week of dark clouds, thunder and lightning in Canberra and a new Prime Minister to boot, the only seemingly sensible folks remaining in Australia ventured out for a Sunday Club Run along the Fast B-roads west of Brisbane.

Unfortunately, the clouds had moved north over the weekend and we were awoken by heavy rain on Sunday morning and potential to catch an action-packed episode of Insiders on Channel 2.

However, while the rain surely knocked out participation of our canvas covered compatriots – the hard-shell owners among the club – Elise, Exige, Evora and Europas – were determined to burn up any remaining anxiety from the leadership spill.

A decisive text message from social coordinator and run leader Steve Lennox confirmed the event (fortunately he did not require 43 signatures) and 8 cars assembled at the Blacksoil BP service station.

As the small assembly of club members huddled in the servo café from the rain, the irony of the sudden change in climate, in light of NEG negotiations, emissions reduction targets and drought relief funding was not lost. In fact, some suspected my Make America Great Again cap dangerously tested both gods and ideologues.

On the chime of 8:30 we exited the servo, wipers on, full throttle, 98 octane emissions teasing the climate spirits for a sprint down the Warrego Highway to the Frenchton exit and start line of the Fast B-roads run.

Despite the rain, the soft r-spec rubber lapped up the hot chip roads and the rural establishments of Coolana, Tarampa, Lowood and Cominya flashed by. At one point, our route met a gravelly extension (Rocky Gully Road may have been a hint) and a u-turn was required. As these situations often inspire, Phil and Gail Hart assumed ascendency and the crew was safely navigated along the Wivenhoe West Bank and back side of Mount Glorious to the café with visibility averaging 20 paces.

Steve maintains he still commands full navigation control during family driving holidays – however there was some debate over this point while downing flat whites, bacon, eggs and cake at Cloverlea Cottage.

It is also worth noting that as the battle for the ICC heats up, there was not a sign of a Porsche in sight along the Mount Glorious proving grounds – a sure sign of the seriousness of the LCQ assault on the 2018 title.

Thanks to Steve for arranging a great run and for we are all looking forward to hitting the B-roads again, next time in clear weather.

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Run to Mavis’s Kitchen – June 2018

By John Barram. Photos by John & Penny Barram, Vyvyan Black and Alex Molocznyk.

This run took place on 24 June and was organised by Colin McKay. We met at Nerang, just a quick run down the A1 from Brisbane. With Colin’s usual careful planning we all received detailed instructions, which was just as well.

The first stretch was up the Numinbah Valley but 10 minutes into the trip Colin had a flat tyre in the Elan, and pulled off to change it at a point where no-one could possibly stop to help, so we all sailed merrily on our way without our leader.

This drive was through what must be some of the most fertile and scenic regions in Australia and which really should have been part of Queensland. The original plan to establish a separate colony to the north of New South Wales in 1856 had the division line just south of 30 degrees south latitude, south of Grafton. However, by the time the squatters of the New England area had their say, to say nothing of the bureaucrats in Sydney, the final border was at 29 degrees with a bendy bit as you get closer to the coast following the mountains and rivers, ending at Point Danger and leaving all this magnificence in New South Wales.

At least we Queenslanders can visit this foreign territory without a passport.

The morning tea stop was at Flutterbies at Tyalgum, an amazing little place much visited by the day trippers and tourists in the region. The pastries were exquisite. This was followed by about an hour driving a loop on some beautiful Lotus type roads, mostly with the majestic Mt Warning as a backdrop.

Then to lunch at Mavis’s Kitchen at the foot of Mt Warning where we lined up the cars for our pictures. Fourteen Lotus in a line makes a wonderful sight.

The food was excellent and their organisation in serving our significant group precisely on time was noteworthy.
Penny and I then left in a hurry to visit our new grandson but I understand the others had a leisurely afternoon trip home.

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