MyTorque is a collection of articles about member experiences and comments on their cars. This article is from JCCT Secretary Jenni Appleby, on her pre- and post-National Rally experience.

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As Rod has given a comprehensive report on the 41st National Jaguar Rally I would like to give a pre and after Rally insight.

Des & I left Hobart on Wednesday 17th March to travel to Devonport in readiness for the "Day" crossing on the Spirit on Thursday 18th. I have heard many bad reports on this journey, but to be honest, I would certainly do it again. We meet up with Barry and Athalie on board and sat down with some good books, coffee and conversation to while away the hours. Interrupted by the odd walk around the boat to stretch our legs and during the afternoon adjourning to the Theatre for one of the 3 pictures screened during the day. "Charlie & Boots" which we had not seen before and was very humorous.

On arrival in Melbourne we bid the Wiggins farewell as they were going to spend the night with friends while we followed the Bay down the Mornington Peninsula to find a nice place to "free" camp for the night. This turned out to be Frankston, after we complete missed our preferred site at Mordialloc. The next morning we headed off to Phillip Island for the Historic Racing to be held over the weekend. After booking into our Caravan Park and setting up we decided to go for a walk and rang the Wiggins to see where they were and ended up at their Park for "Sundowners" before walking back to ours.

Next morning, Saturday and the next, Sunday, it was an early rise to take the Motor home to the Track to get a good spot near the fence. This became a very handy base for us all who had travelled from Tassie for the weekend. During the day, Barry & Athalie; Dale, Gail and David, Lyndon and Jill and their friends Pam & Malcolm were able to have a base to come back to for a rest or cuppa. The racing, as usual was great and the "boys" had a marvellous time exploring the Pits etc. It was good to catch up with Wandy whilst there along with friends from the MG Car Club who were there giving out information for the MG Historic Motor Race Meeting they have planned for Baskerville Raceway on 15th to 17th October 2010. We also caught up with members from the Jaguar Car Club of Victoria, who had a very impressive car display covering both days.

The weekend ended all to soon and it was back up to Melbourne to leave our Motor home with friends while we flew up to the Gold Coast for the National Rally. The next 3 days were spent sorting out what to pack so as to not go overweight; we were travelling "Tiger" and did not want any problems. We also had time to venture into the City to see the stage show "The Jersey Boys" which was excellent.

On arrival on the Gold Coast on Thursday 25th we soon realised that some of the clothing we had packed would certainly not be needed. It was about 29 degrees and I don't think it ventured much below that in all the next 2 weeks. We spent 2 lovely days catching up with family and grandchildren before Rod and Anne arrived on the Saturday and we booked into our unit at Labrador. We did arrange to join the Gold Coast Register for their monthly meeting at Sunshine Jaguar on the Monday night and it was good to put faces to the people we had been "helping" with information etc during the past 12 months. A large array of beautiful Jaguars were assembled in the car park as well as in the showroom along with some very lovely Aston Martins.

A "girls" view of the National Rally was cars, cars, what more cars, but it was certainly good to catch up with friends we had made at our National Rally in 2009. I was reminded that I (Mum) would not be needing my whistle whilst in Queensland. (Those who were on our Post Rally Tour will know what all that is about!) Anne and I certainly enjoyed the Fashion Parade put on during the Concours day and purchased some items after. I also found the Regalia, especially the jewellery much more female orientated than male. But the "Male" and "Female" major raffle was much sought out by all. Unfortunately none of us came home with it.

As already reported by Rod, the 41st National Jaguar Rally went off very well and the Committee are to be congratulated on organization of such a successful event. Canberra certainly had big shoes to fill after the staging of the 2009 and 2010 Rallies. The 2 weeks we spent with Rod & Anne were very pleasant with the 4 of us enjoying many outings and retail therapy for us girls, the boys didn't do too bad either I might add.

We were treated to a marvellous day out on Russ & Jan Thompson's 28 ft catamaran on the Friday before the Forces came home. Russ took us up the Canals from their waterfront home and then out to the Broadwater for a swim on a sandbank before heading back to a rowing club to tie up at their jetty and enjoy a lovely lunch. A most enjoyable day to end our time on the Gold Coast.

Rod and Anne left the next day to fly home whilst we were picked up by our good friends Colin & Judy Byrne to spend a couple of nights with them in Brisbane. As Des is doing a story on "the Garage" we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to view, I will let him finish that story...

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