Visit to the Japanese Gardens, Cowra, NSW

Sunday 22nd September - 2019

You cannot help but feel completely at peace when you walk through the lush gardens and cascading water features of the Cowra Japanese Gardens & Cultural Centre. 

These Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre were established to recognise and develop the relationship between the people of Japan, a relationship that has its origins in the Prisoner of War Camp that housed the Japanese POWs during WWII.

Our Model A Fords parked in the car park at the Japanese Gardens
this scene could easily be from the 1930s

In 1960 the Japanese Government decided to bring all their war dead from various parts of Australia to be interned at Cowra. This was the beginning of the friendship between Japan and the town of Cowra.

These tranquil and well-planned gardens acknowledge the history of the area and underline the importance of peace.

Beautifully manicured & maintained gardens 
makes you feel like you are in Japan

As we walked into the gardens we were greeted by the beautiful blossoms on all the various tree shrubs, and further along on our Pepplecrete pathway, we were given the 'once over' by a friendly bearded dragon who was keeping guard on the route.

Because of my handicap with the injury to my leg we decided to hire a golf buggy [below] to make our adventure around the Japanese Gardens more pleasurable. 

Getting a littler power assistance from Bob Ward for our 
Golf Cart exploration of the Japanese Gardens 

It is a pity that we were not a couple of weeks later because all of the flowers were just starting to bloom and in a week or so the gardens would have been a sight for sore eyes.

A friendly bearded dragon keeping a keen eye
on who crosses the pathway

All of our Model A Fords parked in the car park at the Japanese Gardens made a wonderful sight, almost reminiscent of a 1930's picnic gathering. After a delightful visit, we warmed up the engines in preparation for our drive back to our Motel in Grenfell for a well-earned rest.

Spring is when the Sakura [Cherry Blossoms] begin to bloom
and the garden erupts into a wonderful burst of coloured trees

So that my friends is my final report of the Model A Ford Club's adventure to Grenfell and Cowra recently. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed my stories and photographs of a magic weekend away on the road with my friends from the Model A Ford Club.

So until my next Adventure before Dementia, stay tuned.

Cheers for now...

Warbo

Visit to Jeff Connolly's Chrysler Car Museum in Grenfell.

Sunday 21st September - 2019

Our Model A Ford Club's visit to Jeff Connolly's Chrysler Car Museum in Grenfell.

The first photo below shows Jeff (in white shirt on the right) as he was kind enough to give us a personally guided tour of his wonderful Museum, there are around fifteen vehicles on display, plus various engines in repair in the work shop. 

Jeff meticulously explained the history of all his prized possessions in great detail, which all of our Club members really appreciated.

Jeff took the time to walk and talk us through his prized
cars in his magnificent collection. Club Members were hanging 
on every word that came out of Jeff's mouth.

WOW!!! Jeff's Chrysler Car Museum is well worth a look for all you petrol heads. The Museum features Chrysler vehicles spanning the years from 1930 right up to the present day, including Jeff's original and I mean original 1971 Charger R/T option E49. 

When Jeff was telling us the history about this vehicle I was completely blown away. This Charger is so original it still has the original paint job, not only that this fine example of Australian motoring history, it is still shod with the original tyres that it came out of the factory with and of course very, very, very low mileage.

An original 1971 Charger R/T option E49. 

This vehicle the E49 featured a tuned 'Six Pack' version of the engine characterised by Triple side-draft Weber Carburettors, and it goes like s**t off a hot shovel. The Charger R/T E49 engine produced remarkable torque on a seven bearing configuration which enabled considerable power development previously unobtainable from 6-cylinder engines and not surpassed until the Porsche Turbo 911 (300) release of 1975.

The Valiant Charger achieved critical acclaim, winning the 1971 Australian 'Wheels Magazine - Car Of The Year Award'. It was also popular in New Zealand where they were assembled from imported kits.

I could rave on and on about this magnificent beast, however this is one hell of a piece of machinery from the early '70s. You just have to see this GEM. Now for the Good Bit: There would be no change out of $450,000 Australian Dollars if you wanted to purchase this highly collectable vehicle.

A 1933 Chrysler Royal Straight 8 Coupe

[Above] This true treasure was last owned by my friends in the Chrysler Restorers Club, Barrie & Lorna Osborn, they completed a ground up restoration of this very rare Chrysler Coupe. Many years of heart ache finally produced this magnificent motor vehicle. Now this is a real motor vehicle.

