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Good fortune once again accompanied members of the South Australian Area of the AMOC on Sunday August 8^th when the regular, monthly run and lunch took place. The weather was lovely, especially considering it was still winter and there had been rain in the days before, and more was promised later in the week.

Members met at the Bridgewater Inn carpark where our cars were lined up for photographs in the lovely morning sunshine – see above. Area Rep Terry Jones welcomed everyone and especially new members Sarah & Russell who were on their first run. Terry handed out run sheets and spoke to the run that, he advised was a relatively simple one that followed the Old Princes Highway, the main route to Melbourne just a few years ago. We first drove through Hahndorf, a popular weekend venue for town-folk and Terry advised that progress would be slow but he hoped the onlookers enjoyed the convoy of Aston Martins that would enhance their otherwise ordinary existences (Terry is of the opinion that an existence devoid of Aston Martins would, by definition, be ‘ordinary’). We continued through Littlehampton, Nairne and Kanmantoo until we reached Monarto when we turned south and headed to Langhorne Creek. Our lunch venue was The Winehouse where we were able to park our cars on the recently mowed lawns at the rear of the venue that allowed us to admire them while dining. Terry had intended the lunch venue would be Bremerton winery but the recent COVID related lockdown had been followed by restricted patron numbers at all venues and this prevented us using this venue. The Winehouse was a very acceptable alternative and many members commented favourably on the premises and food. Many other diners at the Winehouse were seen admiring our cars and why wouldn’t they – on their own they make great viewing but alongside others from the same stable, spanning 60 years of production, they make special viewing.

The Winehouse had the same practice as our previous lunch venue, Tenafaete Winery, in that a single payment was required and so Terry paid the total bill and members reimbursed him in cash – this was a something of a nuisance but all took it in good spirit and Terry went home with a dented credit card and a wad of cash. Terry thanked all members for attending and reminded the group (if they need reminding) that we were so lucky with our minimal COVID cases in South Australia that allowed us to have our runs almost unaffected. Our colleagues and friends around the world but especially in NSW have been and are still doing it tougher as their outbreak continues unabated and their limited lockdowns appear not to be working as effectively as the early, sharp but short lockdowns that have been used in SA.

After a very convivial meeting, fine food and wine (and craft beer that was available on tap) as well as great company, members departed for home from the historic Langhorne Creek wine growing region that has some fantastic, gnarled old vines on display from the roadside. A great day and a very successful meeting.

Report of AMOC South Australia Run July 11^th to Tenafeate Winery

The weather had been lovely in the days before our planned July run but the forecast was for rain starting on the day of the run and persisting all week. This was more important than for many runs as our lunch destination, Tenafeate Winery had mostly dirt/gravel car parking next to their vines.

Our starting point was the iconic Penfolds Winery in Magill where coffee was served to arriving members and we had undercover parking that was not needed as the weather was dry. Indeed, apart from a few drops toward the end of lunch, the weather was kind to us.

Eighteen members in 10 cars ranging in age from a lovely DB4 owned by members Tony and Angela (that had not been seen before) to Tom’s near new DBS Superlegerra assembled and they were a very impressive sight indeed.

This run took us up Montacute Road and then down the very twisty and aptly name Corkscrew Road, through Kersbrook and onto the One Tree Hill that got its name from a large gum tree that grew there in the 1850s. A short distance along the Gawler Road and we arrived at Tenafeate Winery. We had reserved parking and occupied two tables that had great views of the picturesque Adelaide Hills.

Area Rep, Terry Jones thanked member Frank who organised the run and lunch, and members showed their appreciation with a round of applause.

The set menu included cheeses, breads, dukka and olives followed by pizzas galore. The wines were varied and good – Terry had the intensely coloured Durif and it went very well with the pizzas.

We left a little before 2pm – the limit set by COVID restrictions – and all present had eaten their fill. Several also bought some of Tenafeate’s wines to take home.

Our next run is planned for August 8^th and Terry will provide details via email shortly.

After a week of perfect mid 20s weather, our planned run & lunch on Sunday May 2^nd was undertaken in somewhat cooler (20degree) temperatures though we were fortunate to have a lot of sunshine. Twenty one members in 11 cars ranging from Phil’s 1960 DB4 to Tom’s new Superleggera assembled at Hazelwood Park in the Eastern suburbs of Adelaide at 10.30am.

Area Rep Terry Jones welcomed all and advised our numbers were lower than expected because he had received apologies from 6 members in the previous 2 days, one couple suffering reactions from the COVID vaccine they received just 2 days earlier! Terry then particularly welcomed six visiting members (Michael & Jane, Paul & Lisa, Greg and Chee Mei) from the NSW branch of the AMOC. The local SA members were very impressed that our NSW colleagues had driven over from Sydney (a distance of approximately 1000 miles) in their Aston Martins (the oldest being a DB5) stopping along the way in Broken Hill.

