Discovery 20th Anniversary
Members and friends gathered at Paxina, a property owned by Patrick & Margaret Sutcliffe on the edge of the Capertee Valley to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the release of the Land Rover Discovery in Australia. Margaret had had the ride-on mower out, and driving in to the camping area was like driving onto a manicured oval with the grass like a green carpet. On Friday we welcomed Peter & Elizabeth Edwards from the Queensland RRC, and our past members Dave Glover, Bob Bignold an
d John Bignold. The Friday arrivals enjoyed a campfire dinner and sat around the camp fire into the night.
Saturday morning was Kodak picture perfect and as vehicles arrived and set up camp the day started to heat up. Thanks to John Deans the new Club flagpoles were assembled and a Land Rover flag and Australian flag tried to pick up the breeze. Being in a valley kept the heat in so after lunch Ted & Anne led a trip into Glen Davis where roads had been cut by previous storms, but the icecream shop was open and did very good business.
Arriving back at camp, the fire was set in two trenches for camp ovens while all the kids explored the adjoining hills and played together. At 5.00pm tables and chairs were assembled in the shade for happy hour with cheeses, olives, crisps, fairy bread and dips shared around. After an hour of eating and drinking, it was time for a toast to the Discovery and Ian gave a short report 
on the history of the birth of the vehicle and courtesy of Land Rover Australia, a souvenir glass of bubbly for the adults and sparkling apple juice for the children was raised to the success and the future of the marque. Keith Walker spoke and made the observation that not only the Land Rover Company was ‘saved’ by the Discovery, but it is probable that we as a Club may also have been saved when they were admitted as members.
A mom
ent of concern occurred when Anne Thorpe was bitten by a green ant and suffered breathing difficulties. An ambulance was called and Anne was rushed towards Lithgow where they met the ambulance on the way and transported her to the hospital. After a short stay and doses of medication she and Michael were back at camp around midnight.
With the coals for the camp ovens running a little behind schedule, dinner was served a little late and eaten at tables set up in a long row. The sound of talk and laughter lubricated by drinks, rang out around the valley. Twenty candles were lit on a birthday cake of lamingtons and after a short rendition of the birthday chorus the candles were blown out by our 
newest Club members the Lake family, who then shared the cake with everyone present.
Dishes cleaned, a large circle of chairs were arranged around the fire and the flickering light created a conducive ambiance that had members of both Clubs talking about trips done and other motoring things.
Sunday dawned overcast with a few spots of rain, but not enough to stop the kids and dogs meeting up before breakfast, when the adults started the toast and coffee.
Margaret led a trip to walk into the Airly historic town area, and Patrick led another trip into the nearby mountains, both finishing before lunch when it was time to fold the tents and trailers and head for home and the bustle of the city and suburbs.
A good weekend in a wonderful setting and we appreciate Patrick and Margaret opening their property for us. Thanks also to Land Rover Australia for supplying the fizz that put the sparkle in the celebration weekend.