Erica Rally
Report 9th - 13th November 2023 Dennis & Norma Robb "Come when you can, leave when you must." |
Erica Rally Report
What a wonderful rally to finish the year off with. Dennis worked so hard to ensure enjoyment and inclusion. He organised beautiful and interesting drives, booked venues and activities, chopped wood for our happy hour, and rushed round constantly to make sure everyone knew what was going on. This meant that most people joined in to the organised activities and there was a great community feeling.
The caravan park at Erica was beautifully situated and the staff were outstanding. Almost perfect weather added to the holiday atmosphere.
On Friday we drove up to Mt Baw Baw and some of us did a scenic walk to the summit before lunch at the restaurant in the village.
On Saturday we drove to the Thompson Dam and continued up to Aberfeldie where we had a picnic lunch, not near, but in the cemetery. We had a lovely shady spot and caravaners have no difficulty packing lunches and chairs. By good luck the local volunteer lawn mower was there and offered to give us a little talk about the local area and the inhabitants of the cemetery. On the way home it was decided that rather than drive back the way we came, we would continue around the dam and take the indirect, unsealed roads. It turned out to be a little longer than expected and in places the kilometres on out GPSs seemed to be climbing up rather than decreasing!
Dinner was at the hotel, most conveniently situated just across the road. The staff, obviously in short supply, varied in ability and training level, but we got a laugh, enjoyed our meals and the rustic décor added atmosphere.
Our last day on Sunday took us to the gold mining town of Walhalla. A morning ride on a volunteer run open train along a very pretty stream was great, as was the following lunch at the local hotel. In the afternoon some of us did a mine tour while others just wondered around the quaint township and the elevated walk along the hill.
Thus passed an excellent rally. Thank you, Dennis and Norma.
Recipe for Mac ‘n’ cheese muffins.
Some people asked me to publish this recipe which heated up well for happy hour:
Ingredients
1 ½ pasta elbows
500g lean beef mince
½ onion chopped
½ sachet tomato paste
2 eggs slightly whisked
1 ½ cups grated tasty cheddar cheese
Method
Cook pasta according to packet instructions.
Fry onion in a little oil till golden. Add mince and fry till browned. Add 1 cup water and tomato paste and season to taste. Reduce heat and cook till water reduces slightly. Place mince mixture into a heatproof bowl and cool slightly. Add pasta, egg and ½ cup cheese. Divide among about 48 mini muffin holes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 15 mins in 170o C fan or till golden brown.
Brigitte Salwat
"Come when you can, leave when you must"