COASTS and FORESTS OVER-NIGHTER, 2nd and 3rd May.

The big ?G? blessed us with sunshine as we departed Drouin on Tuesday 2^nd May at 9am. Proceeding to Pakenham we turned towards Koo-Wee-Rup where Rodger and Lorna Chapman in their MGB joined the rest of the tour participants which consisted of Steve and Karen Austen (MB 230CE), Karl Lintzen and Lyn Fox (Porsche 944), Ian and Carol Mallows ((MX5), Rob and Heather Coustley (BMW M3 Convertible), Bob and Rhonda Russell (Charger), Merv and Karen Swingler (Fairlane) and the writer in his Mercedes SL55 AMG.

At Martha?s Cove we enjoyed a coffee whilst admiring the boats in the harbour, before cruising along the edge of the Bay with very light traffic on our way to the Sorrento Ferry Terminal. After disembarking on the other side of the bay at Queenscliff, we enjoyed lunch in a restaurant overlooking more yachts and boats in the harbour. Attached to the restaurant is a tower about three stories high. After lunch we ascended the structure via a lift to the observation deck where a breathtaking 360 degree view of Queenscliff and beyond could be had. At this point it was suggested that we should give a thought to the Club members who did not join us on this trip. The answer was NO! ? we won?t give them a thought.

We followed the coast to Barwon Heads, through Torquay and regrouped at Bells Beach overlooking the surf. At Aireys Inlet we visited the Split Point Lighthouse which has commanding views up and down the coast. The last leg of our run to Lorne was the best section with lots of corners, no traffic and no caravans. Some members took full advantage with some spirited driving. The writer was not drawn into what could only be described as ?hoonish? behaviour.

Arriving at the Mantra, formally Erskine House, at about 4:30pm we all managed to meet in the Bar around 5:30 for a cup of cocoa. Management had arranged a separate Dining Room for us, complete with waitress, where we enjoyed a nice meal, drank more cocoa and solved some of the World?s problems. The next day we awoke to an even better day and were treated to a breakfast suitable for a king. We departed at about 9:15am and followed the Otways road to Winchelsea. This road has ?sports car? written all over it and was taken advantage of by some. Bob?s Charger won the ?Most Fuel Used? by a considerable margin ? 93 litres for the round trip.

At Inverleigh we were booked into a bakery for a morning cuppa and pit stop. After that we joined the Hamilton Highway to the Geelong Bypass and then onto the Ring-Road to Diamond Creek where Rodger and Lorna led us to the Beechworth Bakery at Healesville for lunch at about 1:30pm. After lunch, we made our way to Warragul via Powelltown arriving at about 4pm – and without needing to refuel the writer?s SL55 AMG for the whole trip. It is truly amazing what one can achieve if one drives within the speed limits and considers the environment 😊.

Amen.

Kevin Riley.