Left home on time, waited or any stragglers at St Helena (none turned-up), headed for BP/McDonalds near Calder Park to find Denis and Diane waiting for us, then followed the GPS only to find a gravel road after 400m, U-turned and headed via Diggers Rest.
Arrived Blackwood to find the café is now a boutique, but $10 for a mug of skinny cappuccino and a pot-of-tea was reasonable. No other stragglers, so back on bikes and on to Dunolly via Trentham, Bullarto, Lionsville, Musk, Daylesford, Franklinford, Newstead, Carisbroook, and a few small towns / localities (all with names board and signs, need to go back for a few pics to top Mr Biggles).
Denis and Diane, and Helen and I arrived Dunolly to have Debbie waving madly to make sure we didn't pass the pub. Other earlier arrivals were Rex (Debbie had to get there somehow), Danny and MickS.
Others, jt8277, ppopeye, Jd and Chippy, Neil and Val turned-up, and after a few pleasantries we all ventured to the Railway Hotel dining room and table by table we extended the 12 seat arrangement to accommodate a larger number.
It wasn't long until Richard and Ella joined us, and then Marcus arrived to cheers and applause.
The following pics are Mick's, posted in full for your easy viewing.
It was around here that Nigel arrived to louder cheers and applause than Marcus.
After a very good meal, a few soft drinks and lots of talk we gathered outside for a few pics.
It took me a while to get everyone organised for the group pic.
Foxtrot Foxtrot Sierra, come on guys and gals ........
Finally .......
Other than Richard and Ella (AWOL), we got everyone else in the pic - that's Chippy' blurred finger or thumb in the lower right.
And here's another one with Nigel - the way he sees himself.
After a recount from yesterday, I reckon we had 18 (hope I haven't forgot anyone).
Thanks to everyone for making the effort on a 33C day (in Dunolly) and making the RTE one with the most number of VIC forum members since the 2014 NatRally - at least that I remember.