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| Several times in
the past, in our Club journeys to Rallies, air shows etc, we had passed
through Wellington NSW, often having morning tea in the riverside park.
On one occasion, we stopped overnight. Twice that I can recall, when we
were in Wellington, we were spontaneously visited by local classic car
owners who had heard we were there. Then last year, we invited their
club, the Wellington Antique Motor Club, to our All British Display Day,
and they attended with a nice group of British cars. It seemed only
fitting then, that we decided to pay them a proper visit. A speculative
email in January to our contact in their club, Peter Colwell, received
an enthusiastic response, so we locked in the date. But we were totally
unprepared for the extent of their hospitality. Not only did they
suggest a program of worthwhile things to do and see in their town and
neighbouring Dubbo, they
accompanied us. They showed us around. They shared evening meals with
us. Various members of their club devoted most of their weekend to our
visit. What great hosts—especially given (as I observed when
presenting a JDCHR cap and key ring to Peter and to his President John
Edwards) we had actually invited ourselves!
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MK IX at Lake Burrendong
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Cathedral Cave
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Cathedral Cave
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Lunch at Gulgong
Lion of Waterloo pub - Wellington
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XK140
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An oil leak - Surely not!
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Mk IV
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| On the Saturday, we
visited Wellington Caves and had a tour of the Cathedral Cave followed
by a relaxed coffee in the grounds, with time to inspect some very
interesting and varied cars brought along by the local members. Our now
enlarged fleet then proceeded to Lake Burrendong, where, against a
backdrop of a gorgeous view over the lake, we had a light cafe lunch.
Another shared dinner followed, this time at the Cow & Calf Hotel. |
Les Langbein's 1964 Cooper 998, next to a MK IX
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Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum
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Lake Burrendong
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Gullwing Mercedes Replica
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Bentley
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Mercedes engine bay
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| Sunday involved a
leisurely start with a drive to Dubbo zoo, where once again we were met
by Wellington people, as well as some new faces and beautiful an
interesting cars, from the Dubbo Antique Motor Club. After morning tea
in the sun at the Zoo cafe, a driving tour of the zoo (in our own cars)
allowed each of us to go at our own pace and see the parts that
interested us |
Sumatran Tiger
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Baby Hippo
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Asian Elephant + calf
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Galapagos Tortoise |
Meerkat
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Hippos
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Cheetah Cubs
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Siamang Ape
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Cheetah |
Baby Greater One-horned Rhino
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Sumatran Tiger |
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