1. February  Thursday 10th.
Mystery Day Trip.
Meet at Mt Compass behind IGA Supermarket 10.30am

Trip Report:-

RETIRE ACTIVE SA 4WD GROUP SOCIAL DAY        10 FEBRUARY 2022

Mt Compass to Milang Railway Museum

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Retire Active SA 4WD members and invited friends enjoyed beautiful weather for the scenic drive through the backroads of the Fleurieu Peninsula and a unique lunch experience at Milang.

A gathering of thirty eight 4WDrivers met at Mt Compass in the park behind the IGA Supermarket for morning tea at 10.30am.  Judy made a grand arrival in her vehicle, which required some assistance from a couple of members. After much conversation and receiving the directions for the 50km drive, 23 vehicles finally set off.

They travelled along Cleland Gully Rd, Olsen Rd, Bull Creek Rd, Ford Rd, and Signal Flat Rd arriving eventually at the Finniss General Store. Kent & Cecelia & Co were first to arrive & successfully answered the last rally question - the number of PO boxes in the wall of the corrugated iron general store? Being a warm day, ice creams, drinks and local produce were popular purchases at Finniss. 

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Time to keep moving; through farmland via Landseer Rd to our destination at the Port Milang Historic Railway Museum. Lunch was awaiting us in the vintage cafeteria cars where a delicious meal of homemade roast beef or chicken and apple pie was cooked and served by a loyal band of volunteers.

 

After lunch one of the guides took our group on a short train ride on the narrow gauge railway, while others wandered through the many carriages displaying train & transport memorabilia.  An impressive craft shop and second hand book shop also caught the interest of the group. Several people had fun with the train driving simulator.

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It was quite an eventful day.  Dawn & John didn’t make it to lunch as their vehicle had coolant problems and required a tow with the RAA back to Adelaide. However, help is always at hand amongst our members and JB & Dilys kindly took Dawn & John back to Adelaide.

 

Some of the group lingered in Milang for a walk along the wetlands, onto the historic wharf and past the busy caravan park. Others headed home in various directions after a most enjoyable and interesting day out.

 

Report by Julia Gazzola

23 February 2022

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2. March Friday 4th

Social outing to Carrick Hill Historic House and Garden

Address 46 Carrick Hill drive, Springfield.

Gates open 10am. Gardens are free .

Tour

Concession $12.

Tour (11am)will be self guided or guided depending on COVID situation.

Approximately I hour.

Morning tea.

From 10am 10-45 Bring your own or can buy at café.

Meet on the lawns on the back of the house(west- facing the sea) follow the signs to restaurant / café

Tour starts at front entrance  of the house 11am sharp.

Require masks and vaccination status

Contact:- Pat C

 

Trip Report:

Retire Active SA 4 wheel drive social outing to Carrick Hill on 4th March 2022.

On a coolish morning with the odd shower a group of about 18 members visited  the historic Carrick Hill  situated in Springfield. We were split into 2 smaller groups and given an informative and enjoyable guided tour of the house.

 The house was built for Edward (Bill ) Hayward, a son of a wealthy family who owned John Martins, and his wife Ursula Barr -Smith who also came  from a wealthy family.  The land for Carrick hill and its extensive gardens were given as a wedding present from Ursula’s father. The couple enjoyed a years long honeymoon in United kingdom and Europe. During this time, they acquired 16th, 17th and 18th century panelling, doors, windows and a grand staircase from a demolition sale of Beaudesert, a Tudor mansion in England. They brought all this back with them, which was an undertaking.

Carrick Hill’s history is unique in south Australia. This house was designed around these fittings giving an appearance of a 17th century manor house. The Haywood’s were also avid art collectors including contemporary paintings and sculptures.

 The gardens are extensive and include a former orchard, stables, terraced lawns, sculptures and are free to visit.

 Carrick Hill  provides insights into the lives of the wealthy elite of South  Australia during the depression and post WW2.

It is well worth having a guided tour of Carrick Hill and enjoying the extensive gardens.

Following the tour of Carrick House, we adjourned to the Torrens Arms Hotel for a pleasant meal.

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

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3. April 27th Visit to Keswick Army Barracks.

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

 

4. May. Date TBA 

Kuitpo Forest Camp Cook-Out overnight.

Contact:- Raelene / Rodney

After a few weeks of anxiously watching the weather the worst happened – rain! It was a wet Autumn day when the first contingent arrived at Chookarloo campground in Kuitpo Forest on 16th May 2022. Plans to cook outdoors that evening were quashed as the rain continued and things were looking a bit grim for our cookout next evening. But by next morning the showers had cleared away (mostly) and we were able to enjoy a stroll along the Chookarloo and Forest Loop walks during the morthning. By mid-afternoon Julia and Bruno had arrived at their camp site and it was decided that this was a preferable location for the cookout due to the large fire ring and drier ground. So firewood was unloaded and the chief fire officer (Rick) soon had a roaring fire going. With an abundance of nice hot coals ready by 4,00 pm the cooking began. A variety of delicacies were soon bubbling away in the camp ovens, including a kangaroo stew, bolar roast, a range of vegetables, many from Julia’s garden (pumpkin and potato). A late afternoon shower threatened to ruin all, but a quick erection of a gazebo and a corresponding move of all equipment saved the day. Intermittent showers continued but they were insufficient to dampen the fire or our enthusiasm. Finally all was ready to eat and after sampling a bit of everything the meal was finished with a dessert of baked apples served with custard and cream – delicious. Not everything was cooked to perfection but the opportunity to share and learn from the experience was appreciated. Next morning we awoke to sunshine and ultimately a perfect day. The camp fire continued to be the point of focus, keeping us warm as well as maintaining coals for a supply of hot water and for cooking jaffle toasted sandwiches with bacon and eggs or tea leftovers for breakfast and lunch. Some stayed on a further night, this time enjoying a BBQ meal over the camp fire, a fitting end to an enjoyable few days of camaraderie, relaxation and food. There was some discussion about the potential for a repeat of a similar event in the future and there was agreement that a variety of other locations were worth considering. So for those of you who missed out this is something to consider for the future.

