Tuesday night the 4^th June saw us have our first non-run winter dinner at the Parkside Hotel with 21 members enjoying the evening with a selection of food from the hotel’s À la carte menu.

Lots of laughs and discussion around the table while we waited and when the meals arrived I don’t think anyone was disappointed.

 

During the wait it gave me an opportunity to report on the club’s progress with the “Stately Affair”.

We have 40 members from Victoria and South Australia registered to attend and their accommodation booked.

There are still some sea view rooms available and we are looking to get even more local members attending.

It is one of the events held where the 2 states get together and share a weekend of fine food, great driving and above all camaraderie.

 

The Friday night welcome dinner is booked at “The Whalers Restaurant” just below our accommodation.

Saturday’s drive will be encompassing some of the region’s most spectacular scenery and is sure to be a winner as John and Cintra Amos will be organizing the run. We will finish the run at “The Winehouse” for lunch, having been there numerous times in the past it has always proven to be a winner amongst members.

We will park all our cars on their back lawn where they will be lined up providing a wonderful display of the Aston Marque.

Following lunch we head back to the accommodation for a refreshing drink or rest before we head out to the “Port Elliot Hotel” for dinner.

Sunday sees us heading out on another adventurous drive and lunch before finishing with a private and cozy BBQ “farewell dinner” by the accommodation’s poolside.

 

This has always been very well attended and has been the foundation of many a friendship within the club.

If you are deliberating as to whether to join us please make the effort as I can assure you that you will not be disappointed with the weekend.

These gatherings have lasting memories for those that have attended.

19^th May 2024 run to Howards Vineyard.

28 members braved the cold morning with a warm cup of coffee at the German Arms in Hahndorf prior to the run.

Stuart and Rhonda Barnes had organized this 90km run with long straight roads through Strathalbyn and Callington and short winding sections

through the back of the Adelaide Hills to Howards Vineyard for lunch.

Apart from the temperature, the noticeable lack of traffic and bike riders made it a drivers dream run.

Many thanks to Stuart and Rhonda for organizing the day and to all who attended.

As I have said before the greatest compliment that a committee can expect is when a club gets participation from the members.

We are now going into the Winter break from runs but will still be gathering for dinner so please keep these dates free.

19^th May 2024 run to Howards Vineyard.

28 members braved the cold morning with a wm cup of coffee at the German Arms in Hahndorf prior to the run.

Stuart and Rhonda Barnes had organized this 90km run with long straight roads through Strathalbyn and Callington and short winding sections

through the back of the Adelaide Hills to Howards Vineyard for lunch.

Apart from the temperature, the noticeable lack of traffic and bike riders made it a drivers dream run.

Many thanks to Stuart and Rhonda for organizing the day and to all who attended.

As I have said before the greatest compliment that a committee can expect is when a club gets participation from the members.

We are now going into the Winter break from runs but will still be gathering for dinner so please keep these dates free.

21^st April Autumn run.

AMOC South Australia run to St Hugo Winery in the beautiful Barossa valley.

We started the day at the Feathers Hotel car park.

The weather was a picture perfect day and everyone turned up very keen to start the run.

A couple of the members that reside in the hills chose to join us along the way to save the trip down the hill.

A prudent decision considering the push bikes we encountered heading up Greenhill Rd.

Once we cleared the hill and turned North the run through the hills towards Mt Torrens was alive with Autumn colours. Very little traffic to report and upon arriving I didn’t hear any murmurings of wrong mileage.

A quick drink before lunch and a chance to take in the views of the winery.

We sat down to in all honesty probably one of the best meals we have encountered all year.

March 2024 – Bene Aged Care

Well today was like no other that I have experienced.

We started the day with everyone spot on time (except for me who ran 2 minutes late).

When I arrived I was greeted with the usual banter from a handful of members that one can expect when you are the last one to arrive, but it was all done in a friendly and courteous manner.

We chatted briefly while the guests from Bene Aged Care gathered to the tune of James Bond playing on one of their carers phone.

It really did make the day for so many of the residents as they associate our marques with James Bond.  There were 45 in all that came out to see our cars.

We were treated to coffee and cakes and spent a good hour and a half watching the smiles and happiness on the faces of the residents.

We then commenced our run to the Uraidla Hotel and enjoyed a beautiful lunch under the canopy of the beer garden.

I would personally like to thank Neville and Sally Clarke, Harley and Annette Cooke, Bob Crosby, Tom Hutchinson and John Hendrickson for taking time out of their day to attend. It was so gratifying those that attended decided to make it an annual affair.

The happiness it brought made it all worthwhile,

Martin Farkas