Sunday, June 10, 2007

From One Knob to Another

Day: Saturday and Sunday
Date:9th & 10th
Month: June
Year:2007



After two days in Mt Gambier its "On The Road Again, I just Can't Wait to get back on the Road Again"....Yeah well!!!! anyway......Off we go, looking at fuel gauge and ascertaining that we will be in need of some soon, i suggest to The Pom we had better stop at the next servo. To which he replies "Make it one on the left hand side of the road "Big Bike..Poor turning circle".

Passed 2 servos on right hand side "having bad feeling about this"...a sign...Iron Knob - 80klm - go slow conserve limited fuel- Yes i think I'll make it - look a servo @ the town of Iron Knob, "Birth place of the Iron Ore industry Australia", and it's on the left hand side, looks like the Adventure Men get lucky again....

Pull in..Oh it must be closed no one here yet..looks deserted.

Ask bloke "What time does servo open"....then comes our worst nightmare...Oh its Closed,has been for sometime. Oh S..T what do we do now. Do you know where we might be able to get fuel???????. Comes the reply " You are in luck, it's our Grande Opening Day" it's our 1st day and you are our 1st customers. With that we thank all the gods, and wait for fuel to be transported from the nearest Town.

So.....next time you pass through "Iron Knob"...say hi to the new shop owners and have a coffee and some of Wendy's cookies we did. A big thank you to you both for the great service, also give their 2 little dogs "High Jack and Little Jack" a pat.

20ltrs of fuel later and we are on our way to Ceduna, upon arrival we pull up in the middle of the road checking out where to find accommodation. Oh look here comes the local officer "The Pilot" big brave hero makes a quick exit "stage right" thinking The Pom would follow....but no...he waits there and strikes up a conversation. Turning around The Pilot comes back thinking that The Pom may be in trouble..only to find him exchanging pleasantries about Gold Wings.

The sincere hospitality of the local Officer was greatly appreciated having given us an escort to the best accommodation in Ceduna. We haul our weary bodies off the bikes, unpack and check out the town.

Sometimes in life you receive little gifts, ours was the generous hospitality of the local Police Officer and his Wife having us for dinner "Thank you". So to all our fellow riders should you be passing through these towns don't forget to stop and "Smell the Roses" you never know just what diamonds you might find in your travels.

Tomorrow its off to Eucla "established in 1877 as a manual repeater station for the Overland Telegraph".....Go on enjoy an adventure we are.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Make Mine A Double!!!!!!!!

Day: Sunday - Friday
Date:3rd - 7th
Month:June
Year:2007


Sorrento- Another beautiful place on the map, leaving Portsea early we head off with our trusty Navman ( let's hope the manufactures of this trusting device never read this article)in tow and not to mention the one who thinks he can read it.......leading the way.

After about 14klms we are stopped by road works whereby our navigational demon "The Pilot" asked a friendly worker where is the Punt "or if you are the Pom the Ferry...no not Fairy". With a nod and a smile he say go back young man you have gone the wrong way. Looking back The Pro Say's didn't you see me waving my arms and flashing the lights......With that I hand over the dutiful task of guide to the expert "The Pro" and away we go.

After what can only be explained as another interesting adventure " Yes we were some what lost again" and travelling 200kl ms for the day and i do mean ALL Day....we arrived at Sorrento.

The only interesting aspect of the day was meeting fellow biker (husband & wife) riding a 1942 Harley Davidson with Sidecar and a Kick Start ...so pleased a don't have to do that, Nice bike though.

Next day it's on the Punt to Apollo Bay and The Great ocean Road. After all the hype of The Great Ocean Road ( G.O.R )i felt a little unimpressed, no better than some of the rides in the upper NSW areas. Weather is again very bleak with rain and winds.

5th June its on the road again this time to Mt Gambier..nearly had close encounter of the 3rd kind with 4WD on G.O.R...

A great day for a ride good weather, a must see is "Bay of Islands" lovely spot. Having a stay over at Mt Gambier for a day, get off the bike and use the legs..do i still have them...Sightseeing , photos......Wait where's The Pom....Oh no...not happy Jan....Whilst The Pro and my-self stopped to take photo's The Pom rode on not realising we had stopped...after half hour waiting, numerous tries ( no reception) to call us ...we pull up behind him...

Such a happy chappy...with that we continued on our way...Cruising down the wrong side of the road ( i told them it makes my tyres wear better), The Pro stops me ( 1 hour later ) to enquire if all is well?????to which i reply " That was an hour ago ...The Pro " yes but it was too difficult to find a place to pull up, thought you may have gone to sleep"...

