It’s so easy to get used to sleeping in, eyes open, morning Sweety…ahhh it’s 8am….noice!

Stepping back in time again in the dining room for breakfast at The Riversleigh. The old time dining music in the background with the settings, you could close your eyes and pretend you’re back in the 30’s dressed to the nines for a formal breakfast…yes Madam.

Again this morning the sky is a yukky grey colour and I’m hoping that it won’t rain but those hopes are dashed pretty soon as the rain comes down.

It’s been raining for a while, there’s a lot of water on the roads as we follow the coast road through to Lakes Entrance (I hadn’t been there before).

The patches of blue between the grey are there you just have to find them. The rain stopped for a while and in Lakes Entrance the sun came out but we weren’t stopping for photos. As you can see from the pics below the time difference between the changes in weather isn’t long and it was pretty much like this all day.

Into Orbost for fuel and because of the weather we decide not to do the Bonang. Better to be safe than sorry. It’s not so much the road itself but the 2 sections of dirt/gravel which could potentially be slippery mud – no thanks. So it’s off to Cann River for a comfort stop and little break….I tell you this holiday stuff is hard work J. Found a place named after me…..”Great Relics”  LOL!!!

Up the Cann River Rd and the intermittent rain gets pretty heavy at times and once again I am wet all the way through and with the wind I am getting pretty cold. Heading for Bombala for lunch and the skies turn blue again but there is no heat in them unfortunately and I’m looking forward to lunch and a warm drink. This time I put my wet weather jacket over the top and take off the wet cardigan. Karl, mind you is still bone dry…how does he do it??

Onto Mt Darragh Rd. we haven’t done this section of road for I can’t remember when. But alas, the road is so wet and slippery, there’s no hooking into the wonderful bends and curves on this one. Dudleys rear steps out a couple of times which totally unnerved me so I back of completely and just basically putt round and down the mountain.

I told Karl we have to have scones and tea at this place just outside of Pambula called “Oaklands”, sure he says lead the way. The scones with fresh cream and jam are absolutely DE-LIS-CIOUS!!!! It’s worth the stop for either lunch or just a tea or coffee. There’s an art gallery, brewery & little store of cottage things…noice.

Not far now and we are into Merimbula and locate our “Luxury on the Lake” at Robyn’s Nest Boutique Resort.

Checked in, park the bikes up and settle in. the setting here is magnificent!! It’s nestled in at the bottom of a hill (just out of town) right on the lake. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with Australian Native flora and the birds just remind you that you are settled into nature. It’s wonderful.

Karl and I go for a lovely afternoon stroll around the grounds and down to the jetty.

Karl has been dieing for a spicy meal since we left home and has lucked out every night. So, tonight he found this little Thai restaurant in the back streets of town and that’s where we had dinner. It’s not much to look at, but, I tell you the feed was amazing. Happy Karl 🙂

Back to cottage to top the night of with the remaining glasses of our Wild Brumby Pear Schnapps

Nighty night.

Yawn, yawn!! Hi Sweety, is it time to get up, already. What a wonderful nights sleep, in a comfy bed that Karls feet don’t hang out the bottom of. Fluffy pillows and plush doonas and throws….feeling like royalty. Down to the dining room (said in a posh voice, please) for a lovely breakfast before going for a morning walk around town.

You don’t see these everyday of the week

We passed by the church St Marys (which is being restored)

Now I think Karl has been keeping a secret from me……….a sporting store???

hmmm

Since we are in such a romantic place, we thought we’d stop by the local court house…..

Then finishing our morning stroll with the Mitchell River Walk…which funnily enough runs alongside the river.

What to do now? Catch up on some blogging, Karl’s reading his kindle….then what?

Check out the map and decide we could meet our friends participating in the Black Dog 1 Day Ride in Maffra around 2pm….sounds like a plan. Message Hackle and Mick (Fatman) & Lynne (LTP) to let them know that we’ll meet them after we’ve had lunch. Karl was looking forward to having a spicy Moroccan chicken homemade pie which turned out to be just a plain old beef pie in fancy pastry…..he was very disappointed.

Down the main drag and just on an hour later (after a little geographical error) we arrive at The Maffra Shed, where we are met by our very wonderful friends Hackle, Fatman & LTP at the finish of the Black Dog Ride.

