Well for all those who did not attend, guess what, you missed out on a great time.  We had after some late minute cancellations 37 attending which comprised of 22 flyers in 12 aircraft and 15 coach travellers.

 

We were in luck - the weather held good for the flyers - they had a pretty good fly up there - a bit cloudy but it made it interesting and I'll leave it to Dave Ritte to fill you in on the flying aspect of the trip. 

 

From the coach perspective - it was a great success.  Although we had to have a early start at 7 a.m., everyone was on time and we were off and cruising heading north in a very luxurious 56 seater.  Plenty of room to spread out and relax in.  Jeff, our driver, got us moving and we just floated along - almost like flying it was.  Headed up the new M7 and on to Hornsby, picked up a couple and kept going till half way - had a break at the Caltex road house for a "expel and intake" break.  Back on the road heading north and on past Newcastle where we took a leftie onto the Bucketts Way for Gloucester.  Very scenic, lovely countryside, very green, travelled through little villages with beautiful Crepe Myrtles and Lassiandras flowering.  We were having a lovely time until we got onto the Stroud/Gloucester road where from out of no-where we were buzzed and attacked by these aircraft, all heading north.   They must have been bored - reckon they should have travelled by coach - more fun that way.

 

Anyway, we said we'd be there at the Gloucester Airfield by approx. 12 noon to pick up the aviators and we were there at exactly 12 noon.  How's that for coach travel.  Want to get there on time travel by coach.  Unlike one aircraft, he was still stuck at Maitland, but I got to say he eventually made it, which was the main thing - better late than never.  No names will be divulged - must protect the guilty.

 

So our flyers received a great welcome from the Gloucester Aero club - they were very hospitable and friendly, and once aircraft were bedded down and kissed farewell, we headed off to town for a quick bite to eat and then the hard work of sightseeing began.  Oh, first we had to go back and pick up our last arrival by air, then it was on to our first sightseeing stop at the Herb Farm - which was very interesting - we were given quite a good talk on a wide range of herbs, what can be done with them medically (calmative effects), cooking wise, cosmetically, propagation/growing of the plants.  Must say, the guys certainly pricked their ears us on the mention of the vodka bit added to the herbs.  Had the chance to sample the products and purchase the goodies and look around the gardens.

 

Further down the track, we headed out to an Alpaca stud farm - travelled through some lovely green countryside and guess what - it had a airstrip on the property - mind you it was a bit small some 400 odd metres but still it was an airstrip - it made the pilots think they were in seventh heaven and kept the aviation starved members happy - gazing and drooling over an airstrip.  The rest of us sane people enjoyed looking and photographing the little critters.   Alpacas are very photogenic - they know how to show off to the camera - shy otherwise but very cute.  We were given a talk on the alpacas, and what this farm does - sampled some different types of alpaca meat - served as a terrine, sausage, hot dog, but mainly the meat is very popular and sought after at scotch fillet steak - alpaca style.

 

By now it was late afternoon so we returned to the township and to our motel which everyone agreed was tops, bunked in, unpacked, relaxed and very quickly the majority found the watering hole - right next door at the Gloucester Golf Club where we were to have dinner.  Unfortunately, dinner for some was not up to standard and they were somewhat disappointed, however others totally enjoyed it.  There was a bit of mis-communication in the kitchen which caused problems and reduced the quality of the food served.  When organising these events we can only go by recommendations from others and we totally rely on others to perform.  To the few members of the night who were not happy with the meal, we can only say normally this does not happen and is a very rare occurence.  We do our best to ensure all is perfect but sometimes it is out of our control. 

 

Anyway, during the evening we had a performance from Steve Irwin the 2nd, ( alias our web master, Jay Laybutt) in showing is agile ability in quickly subduing the wildlife of the area and saving all us eaters from jumping up on the tables and carrying on in an undignified manner.  No it wan't a rat or mouse as I had first thought - it was a ghecko or lizard style critter who quickly thanked his savior for rescuing him and returning him to the wild by giving him a thankyou nip on the hand.  But not to worry, we have ensured that Jay has been fully vaccinised, innoculised, and immunised.  He is not scurrying around under logs as yet - so he is safe.

 

So a great night was had by all.  Some had a early night and others partied on. 

 

Morning dawned bright and early and foggy.  Most of us tucked into a full cooked breakfast (as if we were starved),  and then we were away by 8.30 a.m. for more hard slogging sightseeing.  Headed up to a lookout known as Kia Ora to view the foggy valleys and mountains and had a group photo taken.  Still it was pretty - the view I mean.  Further down the track we were heading for a gold mine where billy tea and damper was awaiting us starving travellers.  We were given a chat about the history of the place, the gold mining days and how it all happened - sounds like a lot of hard yakka just to get some gold dust.  A stroll up a rainforrest track - very cool and beautiful.  Up the top of the track was the Mountain Maid Gold Mine where we could look around - we were given a demonstration of how easy it is to pan for gold (ha ha).  Quite a few of us came away with a bit more that we bargained for.   The local leeches decided they could get a free ride to freedom on the feet, legs and other parts of humans.  But rest assured all local wildlife were eventually left behind in an unharmed manner.  Oh, except the one that was stomped on by - - - -- ah - - - - well,  I won't make the person feel any more bad than what he/she already feels in squashing a little blood sucking thing.

 

From there is was close to midday so we headed back to town, for anyone hungry who wanted a feed, then it was out to the airfield, kick the pilots and air travellers out so us coach travellers could spread out, relax, and enjoy our journey home.  Back on the road by 12.30 pm and back at Wedderburn by 5.15 p.m.  -  pretty good going.  We travelled back the same way, everyone either snoozing or chattering at one time or another. 

 

We received along the way reports of the flyers safely arriving back at Wedderburn and sitting back relaxing with a refreshment.  We were soon there to join them and re-hash the weekends events.  I think overall everyone had a great time.

 

The coach I believe was very successful, it certainly gave opportunity to some of our members (our non flyers, non aircraft owners, spouses and social members) to also be able to join in and participate on our flying events and have some fun.  Instead of hubby coming home and saying "gee I had a great weekend, sorry you missed out"  -  well now the wife can say "yep,  I too, enjoyed the weekend away as well".

 

So all of you who are still thinking about it,  think harder and join in the fun.  We are looking at a coach going up to Mudgee on the long weekend in June.  See the above Upcoming Events and website for details.  Let us know as soon as possible if you are interested.

 

To everyone who joined in this event and made is possible and successful - thank you - we really appreciate your support.

 

Till next time -  cheers and happy flying.

 

Lindsay & Maree