No weather concerns today as the affable and amiable Geoff Twiddle led
out the group on his (it saved my life) Harley Soft Tail Springer. He
dragged Hans along and it was good to welcome him to a Thursday ride.
Riding behind Hans I couldn't help but notice how comfortable he was
with his big blue ST 1100 Honda, I speculated that this might be a long
relationship between bike and rider. It was disclosed later that he has
done 130,000 klms on this bike, no wonder they looked intimate. He also
had bragging rights when we all needed petrol to reach our destination;
he declared his bike holds 26 litres, plenty to get him home.
After our now infamous morning tea at Walloon we departed for Rudds Pub
at Nobby. We are eagerly anticipating next Thursday's morning tea as the
big likable, gracious Tony has promised to make real home made jam
drops. I would however suggest you do not have a go at him, especially
when you see the size of the big lad from Charleville. (Who collects
motor mowers)
I was BEC today and there is just something about sitting at the back of
the pack just cruising along. The weather was great, the countryside was
scenic, void of traffic and the group law-a- binding, all made it just purrfect!! Our journey took us through Gatton, Ma-MA Creek, Hirstvale,
north on to the New England Hwy and a stop at Cambooya.
It must be bitterly cold out there as the cattle were wearing sewed
Hessian rugs. This is unusual in QLD but I read in the paper today,
(Graziers count the losses in chilly wet.) The Richmond shire has lost
as many as 1000 head of cattle. Young cattle are not switched on about
protecting themselves (by moving under trees or into gullies out of the
wind). They ended up at the end of the paddock with their tails to the
wind and just curl up and die.
The vast extensive open plain lands were drought affected but still
beautiful and attracted many Raptors. I spotted Black-shouldered Kites,
a Whistling Kite, Wedge Tail Eagles, Collared Sparrowhawks and
Australian Kestrels. There were also a number of kangaroo carcasses on
the side of the road, another product of the drought. It would be
dangerous and cold to ride through there at night I expect.
We travelled through Felton East, Mt Kent and stopped at Nobby for lunch
at Rudd's Pub. It is famed for the place where Steele Rudd wrote some of
the famous Dad and Dave Stories. The pub also has many photos,
memorabilia and collectables of yesteryear and was built in 1893.
It was easy to sit there and discuss the memorabilia and collectables
and consider what we collect now. It appears everyone has a penchant to
collect something. We found it easy to sit there in the heated lounge
for over an hour, having a steak sandwich, a drink, pondering and
pontificating on world issues.
After a friendly local (he is now going to buy a Yamaha) taking our
photos outside the Rudd's Pub we headed back on the New England Highway,
through Pilton, Hirstvale, Ma Ma Creek and to Gatton's Apex Park for a
welcomed cup of coffee. Hans and Geoff exchanged ride leader
responsibilities on the way home when you knew they both thinking "is this the right way home?"
It was approximately 270 klm round trip but you have to add another 60
kms for our David have-a-chat on his Yamaha from Brisbane who came on
the second Thursday ride a couple of years ago and has rarely missed one
since. He is now a dear friend and the most loyal midweek rider we have.
The cool weather has a good impact on the bikes, my Yamaha just purrs in
the cool conditions, a pleasure to ride.
Next week another adventure in the great south east. What do they say;
you wouldn't be dead for quids.
Di
| 
