Surprise!!!! the sun is out…Yay!!! The pooches are sitting by our door waiting for us, for breakfast. We thank Mick for his hospitality and head on our way.
The air is crisp, the sky cloudy but partially blue and the sun is shining down on us.
Through Granya and then the climb through the Gap which we have done many times before.
The Granya Gap today though just like yesterday when we came back through it was littered with debris. Masses of leaves, bark and broken bits of branch (nothing big) were strewn all over the road. Needless to say it was a gentle run but safe.
I don’t know where we are going today, it’s a surprise that my Sweety Karl has organised. I do know though that we are going to Omeo. We head for Bright down the Cow Rd at a steady pace. It’s beautiful this morning, fresh and uncluttered. Up the Tawonga Gap Rd and we stop at Sullivans Lookout for a pic
Sullivans Lookout
Karl rides the tight bends like he was born to do this and it’s like poetry watching him…I just wish I had his finesse
Tawonga Gap Rd
There are way too many folk in Bright today for our liking and we decide to go to Harrietville for a coffee. Bella’s is the place to go. Hot chocolate and coffee to warm the cockles… 🙂
Bella’s Cafe
Karl says are you ready for Hotham. Yeah sure! The road to Hotham is one of the best and most scenic roads you will ever encounter. It winds its way around and around Mt Hotham until you reach its pinnacle at Hotham Village. It’s very chilly, so chilly that you can smell the cold, well I would say oncoming snow in the air.
You can’t help but take pics….the view is just spectacular.
Anyway, time waits for now man and we still have a bit to go to get to Omeo for lunch. Over hill and over dale and round the hill and over dale again as we meander down the tail of the snake. Karl let me lead this section and somewhere along the way I picked up some mojo and was off…….. I so enjoyed that section of road and had Dudley on his toes, flicking this way and that 🙂 Into Omeo and we choose to have lunch not at the bakery (like every man and his Harley) but at the little take away store down the road a bit.
Omeo Cafe
The locals eat here and the lady behind the counter is more than happy to serve you with a lovely smile a bit of a chat and will make you anything from a cheese sandwich to a hot meal. It’s value for money and tastes good!
Thankfully Karl took the lead from here 1) because I had no idea where we were heading and 2) I wanted to keep my license…..lol. A lucky thing that was too, cos on top of the hill near the Ensay Cemetery, hiding in the bush was Mr Pold with his hair dryer. Thanks Sweety, dodged a potential bullet there.
Bruthen for fuel and it’s where the grey clouds that have come over start to have a little bit of a cry..damn. Anyway, we turn right and I’m thinking Oooo where are we going….the answer soon appears that we are staying in Bairnsdale – The Mystery location.
But not just any place in Bairnsdale….we are staying at “The Riversleigh” Boutique Accommodation & Function Venue…Ooolala!! I just melted! Sweety, I love you!
The Riversleigh
Maybe there’s secret agenda……….
I’m feeling very regal in the Hampton chair.
The history of The Riversleigh you can read here http://www.riversleigh.com.au/history/history.htm and the photo below is of the Heatherlea the 2nd house that forms part of this wonderfully old world experience.
I have a friend who lives here in town Graham “Hackle” and I figure that if I didn’t drop him a line I’d be getting my butt kicked next time I see him. I asked Graham if he was free to catch up and we enjoyed a pleasant evening learning about each other (well usually it’s just a quick meet and greet and we are all off on our bikes heading for the next destination) and having a great meal at the local Bowling Club.
This holiday stuff is hard work and we are getting tired. Graham drops us back to our luxurious accommodation and lets us know about a ride that is on tomorrow if we feel so inclined.
Thank you Graham for your wonderful hospitality. It’s lovely knowing I have fabulous friends that are scattered far and wide around this country.