Time goes to fast and we are off. Graham says “follow me” and I’ll take you a more scenic and fun way back to town. Well he wasn’t wrong. I have no idea where we went but the scenery was a green as green can be, with cows either side of the road. The road surface had a bit of everything, nice bitumen, sealed country roads and gravel. Unfortunately somewhere along the way, I picked something up in the rear tyre and wondered why I couldn’t turn a corner……a flat rear…drat!!

But, never fear, I have my “Knight’s in Motorcycle Gear” with me!!!! Silly me left my puncture repair kit back in the room, luckily the guys both have theirs and a magic little compressor to get the job done. Thanks guys!!! You are my heroes!!!

Graham leads us back into town and gives us a tip for dinner before heading off himself back home as he has an early morning tomorrow. Again we thank him for his wonderful hospitality and wish him a safe journey tomorrow and I’ll see you soon in anther FarAway location.

Dinner was at the Bairnsdale Club, which was a bargain fabulous feed.

Back for another night of luxury and a chillax.

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 2^nd 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.

A reasonable nights sleep but woke to the sounds of rain splatting on the roof top. Look outside the door and….

Oh well, lucky we are on holidays. There was no letting up, each time you’d look out the door, it just bucketed 🙁  Not even the dogs were happy, they sat most of the time on our front door mat shivering in hope that we would let them inside. A cunning plan but what they didn’t know is we have our own little cunning planner Ella-Jane who is on holidays herself with Nanny & Pa. Sorry guys.

About 2 o’clock the rain eased and a sprinkle of sun light poked its head out of the clouds – let’s go! Out the wet gravel drive and turn left and just up the road it starts to rain again..argh!!! and the it’s as windy as all get out and chilly. We stop at the Bethanga lookout to get some reception and phone home to check on things before looking for somewhere to have a decent coffee.

Bethanga Lookout

This is the old Bethanga Bridge crossing the Hume River. A friend of ours took a shot of this the other day with the reflection of the bridge in the water…was truly a spectacular shot but ours in a sense is just as good…..it has bikes in it!! LOL.

Into Lake Hume and the first spot for a coffee. It’s one of the (as Jonesy would say) “dingy bell” cafes – complete with the inspirational placemats.

Into Tallangatta for the bank and to get something for dinner. A fine selection of meats and cheese to go with our Wild Brumby Pear William Schnapps (and who says, we don’t live lavishly…ha ha).

Back in Granya and it pours again just as we get into our room. Friday night at the Granya Hotel is lively with the locals and their kids in for the weekly catch up, dinner and drinkies (they even get dressed up for the occasion).

We have a quite night watching some telly and listening to the rain.

Slept like a babe!! Karl, yeah not so much (he never sleeps well on the first night, but you’d never know by his snoring…ooops did I say that!). Woke up with a sore throat and a blocked nose…noooooooo! Not the way to start a holiday. Drugs – check and we get started on our day.

What’s on today’s agenda…ooooo an agenda!

Charlotte Pass – can you believe there are road works on this road! S’pose with ski season encroaching they have to get it done. It’s cool this morning but the sun is out and it’s amazing how different everything looks when there aren’t thousands of other bikes on these roads. The scenery is spectacular, breathtaking….I don’t know how you couldn’t not enjoy this. On the way out Karl takes a little turn off to explore and finds a gravel road…argh! I followed him part of the way but then turned around – I hate dirt.

road works Charlotte Pass

Charlotte Pass

At the top, well, there aren’t words to describe it…

Charlotte Pass

The Wild Brumby Distillery

A place we’ve ridden past many many times but never stopped. Not gonna happen today, this is on my list of things to do. Guess what, the driveways dirt! but it’s not bad and so worth the short distance.

Top of the morning to you!!! Well it is St Patrick’s Day today…this is the best I could do to celebrate

Happy St Patricks Day from the Wild Brumby

You have to walk through the shop where you order to sit out the back and take in the view, take a deep breath of “fresh” air and relax….ahhhh….life is good! Shopping, yes, Karl sets me the task of selecting a Schnapps for our holiday….oooo the choices. What a shame, I’ll have to do a little tasting (yes, my friends…my priorities are in place) and decide on the William Pear Schnapps.

