Octagon November, 2017

September Midweek Run
MG Car Club Overnight Run to Warwick
27 – 28 September
report and photos by Malcolm Campbell
It was a leisurely start to the September overnight
run, beautifully crafted by Denis and Vicki Thomas.
They had assembled “Goodies Bags” for all
entrants with driving instructions, maps for both
days, menus with prices for each of the three meal
stops, even tourist guides and lists of attractions.
Attention to detail was excellent, because the red
bags also carried our room numbers for the motel!
Denis and Vicki, you’ll be a hard act to follow.
So why was it a leisurely start? We assembled
at Logan Parklands Beenleigh at 10.00 am for a
10.30 am start and this provided us time for a lazy
morning tea and pit-stop, even before we started
the run -- such a civilised start to the day.
Stage 1 took us out of Beenleigh in the customary
way through Wolffdene with an easy run to
Beaudesert and then on to Boonah. Finding the
Dugandan Hotel on the southern outskirts of town
by midday was easy. It was a cooler day and the
clouds tended to camouflage the brown grasses.
We are desperate for rain in SE Queensland.
The hotel put on excellent well-priced meals and
quickly dispensed them to our hungry group. Some
found their Goodies Bag even contained a sheet
outlining the hotel’s history -- that was thoughtful
and informative. The big windows encouraged a
wonderful breeze through the dining room, so we all
enjoyed the occasion, and it was hard to get moving
again.
bits of road on this part of the run and I was able to
enjoy a few mid-range second gear power bursts
from my little GTI’s turbo, but they were usually
terminated by the brake lights of the vehicle ahead.
It increased fuel consumption a bit, but it was fun.
The Walkers spiked a coffee stop at Killarney,
although I think they were the only takers, most
preferring a pit stop. It was then a 30 km run to
Warwick with more lovely scenery. I’d say it was
about 3.30 pm when the majority arrived at the
Horse and Jockey Hotel-Motel at the Brisbane end
of town. The rooms were quite spacious and we
were spread out across all areas of the motel.
By 5 pm, noise levels in the outside eating area
increased dramatically as the club took over the
whole area for Happy Hour. It was so civilised but
the decibel levels made listening a much focussed
exercise. There was another poor couple in the
room but fortunately the lady once owned an MG
so she understood our passion for fun. Around
6.30 pm we all drifted into the main dining area
to occupy 3 long tables in the far corner, where it
was quiet. But the serenity was soon shattered
as the corks popped and the excellent food was
consumed.
The wise ones left early but we all were back to
our rooms by 10 pm. The plan was to be down
for breakfast, sensitively planned to be from
7 – 8.30 am. You are so civilised, Mr and Mrs
Thomas. And what a hearty breakfast it was. No
one complained about the variety or quantity, but
it would make finding room for lunch at the Gatton
Pub a challenge. I noticed a marked intolerance for
loud discussion, talking was more hushed after the
spirited evening conversations.
Next stop was the 1870 Pringle Cottage, a
beautifully restored sandstone cottage with
excellent memorabilia and equipment in adjoining
sheds. The museum is run by the Warwick
Historical Society. Admission also included morning
tea. Although many of the delicious slices and jam
scones were consumed, there was an obvious sign
of over-catering, or maybe we still hadn’t digested
the country breakfast?
Some only stayed for lunch but the hardy ones
continued on, to the better part of the run – the
run up to Queen Mary Falls although the planned
stops did not eventuate, because we all reckoned
the Falls wouldn’t be falling. There were some nice
The run through the Allora district was very scenic,
with many emerald green fields reminding us
how hard the farmers work to produce their crops
in such trying conditions. After a short while on
the New England Highway, heading towards
The Octagon - November 2017 21