Terry handed out run sheets and advised our visitors that we were just a few hundred meters from the Hills that afforded good views (in the rear view mirror) of the City of Adelaide and suburbs right down to the beach. He also advised the initial part of the run would be on twisty, narrow, hilly roads but later, as we approached the Barossa Valley, the roads would become straighter and faster though the scenery was still lovely.

We set off at 11am, travelling via Greenhill Rd through Summertown and Uraidla then onto Lobethal and Cudlee Creek, an area badly burned by bushfires just 18 months ago – and where the fire damage is still evident. We progressed through Mount Pleasant finally ending in Angaston approximately 100km and 90min later.

We had reserved car parking at Saltram winery from where we ambled to the old barrel cellar that was reserved for our lunch that comprised a very generous serving of platters of local Barossa fare and pizzas. Saltram has some lovely wines and we sampled a few including a tawny port to complete our meal. There was much conversation and Terry was congratulated on the run and lunch venue and we left, very full, some 3h later. Many members took advantage of the 30% price reduction we were offered on cellar door sales – Terry bought a few bottles of Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon and he observed many others were buying the Tawny port – either a good choice!

Terry reflected after the event that we are very lucky to live in a country where COVID has not drastically altered our lives and this is very evident when reading the AM News that has few reports of events from other Areas of late.  We are also lucky to have such good food and wine from a world-leading wine region (the Barossa Valley) on our doorstep.

At approximately 10am on a cool and overcast day, some 12 cars with 18 members and guests assembled at the carpark outside the Burnside Shopping centre. One guest, Tom, drove his recently acquired Superlegerra DBS V12 that was outstanding in its Hyper Red livery – both will be very welcome on future runs (assuming Tom wants to join our Club). Another guest, Mark was somewhat surprised as he was not aware he was joining us on the run until the very last minute. Mark’s son Liam had contacted Area Rep Terry Jones more than 12months earlier about the possibility of driving in an Aston Martin on the occasion of his father’s 60^th birthday but those plans were shelved due to the emerging COVID 19 pandemic. A year down the track, Terry contacted Liam and arranged for both of them to join us for our monthly run & lunch that was a secret until the moment Mark saw the assembled group. As it happened, it turned out well because Mark’s birthday was the April 11^th, the date of the run. Because Aston Martins rarely seat more than 2 in comfort, Mark first drove with Terry Jones in his 1974 AMV8 and then with former Area Rep, Chris in his V8 Vantage for the return leg and son Liam did the reverse.

The route called for us to exit the carpark and drive up Portrush Road to the start of the Freeway but roadworks on the Freeway caused considerable comgestion and delay on Portrush Road and the lower part of the Freeway that we either had to endure or take the alternative route up Greenhill Rd. Most decided to take the planned route and we endured very slow progress for the first 15minutes or so but once we got past the Heysen tunnels, progress was much better. We exited at Stirling and travelled down Milan Tce to Mylor then through Echunga to Flaxeley and on to Meadows. From there we took Brookman Rd, Range Road and Wickham Hill Road that took us over the ranges to the floor of the valley and onto to Woodstock Winery. Wickham Hill Rd is a lovely way to descend from the hills due to its many sharp turns that are reminiscent of the Alpine roads (in miniature) where the closing scenes of Italian Job were filmed. Terry suggested singing ‘The Self Preservation Society’ on this part of the drive in memory of the classic Mini movie that also featured a DB4 Aston Martin.

Arriving at Woodstock (one of our official sponsors), we again parked on the lovely grassed area under the old gum trees and chatted amongst ourselves, some taking photographs, most enjoying a complimentary glass of bubbles (or Moscato for those who preferred this tipple). There had been brief spells of sunshine during the drive but overall it was quite overcast though we were fortunate not having any rain.

We moved inside to enjoy a feast of platters with all manner of meats, cheeses and pickles and Woodstock also catered for the vegetarians among us (thanks guys). A few more wines were consumed including a very nice Montepulciano that Terry thought vastly better than the Italian version of this wine he had tried a few years earlier. One of the major foods we were treated to was a German pizza style food called Flammkuchen that was served with a variety of toppings including dessert topping – all seemed to enjoy the food and several members advised Terry they thought the meeting was a great success.