See photo:-   https://rjboth.wixsite.com/arpa4wd-group/photos

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5. June Wed 15.

Tindo Solar Factory Visit, followed by lunch at Para Hills Community Club.

Contact:- Lesley S

 See trip report and photos:-

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

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6. July. Date Thursday 14th

Mid winter lunch at The Southern Bistro, St Marys.

Contact Keith on 0498 083 341

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30 members gathered at The Southern Bistro for lunch at 12.30 on Thursday July 14th.

This was a very good turnout considering there was a bit of sickness with Covid and the flu in the community the time.

 

It was an opportunity for members who perhaps had gone past the days of being able to take long trips, whose camping gear had seen better days, and even for whom driving has become a bit of a chore to meet up with one another again.  13 participants had been members since the 1990s and it was a good opportunity to reminisce about past experiences and trips with the Group.

 

The meal lived up to its past good standards and was enjoyed by all.

 

Keith (organizer).

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7. August. Tuesday 23rd

Mystery Day Trip

Contact Rodney or Raelene.

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RETIRE ACTIVE SA 4WD GROUP MYSTERY RUN 23/8/2022

On a very cold August day (it was snowing in the north of our state) 31 brave souls ventured out for a Mystery Run through the Mt Lofty Ranges to the north east of the city. After meeting with organisers Raelene and Rodney at the Tower Hotel on Magill Road, most were on their way by 9.30, testing their prowess on their driving, navigation and observation skills as they headed up Norton Summit Road to Norton Summit. From there they wound their way along scenic back roads, across creeks, past conservation parks and the old Governor’s summer residence at Marble Hill to Lenswood. Then the sun came out and morning tea was enjoyed at the Lobethal Oval. Setting off again, the route took in various dirt roads further east, one in particular presenting an extra challenge, being very muddy due to recent rains. From the outskirts of Woodside to Charleston, Harrogate and Brukunga, some sites of interest passed included the Amy Gillett Bikeway, Kidman Trail, Charleston Conservation Park, Wirilda Heritage Conservation Area, ACUSA Park offroad motor cycle facility, Brukunga pyrites mine and various wineries. Undeterred by an unexpected road closure and a misguided direction indicator, all participants successfully wended their way to the Woodside Hotel in time for lunch and a chance to thaw out in front of a roaring wood fire.

Participants included: Keith, Julia & Bruno, Imants & Ludmila. Lesley & Wayne, Pat, Ron, Kent & Cecilia, Lesley & Barrie, Stuart & Edith, John & Dilys, Graham & Chris, Dawn & John, Jacquie, Judy, Fae & Jim, Brendan & Yvonne as well as visitors Peter & Chris, Alan & Sue.

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8. September Monday 5th

Pt. Adelaide tour and Maritime Museum visit.

Trip Report:

12 members and 1 visitor spent 2 hours exploring this museum in Lipson St Pt Adelaide.  After an introductory talk from a staff member we were free to wander through 3 floors of exhibits and step on board a full scale replica ketch (the Active II) to see the cramped accommodation early seafarers faced, admire an extensive collection of figureheads, inspect models of ships and artifacts from shipwrecks, and read history of early sea travel to South Australia.

 

Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the nearby Lighthouse Wharf Hotel.

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9. October Tuesday 11th

Mystery Day Trip.

Contact:- Keith

Report:  Mystery Trip October 11th 2022

A group of 28 people, including 2 new members and 3 visitors, assembled at Federation Park in Gumeracha at 10am for morning tea.  12 vehicles set off from about 10.30 following directions that would lead them along back roads of the Adelaide Hills around the Gumeracha, Birdwood, Mt Torrens and Lobethal areas to the final mystery destination for lunch.

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The weather was perfect, and a few good rains over the past months made for spectacular scenery to be viewed as well as roads and narrow tracks that had muddy patches and potholes to make for interesting driving. Sheep, alpacas, horses, cattle, emus and donkeys were among the wildlife to be seen relishing the lush pastures.

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Vigorous growth of grass and other vegetation along the route made finding some of the quiz clues a bit tricky. Naming the gnome’s home required firstly spotting the gnome (almost completely hidden in tall grass) and then reading the name of the property (written on a rock nearby – again well hidden).

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A lot of fun was had by all, and two other members joined us for an enjoyable lunch at the Lobethal Hotel.  Congratulations to team Bruno for getting the most correct answers to the quiz and to team Kent for coming a close second.

 

Total distance covered in the 90-minute drive was 44.4km. Direct distance from Gumeracha to Lobethal is 10.3km.

Keith

 

 

10. November Tuesday 8th

AGM. 10.00am at the Southern Bistro

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