The Wednesday Warriors run to the Inlet,organised by Gary Johns and Tony Lee,was a great couple of days away
with good company in great surroundings.Groups came from two directions with the Canberra contingent of four
TRs and one Mazda travelling down via Kangaroo valley and Nowra, and the Sydney group via Illawarra and the
coast road, to Gerroa for lunch, and then via Nowra to the Inlet. Accomodation at the Alonga cottages,next to the
water was a perfect end to a great day out. Dinner and refreshments at the Sussex Inlet Sports Club followed.
The following morning after a hearty brekky the two groups separated for the long drive home,via Batemans Bay
for the ACT group and the Illawarra for the Sydneysiders .
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Wednesday Warriors run to beautiful Sussex Inlet May 2010
TRip report by Gary Johns
It was a dark and stormy night. The husband and wife snuggled under the blankets listening to the driving rain pelting down upon the roof. Only one of them was worried, and that was me. I was due to leave the following morning in an open topped 1950's sports car, on a mid week odyssey to the south coast of NSW. The missus was fine as she was going to work in a warm, dry, air conditioned sedan. And so next morning began another Wednesday Warriors bash.
I must have used up all my brownie points with Zeus the rain god, as the day was virtually without precipitation. Our meeting point for Register crews from Sydney and surrounds was Maccas at Heathcote on the southern outskirts of the city.
The turn out was impressive, with about 8 sidescreens, two TR6's and a couple of moderns. All up around 20 party animals rearing to go!
The Canberrans were coming up from the south, 10 guys and dolls in 5 sidescreens. A truly magnificent turnout for a mid week event.At 10.30am sharp, the northern contingent sped off down the Princes Highway turning off at Stanwell Tops for the interesting and steep descent to the magnificent 665 metre Sea Cliff Bridge than spans out over the water away from the cliffs above. From Coal Cliff and Thirroul we skirted around Wollongong and headed south to our lunch stop at Gerroa. Here lay a hidden gem. The Gerroa Fisho's club is perched on a hillside with panoramic views over 7 mile beach, a truly fabulous spot for lunch. Great food, good prices and excellent company! Suitably refreshed and anxious to meet up with the southern contingent, we headed off towards Shoalhaven Heads and Nowra via the coast road and on to Sussex Inlet.
Meanwhile the Canberrans had travelled north then down through picturesque Kangaroo Valley (roadworks aside) for lunch at Greenwell Point. Both teams arrived at our accommodation within minutes of each other, so with warm greetings all round, it was nearly time for happy hour. The Alonga Cottages are a group of self contained cabins of varying sizes (one, two and three bedroom cottages) that are situated right on the water.
Sussex Inlet is actually the inlet from the Pacific Ocean to St Georges Basin, a very popular retirement and holiday spot. Tony Lee's next door holiday home was spared 30 partying TR members and partners as happy hour took place on the grassy verge right beside the waterway. The sunset was magnificent, drinks and snacks very well received even by some friendly local kangaroos. Everyone then briefly returned to their respective accommodation to dress up (or down) for dinner. It was leisurely stroll along the waterfront to the Sailfish restaurant where great food and well priced refreshments were enjoyed by all. The seafood platter for two was a joy to behold!
As if we hadn't had enough food by now, the next morning's full barbecue breakfast at the cottages was a treat fit for a king.
After brekkie and a photo shoot of a dozen Sidescreens in front of the cottages, the ACT mob made their way home via Batemans Bay, while the northern section had a couple of options, either up the coast again or the scenic route through Jamberoo, Robertson and the Southern Highlands. There has been talk that we could make this an annual event.
Many thanks to Register member Tony Lee for helping to make this a memorable Warriors bash.
Gary
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