Don’t miss our annual christmas light run (Check Doug’s Calendar).
As usual everyones invited and we’ll be promoting in print and on the radio so EVERYONES! lights should be on.
In the past we’ve been lucky enough to have prizes for the best displays and this year is no different. Thanks to the local business’s of Tumut.
I hope that everyone who reads this article or participates in this competition takes just one thing from this. That is, we rely on each other. In a town the size of Tumut “Big W” and “Ikea” dont pay for your competitions and sports teams. Your local business’s do.
SO PLEASE SUPPORT THESE PEOPLE!
Tumut Valley Tyre Service, Admac Signs & Pie in the Sky Bakery.
They made your christmas better its time to start returning the favours.
All the critical information you need can be found on The Hightop’s own page. Check it out Here.
I met the crew in Batlow for this one, and it’s more exciting than you may realise to see the truck and trailer arrive and get ready to unload.
The additional 5 minis that couldn’t be transported by the truck were driven up by volunteers, so what at first seemed like my old man Dave and Frosty. Quickly became what appeared to be a small army, ready to assist in unloading some of the more unique vehicles.
Its then when you start to really do the maths. Theres 9 vehicles which means if you want to move them all together you need 9 people. Those 9 people often come as couples or families which then becomes 18 or more people. Delivery and setup becomes a real event in itself. If this collection continues to grow the little shade Doug’s currently using just wont cut it.
Back to the day itself, I have to say that the Apple Blossom Festival is not only in a beautiful part of the country but is also very well organised and attended.
I think I can speak for everyone who attended in our little posse when I say we all had a fantastic time and will defiantly make the effort again next year!
It all started on Friday afternoon with our first truckload (no really a truckload see out photos) of minis and the trusty red ute led the way.
We unloaded them at the Australian Homestead Motel and traveled back to Tumut to get the next load ready for saturday.
Friday Night
Another truckload and the Wolseley are ready to go.
Saturday Morning
We’re up early again for a 6:30 get away and coffee of course. We arrive in Wagga and leave the truck at the motel then headed to maccas for another coffee oh, and to catch up with the other mini folk.
We all drove to the Temora aviation museum (a total of 14 minis) and it rained most of the way there… I pity the guys in the convertibles, not that mini convertibles leak… much…
At the aviation museum we had a great reception (that was sarcasm) sadly there was basically no one there. The flights had been canceled due to the rain. We ran into our fellow mini nut Lex in Temora, had a coffee and went our seperate ways. Lex traveled back to Tumut and we traveled back to Wagga in the pouring rain.
Gloria Jean’s for one more coffee, then off to to the motel for the afternoon and dinner at the motel restaurant. 25 mini nuts from all over the state in one place. The conversation was of course about the weather…
Sunday morning
Off to bolton park with the whole collection for the show and shine along with 24 other minis (a total of 33 for the day).
1 O’clock we loaded the truck back up and managed to find enough drivers to take the extras back to the motel. Then headed back to tumut to drop some mini’s home. I Picked up Janice and headed back to Wagga for dinner at the Red Steer. Then we headed off to bed for some well earned rest.
Monday morning
We had a BBQ breakfast with the mini crew at the botanical gardens.
Then travelled back to Tumut for the last time (for this trip) with the Truck fully loaded and the Wolseley.
We had all the minis unload and back in bed by 1pm.
What a great weekend! Thanks to the Riverina Mini Club for a great time and we look forward to next years!
A great Collection of Photo’s, Taken by an amazing Photographer.
Thanks again Neil!
I should have Neil’s Details soon so I can post them here. Then you all can employ him to take some photo’s for you.
To see Neil’s photo’s click here
It starts like every Mini trip, early, too early… Apparently old people just don’t sleep, or maybe they’re just that excited!
Picture Tumut on a crisp spring morning and 4 silver topped men (Doug, Dave, Geoff and John) scuffling around in the fog that masks the frost. Trying to limber up before the lucky few get to drive a mini for 310KM.
On the road by 5:30am and we’re on our way to West Wyalong, The convoy cruises into Cootamundra almost 100KM from Tumut and everything’s going great… wait! The Wolseley has a fuel problem.
The good news is Frosty (John), has us back on the road in 10 Minutes.
We roll into West Wyalong at 9:00 for a Coffee and Fuel. This is about 3hrs overdue by Doug time. No time to muck about here, so back on the road to Ungarie.
Arrive in Ungarie at 9:50 and are greeted by a bloody horrible wind and proceed to setup shop. An hr later and we are again overdue for a coffee and a bacon and egg roll. What a bacon and egg roll! We consider a second then decide the additional weight may not bode well for our minis.
We were joined by the Condobalin Car Club which consisted of 6 cars including two minis!
As with all small country towns the show struggles to attract a lot of exhibiters due to its size but the organisation and local participation is a testament to the community.
I think we were well received and we had a great day. At 4PM we packed up and head back to our accommodation where we settled in for a meal and a few drinks, a few to many some might say…
Up bright and early on sunday morning (some brighter than others) and off the the Bowlie for breakie.
We had a great Breakfast and headed on to Temora for fuel, then Wagga for coffee.
Back into Tumut and the Minis are tucked in safe and sound by 2:30.
The end of another great weekend with a great group of people!
Don’t forget to check out our Gallery!
This is the permanent home for my Mini collection it boasts a full workshop twin level mini storage and a library of sorts (only mini related of course).
I have created an album in my photo’s of the shed and I will be adding more pictures soon.
This is where me and my cronies spend just about every spare minute. If you would like to come and talk mini’s, there will always be someone around happy to humour you.
Check out my CONTACT PAGE if you would like to catchup one day.
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