Nambucca Heads = a time to see mates that I only to get to see once a year….and it’s here at this location on this FarRide, that’s enough of a reason to get out for a ride for me.
Apologies in advance there aren’t many pics this time.
Friday plan: Home-Bulga-Tamworth-Barraba-Glen Innes, easy peasy right! Yeah! How exciting, this is Daisy’s first FarRide and I don’t know who’s more excited..lol. Local servo for fuel and off we go to hit the Putty (she handled it fabulously, BTW). Ahead of schedule so a short stop at Grey Gums Cafe and hence an early arrival at Bulga for an early lunch and that all important “start docket”- 12:01pm 31/12/14 all good!!
waiting at Bulga for 12 to roll around
We are having a good run and Daisy is surprisingly comfy. Into Tamworth, it’s hot 38 degrees, I find a tree to park under and it’s time to make a phone call to some friends and check in with Karl. About 10 kays outta Manilla Daisy thought she’d gone home when we came across some cattle on the road (she is a country girl afterall 🙂
one hot Kimmie at 38 degrees
Fuel in Barraba, it’s about 36 degrees and I come across a couple of larrikins – Tony K & Gateman waiting for me in the shade just up from the servo. Been ages since I’ve seen these two cheeky buggars. After a bit of a girly freshening up, it’s hugs all round. Check Daisy’s oil levels – all good and guess what, she’s started first go all day – YEE HAW!! “On ya bike girlie, lets go ride”, yes Gatey and we are off, destination Glen Innes.
on my way boys…
Tony K suggests we take the Delungra turn off, so I do a quick calculation and figure I can safely chop the kays to Warialda off. I’ve never headed out this way from Tamworth before and although the countryside is dry, it’s beautiful. I can’t understand why people want to go overseas, when we have such beautiful countryside right here! Anyways, the thorn between two roses…lol riding along “love it”. Into Inverell and Gatey pulls up under the shade of a sycamore tree (well not exactly but it sounds good). He decides to bail, something about his head being too big for his helmet….hmmm I’m sure that’s what he said..ROFL!!! Well, he wasn’t a happy camper so Tony K escorted me to Glen *thumbs up*.
me & Tony K
me & Gatey
Was about 7:20pm when we pulled into my digs and although we were going to have dinner together it was going to be too late for Tony to get home at a respectable hour, so we said our goodbyes and I checked in. I was so happy that these guys came out to see me and couldn’t have thanked them enough – you guys ROCK!!! xxxx
My first night ever camping on my own…wow!! I’m so excited!! Pick the BEST spot only to get told I have to move cos a “party” is coming in tonight. Party? Noooo, I need some sleep. Camp Kimmie all set up just as it got dark…haha, now to look for a feed. Daisy is loving this dirt and grass riding, me I’m still getting used to being able to. My two options for dinner – Maccas or KFC, I picked KFC (nothing else was open) then head back for zzzzd’s.
camp Kimmie…lol
Just nod off and “the party” roll in just short of midnight – Wtha! Screaming kids, barking dog and a bloody horse – seriously. 2:00am and I finally drifted off for 2 hours sleep. Up early, pack up (feeling very proud of myself) and ya know what…….paybacks a biatch! How unfortunate that Daisy MUST be warmed up with full choke before I can head off……hehehe. Lucky Karl installed the spotties cos I need’em this morning and they work just “jim dandy”!
the Sweety’s magic at work…
Thanks Sweety xx It’s bloody cold and dark and the wildlife is out today, wallabies and roos to Armidale. Thankfully they decided Daisy was too loud for them and they went in the correct direction (away from me!).
Sunrise as I come into Armidale where I stop to change to winter gloves…brrrr and what a magnificent sight.
never get tired of seeing the dawn of a new day.
Check the plan and WHAT!!!!! I’m out about an hour – crap, better get a wriggle on. I’ve done this run into Bendemeer many times so catch up some time. Head east and bam “blinded by the light”! I love this section of road from Bendy to Walcha but not this morning cos I can’t see it. The sun is right in my eyes blinding me so the pace along here is slower than normal.
Walcha for fuel and I run into (not literally) Tigerbill, Wombattle & friends and Rocketman. Time for a speedy cuppa and chat to the gents, tape the top of the visor to block the sun and off again. Unfortunately, apart from two herds of cattle at separate sections of the Oxley (which didn’t hold me up too much) the 4 wheeled traffic was terrible…grrr! Anybody’d thought it was Sunday not SATDEE people. Lucky Daisy was up to the challenge of opening that envelope and performing small miracles.
Turn off to Port and head north FINALLY!! Tell you, that last stretch into Nambucca felt like it took for-ev-er……. At last the turn off – YAY, not far now and a clear, quick run down Wellington Drive into my Karl welcoming party “you’re cutting if fine Sweety” he says….no kidding Dick Tracey and I’m off the bike still with all my gear on to get to check in – FRE #28 DONE. PHEW made it! Look at the watch and have 20 minutes to spare….LOL!!
on arrival at Nambucca
Catch up with some before they head off to finish their rides and then time to settle in for the afternoon of socialising & lunch. Throw in a swim a nana nap before some more well-earned socialising with great friends from places Far and Wide and you have the perfect day! Oh, plus a romantic walk along the wall. The day turns to night oh so quick and the lack of sleep has caught up with me. Check with me buddy Diesel about the arrangements for brekky before Karl and I hit the pillow.
Dinner with friends
romantic walk with Karl
Sunday morning and we are awaken by the rumble of an engine…..what a surprise LOL. The Urunga Brekky Crew assemble in the carpark and head out in formation for a relaxing brekky by the river. Thanks Diesel for organising!! We say our hoo-roos and with our friend Andy in tow start on the path home.
nice way to start the day
Diesels Urunga brekky crew
However, as this is my ride, naturally we have to make some “detours” – after all I am at “war” for Milday Her Majesty and have vowed to battle thru thy realm of FarLand for the White. First stop Port Macquarie, pic obtained and what a shame we have to do the Oxley again….LOL! No traffic this time and Daisy enjoys the curvaceous climb through the mottled shadows to Walcha. Fuel, acquire another pic (it’s bloody hot), lunch and it’s time to head down Thunderbolts to Gloucester.
I haven’t mentioned previously however I have developed (over the 3 days) an extremely sore hand from these gloves I have been wearing and by the time we get to the lookout I have to take an unscheduled stop. Throttle rocker on, would’ve liked a longer break but the day is slipping away. Into Gloucester and I couldn’t find the “spot”….grrr. Karl went off in the direction I thought it was while Andy and I waited in the shade at the servo. “Spot” located, blazing sunshine and heat (kinda appropriate for this token) and it’s time to flock off.
We get to the end of Buckets Way and hit the slab for home. The twin servo’s a good sight for a rest and an ice cream to recharge the battery for the final leg. We say “see ya Wednesday” to Andy (even though we are heading in the same direction but won’t be stopping again) and finally at 8:00pm we arrive home – hot and tired. FRE #28 done & dusted!
