Marburg Pub Run – 4 Sept 2022
(otherwise known as “Luigi Shines”)
By Anne Blackwood
Mmm…… the Clayton’s Emira when you’re waiting for the real Emira…? I know! A Fiat 500! …mmmmm, sublime to ridiculous.
Many of you will know I am champing at the bit to receive my Emira which I ordered October 2021 for a hopeful arrival of July 2022. Well, Covid sorted that didn’t it.
Following the disastrous run-flat Easter story in my BMW I changed to a Kluger Grande with also fits the entire extended family here. Lovely car but it is like driving a computer. Not many driver skills required at all. This is something I feel passionately about as we are simply going to lose the craftspersonship of being a driver. Just like we’ve lost the ability to communicate other than via a screen.
When I went to Monaco Historics in 2018 Fiat 500s – particularly Abarths – were the flavour of the month. I hired one whilst in Norfolk and it ticked a lot of boxes for me. The Kluger is also very long and parking can be an interesting exercise combined with the fact spaces are getting smaller and I’m getting older.
When I broached the subject of the Fiat to my son James, his immediate response was “Mum!For copulate’s sake go and buy a Corolla!” that is until he came/saw/conquered the Fiat on a test drive. “Yep Mum. I think we’ll have a lot of fun in this.” So, onto the Marburg Run which was to be Luigi’s introduction to the club. By the way, it’s named Luigi after the 500 in the movie “Cars”.
Now, most who know me – good/bad or indifferently – will know I love to see the ridiculous side of life and just keep laughing. With that in mind I am tarting Luigi a bit, complete with Ferrari stickers and leopard print floor mats. But I’m having difficulty finding the Spandex seat covers Ken Philp suggested. (By the way, leopard is a favourite of mine in many things as it always looks clean.)
Luigi and I met the other 14 cars/journey-people at Brookfield, where we were warmly welcomed, and headed off via Pinjarra Hills, Mt Crosby, etc via Lowood and back to the gorgeous Marburg Pub for lunch.
Marburg is a delightful village and the pub is so very Queensland, which for a relative newcomer, I love to learn about my new home state – though I can’t come at maroon which is a very naff colour and suits very few. You won’t see maroon mats in Luigi or “Hazel” the Emira, when she finally arrives.
It was all happening at the Marburg pub as it was Father’s Day and we sat outside in the glorious garden and shared amazing picnic boxes filled with very glorious food. Also, the company was pretty good too. (Imagine going through life without a hobby of some kind that allows you to spend time with like-minded people in wonderful places and venues?)
When I moved to Queensland my two kids were fully “for” it as long as I got involved with activities etc. These mad little cars have given me a group of friends worldwide, many of them well known to me for 40+ years.
Thank you Glen and Margaret, ably assisted by Ken, for organising a great day and accepting Luigi into the fold.
On a closing note, I was actually asked if it was a genuine Ferrari Fiat 500 to which I responded “No, only $4 stickers from Ebay.”
PS the floor mats came from the US via a site called Zazzle. They arrived six days after I ordered them. I just thought I’d mention this as I knew many of you would want some.
