18 Corvettes and one gold sedan turned out for our meeting points on Saturday morning at Coomera and Mudgeeraba.   Despite the wild weather we encountered, this did not seem to dampen the spirits for our 38 members.  Stopping off at Cabarita Beach for morning tea and breakfast for some, all the chatter and catching up didn’t seem to bother the group with our splendid views of rough seas and torrential downpours.  The weather cleared yet again and we continued our journey through Byron Bay and onto Lennox Head for our first photo shoot at The Headlands. 

 Just after midday we reached our destination in Ballina and all checked into our lovely rooms at the All Seasons Comfort Inn.   Once settled we all assembled in the motel car park for a Car Boot Sale featuring Club Spray Jackets and Umbrellas.  These items proved to be handy for our brisk walk downtown towards the boat harbour for our afternoon lunch/river cruise. 

 We all arrived at 1.30 pm to board the MV Richmond Princess but due to the current weather conditions the boat was definitely not leaving the dock our captain advised (no rescue missions this afternoon please).  We could not re-schedule to another time so we all made the best of the situation on board our private charter for the afternoon with a light lunch, cake, coffee, etc.  The boat was licensed so everybody had a quite a merry afternoon without even noticing that we not moving from the dock.  Bob and Peter entertained us well to give us all the impression that we were out on the high seas of the Richmond River by running from side to side to rock the boat and throwing on lifebuoys.

While on board down came the rain again (Peter had offered to throw some water up the sides earlier for effect – not required – thanks anyway Pete).   After an enjoyable couple of hours at the dock we all headed off for some more leisure time at the Ballina RSL Club for some, others returned to the Motel for an afternoon siesta and drinks around the pool/deck area.

 Cocktail Hour arrived and we all assembled again at the Motel’s restaurant cocktail bar for pre-dinner drinks before we made our way through to Fleur’s Restaurant for a delicious three course dinner (management had arranged their own choice of menu just for us).   During the entire evening our group seemed to get louder and louder, everybody was really enjoying themselves and our fabulous staff seemed run off their feet to please all.  I’d swear that the main street of Ballina even heard us.   After about three hours or so and wet napkins and paper planes being thrown all around the restaurant, we all made our way to either our rooms to retire for the evening or party on again around the Pool/Deck area for a game of Chinese whispers I believe.

 More heavy rain overnight, but the next morning looked promising in a way.  A buffet breakfast at the motel restaurant managed to re-charge the batteries for everyone in fine spirits for the day ahead.  Apparently some of the early birds that morning were up to tricks with somebody changing room numbers on unit doors to confuse others returning from early morning walks.  While we all packed up, settled mini-bar tabs, checked for water leaks in cars and fueled up, we bid our hosts, Joanne and Ralph Matthews a hearty farewell.   We thank them both for their excellent service where every request was no trouble at all, they certainly made our stay memorable.

 At 9.30 am we continued on our journey into the northern NSW hinterland for another group photo shoot at McLeod’s Shoot Lookout (the skies briefly smiled for us again).

Continuing on through the mountains and the rainforests we arrived for morning tea and leisure time at The Crystal Castle at Montecollum.   Among the mountains and the mystic of this place, some pondered on the idea of having their fortunes and aureas read, getting in touch with their inner self through the many walks or finding that perfect crystal to soothe the soul.  We believe another practical joker emerged around the many walks with a rubber snake to scare some of the ladies.  Our Devonshire tea produced large scones that were like cakes to the delight of some, others were fine with just a drink.   At this stage the heavens decided to open again quite heavy, so everyone decided to make a break for it and head for home at 12.30 am.  We all bid each other farewell and headed for Mullumbimby nearby and back onto the highway to go our separate ways.

 Due to the weather conditions we gave Brunswick Hotel a big miss and headed home to hopefully sunny Qld.   A handful of people didn’t want to go home yet, so we decided to lunch at Twin Towns RSL then sunny Qld it was!

A fun time was had by all and thank you all for making it a Great Weekend Away.

Your Trip Leaders,           Lorna & Bob Mihill

P.S.  What a sight to be seen, what a parade with 18 Corvettes travelling along the highway all together – PRICELESS!