The Pro has decided that he wants to spend a week in Mt Gambier, so it looks like The Pom and my-self are adventuring off together, ride safe friend and stay up right.. We will met on the road again....

Saturday, June 2, 2007

The Show Mut Go On

Day: Saturday
Date: 2nd
Month: June
Year: 2007


After a rest day it's off to Inverloch, leaving Lake Entrance early on a very cold and wet day we arrived at Inverloch (population 2100) Vic, around 1pm.

Note: to those interested don't spray wet weather gear with water repellent sprays. Thankfully, I found out prior to leaving home that gear is not water repellent now, however, The Pom also sprayed his gear and was soaked to the bone by the time we reached Inverloch.

Next port of call should be "Portsea" tomorrow.

The dreaded lurgy has struck us all, which makes riding in the rain equally difficult when ones nose keeps running. The Pro ( who has many skills and makes sure he passes them on to us ) advises just stick you're tongue out ( LOL) at least I hope he was joking.

Signing off "The Pilot"...Note: the Navman did find accommodation for us in "Inveloch" when the NRMA failed Three times. So one up for Navman ( just as well ).

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

Wee....Hours of 1st June 2007.

Deep restful sleep...dreams of idyllic surrounds, lapping waves, water splashing against...............OH NO!........

Black Blob, escaping room or is that getting in (brain does quick flash back to days past) mouth opens......words escape............"For F..K sake Mum what are you doing"....(having been the dutiful son and nursed sick mother with dementia), "where do you think you're going"??????

Comes reply....."Quick, quick (as trying to escape through wardrobe), where's the (lots more explanatorys) light, find the light, quick must have light, before i wee(not word used) myself, hurry need to get out".

Groping in the dark, trying to realise that I'm awake and not in some horror movie......We find light and yes you guessed it.

"The Amenities Room" a hole room just for that one purpose ( not tea making facilities)......."Oh to be a part of "The Adventure Men Team" you jealous things you".


Stay Tuned..."Fellow Ulyssians"

The Meeting Place




Day: Wednesday & Thursday
Date:30th & 31st
Month: May
Year: 2007






Having successfully (after a few technical hiccups) made our way from Goulburn to Batesman Bay, we found The Pro and spent another warm and content night in the comfort of four walls complete with medicinal liquid, showers, lights, floor, kettle...not a converted amenities block......and last but not least soft comfortable BEDS......( what a wonderful invention) someone deserves a pay rise, for that thought.

Thursday..............rise and shine........yeah that's what you think...........bring on the top end of OZ........it's another bleak day complete with wind and cold (predictions 7 - 14 deg), travelling to "Bairnsdale" today.

Three Adventure Men are we, travelling this great big land you see.......any more of this and I'll be asleep.......It's time to stop, just can't go any further and with that we decide to spend a couple of days in "Lakes Entrance" didn't make it to Bairnsdale. But at least we are headed in the right direction, must be getting better at this.

More bad weather with rain to boot, another night indoors,( much to The Pro's disgust, but i did notice that UGG Boots & Gown brought a homely touch), to our surrounds. The Pom sends a big HOWDY to Maso in Melbourne..

Family have again called, actually, i suspect they ring to make sure the inheritance isn't being spent in the one place (LOL).......

Tomorrow (must do the washing) .....The Pom and Myself are having Internet withdrawals, so may find Internet cafe somewhere, do some sight seeing and check with The Pro as to our next port of call.



Later one and all...........from The Adventure Men!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

2 Merry Men are we No more camping for us you see!

Day:Tuesday
Date:29th
Month:May
Year:2007


LOST please find us, if only i knew how this Navman worked. Warmth ah yes that does feel good, although it would be nice to reach a destination ( just once ) in the specified time frame.


Having packed the bikes we are ready to leave Narabeen, with a smile and happy nod we bid The Pro farewell and make arrangements to meet him Wednesday. Hoping to miss the worst of the Sydney traffic we make our heading "Batesman Bay".


Navman set I "The Pilot" in lead head us out, soon to realise not all is going according to plan (how unusual). Some time later OK well it was one hour, we made our way to, oh no, not there again.....................quick ditch the tents...........make out we never had them........cause were back at "Narabeen".


But never fear, cause were getting out no matter were we end up, so rode we did straight down the highway. The Pom having a blast at some unmentionable speed, with hands and feet freely testing the wind as we rode.


