THE RaTTAToT TOUR
(Ramsay's Terrific Tag-a-long Adventure Tour of Tasmania)
For 17 November 2001
Report by Paul and Diann
Saturday was going to be a free day for Club members to explore
the Salamanca Markets. At 9am in the hotel car-park we had
a chance to meet some fellow sportie owners from Tassie. There
was Geoff Richardson in a 1500 (H20), John Dagwell with a
white 2000 H/S and Geoff Duggan in his Targa Tasmania race
car.
After a short drive through Hobart city centre, we arrived
at the markets with the sporties getting parked outside the
front of Parliament House. With some very interesting and
intriguing comments from the public about the cars. Two TV
channels featured the cars that evening. As well as our cars
there were a few other cars, a turbo Gemini and rally escort
and an off road buggy.
Salamanca markets were very busy and had some great stalls
with clothes, food, fruit, local arts and crafts. It was a
great chance for all of us to purchase souvenirs and knick-knacks
Sylvia ventured into the Hobart's shopping Mecca, and who
would have thought that she would have found that elusive
'white suit' for which she had been searching for months in
Sydney and surrounds !
In the afternoon we all drove to Richmond about 25km out
of Hobart, a small historic town, renowned for its Georgian
architecture. Almost all the buildings in town have been maintained
and crossing the Coal River in Richmond is the oldest bridge
in Australia. Everyone was left to their own devices to explore
the town and various wineries and sights on the way back to
Hobart.
Des was gasping for some Kentucky Fried Chicken (well, he
WAS on holiday), but most of the crew tried some Indian including
a few first timers. Here Michael obtained a new image….
The Indian Connection (Michael)
Tasmania has a wealth of wonderful eating spots but Sylvia
and Nan had suggested an Indian evening, and after several
local recommendations a specific place was chosen. I made
a booking for 12 people at 7:15pm. Some of our members sent
Jim to get a takeaway for them, which was served quickly and
very delicious. So far so good.. Our group arrived and orders
were placed, wines were uncorked and we chatted patiently.
Entrees arrived but at 9:30pm (over 2 hours after our arrival)
my patience expired. Other patrons had arrived after us and
been fed and departed but the VHA - no. I complained bitterly
and was advised of problems in the kitchen and staff shortages.
I suggested to the manageress that she was in charge and she
said "I'm just a basic human being like you", much
to the glee of the rest of our party who immediately named
me Basic Honer. The only saving grace is that my 'renaming'
may now have replaced the 5 year long reminder that at one
Christmas BBQ I forgot to bring the sauce !! Many days later,
Geoff and June located a business in Devonport called 'Basic
Car Rentals' and they presented me with the business card.
Oh well.
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