George & Co Bodyworks

we did just that but didn’t have to take hours to get there. Lots of cheap horse poo for the gardeners! You know when other ‘wheeled species’ (cyclists and motorbikes) are also on the road, it’s a good one.

Nursery - must return.

Drive - Highly recommended. We’ll do this one again by ourselves.

DRIVER

Normally getting to a PCV social run meeting point is a bit of a debate in our household. “What is the real meeting time?”, Peta will ask. “Or are we getting there on “Justin” time?”

Meeting at a nursery and café therefore was an inspired move as far as our household was concerned. We agreed on a time to leave home and we actually left 5 minutes earlier than planned.

I just needed to prepare myself for any purchases. My previous Porsche (a 1968 911L) had occasionally been called upon for nursery duty. I vividly recall a drive just prior to our first lockdown in early 2020, where Peta suggested we visit a rose nursery not far from the interesting (read twisty and fun) roads we were driving along. Despite fixed back sports seats, we comfortably fitted 3 potted standard roses into the car. Who says that an old Porsche is not a practical sports car?

So, when it was determined we needed a new door mat, I thought great, I can fit that in easily. And we can still have fun on the drive!

On route, I was however concerned about the frequency of horse poo for sale signs. Thankfully we didn’t need any, but I was going to draw the line at carting horse poo.

The drive was excellent, the roads were great if a little narrow. I was grateful I was driving a relatively narrow mid 70’s 911, and not the latest 991 or 992. The couple in front of us navigated wonderfully and drove at a speed that was simultaneously fast enough to have fun, but also tolerable for navigators / passengers. The distance was also good – about 100k’s and 90 minutes or so, then a lovely lunch to look forward to. The destination

PASSENGER

The starting point was brilliant and would have loved longer. The smoko / toilet stop in Warrandyte seemed great but would have loved longer to linger prior to the final destination for lunch was great. Another brilliantly catered event organised by Clyde White….when this man is organising an event you know it’s going to be a good one!

DRIVER

We arrived at Porsche Centre Brighton at just the right time to get a nice parking spot. Driving a 70’s car means no reversing sensors. Just as I was about to ask Peta to help me get the car into a relatively tight parking spot, a late 60’s 911 similar to my old one caught my eye. Almost simultaneously I realised we were getting a very clear reflection off the showroom windows. Viola, problem solved, and 911 safely parked! way to shake off the “lockdown blues”. My thanks to the social committee, and the alfresco lunch (and wine) were most agreeable. It just goes to show that quality and not quantity often win the day

The people

PASSENGER

A couple of lovely new members also started out the Monte at Diamond Creek including a father and son team (start them young!). One of the special things about PCV to me is how diverse the members are and how welcoming we are to new-comers.

It was excellent to see so many younger couples! Again, we met some really lovely couples - Anna and Jake, Juliette (red car), and Margie and Jason (red car). So lovely to catch up with new friends met on the Tassie grand tour in April, meet new friends and just enjoy being “out”.

DRIVER

It was just wonderful getting out, and being able to socialise, with some nice food and wine. Thankfully, nearly everyone was wearing their name badges and lanyards. If we didn’t have those I’d be completely lost. Am I the only “driver” who can remember people’s car but not their names?

Justin with the infamous nursery purchase Giovanni Lo Mascolo & grandson Ari

Luncheon by Pike Peters

Professional photos courtesy of Porsche Centre Brighton

There is nothing more delightful than to see old friends and to meet new ones at a Porsche Club Victoria event. I spoke to several new members who were delighted by the thrill of the drive and the friendly and passionate Porsche tribe that welcomed them.

Clyde and Alison White also know good food and wine, so when in these most capable hands, we all know that we are in for a treat.

I am fortunate to have a terrific Porsche branded space that works so well as a ‘Melbourne weather proof’ undercover picnic space. Our Porsche Approved pavilion was the scene on Sunday 21 November of a sumptuous gathering of the tribe. A beautifully presented feast for the eyes, as well as the taste buds, beautiful wines and plenty to talk about as the members had all enjoyed one of three distinct runs to arrive at the lunch.

The runs sounded fabulous – starting from three corners of our urban sprawl. From the Northeast in Yarrambat, Northwest at Calder Park, and Southeast from Langwarrin. Drivers and passengers arrived with huge grins, and tales of fantastic roads. My only regret is that I was unable to join one of the runs in my 944 S2 Cabriolet. I must look into staffing!

This is the second year that we have been able to hold an undercover gathering, and I hope that this becomes a tradition for the Club.