Mixed morning today. Bit of excitement…hit a Roo this morning about 80km west of Renmark in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere actually has a name Pooginook. All is good! Dudley has some battle scars and I am ok. Smurfette just squealed like a girl :). In Crystal Brook some 200km from where it happened having breaky at the servo and making sure all Dudleys bits are patched up and holding. Not game enough to take anything apart just in case I can’t get things back together.

Pooginook – 500m metres from the impact

Needless to say I missed the sun rise but I was hidden behind the grey skies and fog. I can across this interesting sign…something about being at “World’s End” – I really didn’t think I was that far from civilisation…..lol.

World’s End?? LOL

Oh boy how thick was the fog, almost like sleet. Stopped in Burra to but on my heated glove liners…didn’t think I’d need them this morning….silly girl. Fog didn’t start to lift until after Spalding – thick as pea soup, slowed to 80 kph at times cos I couldn’t see too far in front.

Down town Burra

Pea soup

Crystal Brook as mentioned above I rang Karl and let him know what had happened this morning and assured him Dudley and I were ok. Another servo breaky of machine $3 coffee and a muesli bar….the coffee wasn’t bad either. How pretty is it through this area. Zigging and zagging all the way through to Port Pirie. These are new roads to me. I’ve travelled to The Gutter before but through this way….totally different experience and glad I did cos I seemed to have dodged the rain that most everyone else has been experiencing.

I eventually popped out on Highway 1 and headed through Port Augusta (The Gutter). All new territory for me know and I have to follow the GPS. It had me take this back road with rain me along the massive pipe which seemed to follow me or me it the entire way from here on. Had me going through Alamein on this dodgy bumpy road which I’m sure now I could’ve avoided…nevermind. Below is the behind view of The Gutter.

The Gutter – Port Augusta

From here on it’s a mystery of what to expect. First stop for a pic was Iron Knob, which is an Iron Ore mining town.

Check out the colour of the landscape – amazing.

Iron Knob

Doing well, next stop is Kimba for fuel and lunch. Now Kimba is the town located “Half Way Across Australia” so you know me, couldn’t miss a photo opportunity, besides Smurfette was just a tad excited about having her pic taken again with another iconic sign.

Thanks Kimba! it was our pleasure

While I’m here a friendly face arrives….it’s Gags..Woo Hoo, so we hatch a plan to have lunch together and ride on to Wudinna together. But not before a pic of the Big Galah….LOL

You bloody Galah…ha ha ha

Tucked up out of the weather for lunch, where we meet another couple of riders (father and son) heading to Border Village also.

Tucked up with me mate!

Back on the road and the never-ending (seems to be my favourite word on this trip) undulating ribbon of road that takes to the other side of the country.

Gags was happy to sit behind me….he said something about it better a better sight looking at my butt than me looking at his (well something like that anyways). Before long we wave good-bye as he is stopping in Wudinna and I still have 2hrs to go. See you tomorrow Gags.

The Wudinna Farmer

The Sheep Farmer statue on the way out of town.

A couple of little towns come and go and then I pull into Poochera for fuel. Unfortunately there is no Premium Unleaded her so I had to give Dudley 91 instead (luck it was only about 5 litres) before we headed off again in search of Ceduna.

Poochera Roadhouse

All day we’ve had spatterings of rain or sun showers and then it would dry up but the clouds played the mind game with of “will I rain or won’t I” which kinda eggs you on to get where you need to be before it opens up. As the sun starts to slowly sink into the horizon, it casts a beautiful ray across what I think are canola fields – which are all along this stretch.

Eyre Highway Wudinna to Ceduna

Just tootling along.

There is that road again – long and straight with a glorious setting sun. The picture really just doesn’t do this scenery justice. The peace and serenity that comes along with views like this really just can’t be put into words.

We arrive in Ceduna just before 5pm and look even Smurfette is waving and happy we have stopped for the day. Now to find the Ceduna Motor Inn and get settled for the night and relax.

Checked in and I’m putting Dudley to bed for the night and who should venture out from the room next door but Nico. I squealed like a school girl!!! Just couldn’t believe it. Needless to say I was just a little happy at seeing another friendly face.