Sometime around 3.30pm we reach the town of Goulbourn........yes it is in a different direction to Batesman Bay, but who cares. We located a very pleasant park called "Governers Hill Carapark" the owners are helpful, with very clean and comfortable cabins.


After a great meal at the local servo, its back to the cabin to settle for the night, with warmth, comfort, and NO TENTS...................we are laughing!!! For all those camping lovers out there may the gods go with you.

Tomorrow............We have to find Batesman Bay and The Pro.............maybe the gods had better go with us. Until then stayup right.

Monday, May 28, 2007

3 men 6 wheels & 2 escorts

Day:Sunday

Date:27th

Month:May

Year:2007



As all good Sundays go this was our day of rest, relaxation, meeting and greeting. Lunch with members of Tamworth Club, touring the area and consultative meetings with my fellow

" Adventure Men".


For want of better names my loving family decided that it was appropriate that we be named as follows; The Pro ( having travelled Oz twice before), The Pom ( due to the nature of the man) and The Pilot ( as I have the Navman).


A relaxing and pleasant day was had by all, which is just as well for what lay ahead one will never know.




Day: Monday

Date:28th

Month:May

Year: 2007



Another day takes fold in the beautiful down town Coffs Harbour. Up at a sparrow .... i stealthily make my way to the light switch hoping not to wake other fellow bikers, this proved to be a mission in its self. The art of jumping, climbing and discreetly tiptoeing having left me many years earlier.


Carefully, having prepared my weetbix in bowl with sweetener the night before i consumed another wondrous breakfast delight that only someone of my age could appreciate.


Then as all good mornings start it's off to the ....wash room... again keeping noise to a minimal, ghost like i enter their room as that is where ( in the wisdom of the motel establishment) they had thought was the best location for the wash room, along with a sliding door that is almost off its runners. Lifting and sliding to the best off my ability still didn't prevent what was to be the awakening call for my fellow room mates.


Once we were all active and breathing the fresh morning 5.30am air, it was time to pack our 3 truck loads of gear back onto the bikes. As it appeared that rain my be prevalent the wet weather gear was required. Once all was in place it was off to the servo, fuel up and find The Pom. As my trusting son-in-law had long since lost faith in Navman he decided that he would lead the way. Through sheer luck he managed to find The Pom and it was off down the highway to meet The Pro.


The Pro has been around Oz twice now and seems to have a certain knowledge as to where we are headed. Since we have made no set arrangements, we are mapping our travels as we go. The Pro has booked us in at a camping area somewhere near Narabeen (Sydney). Once the family have seen us to the meeting spot they headed home via the Dorrigos. Three wise men head off on their life changing experience.


And a life changing experience is exactly what it was, who ever invented camping should be strung up. The Pro advised us that we would be thanking him for the experience, after pitching TENTS........ we rolled out the swags..........walked 5kl ms to tea ( nearly had heart attack & The Pom had sore feet). As The Pro was staying at his friends place for the night ( yeah, no he wasn't camping) we decided to taxi it back to the campsite, having given direct instructions to the cabbie (go straight down this road) he thought he knew better, went his way, and yes you guessed it.......his navigation skills........had us lost. So..... we went back to the start and he followed our direct route, whilst informing us that a ride that should have cost us $5.00 was now $10.00....lucky us.


Night came oh so quickly, dark, quite, cool, cold, freezing.......no feeling, until I could no longer take it. Trying to don all my riding gear in a tent at night with no light, feeling the wonderful experience ( thanks Pro) of leg cramps. I left my star accommodation and head for "The Wash Room". Only to visage a huge black blob sitting on the toilet fully clothed, ah...The Pom.... who very quickly told me it was far warmer in here than the tent. He also commenced to let me know that he had a leg cramp, whereby, i asked "what just one". Looks like his bottle of OP Rum didn't do the trick after all.


With that we proceeded to make coffee in the toilets, staying there until daybreak remaining somewhat warmer in our new environment.


Having decided that maybe camping is an experience that we need to work our way up to instead of jumping in at the deep end first, we made a decision to move onto "Batesman Bay", whilst The Pro has a few days here. Once he is finished he will meet us further down the track.

Fellow Female contingent has had knee operation, having a metal plate placed in her knee and reconstructive surgery. Hopefully, everything will go well and we will see her back upright again soon. Note: she found our camping experience hilarious and it brightened her day.