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The day started out with a little mist around Burnie and Ulverstone but cleared as I ventured further east. Arrived at the Motor Museum car park a little early, so went for a leisurely stroll in the park and up town. By the time I returned, the car park was humming with activity. The Museum car park was full of Alfa Romeos; good to see, I've always had a soft spot for Alfa's.

Alongside in the Council car park were a good selection of Jaguars with owners milling about chatting and catching up. The throng was brought to attention by our Northern Pres. Jim Dickenson who outlined the proceedings for the day before handing over to our 'Tour Leaders' for the day Leon and Heather Ranson who set out in detail what was to happen. They promised an eventful day, and it was.

At the start, who came swanning in late but the Swann's themselves. They related how they had a spot of dog relocating to attend to before they would join us later but it was not to be as they succumbed to a puncture and failed to materialise. Bad luck Rod and Barb; next time.

The 'troops' set off in formation heading for the East Tamar Highway heading North - 14 cars in all. Turning off the highway onto some delightful seldom visited (for me at least being a Coaster) roads, uphill downdale, twisty swervery with a Conga Line of lovely Jaguars for an aft. As we wound our way along, dodging a number of ongoing roadworks, John Wilson in his Mk11 'failed to proceed' and it turned out he also had suffered a puncture - an inconvenience but easily fixed!

Our first surprise was a stop at Lalla to view the amazing works of local artist Shelley McCleod, an ex-Queenslander who has settled here with her Tasmanian husband and set up her studio in an old apple packing shed, wonderful! Her creations were not only limited to oils and sketches - which in themselves were superbly detailed - but she also dabbles in pottery and making exquisite doll's houses. Parking was a bit of a squeeze but we managed to secrete our cars in all sorts of nooks and crannies and I thought for a moment we were going to take to the railway line; now there's an idea! A good half hour was spent at the viewing but I'm not too sure about any purchases, the prices were a bit of a shock!

Our final destination was just up the road at an intriguingly named establishment called The Leaning Church Vineyard. What a marvellously held secret this place is! Yes, there is actually a leaning church on site and their web site gives more details: http://leaningchurch.com.au/

Two long tables had been prepared for our dining experience at their new restaurant where we arranged ourselves along with a number of other patrons. First up was a number of 'tastings' of the various whites and reds being produced at this little winery tucked away in some beautiful countryside. Luncheon arrived in the form of several grilled meats and side dishes with the meats being ably cooked, seared and burnt by a couple of our 'chefs' in the Club! I for one enjoyed myself thoroughly with a good meal, good company and a couple of agreeable reds as I am sure every one else was very positive about this place and I would recommend another little Club jaunt their way again for sure.

The afternoon passed quickly and it came time for us all to organise who was going to escape from the congested car park first! Not being familiar with the territory, I decided to tag along with Martin and Kaye Wilson who were in the Mk1.

"Stay close to me" Martin uttered, "And I'll be right behind you."

"Yeeeees right", sez I and true to form, Marin barrels off into the distance around a few corners and side roads not to be seen again. Good one Martin, I knew I could rely on you to give a merry chase!

I wandered around a couple of likely looking roads that gave me an interesting drive, taking me eventually back to the Lillydale road and back into Launceston's Northern suburbs. After an afternoon tea stop at the Perth Roadhouse, it was time to aim the Leaper in a Westerly direction and home. None of this boring boring highway lark with the rest of late Sunday traffic; no, it was return home by more enjoyable roads from Longford to Bishopsbourne and back roads to Deloraine, then to Kimberley via the Mole Creek Rd. It was then onto the Railton Rd. through to Latrobe, Speyton and the final section back onto the Bass Highway for a quick strop home.

It was looking increasingly ominous as I motored West and hoped we would make it home before the deluge - not so I'm afraid, Jeremy J. and I were hit head on with a massive downpour at the back of Penguin which persisted all the way to Burnie.

Apart from that, we had a very good day.

  - Motoring Maximus

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