Dinner was shared that night with Nico and the Father and Son team (Lance & Dan) I met at the Kimba roadhouse for lunch.

Night everyone, I’m a bit buggered and will see y’all tomorrow.

Today is the first day of my holiday and the start of the Border Run Ride. Home to Border Village – be there by Saturday 4pm to check-in and knock off 1000km in 24hrs on a day to Border Village – OK challenge accepted.

This morning up at 2:45am dark o’clock go to leave and Dudley won’t start….ARGH!!! Have to wake Karl up and he came to the rescue. Sweety, you are MY Knight in Shining Armour!!!! Having now made the servo, docket in hand and we are off.

It’s uneventful down the highway, a bit cool but I have my heated gear pulled in and playing….noice. Sutton Forest I have to stop for an emergency comfort stop……first day ride belly gets me still after 10 years of riding…..LOL. The fog comes and goes and the further south the colder it gets. Marulan and Dudley tells me it’s -1 degrees – thanks mate by the time we get to Yass, it’s a balmy -3 degrees and I need a power nap. So after fuelling up Dudley and parking him nicely under the covered area of the servo, I go off to the IBA table and have a little lay down. Did I say how good this heated gear is…worth every penny!!!

Good morning Yass

Yes, that is ICE and I also had ice on my gloves….BRRR

With all the rain that the country’s had, the livestock are happy…they are eating “green” grass or weeds not dried up brown crunchy yuk. Through Wagga Wagga in school times….what was I thinking. Anyway, I’m outta town in no time and heading to Narrandera.

The repairs to the road since that last lot of flooding is amazing, don’t get me wrong there are still sections under repair and others that could do with repair…hint hint mr council. Smurfette was excited to be out again but not happy that I didn’t get her a heated vest…..oops. So my pennants was that I had to stop at the Altina Zoo for a photo op for her.

Look at that Smile!!

Narrandera for breakfast and it’s a summery 10 degrees…..YAY, it made it above zero 🙂 A nice hot coffee and raisin toast and we are off again, next stop Balranald.

But wait, I gets to South Hay and there are 2x riders in the Mobil so I detour and say hi. It’s Dene and friend John on their way tot Border Village. Had a chat and then I am off. They pass me cos I stopped to check out my parcel of land “Hells Gate”…..Smurfette insisted that I stop as she hadn’t been there.

While the road isn’t particularly exciting, the changing scenery happening above me is magical. The clouds dance around up there, shifting and changing providing a sensational pantomime for me to watch today.

Into Balranald for fuel and a late lunch and I tag with Dene and John and give them a heads up of impending bad weather for Mildura – thanks for the heads up Ronnie. I stop for a bit here, my ride fitness is suffering a little bit and I’m getting tired.

Now since the camera battery died early on in the day, I don’t have any on the fly pics – sorry folks.

Back out on the road and watching the sky pantomime and the story isn’t look great, I’m just wondering whether I’ll make it to Renmark dry? Not being “strictly” on the clock, I have spent a little bit more time on my stops and am 1hr 30min behind the schedule. Phone call to the caravan park to let them know I’ll be a late arrival so they can leave the keys out for me.

Mildura is a bustle, people coming home from work and school so I take the back parallel road to main street which avoids all the traffic lights and pop out at the bottom end of town. the clouds are getting darker and I’m doubtful I’m gonna make it in dry. Anyway push on and stop at the Yamba SA border crossing. The guys greet me with a lovely smile and welcome to the state and ask me the all important question “Do you have any fruit?” I answer “no sir” and he sends me on my way. Thanks guys.

Tucked up nice and warm and dry in my cabin in Renmark (cos it’s pissing down outside). Too wet for Dudley to test out his brand new overnight cover…..I’d end up having a second shower outside covering him….so he’ll have to wait til tomorrow night

Summary…….

Well, what a day! 1190km from home to Renmark.

Got my passport stamped twice – no evidence of the VIC one cos it’s in the middle of a bridge….like who does that…silly Mexicans. But did manage to get my SA stamp and a lovely welcome from the blokes at the quarantine crossing.

