The February Mystery Midweek Run
The facts are as follows: some of the Mid Week Run crew set off in some club cars from the clubrooms, and were met by some other Runners in their club cars - and possibly a modern or two - at Dromkeen for morning coffee. Dromkeen is a grand country house near Riddells Creek built in 1889 for colonial judge Arthur Chomley, but its main claim to fame is that the founding fathers and mothers of the MRADMC had their first meetings in the early 1980's in its basement. Some may quibble with this claim, pointing to the reception venue, cafe, art gallery, and the extensive collection of historic children's books and original illustrations bequeathed to State Library Victoria all functioning above the basement. Be all that as it may, it remains a sacred site and pilgrimage destination for our club.
All was not entirely well at Dromkeen that morning. The local water authority was behind in its maintenance schedule, and mains water was cut off. Not only were dunnies unflushable, but, horror of horrors, the espresso machine was down! Staff managed to organise boiled rainwater and an array of coffee plunger pots, and the quality of vanilla slices and lemon meringue pies compensated a little for the hardship of having only frothless milk. Reports also came back of the high standard of fresh scones and jam and cream, but, as at the January MWR, this provoked more disputes about the order in which jam and cream should be deployed. Distinctions were drawn between clotted and whipped cream. We may need to consult biochemists and food scientists to settle this matter.
After morning coffee was enjoyed, the group were free to wander around the gardens, view the permanent collection, and assess the current show in the art gallery. Accounts of this were curiously vague. Apparently, there were land and seascape images, and some flora and fauna images, but were they oils or watercolours? Pastels or prints? Charcoals or pencils? It seems only one work made a strong impression - a cast bronze sculpture of a wedge of Swiss cheese, with a mouse's head poking out of one hole, and back legs and tail disappearing into another.
Eventually, engines were fired up and a scenic route was plotted to the Pig and Whistle Hotel in East Trentham. Your reporter arrived a little early and settled at the long table set up for us, and contemplated the grey mizzle hiding the view of Mt. Macedon. Soon he was joined by the happy group and lunch was on its way, with a menu of pub grub with a tasty twist, and a children's menu, which some opted for, that when the meals arrived would easily have nourished big hungry children. Convivial chatter bubbled around the table, but there was one slightly disturbing incident. We all know about "Corruption of a Minor" - when an adult introduces a young person to substances that may not be safe for them to consume. Is there an opposite? At one point one of the company allowed another of our more senior and respected members a taste of his cinnamon-infused whisky. The sudden sparkle in her eyes and smacking of her lips raised eyebrows around the table.
The 21 Runners in their 9 club cars are again grateful to Pam and the team for another good day out.
Cheers, Greg B
