Social Days for 2020

The following is an outline of what is planned; the details of each will be provided closer to the date.

1. February 25 - Picnic / BBQ in Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor

PICNIC AT VICTOR HARBOR 25th FEBRUARY 2020
On a perfect sunny summer’s day, thirty members ventured south to join eight local members for a picnic lunch at Victor Harbor. Tuesday 25th February was the day and the venue was the lovely grassed surrounds of Kent Reserve, adjacent the sandy beach of Encounter Bay.

Many relied on modern technology to find their way there, only to be sent astray by their Karen, Lee or Jennifer, and whilst most members arrived in their 4WDs, two arrived on their gophers and one by wheelchair. It was especially great to have Phil, George and Val attending, as it was to see Glenda after her recent bout of ill health.

Tables and chairs were set up under several large shady trees, the BBQ was fired up, corks were popped and all manner of food was consumed amidst lots of chatter as members caught up with happenings of the past 3 months. The birds were chirpy and thought it a great chance for a feed too, helping themselves to Judy’s sausage and Julia’s watermelon. Bazza heated soup for Phil, Jacqui shared her home-grown dried peaches and Raelene her organic orange cake.

Thanks go to Julia and Bruno for organising the day. Perhaps we will repeat it again next year?
And the quote of the day “Life is like a toilet roll. The nearer it gets to the end, the faster it goes”.

2. March - southern Mystery run

Thursday 26th March at 9 am.. Meet at Victoria Hotel O'Halloran Hill. Bring morning tea; lunch at mystery destination, Contact Bruno and Julia 0497009129 or email bjgazz052@gmail.com to register.

(cancelled COVID-19)

April 15 - Port Adelaide tour & Museum (cancelled COVID-19)

May 12 to 13 - Camp cookout Kuitpo Forest (cancelled COVID-19)

June - eastern Mystery run

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1823391484620323/?source_id=267575853759692

July - Monday 27 Birdwood Motor Museum

It was July 27th when 23 motoring enthusiasts from the ARPA 4WD group met at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. With much to catch up on following partial relieving of the restrictions imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic, morning tea in the car park was a noisy affair. Then, whilst attempting to maintain the required 1 ½ m distance between each other, everyone lined up at the Museum entrance to check in and pay the cash-less admission fee.

Over the next 2 hours members wandered through the various exhibition halls whilst exploring the stories of people and vehicles that shaped Australia’s motoring history. From the famous to the ordinary, the rare to the mass produced, the quirky to the magnificent; there were buses, fire engines, trucks, a large collection of motor cycles and a wide ranging representation of the many cars produced over the years. We discovered the difference between antique, veteran, vintage, post vintage, classic and modern vehicles. We learnt of intrepid journeys of courage and endurance, of how motor vehicles opened up the country, of Australia’s automotive manufacturing history and the development of its very own Holden motor car, of the enthusiastic embracement of the motor car by the Aboriginal people and some examples of early motor garages.

With the incentive of a prize for the winner, participants were given the added focus of finding the 2 most historical vehicles and their drivers to travel South Australia’s Outback. Nan and Bob were the recipients of a box of chocolates for their entry of Tom Kruse and his famed mail truck , the 1936 Leyland Badger and Harry Dutton who, in his Talbot car, completed the first trip by motor car between Adelaide and Darwin.

Two hours soon flew by, and with much left unseen, it was time to gather across the road in the Blumberg Hotel for a pub lunch. By this time social isolation had been abandoned and there was much merriment along the table as many enjoyed their first meal out in many months.