Nighty night folks…this little black duck is just a tad tired.

Another early morning tomorrow…..

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!!!!

Of all the places in Australia I’ve been too on my motorcycle over the past 10 years, Tintaldra is my most favourite place. My haven of tranquility, where everything could go wrong in the normal world but there I have no cares or worries in the world.

Out the door at 7:00am in the rain and off we go. Pretty uneventful ride down the highway and the cruise control is already paying for itself. For the first time in, oh, I don’t know how long, Karl sat behind me all the way to Bungendore. Gunna-Doo cafe for morning tea….coffee & donut. Karl turns off at Queanbeyan (the super tanker doesn’t need fuel) and I carry on to Hume for fuel and we meet back up in Cooma.

Onto the Snowy Mountains Highway, yes, you got it, my favourite piece of road to Adaminaby where we find our friends from Canberra sitting around finishing lunch. It’s still a bit cool but I know the weather will improve once we get over the  mountain a wee bit. After our lunch we all head off, the Canberra crew taking Elliot Way while Karl and I take Cabramurra Way to the Khancoban turn off then enjoy the trip into Corryong for supplies.

His packing and her packing 🙂

Sweeps and curves, bends and twists lined with mother natures finest wilderness. Dappled light and roads to ourselves, what more could you want. Supplies obtained and we high tail it out to “my haven, our haven”. We are staying at Betts B&B this year while everyone else are staying at the caravan park. Bett’s place has the best spot in town we reckon, overlooking the Murray River with a beautiful backyard hidden behind the Tintaldra Tea Rooms (which at 90yrs old she also runs).

Pizza night at Clearwater by the Upper Murray surrounded by like minded friends = an awesome time. Catching up and a few drinks, its like this every time. Yowie and Fudge love the attention (although they are not the security guards they used to be) and lets face it, we love spoiling them with hugs.

Tucked away in our own little Betts Hideaway we had a glorious nights sleep and woke to a beautiful sun rise. A cuppa tea and wonder down to the park for a full breaky with everyone before suiting up for a stunning days of riding fabulous roads with great mates.

Destination decided on is Bright……on a bright sunny day! Awesome! Along the river road into Walwa and I say I’m going ahead to take some pics. Just into Tholongooloo and I find a spot where I can hide on the bank and take pics of my friends coming round a bend. With Dudley parked safely down the road, I go back, set up and wait. Now, I took some pics, they aren’t great, it was my first time taking  pics like this….oh well, lesson learned…..leave it to the experts!  LOL

Short detour to look for Ree’s petrol cap (lost on Friday) and Karl and I head off down the Cow Rd before getting to the Bright turn off. We had the Cow Rd all to ourselves….it was lovely, even better we got to ride together (which we haven’t done for such a long time). What a beautiful morning as we turn up Tawonga Gap Rd and look forward to the curvaceous climb to Bright. There are quite a few cyclist most were accommodating but there were more that purposefully blocked the road…PITA! Bright’s busy – market day and god knows what push bike event (they were everywhere). Parked up and off to the River Deck cafe for lunch but not before a spot of shopping. Picked up a lovely besoke skirt – win! Lovely lunch with friends and then we are off again. Back down Tawonga Gap Rd (damn shame really) and then up the highway a bit and Karl turns off and I have no idea where we went….I just followed him and it was wonderful. Kinda like date day! Twists and turns, lovely scenery – perfect day.

Back into Tintaldra and me good ol’ mates Diesel, Growly and Mrs Growly have arrived – awesome!! The rest of the crew arrive and the introductions are made before setting in for a night of shenanigans. The group piccy is done before we have to many cordials and before long dinner in served. God bless Rick and Ailsa, a scrumptious baked dinner and dessert, it was the quietest we were all weekend. Diesel was all set up over at camp “Diesel-Land” complete with everything bar the kitchen sink…lol.

Now speaking of cordial, young Esther packed a bottle of schnapps from the Wild Brumby Distillery as a treat for us. Sckull they say and so I did. Holy mother of hot chilli’s!! Just a tad hot *breathing fire* as one is unable to speak, all captured by me good ol’ mate….thanks.