Autographed signature of Leo Geoghegan on
the firewall of the Valiant Pacer

[Above] Jeff told us that the red Valiant Pacer was on loan to the Museum from a friend of his, this was the Pacer that Leo Geoghegan raced way back. When Leo visited the museum before his death in 2015 at the age of 78-years-old, he kindly autographed the firewall of the Pacer. How cool is that?

Club Members enjoying our personally guided tour
of the Chrysler Museum in Grenfell

As I mentioned earlier, if you are or if you are not a Mopar enthusiast just do yourself a favour at your earliest convenience and check out this GEM of a Museum.

I wish I had a man shed like Jeff's... make sure you put this one down in your little BLACK book if you are within a 100 miles of Grenfell.

Address: 46 Main Street, Grenfell, NSW, 2810
Contact Person: Jeff Connolly.
Opening Hours: Open by appointment only and for major events.

Tomorrow is another day and we drive our Model A Fords to Cowra (about an hour's drive) to enjoy more exciting adventures.

See you soon. Cheers

Warbo

The 2019 Model A Ford Club's President's Run to Grenfell

21-22 September - 2019

Welcome to the Model A Ford Club's 2019 President's Run to Grenfell & Cowra, NSW.

Lined up in front of the 30-metre-high painted commodities silos
situated on Grenfell's West Street

Grenfell is a quiet country NSW town situated on the western plains and is an ideal holiday spot for history buffs. Its heritage is rich in gold, bushrangers and poetry. In the 1860s, gold miners seeking their fortune came in their thousands, and the lure of gold also drew Bushrangers from near and far. 

Grenfell has a rich & colourful history of gold mining,
bushrangers and poetry

Grenfell is also the birthplace of Henry Lawson, one of Australia's best loved short story and verse writers, Lawson was born on the Grenfell gold fields in 1867.

With my car on the Heritage listed Grenfell Railway Station,
the Station opened in 1901 - before the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk

On this weekend the Model A Ford Club of NSW visited this historic area in our vintage Model A Fords to the delight of the locals. Approximately twelve Model A Fords attended the President's Run along with forty-five Club members for the 4-day weekend event.

Our Model A Fords lined up outside
the turn-of-the-century Grenfell Railway Station

By now you are probably fully aware of the accident that I had 7-weeks ago on my way back to Sydney from Bathurst with the '55 -'56 -'57 Chevrolet Club. I accidentally fell into a cattle grid while taking photos as I was walking backwards, I ended up in Canberra Hospital for an operation and skin graft to repair the horrible injury that I sustained from falling into a cattle grid.

So needless to say I was very happy to know that a member of the local Grenfell District Ambulance service was staying in the room next to me at the Grenfell Motel just in case I managed to get myself in any more strife.

A NSW Ambulance parked next to my vehicle at the motel, had some Club 
Members speculating that I was now travelling with my own medical team in tow.

On the Saturday morning we visited various attractions around the township, that included a visit to the Historic Grenfell Railway Station where the local Lions club hosted a BBQ lunch for all our club members and the opportunity to display our vintage Model A Fords for the locals to admire.

Grenfell Lions Club hosted us for a BBQ lunch on the
platform of the historic Grenfell Railway Station

We were also requested by the local press to exhibit our vehicles out side the huge, recently painted commodities silos for another photo opportunity.

Later on in the afternoon we visited the Chrysler Museum & Henry Lawson's birthplace in Grenfell, I will write another story for my blog about these attractions shortly.

Please enjoy the stories and photographs of Grenfell & Cowra.

Cheers for now,

Warbo

Bathurst on the way home from Grenfell

Monday 23rd September - 2019

On the way home from the Grenfell Model A Ford weekend...

My car sitting on the famous Start/Finish line of the
main straight of the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst.

We decided to give the Model A Ford a quick few qualifying laps around the Mount Panorama Circuit to bed in the tyres and brakes, and also make sure the mixtures are correct. 

Prepared for the G-force loadings, the Model A Ford 
heads down the mountain and through the esses.

The most important thing in running in a race like this is to have your mixtures correct or you could blow a Con Rod out the side of your engine on Conrod Straight, not forgetting to choose the correct gear ratios for the the ‘BIG RACE’ around the mountain on October 13th, 2019 at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, NSW, Australia.

On the top of the mountain at around 850m,
Sulman Park merges to McPhillamy Park, this is where
the diehards camp out on race weekend 

The entrance to Pit Lane at Mount Panorama

Stay tuned: Grenfell Model A Ford weekend story coming up next...