Attendees: John & Dilys, Wayne & Lesley, Karen & Garry, John, Raelene & Rodney, Bruno & Julia, Judy & friend, Jeff & friend, Barry C, Bob, Nan & Bob, Edith & Stuart, Dawn & John

August - Hills Mystery Day Trip

On a cool, clear and crisp June morning, 21 members gathered in the Crafers Hotel carpark preparatory to exploring sections of the Hills Sculpture Trail and to answer a simple quiz. (Due to Covid regulations we were restricted to a max of 20pax but with his usual attention to detail, the organizer forgot to count himself!). The Sculpture Trail is a collection of 26 stone sculptures scattered around the Hills villages, carved in local stone types, by a variety of sculptors, both local and international, during the Adel. Hills International Sculpture Symposia of 2012, 14 and 16. (www.hillssculpturetrail.com.au) First stop was at nearby Stirling library, to check out #8 ,#12. Next to Bridgewater for #26 and on to Balhannah for #6 and morning tea. Thence to Littlehampton and Nairne for #15 and #17. From Nairne we took the road toward the summit of Mt Barker to check out Ukaria Cultural Centre. This is a privately funded (Jurlique), garden with sculptures but its primary function is as a retreat for musicians and composers to meet and perform in its state of the art, auditorium. We were welcomed and given a tour by its Director, Kingsley Schmidtke. Then back to Mt Barker and its burbs to view #22, #14, #2 and #18. Because it was getting latish and lunch was becoming a priority we bypassed #3 and #13 in the main st and headed back to the Stirling Hotel for a final sculpture, #21 titled Prada, and an excellent light lunch. ( Anyone with a mathematical bent will note we left plenty still to see).

August 31st Art Gallery visit

ARPA 4WD Art Gallery visit.

A group of our members visited the South Australian Art Gallery on 31 August. We were privileged to be the first group to visit the gallery since Covid 19 restrictions were relaxed.

The volunteer guide took us on a tour of Australian art. She commenced with contemporary Australian art by Aboriginal artists, some of which were part of annual SALA exhibitions,

Our guide continued, showing us various works, many of which were by lesser known artists. The tour concluded with some work from previous times, including colonial works.

The morning concluded with some members having a pleasant morning tea at the Gallery café.

Tony and Yvonne

September - St Kilda Mangrove Trail.

Despite a very gloomy weather forecast, 21 members turned up at 10am to walk the St Kilda Mangrove Trail. The wall at the entrance to the walk provided some protection from the wind while morning tea was consumed. We were advised that a very high early morning tide had swamped sections of the walk and that extreme care would be needed to negotiate wet boards.

Forget the forecast; the sun was out, no rain in sight, and the wind was not noticeable once among the forest of mangroves. So the group was able to enjoy the unique environment which exists there at a leisurely pace. It was a shame to see that a section of the forest was dead or dying off, a problem which has only recently occurred and which had been publicised in the media just the day before. An investigation is to be launched into the cause. It was also disappointing to find that the interpretive centre at the start of the walk is now permanently closed.

At the conclusion of the walk, participants made their way to the nearby St Kilda Beach Hotel where they were joined by 8 others for a very enjoyable lunch with plenty of time to catch up with one another. Keith Watkins (organiser).

October 22nd

Mystery Day Trip. Leaders Bruno and Julia

Originally, this mystery trip was meant to occur on 23 March 2020, but the Covid19 Pandemic forced its cancellation until restrictions were lifted.

Ten vehicles carrying 27 members headed off from the carpark at the Victoria Hotel, O’Halloran Hill on a cool, cloudy, mild morning.

After an easy drive down the Lonsdale highway to the start of the Esplanade at Christies Beach, we commenced our beach crawl along Adelaide’s stunning coastline.

We had magnificent views of Port Noarlunga jetty and reef and then also from the lookout at the Onkaparinga river mouth. Continuing along the Esplanade and negotiating 8 roundabouts, we turned off at Moana and rejoined the coastline at Port Willunga.

Beautiful, calm blue waters greeted us as we drove along the coast to Norman road where we turned down the beach ramp and onto the silver sands of Sellicks Beach. The tide was out somewhat, which made for a good beach run. Some members took the wrong turn onto the beach but we all met up at the southern end ramp for a relaxing morning tea. The nearby general store sold a few extra coffees that morning!

It was hard to get a couple of people moving as they were quite happy to stay at this peaceful spot for the rest of the day. However we had to arrive at our lunch venue at around 1pm.