Ooo, and I found a pizza oven for Karl, maybe we could buy it with that view too…lol

I can just taste what Karl could cook in that

Through Thredbo and up and over the mighty mountain ride along the Alpine Way. It’s been ages since we’ve done this road and today it was in particularly good condition – little traffic (the odd idiot on the wrong side and a racing Audi), good weather conditions and virtually no litter. It’s not a road to take lightly though and I apologised to Karl for going so slow to which we said “you weren’t, I wouldn’t have done it much faster”.

Khancoban for lunch at Shane O’s and a bit of a break. Where it was cool on the Thredbo side, it’s a different story on this other side of the hill. It’s warmed up and time to take off a layer.

Shane O’s cafe

It’s familiar roads from here on. The open sweepers, the open fields, its here that I finally just sit back on Dudley and relax. We take a little detour to Tintaldra.

Tintaldra by the Murray

…before heading through to Walwa for an ice block. We check out the caravan park….nice and on the water – note for future reference.

Walwa General Store

I love these roads and we are winding and sweeping around the mountainside like a well-oiled machine.

Granya Hotel

A tucked away hotel just out of Granya on the road to the Hume Dam. We dropped in here on our last trip to the area.

Granya Hotel

It’s not a flash place and there is no Wi-Fi but the room “the honeymoon suite” has air conditioning and an ensuite. Included in the price is breakfast and entertainment from the resident pooches – Hatch (son), Percy (dad) & Molly (mum).

our 4 legged hosts

Aren’t they cute! After dinner we went for a stroll and had Hatch come with us. The views are pretty good and we managed to set all the dogs on the next property off barking….oops.

Just a few extra pics

Its 9:30 before we leave home, partly cos we had a sleep in but mainly because we were hoping the rain would stop….ha! Rained all the way out of Sydney, I was soaked…my gear is no longer waterproof 🙁

Fuel at Pheasants Nest and Karl takes a turn off at Marulan that takes us through Mountain Ash Rd and a back way which has us pop up in Tarago. Nice road, little traffic but most important – no freeway.

short cut-Mountain Ash Rd

Tarago through to Bungendore for lunch at the Gunna Doo café (this is another fav place of ours to stop). Then another turn off through the back of Queanbeyan which bypasses the whole general traffic route and just like magic we pop out on the Monaro Highway at Royalla Station. The roads not very wide but the surface isn’t too bad (now just to remember that way for future runs).

Gunna Doo Cafe Bungendore

Being mid-week there really isn’t much traffic on the road and we have had a pretty good run so far.

La la la and before you know it we are into Cooma for another fuel stop. I like following Karl, he’s so smooth and fluid. We swap now and he says “lead the way Sweety”, OK, but it might not be as smooth as following you. Berridale then left and head for Dalgety and the Snowy River. The road through here is really only a cars width wide and with no traffic it’s a good day for a ride. Fresh air and open fields – lovely.

The Snowy River

We wind our way through to the back of Jindabyne (they’re re-surfacing the road in sections and it’s unmarked so we are taking it easy) and into our digs for the night – The Jindy Inn – a bargain found on booking.com

Jindy Inn – recommend

It doesn’t look like much on the outside but they have renovated on the inside. Our room was freshly painted, had a brand new modern bathroom new bedding, a flat screen TV and WiFi.

How did Dudley do? We made some changes to the damping (front & rear) and added some rear preload before leaving home and he takes the bumps fully loaded a bit better but you do feel the weight on the back. I’m also gonna need new hoops when we get home.

Went down and got a couple of pics by the lake.

this was the best one

Dinner at the local Chinese, which is very flash considering where we are. It’s just a shame the feed wasn’t as good as it looked….next time we’ll go Thai (we know from previous, it’s good).

A lovely stroll after dinner before returning for a cuppa tea.

Lake Jindabyne

Thought I’d be musical

YAY!!! it’s that time of year again for the annual pilgrimage to Tintaldra ***happy dance*** and it’ll be Dudley’s first time 🙂

Friday morning with the two boys (Trevor & Dudley) packed and ready to roll, Karl and I head out of town to rendezvous with our friends Mark, Esther & Rob in Hume ACT. I’m going for a ride so naturally we had some rain til we got to Goulburn and then it was like someone turned the hose off and let “the sun shine through!”

Fuel and quick hellos and we are off. It’s still a little cool but will warm up soon enough….the sky is a beautiful pale blue with fluffy white pillows – lovely!