Sunday morning, packed and down for the breakfast fit for a king and queen. It’s sad, we have to head home which means we have to say farewell until next time…and…to think some of these friends only live an hour away.

Another glorious day and as hard as it is to leave this little piece of paradise we have to go home and back to Ella-Jane. Through the crisp morning air to Khancoban for fuel before the climb up The Alpine Way, through Thredbo, Jindy, Cooma before stopping for fuel and lunch in Queanbeyan.

The trip home from here is almost like running on auto-pilot and we have been lucky that the looming dark clouds have stayed at bay.

Back home to a very happy Ella-Jane.

Til next year, unless I win the lotto and buy a little piece of my heaven 🙂

The Tintaldra Crew 2017

Ride the Snowies with friends after Christmas for a few days before going back to work for me – how could you not take up the opportunity. Ella-Jane spending her holiday with Nanny & Pa while Karl & I head away.

We meet at Pheasants Nest, fuel up and head out straight down the slab. Nothing to see here! It’s hot already and we have a short break at Mendooran where Gene advises he needs fuel – what? Already! Anyways, another stop in Jugiong where Gene’s bike’s stator dies. We all eventually meet up at Gundagai for fuel and lunch and the guys hatch a plan to help Gene out.

Had to stop for this one.

apparently there is a matching sign somewhere near the Dog on the Tuckerbox….but I’ve never seen it.

Karl, Paul & Gene head to Albury and the rest of us travel through as planned to Tumut, Kiandra, through Cabramurra Way (I think the real name of the road is Link Rd & changes to Goat Ridge Rd). The guys are goooone and I’m happy just to cruise on my own, take in a bit of the scenery. Into Khancoban for fuel and afternoon tea – well milkshakes and a banana for me. Have a chat to a fella I met back on the 2012 Black Dog Ride – he has one arm, rides a KLR650 and is happy to chat away (for the life of me though I can’t remember his name).

afternoon tea

It’s humid and still hot and I’m not in the mood to do Granya this afternoon so I decide to split from the group and head through Corryong (Andy joined me) before arriving in Tallangatta, where Karl, Paul & Gene are already kicking back. Dinner at the Victoria Hotel (not the greatest) before returning for stories and bullshit….cos that’s whatyado! Also…..Is there a Doctor in the house??

After dinner we go for a walk down along Lake Hume and watch the sunset.

Friend to all down this way, Ward has generously offered to act as tour guide today (since it was reported/believed that Hotham was supposed to be overrun by lycra clad road thieves today). Breaky at the local MJ’s Bakery (great coffee) and full of all wondrous calorie delicacies that one really only needs to indulge in once.

Ward leads us out through a maze of back roads to the famous Cow Rd (Gundowring Rd) before weaving us through Happy Valley, Mrytleford past Gapsted Wines before arriving at the Milawa Cheese Factory right on morning tea time.

A cloud covered day does not instinctively mean it’s going to be cooler by any means. Due to the intermittent rain the day before and overnight there is the heaviness of humidity hanging around. Some sample the offerings of the cheese factory while I was happy just to wonder round and listen to conversation. Then it’s through Oxley (where I think of fellow LD rider OX-34), Moyhu, King Valley and then Whitfield where we turn to head into the twisties. Back down the road the a bit we’d passed 2x unmarked Mr Plods both sitting on KL1600’s in Navy Blue (almost black) with camouflaged gear sitting just off to the right….sneaky buggers.

Waving the boys through cos I don’t want to hold them up, I start my climb after them. Nice road, a bit damp, leaf litter and twigs from the overnight rains but lovely scenery. I stopped at a point up the hill to take a pic.

Beautiful scenery just not a lot of places to pull over safely.

Wasn’t stopped for very long but two corners later and Mr Plods escorted me all the way to Tolmie Pub where everyone was waiting patiently for me. Naturally I was a good girl and road sensibly to which earnt me a pleasing wave by both Mr Plods as I pulled off the road.  Charming pub with motorcycle friendly staff served us lunch in no time. Foods not bad, the pulled pork burger looked fabulous and I was told was fabulous. With lunch done it’s back down the hill at a steady pace since it’s raining now and as sticky as.