Cover of the Chevy Club's September Edition

Thursday 29th August - 2019

I was stoked to see the September 2019 PDF version of the '55'56'57 Chevrolet Club of Australia's monthly Newsletter turn up in my e-mail inbox today.

My photo, as previously published here on my blog, graces the Club's Newsletter cover. It features my car and my photo at Abercrombie House in Bathurst earlier this month.

Super stoked to see my car and my photo on the cover
of the '55'56'57 Chevrolet Club of Australia's newsletter.

Also featuring in the newsletter are more of my photos of our fantastic Bathurst August 2019 weekend away and our visit to Abercrombie House. 

The September 2019 edition also includes my preceding blog story about my accident on the Cattle Grid at Crookwell.

To view the Club's Website CLICK HERE
To view the Club's Facebook page CLICK HERE

Warbo

My accident on a Cattle Grid in Crookwell

Sunday 11th August - 2019

Everything was going splendidly until around 1530 on the Sunday afternoon when I decided to divert down south, and call into my friend's property in Crookwell, NSW. We could not get back across the Blue Mountains From Bathurst to Sydney because the Great Western Highway was closed at Lithgow due to snow & ice.

I wanted to show my mate Peter Deane, the property and Shearer’s Quarters where a bunch of us ex-Qantas employees venture to every year to do “boy stuff” and hopefully catch the elusive trout in the creeks that run through the Prell’s property.

Heading across the Great Dividing Range from Bathurst
on our way to Crookwell

However there were a couple of things we needed to do before this would eventuate.

First of all we needed to navigate the highway through the snow as we drove over the summit of the Great Dividing Range [Above] before descending down into Crookwell where we wanted to enjoy a Sunday afternoon lunch at the delightful Laggan Pub which is approximately 8km out of Crookwell.

Peter and I sat in front of a pleasant open fire in the Restaurant of the Laggan Pub lapping up the warm atmosphere while enjoying our Shepherds Pie and beer.

The '57 Chevy parked outside the Laggan Pub

Once we warmed up and with our bellies now full, it was now time to push onto the Prell’s property which was another 15kms out of Crookwell on the way to Goulburn.

I drove off the highway onto the gravel road that wound down towards the Shearers Quarters. I decided to park the ‘57 Chevy on the hill to take some photographs of the property with the Chevy in the foreground looking down to the Shearer’s Quarters, and those “UGLY” Windmills in the background.

Little did I know the SHIT was about to hit the fan BIG time...

If you look closely at the photo looking towards the Windmills in front 
of my Chevy, you can see the Cattle Grid that I ended up in.

As you can see in the photograph [above] I managed to take a photograph looking from the rear of the Chevy towards the Windmills, then I had this bright idea that I should take another photograph looking from the front of the Chevy looking in the opposite direction.

So with my iPad in both hands, I was walking backwards, concentrating on the screen, trying to frame the perfect shot (as you do) I ended up stepping right into the steel Cattle Grid, arse up.

If you look closely at the photo looking towards the Windmills in front of my Chevy you can see the Cattle Grid that I ended up in. Moral to the story: Don’t ever walk backwards while taking photos. 

The damage I did to myself, this photo was taken before my
skin graft operation in Canberra Hospital.

Now I can see how these people have fallen to their death while taking “selfies”. How to stuff up what had been a perfect weekend away with the Chevy Car Club.

To cut a long story short because of my injuries (as you can see by the photograph) I ended up in Canberra Hospital for an operation and skin graft. I spent a total of 9-days in hospital and was discharged on Monday, and let me assure you it is great to be back home in the “Shire”.

Recovering after my skin graft operation in Canberra Hospital
enjoying a feed that a friend called in with

I have a very good friend that works at the Canberra Airport as a “Firey” he dropped by one day with lunch for me. [Above], I was hanging out for fresh prawns, sourdough bread rolls and a Classic Coke to wash it all down. Yummie !!!

That sure put a big smile on my face as you can see.

Back home now in The Shire, my wound is healing up nicely

So now all that is left for me to do is listen to the Doctor's orders and rest up until my wound heals.

Cheers for now from the “Squire from the Shire”.

Warbo

Visit to Abercrombie House, Bathurst, NSW

Sunday 11th August - 2019

Two Car Clubs; the Chevrolet Car Club of NSW and the ‘55-‘56-‘57 Chevy Club of Australia visited this magnificent, heritage property which is listed on the National Trust, Abercrombie House, in Bathurst on Sunday 11th August 2019.

