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- Created on Sunday, 17 April 2011 18:22
MAGNETTE RUN TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Sunday 17 April 2011
Malcolm Robertson enjoys a day in the picturesque NSW Southern Highlands for the second MG Magnette day…
As I reported last year, the Southern Highlands, not far outside Sydney, Australia's biggest, noisiest and most crowded city, are often referred to as a tiny patch of England, so like some parts of the old country are they. Green fields, grey drizzle (usually), narrow winding roads, deciduous trees ablaze with amazing autumn colours, tiny villages with red post boxes on every corner. Any visiting Englishman would be homesick straight away, while local Aussies go there to bask in the cool shade instead of the usual dry, brown heat found elsewhere in the country.
But, wait! Since last year, the ten year drought has broken and Australia's eastern seaboard has had one of its wettest seasons on record. Everywhere is green, green, green! So this year's MG Magnette day on Sunday 17 April was always going to be a bit "iffy" weather-wise and, in true British style, the day dawned grey and misty with rain storms predicted. Not to be deterred, a hardy group of four Australian Magnettes (and one Rover) converged from the big cities of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra to participate in the second Southern Highlands event run by Terry and Helen Healey from Mittagong.
From Sydney came Peter Baldry and Lesly Radnidge in their gorgeous duo-tone silver over black ZA, sometimes irreverently referred to as the Silver Top taxi because it revives old memories of Melbourne taxis that used to be painted in the same colours. (Paul Vermont in Melbourne is looking for an old illuminated Silver Top taxi sign as a special gift for Peter.) Peter is Magnette Register captain and general motivator of all things Magnette for the MG Car Club in Sydney. Also from Sydney came new Magnette owner John Cunneen with his Steel Blue ZB, and George Berger who owns a lovely black ZA which unfortunately had blown a head gasket, so he was in his beautiful maroon Rover 110 instead. From the National Capital, Canberra came Malcolm Robertson in his well-campaigned Varitone, Alison. David and Barbara Overington in their green ZB again made the hazardous trip up a steep and winding pass from sea level at Wollongong to the Highlands, while organisers of the day, Terry and Helen Healey, were in their dark blue ZB. Two "new" Magnettes have recently joined the Southern Highlands group, Ray Capner with a red ZA and Allan and Annemieke Edwards with their maroon over cream ZB. Both these cars were on their first Magnette run.
Despite the grey and blustery conditions, the cars and their crews enjoyed a leisurely drive through some of the back roads, managed a photo opportunity at a tiny town called Exeter where the local ladies were holding an apron display day, and enjoyed a relaxing picnic-style luncheon in a park adjacent to the picturesque Fitzroy Falls (which noone remembered to photograph). There was even enough time to visit the nearby junk shop Grandpa's Shed where the Magnetteers were seen filling their pockets with useful goodies, including a set of Wolseley 4/44 hubcaps.
Thanks again to Terry Healey for putting together a very interesting and relaxing day.
Malcolm Robertson
April 2011