Finally we were all on the road again, turning onto Main South Rd, past the giant Buddha, around Sellicks Hill and our last glorious views of the gulf behind us.

Heading south we turned right onto Reservoir Rd and then onto Sampson Rd, our first dirt track. This track had amazing views from the rolling green hill tops and quite steep sections as we wound our way down to Myponga Beach, where we counted the remaining pylons from the old jetty.

Leaving the coast behind, we continued up scenic Myponga Beach Rd, down a very rugged dirt track and then crossed Main South Rd onto Wild Dog Creek Rd into pretty native bushland. With a few more hills, twists and turns we followed good dirt tracks in a north easterly direction while enjoying the lush vegetation, due to recent rains. Our route came out at the intersection of Woodcone Rd and the Victor Harbor Rd, just south of Mt Compass. Our final destination and lunch was just around the corner at the popular Mt Compass Golf Club.

Although behind schedule, there was only one vehicle that went the wrong way to Normanville, but they made it back in time for lunch. We were warmly greeted by 6 other 4WD members who didn’t do the drive.

The restaurant staff and table service were excellent, as were our delicious meals.

Prizes for the trip quiz were given out to 1st, 2nd, 3rd to the winners Ludmilla and Imants followed very closely to several others. When leaving the Golf Course, I found out why no-one had the answer to the last quiz question: the house was recently vacated and the two large garden creatures gone!

Our 4WD members had fun answereing the quiz, enjoyed the scenic trip & especially enjoyed the camaraderie at lunch. A fine end to a fine day!

December Tuesday 1st

Time: 11.30 am

Location: Mt Lofty Botanic Garden (lower section)

What to bring:

all you need for your lunch (food, drink, utensils)
chair / picnic rug / table
coins (for parking & raffle)
walking shoes (to explore the Garden)
Christmassy things (tablecloth, plates, crackers, decorations, antlers / FC hat?)
face mask if distancing concerns you

All was planned and ready to go. Port Broughton Tourist Park was expecting us in a few days time for our annual Christmas camp. Then suddenly everything changed - the state was placed into lock down in response to an outbreak of covid 19 and we couldn’t go anywhere. This left us with no choice but to cancel. However, as restrictions were eased it was decided that we could have a picnic instead. Tuesday 1st December was the chosen date, being the day we could gather in larger numbers outdoors and the forecast was for a lovely sunny 25˚ day.

Unfortunately the weather changed and with a forecast of rain it wasn’t looking promising. But with fingers crossed, preparations forged ahead and 34 members headed for Mt Lofty Botanic Garden by 11.30 am. Whilst the wind kept up, our chosen spot amongst the beautiful trees of the picnic ground gave some shelter and eventually the sun came out, affording us suitable conditions to continue.

Out came the chairs, tables, food and drinks, as we set ourselves up in a large circle (somewhat socially distanced!). The Father Christmas hats, streamers, tablecloths and utensils provided a Christmas atmosphere as everyone tucked into their fare. Barry T managed the raffle ticket sales, with everyone going in the draw for one of 3 lovely hampers. Julia, Tony and Des picked the winning tickets which were held by the Bons, Nichols and Strachans.

And then finally, to the sound of a ringing bell, Father Christmas appeared from amongst the trees to distribute his gifts to us. We missed being able to sit on his knee (social distancing requirements) but much hilarity was created as everyone either told a tale of something bad they had done during the year or read a joke he supplied. Then last but not least before he left, Father Christmas conducted an auction for the remaining presents (fewer people attended the picnic than had been expected for the camp Christmas dinner).

Des & June, Dawn & John, Heather & Malcolm, Barry & Chris, Kent & Cecilia, Raelene & Rodney,Julia & Bruno,

Wayne & Lesley, Jim B., John & Susie, Pat & Chris, Bob & Nancy, Keith, Barrie & Lesley, Barry C,

Tony & Yvonne, Edith & Stuart, Judy V, Ron S and Imants B.