As usual, Dave & Mary Stuart put together a great country run which commenced at the Heathcote Garage on Princess Highway.  My recollection of eight cars and 15 people, a small but quality group.  Dave & Mary Stuart - Vauxhall 23-60, John & Jan Grant - Triumph TR4A, Ken Swinbourne & Cliff King - XK140 Jaguar, Richard & Krystyna Andreoni - MarkV Jaguar, Ian Reeves - Lotus Élan,  Brian & Norma Boardman - XK150 Jaguar,  Jim & Lorraine Cuthbert - Porsche and Malcolm & Suzette Garthon Scat.

On the way to our destination, I have never seen so many motorbikes or groups of bicycle in my entire life travelling in both directions.  Everyone in Sydney and it's surrounds must have been out to enjoy the perfect weather.  Unfortunately we did see one poor fellow who had come off his motorbike and was lying on the ground surrounded by Police, an ambulance and fire engine which stopped the traffic in the opposite direction.  Just before reaching our meeting place, at the first entrance to the National Park, I witnessed a second motorbike accident.  A cop car stopped short due to the traffic ahead of him stopping and the fellow on the bike hit his brakes hard which catapulted him over the handlebars on to the road behind the police car.  I must admit this scene stayed in my mind for quite some time giving me an uneasy feeling.

At the Heathcote Garage we received our directions and we moved on to the National Park south to Stanwell Park where we had our mandatory coffee break at The Palms. We then followed the Coast Road through Scarborough, across the Seabridge and then up Bulli Pass on to the Appin and Picton Roads to Picton.  We drove along the old Hume Highway to the Common Ground Cafe & Bakery.  This is the old historic Razorback Inn (c.1849), the grounds are laid out with seating under wonderful trees in the garden and the main part of the cafe is beautifully done keeping it's rustic charm.  The food is all wonderful, homemade breads, soups, sandwiches and pies with salads fresh from their gardens. The desserts are wonderful, so I advice anyone going there to share something.

The group who run this Cafe are called The Twelve Tribes which has been in existence for 20 years, they have communities all over the world.  They believe in sustainable living, organic gardening and an old fashioned, caring, supportive community lifestyle.  Although they spiritual, they are not religious in the structure of churches and restricted beliefs, but rather "The goal is to create a life of care and growth for the Common Good", hence the name of the Cafe.  I know some of them from the French's Forest Sunday Markets where they sell wonderful breads and other things.  They also have a cafe in Katomba called The Yellow Deli and a guest house called Balmoral House (c1876) on Bathurst Road. They are not open on a Saturday, but if you are ever in the area, it is a wonderful place to have Lunch.  Those who serve you are friendly, welcoming and always happy to share their experience of being part of this community.

We had a couple of tables and as usual the conversations over our delicious lunch was interesting.  It is hard to beat being with people who enjoy being around wonderful cars and exploring Roads Less Travelled, all in all a great day.