The Monotonous Highway never really changes and soon we are into Cooma and wave goodbye just as quickly heading towards the turnoff to Adaminaby – The Snowy Mountains Highway or better known as “Kimmies Favourite Road”.

Karl knows only to well how much I love this stretch (44km) of road to Adaminaby and kicks me through. It’s not long and I’ve rounded up Esther and then chase Mark down. My happy face is “on” (despite a kick arse headache) and I can feel that Dudley is excited to have a crack at this piece of road. We round Mark up lickity split and I ask Dudley “are you ready for this?” As I down a gear and open up the mighty triple he roared with anticipation to get his teeth into this ride………

We were in flight, taking the sweeps and curves with the hungry eagerness of someone starving for excitement!! Not having his suspension set quite right had us backing off a few times as the front was a little flighty at times which was a little unnerving. Mark was hot on our rear tyre and was happy sitting at a nice $1.50 (anything over that was a bit hairy). Adaminaby for lunch and a fist pump as we roll into town – I, sorry we (me and Dudley) “lurve” that stretch of road. Dudley’s ride of firsts includes a photo op with the Ada Trout.

Dudley & The Ada Trout

Off through the Kosciusko National Park and High Country. Unfortunately we were advised Cabramurra Way was closed so we had to take Elliot Way. Unfortunately, we think Rob missed that bit of the discussion at lunch cos we got to the Southern Cloud Lookout and no Rob but we picked up Don. The roads are great, the sun is shining, my head is pounding but we are riding and therefore the world is good!

Southern Cloud Lookout

Southern Cloud Lookout

We figured Rob took the alternate (closed) road and we would meet him in Tintaldra so we press on. Karl takes the dirt option at Tooma while Mark, Esther & I take the sealed route through the farmlands. Over the hill and down the dale and the tall trees that line the road leading to the Mighty Murray / Border and Tintaldra are in sight and it’s like the weight of the world is lifted off my shoulders – I have reached “serenity!!”.

What seems like eternity rolls by and no Rob! We manage to get his phone number and start leaving messages and texts before going – nup we are heading out to look for him. Not long as the boys head out he rolls in…phew! Turns out he did take Cabramurra Way all the way to the end (it’s not closed) and then turned around when nobody was there and came back down Elliot Way.

Our lovely hosts from the Clearwater Caravan Park, Rick & Eilsa greet us with huge hugs and smiles and we settle in for a meal fit for Royalty and a night of stories and laughter.

Settling in for a great night

Saturday is the mighty breakfast for champions and the ride plan for the day is set. Walwa – Granya (including a stop at the Granya Pub – Tallangatta (headache pills for me, fuel for others) – Eskdale – Mitta Mitta. Some of us have trouble reading signs and Esther flew past (I’m told…I was behind her riding like a nana), I stopped just past the sign and did a uey and we waited for Bubba to chase Esther down and bring her back.

Granya Pub

Nice ride of twists and turns with the sun bearing down on us.

A pleasant lunch at Mitta Mitta

river at the back of the pub

and some of the guys decided they needed an afternoon nana nap (I’m gonna cop it for this one).

Poor old dears…..lol

…..before we head out to Dartmouth Dam for a photo op

then it was back over Granya. My head is not feeling any better and I have to stop, so Karl and I head for the Granya Pub again for a cold drink. Rocket Rod arrives and we have a rest before heading off again for fuel in Walwa and an ice cream. Doesn’t matter how many times you do these roads you just wanna keep going back to do them. The scenery is spectacular, the roads are windy, dappled with the suns rays and peaceful!

We finally arrive back at Tintaldra and I NEVER get tired of taking this photo……my happy place!!!

The Mighty Murray @ Tintaldra

and we are ready for another fabulous meal, more stories, laughs and the Crew Photo!

The Tintaldra Hotel has “live” music tonight – Duncan & Macca are playing covers. Most go on up to join in the festivities at the pub but we decide to hit the hay instead for an early night.

Sunday and all the happy faces appear….not – we all have to go home today 🙁

Karl cooked breaky for us today and we noticed that Don’s tent, bike & Don were missing!!! On closer inspection of his campsite we found a note in the tree. Apparently someone woke him super early so decided to get going.

