With The Ginger Factory FarRide complete the task was now to head home. Now Smurfette and I were planning on a camping weekend with our friend Saltpyxis (but due to circumstances Saltpyxis couldn’t attend 🙂 ) at Mt Warning Rainforest Resort. After catching up with childhood friend on Friday night there was no way Aunty Sandra and Uncle Eric were going to let me get away without spending the night with them and having a good old chinwag. How could we refuse!!
At the Ginger Factory I’d arranged to meet fellow Traceristas – Wordsmith (Lawrence) and Suncoaster (Rob) both natives to QLD. There aren’t many Tracers seen around here in Oz so to have the chance to meet others was too good an opportunity to pass up. You know how it goes, what farkles do you have, what tyres do you run, fuel consumption and a little bit about ourselves to round out the conversations and obligatory photo. It was lovely to meet them both and Mrs Wordsmith for a coffee and Rob joined the FarRiders for lunch. But as usual on these rides time is just waaaay too short.
The 3 Traceristas
How to get back to Lennox Head? I’d hatched a plan on Friday night before going to sleep and plugged it into the GPS but after speaking with Rob he’d made a couple of suggestions as I did not want to slab it back (there is only so much freeway a girl can do, ya know). With a new plan in the GPS, Smurfette was eager to head off into new territory (for her, besides she was getting a headache after overheating).
1:30pm on the knocker and we were off heading through the Hinterland – Mapleton, Montville, Beerwah, then out on the D’Aguilar highway to Kilcoy. What a gorgeous afternoon for a ride. The roads were all but empty and Smurfette was enjoying the scenery while I was “getting my groove on” (albeit with the looming effects of a vertigo headache). Now I can hear you saying “but Kimmie you shouldn’t be riding”, well I have lived with this condition for a long time now and if it tips while I’m out riding, you adjust the ride and yourself to manage the situation. Right onto Esk-Kilkoy Rd and down the beautiful scenic road to the Somerset Dam and quick left and now we are winding our way towards the Mt Glorious turnoff. Ah, Mt Glorious, you temptress you!! But not today my dear, you will have to wait for another time. Into Fernvale for fuel as I am not familiar with the area or the fuel stops (and I don’t want to get caught out) and to re-check the map. Checked in with Karl and advised my host family an ETA of 6:30pm.
Now Rob said to follow the signs to “oh bugger it, I can’t quite remember”. Checked the GPS details he advised and scratched my head. Oh well let’s go and see how we go. Just as I’m heading out Vlad on his Big Yellow Banana passed me with a couple of mates, so I tagged onto them for a bit. Then the GPS kept telling me it was re-calculating, then the little voice in my head was saying “Kimmie you’re going the wrong way” and my was head was pounding, Smurfette was worrying, so I stopped in the pause of a set of lights. I thought Vlad asked “was I lost” to which I answered “yes” but that obviously wasn’t the question….LOL. Anyway, I decided to cancel all the routes in the GPS and plugged in Aunty Sandra’s address and hit GO! GO, had me heading through the heart of Ipswich and I ended up on the freeway again but at least I was confidently heading in the right direction and would be tucked up in the garage before 6;30pm.
There is nothing better than arriving to a “home” that is so welcoming. 25 years it’s been but I tell you it was like yesterday sitting down for a lovely home cooked dinner with Aunty Sandra and Uncle Eric and I mustn’t forget Miss Ebony…..the beautiful you lady that gave up her bed for me the night before. After a long day, bedtime seems to descend on me very quickly and by 9:30ish I had to say my good-nights.
Miss Ebony
My plan for Sunday was to traverse the Nymboida Rd, one which has been on my bucket list for a long time but after not the greatest nights sleep and the vertigo playing in my head I thought I might have to change my plan. Farewells were made and Smurfette complained that she spent the night in the garage and didn’t get anytime to fix her hair or clean up. Plan to stay off the freeway had us going through Tintenbar, Alstonville &Tregeagle before popping out on the Bruxner Highway and into Casino. Weaving our way through the magnificent plantations of Guava and Macadamia nuts was just wonderful. Somewhere along the way though my heated gear stopped working! I’m running all the things that I’ll need to check when I make the impromptu stop in Casino.
United Limited on the outskirts of town has an abundance of parking allowing me to start my trouble shooting. Thankfully, the fault lie in the heat troller – the batteries had gone flat…lol, easy fix and lucky I carry extra batteries for such emergencies! 40 minutes later and we are back on the road down the Summerland Way. Another lovely piece of road (although you can tell you’re back in NSW) I pretty much have the road to myself…….wonderful! and we are into Grafton. Here’s where the game changes. I’m still not feeling fabulous and decide to take the Orora Way through Nana Glen. This is another road that is nice and tranquil this morning. Dapples of light striking through the trees and warming the morning for me nicely (although the heated gear is still on 🙂 ). Smurfette is enjoying herself……look at that smile on her face.
Nana Glen a little piece of backroad heaven. The aptly named Idle Café seemed the perfect place to stop for some morning tea a cuppa and Panadol. Here I ring Karl and let him know of the change of plan…..head to the in-laws at Forster for the night instead of camping out somewhere under the nights stars. Then I ring the in-laws to ask if it would be OK, naturally it was fine.
Coffs Harbour and it’s back onto the freeway. I set the cruise control and just ample on down the freeway through the varying speed limits due to the roadworks. The stretch of road will be so good whenever they finish it. Just under 3 hrs later and I pull into the Caltex for fuel and a servo meat pie. Another 5 minutes and Smurfette and I are safely tucked up in the garage of the in-laws in Forster……Thanks Nana & Poppa!! Another home cooked meal a hot shower and comfy bed and I am set for the night. Lets’ hope the morning brings a better outcome with my vertigo.
A sensational nights sleep…..ah!!! Smurfette and I are excited to get home and see Karl and Ella-Jane. Quick breakfast and we are on the road again. Feeling a bit better today thankfully and there is no other choice but to slab it down. Well, almost…The Lakes Way and the Old Pac break the boredom at the star and towards the finish.
Now, there’s this place where other motorcycle friends have pics taken at the mouth of a tunnel. I’ve always wondered where it was, well today I found it.
The mystery tunnel
I was craving another pie and a coffee so pulled into The Pie In the Sky Cowan. Met a lovely bunch of older gentlemen that insisted that I join them instead of sitting on my own. Don’t know where the time went but I better get a wriggle on. I thank the gents, John, German John & Sergio for their wondrous company and before long we arrive home – about 12:20pm.
Home
The total trip was 2314.9km
Did I have a great time – absolutely!
Was I feeling the best – well no, but I took heed of what my body was telling me and adapted things to best fit the situation.
Would I do it all over again – In a Heart Beat!!!!