We weaved way back following our tour guide through Milawa-Tarrawingee Rd into Upper Everton before ending up at the back end of Beechworth for fuel. Again we afford fabulous countryside as we snake through Osborns Flat, Allans Flat, Staghorn Flat before popping out at Tangambalanga Flat….LOL…not there’s not Flat at Tangambalanga, just the Murray Goulburn – Danone/Devondale Factory. Waving hoo-roo to Ward – Thanks Mate! we follow the highway back to Tallangatta. Swim time!!! YAY!!

Dinner tonight is at the Tallangatta Hotel were Mark & Esther joined us (they spotted Karl & I passing through Yackandandah) and sent a message. A lovely family dinner for 10 was had that night along with the swapping of stories, catching up and remedies for McGiver stator fixes were had. It was lovely to see Mark & Esther again but as the story goes, all good things must come to an end and they head back to Wodonga for the rest of their trip.

Thunderstorms that night and I’d said to Karl “if it’s raining tomorrow, I’m doing my own thing”. Well there was heaps of rain overnight and in fact woke to rain – my plan fixed for the day – day off. Gene was heading to Albury to acquire the necessary McGiver equipment for the temp fix (that’s his story to tell) and the boys, well they still decided to go do Hotham. So I kiss Karl toddle-loo and be careful and give the guys the same be careful as they rode out the driveway in the rain. Time to kick back & relax, read some book, listen to the rain then suit up and head on into Yackandandah for lunch.

Although Yack’s only a 31.2km ride, I enjoyed the solitude it afforded me. Found a park and walked the town (both sides of it…lol). Sussed out the info centre for future accommodation in the area for finding myself in a crystal, incense burning shop which had a little bit of everything. Found the cutest pair of socks and ended up spending about 15 minutes chatting away to the lady behind the counter. Unfortunately the pie shop was full, I couldn’t even get in the door so ended up having lunch in the bakery – a pie and vanilla milkshake (wasn’t bad either).

On the way back stopped for a pic and to check the phone to find one of the boys (not Karl) had rung and not left a message. Panic set in and I returned his call and left a message that I was 13km outta Tallangatta and presumed that something had gone horribly wrong and was heading back toot-sweat! Arriving back I discovered that the group had split up due to poor visibility (actually zero visibility) up the mountain and so two of them had decided to turn around and the other three (including Karl) had pushed through. When I took a breath, I realised that he must be ok cos we spoke when he was at Omea for lunch so all would be good just had to wait for them to get back.

Weather is not forecasted to be great in Victoria for the next few days so we decide to head home with the group. We go over Granya and along the river to Jingellic (where the bunnies are out in abundance this morning) before rolling into Tumbarumba for morning tea. We’ve had a bit of rain this morning and the humidity is atrocious…all your gear is sticking to you and just feels yukky. Through the scenic hills of Batlow before popping into Tumut and then into Gundagai to regroup, say our farewells and thank Dan for organising the weekend.

Karl & I push onto to Jugiong for fuel. Jugiong is a hive of activity today. Who knew or knows what wondrous occasion had the biggest influx of people to this town that doesn’t (on the surface) seem to have much. Back out on the highway and its The Slab but not before turning off to Gunning where we had lunch at The Old Hume Café (heaps of people here too…must be something happening in small country towns today). Nothing to report from here really, it’s the Hume Highway with holiday traffic heading back for the New Year (I presume). It’s still horridly humid and on the outskirts of Campbelltown the temperature spikes to 42 degrees (according to Dudley) and I cannot wait to get home and outta my gear. Took forever to get through the Sydney traffic before we landed back in the drive of home.

GunningAs always, it’s good to get away for a few days. Am I sorry I didn’t get to do Hotham and the Mitta Mitta road – no. It was my holiday also and sometimes you enjoy not going with the group and doing your own thing.

Here’s the SPOT map of the journey….nothing much exciting but was still good to be on the bike.