A cool and overcast morning greeted us at the beginning of our sojourn in the little hamlet of Lyndoch. A number of corvettes soon began rumbling into the car park, along with a couple of ring ins, one being a Dodge and some other dual cab ute. Onyer prez.

It was good, however, to see some unfamiliar faces amongst the usual crowd. Bill, Sandie and the First Lady being a few. A varying degree of breakfasts and complimenting coffee were served out of the local bakery making for a pleasant gathering prior to our departure.

We headed off pretty much on time towards to Tanunda to find out if any remnants of the cancelled hot rod show were to be seen. We were in luck while we did a "Mainie" and spotted a few.

The convoy of majestic muscle continued through some of the more picturesque and quieter roads meandering amongst the ever present grapevines out to the northern parts of the Barossa Valley.

Following the Thiele Highway from the backwaters and deliverance country of Truro and Eudunda, the cruisers soon found themselves at the Murray town of Morgan, where we waited to catch the ferry named "COOT". (This will become obvious later). We managed to get across in only 2 attempts.

Not far from our destination now as the vettes (and others) passed Cadell and onto the fabulous setting of Caudo Winery. We were greeted by the owner Joe Caudo and given privileged parking on the lawned area. Prior to lunch Joe graciously showed us his private museum of cars and other bits of paraphernalia including a signed Sydney Olympic flag with many names of the athletes scattered around the symbolic rings.

When lunch was finally ordered, many went with the platters( not singing group Jim) and pizzas. Our outlook was amazing as we were just meters from the ever serene Murray River.

Quite a few extra purchases were made of the 3 or 4 flavours of Sangria to take home. Thanks Catherine.

A bottle of port was on offer to answer just "1" question. On the ferry we crossed, what do you do while sitting in your car? Look around of course. But not today it seems as the question was "What's the name of the ferry we crossed at Morgan". 25 people and no-one could answer. So as I could have kept the port for myself I tried to make it easier, and Ian managed to name the Thiele highway we travelled on.

So ended another fantastic day out with a Corvette Club cruise.
And no U-turn.
Goof

Some Members met at the parking bay on the South East Freeway, just below the Mt Osmond Exit, ready for a 3:45 sharp departure. The meeting point filled steadily, even though some members had driven either straight to the facility or would catch up on the way.

Greg woods donated his time to photograph the run, which is greatly appreciated. Six cars set off for The Bend, with three more waiting at the Mt Barker on ramp.

As it was a Saturday Run, the freeway which is usually fairly busy, was light with road works (60 kph) through the tunnel and up to Crafers. As we passed the Mt Barker on ramp we collected a three more cars waiting in the rest bay. The afternoon was a little cool but clear, a magnificent day for a run, till we crossed the Murray. A short distance later we drove onto the new road surface devoid of any bumps or irregularity, with a speed limit for "New Bitumen" of 60 kph which seemed to go on forever. While we complied many didn't.

Arriving at The Bend Motorsport Park, we pulled into the car park, where five more cars had arrived either early or from locations where it was more convenient to go straight to the track (Darle & Cheryl - from Monash, Alister Wright - from Young Husband - on first club run). Andrew Catford, had missed the meeting point having driven past, before the Cruise Captain arrived at 3:15 p.m., also on his first club run.

After a look round the reception area, and completing the room bookings for those staying the night, we signed in and were ushered to the driver briefing - 1 lap of the 4.95 GT Circuit [used by V8 Supercars] and 1 lap of the 7.7 International Circuit [the second longest permanent track to Nurburgring], we would be travelling at 80kph or maybe a bit quicker, no overtaking, need to keep within safe distance from car in front [but keep up] and don't get lost. As we headed onto the track, the line up was 14 cars. Took a long video with camera mounted on the mirror [for some reason the dash cam, like the last time here decided to fail] - unfortunately the Corvettes behind the Pace Car [a Red ZR1 and black supercharged C4] cruised away out of sight, and were not seen again till we were leaving the track, after a bonus second lap of the 7.7 International Circuit.

We returned to the Welcome Centre and proceeded upstairs to Rydges Restaurant where we had an "alternate drop" meal of either lamb shank [someone said to "die for"] or chicken breast. Meals were excellent, as was the service. During the meal a member was heard to say he had said "sorry" to his partner [who will "sky dive" but not "fast drive"] when he stopped in the car park [his apology was caught on the camera as the first thing he said, in an excited voice, when he got out of the car!].
Catherine found out it was Peter Monu's birthday, so he was given a rousing birthday song [She did however keep it quiet that it was HER'S the following day].

Feedback was that all had a great time and enjoyed the meals, at the end of which we said farewell to those not staying due to other commitments. The following morning we were awoken early to the sound of motorbikes warming up for a session on the track. 15 of us met in the dining room for breakfast, again a great meal. I can hear the suspension complaining again.

Thanks to all those who attended (especially Greg & Christine) and made a great day of it. Faye & Tony

Photos courtesy of Greg Woods & Faye Beer Smith

6 Corvettes met at McDonalds car park at Munno Para and we left at 9.45am as planed and travelled to Dublin where we picked up 4 more corvettes and a few in daily vehicles and then headed for our destination in Moonta.

It was a great cruise and except for roadworks speed restrictions but luckily we were able to avoid leaving the bitumen although we were told at one we had to detour 2 kilometres on dirt, but the lollipop man changed his mind an let us through and if he hadn’t I think more than half of us would have done a u turn. All of that ran us about half an hour late to our destination at Wrecks and Relics Moonta where we met 3 more couples from the club that thought we were lost.

39 people attended and we had lunch at Wrecks and Relics and it was excellent, then we spent some time looking around at their memorabilia that was very interesting and we think everyone enjoyed it and would highly recommend this place.

From there we split, some had to go home and others went off to Port Hughes, Moonta Bay, Moonta, Wallaroo and Kadina then hame.
Overall it was a great run that was planed for 2020 but was delayed for the same reason we had our Corvette Club Christmas Dinner the weekend before.

On woods and up woods from here with runs already planed for the next 2 weekends and a lot more in the future for 2021.

Cruise captains Gerry and Lyndall Brine