September - Austin Healey Owners Club of Victoria

ROF RUN EAST
Thursday August 11 th
With a weather forecast for the day, cold winds, rain and a top of 16 o I looked towards the hills – knowing that was where
we were heading - and the question- “to take the Healey or not?“. After a phone conversation with Bill Metcalf we both
decided to be smart and opted for the sedans. I then started feeling guilty – "not another Healey run without the Healy" -
so the decision was made to take the Healey -with a compromise to leave the hood on. So I was surprised when arriving
at our meeting point to see Bill already there – also with his Healey. The true Healey spirit prevailing! It wasn’t too long
before more cars started arriving. Don & Nancy McCracken the only others in a Healey – they must have known
something we didn’t about the day as their hood was down!!!!! In all we had 3 x Healeys 2 x E type Jaguars 1x Porsche 1
x Mazda convertible & Gordon & Elaine in the very new, very smart, very red BMW 2 door coupe.
Bends, bends and more bends was the theme for the drive! After heading to the hills and Monbulk we then navigated our
way towards Yellingbo- Woori Yallock then into Healsville, The sun had decided to appear and we settled in for a
pleasant drive through the countryside & lots of bends– to the delight of most of the guys – but not so some of the
women! From Healesville we traveled to Kinglake (good to see the new growth on the trees after the fires) then more
bends – steep and sharp, through to St. Andrews, Panton Hills Christmas Hills and onto the Melba highway and a good
stretch of straight road – well almost - to our luncheon venue. – after a rather long and interesting drive!!
The Croydon Golf Club - our lunch venue - is set in the beautiful Yarra Valley with sweeping views across the Golf course
to the Hills. Lunch was in the Bar/Bistro (they also have a Dining Room) A long table against the window had been set
enabling us to make the most of the views – and with the sun streaming through the windows, good food and lively
conversation and the odd wine or two, the day finished on a very relaxing note.
Warren Gartner
PS Don’t forget next Month’s ROF Run out West
UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE - FROM A WASHINGTON DC TRAVEL AGENT
A US Senator, called and had a question about the documents she needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy
discussion about passports, I reminded her that she needed a visa. "Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and
never had to have one of those.
I double checked and sure enough, her stay required a visa. When I told her this she said, ''Look, I've been to China four
times and every time they have accepted my American Express!''
Yes folks - these people run a country! - and they breed!
22
HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS SEPTEMBER 2011