The trip home through Cabramurra Way – Adaminaby – Cooma – Bungedore where we stopped for lunch and Karl helped a poor bugger fix his flat rear tyre (which mind you he’d been battling with for 2 days). When he saw how Karl repair it says “I’ll have to get me one of the repair kit things”….seriously, you should already have one (were my thoughts)….anyhoos….

Arrive home and Ella-Jane is so glad to see us. Tintaldra Pilgrimage done for another year.

Capturing those special moments of the weekend!

Tintaldra 2016

With Karl away for the weekend, and as a reward to myself I went off on a little ride on Dudley. I’d decided that heading south and Jamberoo was going to be the destination – I didn’t even program the GPS, thought I’d just wing it….OMG!

Never been to Woronora Dam, passed the sign heaps but never gone down there. This morning was that day. Not a solitary person around, serenity, early birdies were out twittering & tweeting and the glass-like stillness of the dam was a sight within itself.

Woronora Dam

Arty shot..lol

So peaceful and smooth

When we lowered Dudley we also changed the suspension on him and have since been chasing the front-end. Flighty and wobbly is the best way to describe it and somewhat like a pogo stick on braking and heavily into a corner….not the most confidence inspiring. Anyway, put him back to the “factory setting” with the lowering links in and the seat in the low position and he’s seems to be handling so much better. I may even just increase (harden) up the preload on the forks a tad bit more and go out again and see how that goes. I’m hoping that with these minor adjustments I can avoid having to spend and $$ on re-springing the forks.

Following my nose, found my way to the Sublime Lookout, again another sign passed many many times without venturing in for a look see. Blinker on and up we go. There’s a little cafe up there, the look out of course and so pretty machinery…I’m tipping not all the time.

Sublime Lookout

ah, my pretty

OK, time to keep moving. So far Dudley and I are enjoying the roads and the road conditions aren’t that bad. The heat of the day is starting to set in and I;m almost sorry I didn’t wear my Draggins instead of my touring pants…but AGATT.

Out onto Mt Marshall Rd, through the causeway (Dudley’s first river crossing…lol). I wanted a photo, it was so lush and pretty but the water was running a little quick and the surface leading in a bit slippery…another day. Also no bouncing through the corners….awesome.

Mt Marshall Rd..so green

Mac Pass…Oooo, time to have some fun!! 🙂  For the first time in….I don’t know how long, I had a clear run. Not a single car/bike in front of me..awesome! 2nd & 3rd gear and Dudley just whirs through the twisties at a steady pace and I find flicking him from left to right so much easier. Bout half way up I see Angel (now renamed “Whitebird” by her new owner) and it put a big smile on my face. Quick uey and down the pass & they’ve uey’d too..lol Waiting at bottom of Mac Pass now.

Mac Pass…waiting

To much traffic this time up the hill and glad to stop  at the Pie Shop to re-hydrate and a yak with some new friends.

I’d planned Jamberoo for lunch, so we go in the heat to find some lunch. Not much traffic here either and a road I don’t know so just took it nice and easy and took in the scenery. Through a few twisties and a nice photo op..I thought.

Barren Grounds

Into Jamberoo and lunch…not the healthiest but it was rather tasty!!

lunch

34 degrees according to Dudleys temp gauge and I’m feeling every degree, time to start heading home. Dudley said he wanted to see this coast road and Bald Hill where he insisted we have an ice cream while taking in the view.

Dudley wasn’t quick enough to eat it, so I had to help him…  🙂

Was a little bit blowey and was lucky to keep  my hat on

happy me

Now to head home through the National Park. Unfortunately being early afternoon there was a decent amount of traffic blocking the way. However, we still managed to have a little bit of fun here and there. Had I packed my swimmers, I would’ve stopped at one of the beaches for a quick dip to cool down.

Back home around 2ish, wash Dudley and have a cold shower to cool down myself. Not a big day out, but as I’m not ride fit and in the heat, it was plenty enough and I had a Really Good Day.

Dudley performed great with the luggage and the suspension setting with only one or two skips/wobbles which even on Angel I believe I would’ve experienced the same. Just a tiny bit a diving on braking which as I’ve said I’ll make a slight adjustment and see how we go on the next run out.

Thanks again for staying tuned and I look forward to sharing quite a few more adventures/journeys in the coming weeks/months 🙂