Well as usual the week ended on Friday around 5.30 approximately 6 hours AFTER Sally and I were to leave.

Alas the Vette was not ready till then.

After much colourful language, we got away and headed for Coffs Harbour, not allowing for daylight saving of course we arrived 10 o'clock and found our way to the wrong Motel.  After waking most of the residents and a few of the dead, we found our Motel next door.  Thus starting our driving quest to the under part of downunder.

The following day started well, however 3 hours into the trip and less than 200 km passing under our wheels due to road works, we finally found a good spot to pass the grey nomads, that were holding us back from freedom.

Hence the desire to stretch the ZR1s legs.  Alas, it was a great spot for the highway patrol to hide as well, and much to my surprise ,alleged I was speeding.  As I could have been a wee bit over the limit decided not to argue the point and he decided not to lock me up for a period of time.  Welcome to NSW.  Whoopee!!!!

The rest of the trip was uneventful and some what slower, but did manage to catch up with Ken and Betty Greaves in Portland, still Qld Club Members but living there now days . Showed us around the sights and had a great evening at one of there restaurants down on the water front.  [Thanks Guys had a lovely time.]

Then off to Murray Bridge to catch up with the rellies before the convention started the next day.

 Checked in to the Chifley around 1 o'clock and the fun started.  Sally headed for our room for a quick nap, whilst I gave my support to the members at the beverage counter, after giving the vette a spruce up ready for the Show and Shine on Saturday.  The meet and greet gave us a chance to meet lots of new vette owners and of course catch up with the guys from QLD.

 Due to a slight hiccup with the restaurant [slow builders] it was not ready, so Friday night we all had a slap up dinner at the Chifley where we stayed.

Saturday saw the Show and Shine arrive under glorious blue skies, and Glenelg down on the waterfront was a perfect spot to hold the event.  Around 90 Vettes turned out, all gleaming and polished to within an micro of fibreglass.  The gents spent the day checking out cars, whilst some of the ladies went out to do some retail therapy at the nearby shops.  Unfortunately for some of us this proved to be payback of some sort and left this black duck a lot lighter in the pocket.  [definitely wont criticize the better half's driving ability again, paybacks a bugger!]

After a great day we all headed back to the Chifley for a couple of hours before heading out by bus to the jockey club for dinner and some of the trophy presentations.  As for the hats that were worn there were some interesting ones to say the least.  Congratulations to Bones for his winning combination.  [See photos]

After a good feed and a few drinks and for the more active, a few dances, we all headed home for the night, looking forward to the Sunday cruise and run to the Birdwood Auto Museum.

Had a interesting drive through the countryside, mostly just trying to find the other Vettes that seemed to go in all different directions.  Despite a anxious start we caught up with a S.A. Vette and was able to follow him to the next location.  Thank God he wasn't a ring in and going to Perth or might still be driving.

Stopped for lunch and a good look around the Birdwood Museum, where we all caught up with Doug Stillgoe, which was a very pleasant surprise.  Finally got to see Efigy, one awesome looking car.

After seeing all we could headed back to the hotel again, great things those satnavs, got us there without following a single car.  Sally has named it Narelle, as we have become very attached to her after 5500km on the road.

Sunday night was again a slap up dinner at the Stanford Grand hotel at Glenelg, and there again had a wonderful night.

Unfortunately all good things come to an end and Sally, myself and Narelle had to head off early back to Brisbane, so we were up before first light and gone.

The trip home was not as eventful as going down, and a fair bit less expensive.  The Vette never missed a beat the whole time and other than a broken exhaust bracket, care of Victorian main roads, performed well and even managed better than 21 MPG.

Thanks to all the South Australian club members for a great Convention, and look forward to catching up next year in Canberra.  Cheers Ernie & Sally