Social Days for 2024
1. January: Wed 17th
Mid-summer lunch at Southern Bar Gaming Bistro, South Rd St Mary’s
Lesley and Keith
Report:
14 members enjoyed lunch and a long chat session at The Southern Bar & Bistro, St Marys. It was great to see 3 inaugural members of our Group there, and a special privilege to share in a slightly belated 99th Birthday celebration for Glenda. Glenda has been a stalwart for the Group for the whole 34 years of its existence. We were the last patrons to leave after lunch at about 2.45pm.
Present: John & Dilys B, Les & Brenda B, Yvonne N, Julia & Bruno G, Lesley Sch, Robyn G, Ron S, Barbara P, Keith W, Glenda G, & Bob B.
Apologies: Barrie & Lesley Str, Nan & Bob F, Rick & Mazz, Edith & Stuart StG, Jenny & John L, Kent & Cecilia M, & Wayne Sch. Organisers: Lesley Str & Keith W.
2. February: Friday 16th
Mystery Day Trip.
Kent and Cecilia.
Trip Report:
The 4WD Group Social Day Mystery Trip held Friday 16 February 2024
Several 4WD Group members met at Thorndon Park Reserve, Athelstone at 9:30 for a 10am start on a beautiful, warm summer's day.
After a BYO morning tea and chat under the shelter overlooking the lake, each vehicle was handed out instructions with directions to follow.
The picturesque route through the Adelaide Hills covered 65km, in a N.E. direction with less than 10km of gravel road.
The route was easy to follow and the quiz not too taxing.
The group finished up in the Forreston area at a shady picnic spot under the pines at Rocky Crossing.
After a relaxing picnic lunch and interesting conversation, it was only a 45-60 minute drive back to the city.
A great day out on roads less travelled.
Mystery Trip organisers were Kent and Cecilia.
Photo of the group at The Rocky Crossing picnic spot.
3. March: Sat 16th - Sunday 17th
Weekend Getaway & Monarto Safari Park visit on Monday 18th.
Meet and stay at Murray Bridge Marina Caravan Park.
Saturday night dinner & Fringe Event at Bridgeport Hotel.
Julia.
Trip Report:
Our Social event this month was a relaxing long weekend staying in Murray Bridge and visiting Monarto Safari Park on Monday. A total of 10 members found time in mad March to participate and enjoy the warm summer weather and each other’s company.
Saturday afternoon we met at the Marina Caravan Park camp kitchen for happy hour before heading off to the popular Bridgeport Hotel for dinner. It so happened that a Fringe Festival event was held that night in the hotel and 6 of us were entertained by Carla and her cabaret performance of “That’s Not Amore”. The others in our group amused themselves playing board games in a nearby accommodation.
On Sunday we took a back road to Jervois where the highlight was a drive along Gazzola Rd. A few minutes later we stopped at the huge mural on the Beston milk processor’s wall. Not far down the road, morning tea and breakfast awaited at the unique “Kiosk Ego Farm”. We had fun feeding carrots to the ponies in the yard next to our table.
We passed several dairy farms on our way to Wellington on the River Murray. The historic ferry was exceptionally busy with vehicles and vans queued up for over 100 metres waiting to cross. The men in our group were entertained watching the vehicles board the ferry.
Taking the B45 we headed off towards to Langhorne Creek
We turned onto the dirt track leading to Tolderol Conservation Park. The Alexandrina Lake area attracts thousands of migratory birds from the Arctic between September to May every year. Unfortunately we didn’t see many birds as the wetland basins were dry due to the redevelopment work being undertaken. With high reeds and no signage we ended up at a dead end and had fun backtracking our way out.
Eventually we arrived in Langhorne Creek for lunch in the shady picnic grounds.
Leaving Langhorne Creek we took well-formed tracks to Ferries- McDonald Conservation Park.
All the group except 2 took the 3 km sandy track through the dry mallee scrub. We then headed back to Murray Bridge via the Brinkley Rd and finished at the The Roundhouse, overlooking the River Murray and the bridges.
For our final night we gathered in the camp kitchen for dinner. The Berkis’ treated us to ice-cream, watermelon and assorted berries for sweets. Very welcome after a hot day!
Monday was another hot day and after a 20 minute drive from Murray Bridge we met at the Monarto Safari Park. This park is the 2nd largest safari park in the world after Africa! The modern air-conditioned hop on hop off buses took us around the 12kms+ trails. We learnt so much from the excellent guides on board and the different animal keepers.
A memorable end to an enjoyable getaway!
Report and photos by Julia, trip organiser
4. April: Thursday 4th.
Mystery Day Trip.
Rick.
5. May: Tuesday 14th
Tour of City of Adelaide Clipper Ship at Pt Adelaide with lunch at a nearby hotel.
Lesley.
6. June:
Myster Day Trip.
Keith & Yvonne.
7. July:
Mid-Winter lunch
Keith.
8. August:
To be decided.
9. September:
Mannum Getaway 2 nights stay.
Lesley S
10. October: Tuesday 8th
Prospect Hill Historical Museum.
Raelene.
11. November: (1.) Tuesday 12th. AGM and Lunch at Southern Bistro.
(2.) Sunday 24th - 30th. Christmas Camp at Clare.