My ‘57 Chevy parked outside Abercrombie House, Bathurst

Built in the 1870s by the Stewart family, headed up by William Stewart, who migrated to Australia from England in 1825 as part of the colonisation of the British penal colony in Australia.

This stately home is resting on its 50-acre (200,000m²) plot of land and the buildings, including the outer buildings, are regarded as “an outstanding example of Victorian Tudor-style architecture”. It is currently owned by the Rex Henry Morgan family.

After a cold grey morning, the sun actually started shining as we
were about to enter the house and commence our tour.

Since 1969 the Morgan family has made major restorations to the house and slowly being restored to its former glory. The House is currently occupied by Christopher Morgan and his family.

Abercrombie House is a magnificently preserved part of Australia’s early history. It’s like a step back in history, or a piece of Olde England right here in Australia.

Christopher Morgan (left) explains the history of the residence to the group
before we were allowed to roam through the house at our leisure.

Christopher Morgan and his wife gave us all a beautiful country welcome with tea, coffee, cordial and home-made cakes upon arrival. 

You can also see the beautiful wood fire burning to the left side of the table to keep us warm.

We enjoyed a sumptuous morning tea by the open fire

You have to remember that this is a private home and not a Museum, but there's so much rich history here, people forget Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in Australia and Abercrombie House underpins this.

Nineteen members of our Car Club all rugged up to keep warm before
our guided tour of the Abercrombie House by the current occupant
and owner, Mr Christopher Morgan

For those Club members that missed this weekend away in Bathurst with the two Chevy Car Clubs, you don’t realise how much enjoyment you missed out on.

For more details on visiting Abercrombie House Click here

Adventure before Dementia.

Cheers for now
Ken Warburton

Weekend away with '55-'56-'57 Chev Car Club

Saturday 10th August - 2019

On our weekend away drive to Bathurst, '55 '56 '57 Chev Car Club members were invited to morning tea at Bob Thompson’s house at Victoria Pass, in the Blue Mountains for a pleasurable morning tea and home-made cakes.

Me standing beside my 2-door ‘57 Chevy Bel Air
with the perfect Wintry backdrop.

As you can see by a couple of these photographs the local weather in the Blue Mountains region was definitely a challenge, at 1,052m [3,450ft] elevation it was very crisp indeed. 

And 'Wow!!!' what a great set up and man shed Bob Thompson has, every thing a man needs in life if you are a petrol head.

Looking towards Bob's swimming pool with a snow covered
slippery dip, it was actually snowing when I shot this photo

From Victoria Pass it was now time to drive to Bathurst to visit the world famous Mount Panorama Circuit and I do not say that lightly, if you ever have the chance to drive around this track please do so it is one hell of an experience.

Club members feeding their faces and enjoying a delicious morning tea.

Before doing a couple of HOT laps around the Bathurst mountain track in the ‘57 Chevy 2-door Bel Air we visited the fantastic National Motor Racing Museum which is situated at the end of Conrod Straight. This is another “Do not miss attraction”.

Bob's garage... now this is a tool box!!!

On my first practice lap for qualifying I was lucky not to get booked, as I drove around Devil’s Corner at the bottom of the mountain just before entering Conrod Straight I looked in my rear view mirror and sure enough, there, hidden behind the safety fence was none other than a NSW Highway Patrol Vehicle just waiting there to book hoons like me.

I managed to organise our two Chevy Clubs Presidents for a photo.
John Fenato in the centre and Matte Reynolds on the right
with yours truly on the left. How good is Bob’s Bar?

By now it was getting well into the afternoon and we needed to check into our Motel for the evening to relax and settle back for the evening to watch the Bledisloe Cup Rugby Union and the Australian Wallabies spank those All Blacks arses, trust me it is not before time. We have been waiting a long time for this to eventuate. (Go you good thing).

Cheers for now.
Warbo.

Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit

Saturday 10th August - 2019

Hello again fellow Motor Racing enthusiasts.

For me, my Saturday afternoon gallop around the world famous Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit in Bathurst in my ‘57 Chevy bought back many wonderful memories from when my Dad used to take me to Bathurst to watch the car and bike races in the late '50s early '60s when I was a hairy-arsed kid.

My ‘57 Chevy parked in the sand trap at McPhillamy Park
 at the top of the mountain from where my Dad and
I watched the races from all those years ago.