At Woodstock we were also met by members Richard Dyson Harvey, Jennifer Garton and Amanda & Darryl who moved to Darwin a few years back but who were back in Adelaide for a brief spell – it was very good to catch up with them again. Accompanying Richard were two Victorian members, Richard and Bronwyn who were made very welcome. We were also lucky to have two new members join us, David and Sandra in their recently acquired V12 Vantage S – another beautiful car in our lineup (see photos). Our group of now 30 odd filled 3 large tables in the restaurant that is just recovering from more than 12 months of depressed trading because of the pandemic and it was great to see a return to more normal operation. The staff were excellent and the Flammkuchens kept coming until we could eat no more. We gradually departed to wend our way home after a lovely long lunch.

The weather in the days before (and after) the planned March event had been perfect with maxima in the mid 20s, cool evenings with a few rainy days earlier that reduced the need to water the gardens.

This was the first time the AMOC SA had held a mid week evening run and so Area Rep, Terry Jones watched with baited breath as the acceptances rolled in. In the end 19 members attended the run in 10 cars and a further 2 members joined us for dinner at the Loca Vore restaurant in Stirling.

The drive was deliberately kept a little shorter than others (some 50km) due to the earlier dusk now we are approaching the end of daylight saving.  The roads contained a mix of twists and turns with some straighter roads that allowed us to stretch our cars a little and enjoy the lovely Adelaide Hills.

We started at Tregarthen Reserve, just outside Summertown where Trevor Shepherd (long standing BDC member) came in his DB7 to say hello to comrades he has known/met over many months/years. The drive took us through Uraidla, Carey Gully and Balhanna where we turned left onto the Onkaparinga Valley Rd travelling through Oakbank. We then circled back through Nairne and Littlehampton, skirting Hahndorf before crossing under the motorway, through Aldgate and then to our final stop in Stirling. We had one minor ‘mishap’ on Junction Rd where one member carried straight on instead of stopping, turning right, crossing the railway line then turning left in order to stay on Junction Rd but no harm was done except to the navigator’s ego!

We had the balcony area of the Loca Vore to ourselves and conversation flowed freely as always. A few members took the opportunity to complete Ballot Papers for the upcoming AGM elections to the Committee of Management and these were photographed and emailed directly from the restaurant – the wonders of modern communications! Chris Barron advised of progress with the Stately Affair developments and called for members to advise him of their intentions to attend. He advised that, while this was still 6 months off, bookings needed to be made asap.

Our meals were served and most enjoyed a glass or two of local wines. Terry greatly enjoyed the vegetarian burger with a glass of Hills Sauvignon Blanc and it appeared that all were enjoying their meals too.

Our next run & lunch will be held on Sunday April 11^th when we will revert to our normal morning start with lunch finish.

On a very pleasant evening after a warm 33degree day, some 24 members and guests assembled at the Crafers Primary School carpark for the first event of the South Australian Area of the AMOC for 2021.

Area Rep Terry Jones handed out run sheets and advised the run for the evening was almost identical to the run last February but that this year we would be able to see some new growth that is replacing some of the burnt trees that resulted from the Cudlee Creek fires of early 2020.

Terry lead the group of Astons onto Piccadilly Rd heading south across the motorway toward Mylor. Most members followed the route directions through the lovely Adelaide Hills but a few decided to follow Terry instead. This turned out not to be a good idea as Terry became distracted by a phone call from AMOC UK and he missed the left turn onto River Rd. Not much time was lost fortunately and Terry and others rejoined the group almost at the rear but places were recovered later, when turning right into Tanhamera Rd (because of a mistake in the route directions that advised turning left instead of right – oops). Fortunately no-one was unduly confused and the group gathered a few miles later at the Stanley Bridge Tavern in Verdun after the 75km drive with the setting sun glistening on the Hills. We had reserved car parks (‘guarded’ by a brightly dressed local) that allowed good photo opportunities and, after a little discussion of the route, we walked into our private function room for a complimentary glass of Adelaide Hills bubbles.

After the meals had been ordered, Terry addressed the thirty members present (including two visiting from Victoria) and he thanked them for attending and hoped they had enjoyed the run. He also proposed a toast to ‘absent friends’ with Pamela Dyson Harvey, long standing and much loved AMOC member who recently passed away, in the forefront of all member’s minds. Terry then read the email from Richard Furse, AMOC UK, and members were very happy with the message it contained concerning the reinstatement of Bill Griffiths as Australian Rep.

Members settled down to the 2 course meal and lovely Adelaide wines that met with the approval of most and the conversation flowed freely. Terry asked Chris Barron to advise the group on the Stately Affair that was in the early stages of planning.  Chris outlined the proposed event that was primarily for Victorian and South Australian AMOC members (though a few NSW members often attended) and he asked us to give serious thought to attending the event in the first week in October.

The meeting came to a close at around 10pm and members wended their way home via the nearby motorway.