A disturbed night sleep listening to riders waking and leaving from as early as 3am had me out and on the road just after 6.
A lovely morning, a little dewy and with good weather predicted I was excited to see the day come to life. And what a rise at dawn
I love riding at this time of day, alone but not, tranquil and serene out on the road……it’s just a road……yes, but it is… but so much more! The sky provides its own version of Vivid…..so much more real and alive than any computer generated spectacular. You can’t help but stop, yes in the middle of the road and take to opportunity to drink it all in.
Looking for things I’ve not seen before had me turning off the Willowie Rd to visit a Giant Gum Tree…..WOW!! it’s huge – giant even…lol and have my oat bar for breakfast.
Dudley and I aren’t fond of dirt roads but this little one was worth it to get to the tree. Soon into Orroroo (no scones today) as the sun starts to ride to eye level.
Dance of the Clouds was being performed this morning courtesy of Mother Nature, how can you not love this.
It’s picture day today! No SLR’s, giant lenses or other stuff (like other can use), just the good old point and shoot and phone camera – you make do with what you have. And I can’t complain when I get pretty good pics. Peterborough for a train and north of Burra for a wind turbine propeller all the while watching the fuel gauge and hoping I could get fuel in Burra. The heated gear is working a treat again this morning, providing a lovely warmth keeping at bay the onset of fatigue in the right shoulder from the bursitis. A lovely elderly couple asked me “aren’t you cold dear & are you on your own” to which I replied “toasty warm thanks – heated gear plugs into the bike and Yes, hubby is waiting for me in Sydney” the looks of amazement on their faces was priceless. They were a little more curious so I indulged them some more conversation before gracefully advising I really must get going. When you aren’t on the clock it’s the moments like this with total strangers that solidifies in my mind part of the reason I keep riding to places far and wide.
Somewhere along the B64 I spot this windmill, standing proud like a soldier guarding his post and thought “now this is what an entrance to home should look like!” One day my Sweety and I will have a lovely home to call our own embellished with hopefully a windmill. Yamba roadhouse for my second breakfast and dropped Marls a quick message to let her know that I was making good time and wouldn’t require the bed (this time) – thanks guys, it’s lovely knowing you have somewhere to stay if required. Another couple at the roadhouse with an old Holden and an old bubble caravan had broken down – gearbox stuffed. I helped push the car into position so they could hook the van up and limp into Renmark. Naturally, I asked did they have far to go…..”on our way to WA for our first holiday in 25 years!!” My heart felt for them. They didn’t look like they had a lot and he’d worked on restoring the car and van especially for the trip (had taken him years). I hope they make it!
Through Mildura and I wave to Marls, hoping she’s having a good day at work and continue to watch the “Dance of the Clouds”. Had to stop at the border, the thought of nearly being home was to strong an urge to resist. Starting to get a bit cooler now and as it come to the outskirts of Euston, I spot this street sign. Had to turn around and go back for a photo. Fatman & Lynne this one’s for you guys!! Having a giggle to myself and chomping on Mentos, I continued on. The flip face helmet is great for a quick snack from the tank bag. You just have to remember to tear them open first or get something in a tube that is easy to extract with teeth….lol
Watching the clouds and I was tipping my good run was going to be over as a storm seemed to be brewing the further east I went. Despite having all the gear, I decided Balranald was my stop for tonight (I didn’t want to get wet today…I know, soft) but hey…it is what it is. I’d tried on a couple of previous trips to stay at The Club Motel (it’s new, only been open 2 years) and have been unlucky. But this time, I struck gold!!! Dylan (the manager) had a lovely queen room available with undercover parking for Dudley – awesome!!! Now I’ve stayed in a couple of the places in town previously but from now on, I am staying here. Check out the website The Club Motel Balranald . The room rate is good and for the quality and service you receive, well a few bigger city motels could really take some lessons from this young man. A comfy bed, a hot decent shower, clean..yes sparkling clean everything in the middle of town next door to dinner, what more could you ask for!! I met John at the club (also travelling on his own) and we enjoyed a nice dinner together. I also met two other lovely older gentlemen who rode in on ST’s and I had a moment of mistaken identity (which we all had a giggle about). All the men were surprise that I was travelling on my own but said “good onya girl”. Thanks guys!
Balranald seems to be my half way stopover place. The feed at the club is pretty good too.
Check in with the Sweety and my parents, then it’s time to take advantage of the comfy bed and get a good nights sleep.
Monday, my day off, what a way to again start the day. You can never get tired a witnessing sights like this. BTW this is the Hay Plain another straight road with views as far as the eye can see. Alas again this morning the drive to “Hell’s Gate” was obstructed by quagmire so there was no stopping again…next time.
Have I mentioned at all how much I’m loving this heated gear, well it’s served well again this morning (the jacket and glove liners anyway). A short stop at the Outback Shearers to unplug the pants and stock as they continue to overheat me to the point of burning (will have to remember to ring Geoff and get this sorted out when I get home). Toddling down the road, bopping along, enjoying the lushness of the fields due to the rain. North of Darlington Point you come across the entrance to a zoo – Altina Wildlife Zoo naturally you have to take a pic of this. Now this place we will have to come back to and visit. They take you around the park/zoo in the back of a horse drawn cart, up close and personal like with the animals, that’s what the man who came to the gate tells me anyway. Interesting.
The reserve light been flashing for a while now and I’m hoping to make Narrandera. Roll in with 310km on the clock and wondering why is it that crossing the Hay you always use more fuel……ah great mysteries of the world I tell you….LOL! On the way across a lot of roads were closed due to water crossing everywhere. Today the water is still rising but is just contained by the banks however, there are several signs warning of “water over road”.
It’s a wonder day to be out riding…..hell yeah! Love is a funny thing, ya know. I’ve been away from home 3 days, 3 days without my Karl (talking on the phone just isn’t the same) and the heart just yearns for him. It makes you realise how much he means to you. Into Wagga and a pic for Karl a plan on a pole. Well he could tell you exactly what type of plane it is and probable when it was built but for me it just reminded me of him. The Hume highway the pathway to tangents that hold far more exciting paths to enticing roads but not today…..hmmm, well maybe just a little detour – The Snowy Mountain Highway, oh well, maybe not today…darn.
Lunch at Yass Service Centre McDonalds after getting the slowest fuel service ever, then the slab home. Can’t say the highway is exciting or even memorable, the traffic increases and the sudden thought of being back in the real world hits. But then the real world means “My Sweety” and that’s a bloody good reason to head back to reality. Into the drive at 5pm and into the open arms of the man I love to pieces!!!