I can remember as though it was yesterday watching those daredevils racing their machines over the top of the mountain from our spectator position in McPhillamy Park [above], long before there was a concrete barrier to stop competitors going over the side of the mountain.

Yes, I did witness a few guys crash over the side of the mountain on their motorcycles and sidecars.

This photo shows you the concrete barrier going into The Esses,
half-way down the mountain. In those early days when my Dad
used to take me to the races in the late '50s and early '60s
this barrier was non existent.

For those of you old enough to remember they also raced motorcycles and sidecars around this unbelievable circuit. The first meeting for motorcycles was held in April 1938, the first Car race, the 'Australian Grand Prix' was held 2-days later.

It must be 20-years or longer since I have driven around the race circuit, when I did it this past weekend, I have to admit that it still gives me goose-bumps.

Just past Murray's Corner is the starting grid positions and
the Pit Garages and the start/finish line.

The Mount Panorama Circuit these days is best known as the home of the Bathurst 1000 Motor Race, technically a street Circuit and is a public road with normal speed restrictions when no racing events are being held.

A total of eighteen brave young men have lost their lives competing at this track over the years. Denny Holme the 1967 World Drivers Champion died of a heart attack while competing in a race here on 4th October 1992.

This photo shows my Chevy parked on the side of the circuit
just after Hell’s Corner, also shows the start of Conrod Straight.

I was trackside on 7th April 1969 when Bevan Gibson driving a Elfin 400 Repco for the Bob Jane racing team lost his life on Conrod Straight in a horrific fiery crash at full speed cart wheeling down the straight at maximum speed. I will never forget those images.

Why is Conrod Straight called Conrod Straight? This part of the track was originally called the Main Straight, though it was later renamed Conrod after a Conrod failure that occurred in a driver's car, causing them to retire from the race.

Looking back and down towards the township of Bathurst
through the cutting on the ascent up the mountain.

In case you were wondering what the Mount Panorama Circuit track layout is and how long this spectacular race track is: It's 6.21kms or 3.86 miles. 

Hope you enjoyed the story and photographs.

Cheers
Warbo

The Neon Museum, Las Vegas.

US Friday 21st June - 2019

Just returned to my hotel before I venture out to Caesars Palace this evening to see the Jerry Seinfeld Show.

Today’s experience at the Neon Museum here in Las Vegas was like going back to the 20th Century for me. The first time I visited Las Vegas and the famous Strip was way back in 1969, way before smart phones and iPads.

One of the Las Vegas classics: The Golden Nugget

 
I can remember wandering down Las Vegas Blvd with my Standard 8mm movie camera shooting many of the Neon Signs that I saw this morning in the bone yard of this museum. I still have all that footage at home in one of my wardrobes, so needless to say today’s experience bought back many wonderful memories of a bye gone era for me.

Almost all of the casinos that were prominent then have had to be demolished to make way for progress and the changing road system plus the multi story monoliths of today.

A boneyard of Neon signs from hotels past here in Las Vegas

As you can see by the photographs, this Neon Museum has preserved and saved many of those wonderful Neon Signs that were the trade mark of the strip back in the day of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford & Joey Bishop).

Almost all of the original Casinos and Neon signs are no longer in existence, for those of you that are old enough to remember these iconic names from the past:

* Stardust.
* Sahara.
* Frontier.
* The Star Dust.
* Moulin Rouge.
* The Mint.
* The Sands
* The Golden Nugget.

Plus many more that are too many to list here, and who could ever forget the flamboyant Liberace, his museum closed its doors here on October 17th 2010, his museum had also fallen victim to changing tastes of tourists. Liberace died of Pneumonia on February 4th 1987 as a result of AIDS at his home in Palm Springs, California at the age of 67.

Ten lovely young ladies that are visiting Las Vegas from Cleveland, Ohio

I also managed to catch up with 10 lovely young ladies [above] that are visiting Las Vegas from Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate their friend's bachelorette party. The lady in question is on the far left. 

The museum made these beauties turn their Tee-shirts inside-out before they would give them permission to enter, if you look closely... you can see why. They told them that this museum was a family friendly attraction. Spoil sports, this would never have happened in the “GOOD OLD DAYS”.

The original Stardust sign being installed in 1968

I need to go and prepare myself for this evening's BIG night out, I can’t wait because I have loved Jerry Seinfeld since watching him on his hilarious TV Show.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.

NB: I must also remind you in case you have forgotten.  “Adventure before Dementia”