tickfordclub@picknowl.com.au

The Mystery Cruise held on Sunday the 14th of November started at the Kurralta Park K mart in conditions that can only be described as “bleak”. This was my first cruise with the club, and I only had my EF XR6 barely three weeks. I was keen to go for a drive no matter what the weather did!

From recollection, there were about ten cars that showed up. Initially, our destination was McLaren Vale and the Medieval Festival. An easy run down Marion Road to the foot of the Southern Expressway, which was open to southbound, traffic. Gliding along at 100 clicks the clouds began to thin out and there was even some sunshine.

We pulled up in McLaren Vale to find the festival entry fee a bit steep, so it was decided to press on to the Seaford Hotel for a feed. We had only come down the Expressway so far, so we opted to go for a bit more of a drive before going to the pub. When asked if anyone had ideas, we locals volunteered our services as lead vehicle. We went out of town along the Kangarilla Road past the vineyards and up into the hills. It was bliss until this sauntering Daewoo impeded our run out of Kangarilla to Meadows, the best bit of road down south in my book. I guess that’s Murphy’s law.

It was a traffic-free run out of Meadows to Bull Creek, which is a great stretch of twisty road. Indicator on early for the sharp right turn to Nangkita, which would take us to Mt Compass. While the Nangkita Road is great for scenery, it’s pretty ordinary to drive on - patchy and potholed. We stopped at the pub in Mt Compass to stretch the legs and use the facilities. Our group of fine machinery lined up in the car park didn’t impress one pub employee. It was explained that she need not worry about us “clogging the car park”, we just wanted to use their loo and had no intention of spending money there, okay? Out onto Victor Harbour Road and onto the Seaford for lunch capped off a good day of cruising.

Well done to everyone who came along. Can’t wait for the next one!