Old Noarlunga air strip

Great! Having experienced "the wettest August for years," one could only imagine what he had in store for we intrepid Morris drivers.

But here it was. Sunday dawned with not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining brightly.

Where is the sunscreen cream? Haven't needed that for a long while.

With my family members safely on their way to church, I sallied forth to our meeting spot at the top of "Tapp's near the weighbridge.

I had plenty of time, so didn't push the Y too hard up the hill, and kept a look out for the cheapest petrol going through Darlington. All the billboards told the same story, ULP $1.07+ per litre. Wonder what LRP will set me back?

I filled up on reaching the top by the Vic. Hotel, and was met by Lawrie in his Ser I.  8.

Just down the road a bit the group of southerners was forming, and not too much later the northern members who had assembled at the clubhouse joined us.

Greetings and cuppa's dispensed with, we hit the trail for the short run to Old Noaralunga, a picturesque little town nestled in a valley on the banks of the Onkaparinga River, where we regrouped, dragged out the thermos once again, whilst others launched an attack on the little deli in search of tucker.

What an unexpected bonanza for the proprietors when we arrived out of the blue.

Once the necessary "Morris dance step routines" were attended to, and Graham Dimmitt, (today's run organiser,) had warned us of the rough slippery muddy, rutted track into the airfield, we set off with trepidation on the last leg of our run to the air field for our photo shoot.

Passing through the gate and onto the feared track, we found, yes it was dirt, a little rough, but not everything else we feared.

Parking our vehicles behind a hangar, our group of twenty-seven, ambled around to the air strip apron to be greeted by a magnificent sight, an immaculately restored Tiger Moth owned by one of our members Bob Pratt.

Bob, it seems has a long affiliation with things that fly, and has practiced the art of flying from an early age, when he and our president took out the duster flying championships at trade school, (with shattering results,) and other experiments in using toasters as heaters, when radiators weren't available for warming themselves during their apprenticeship days.

Brushing his early history aside, many heads were crammed under the bonnet? of the Moth. Surely this should go to the Guinness book of records "Maximum number of heads crammed into a Tiger Moth's engine compartment at one time.

Someone remarked on the wiring system of the moth. Total number of wires in the loom, (3) one of which is an earth.

When the heads were extricated from under bonnets, out of cockpits, and other interesting places, the photo shoot began in earnest.

Some members even dressed to suit the occasion, or the vintage of their vehicle.

What a motley lot.

We had seventeen older vehicles in attendance, (MG, 8's,  E,Y, Z, Ser.II Minors, Cooper S, and Oxford to mention a sprinkling,) and not one vehicle was duplicated.

First photos of the group, with cars either side of The Moth, and then individual shots of owners with their cars.

Hopefully our club photographers will have their photos ready for viewing at a date to be advised, Graham has a bottle of bubbly for the member's choice of best photo taken on the day.

I reveled in having a forty-acre paddock to maneuver my Y Ute in. I'd never experienced such a luxury. 

The ute liked the freedom too, and sensing freedom, took it into its head to amble off across the paddock alone. 

She was quickly reined in by one Brian 000.  

During the lunch break, it was suggested we have a draw to select a lucky member to take a spin with Bob in The Moth.

Thirteen fearless members entered the draw, "and the winner is.... Lorraine Price.. Aww, lucky!!!

Once the fifteen-minute lecture on mounting and seating procedures were completed, Lorraine climbed aboard, now the only thing exceeding the moth's wingspan was Lorraine's big grin.

A loop or two later our girl once again had her feet firmly planted on terra firma, still grinning broadly. Her grin so broad, some said, it tangled the wing strut wires as she dismounted.

Another coffee and cake, a final natter, then it was time to head for home.

Many thanks to Bob Pratt for sharing his Tiger Moth with us, and a great pat on the back to Graham Dimmitt for organising an interesting photo shoot location.

Be warned, Graham already has ideas for the next photo shoot, this one is something to really get steamed up over.

Thanks to all members in attendance who made this day the success it was.

Thanks weather man for getting it wrong.

Barry Booth