Sunday, March 31, 2013

The 2013 Great Easter Egg Hunt (Ulysses Version)

Decide and Ride 31st March 2013

Neil Goldfinch - Honda Blackbird Mike & Sharon Kelly - BMW 1200 RT
Marilyn Stack - Ducati MT1100 Peter Thomas - BMW F800 GS
Michael & Tracey Winters - Triumph ST1050
Easter Sunday dawned cold and wet. Summer had turned in to Autumn overnight but, apparently at the last ride coordinator’s meeting, an Easter Egg hunt had been promised by a saint, no less. So, in order to gain kudos by bringing chocolate in whatever form home, I dutifully decided to go.
I arrived at our Nicholls rendezvous first and Mike and Sharon arrived just as I had finished filling my tank. Soon Neil and Marilyn had arrived and we got to the deciding part of the day. Since the weather wasn’t exactly appealing, Mike suggested a short meander through the countryside followed by morning tea at The Blind Duck in Bungendore. This sounded far more appealing than the weather so we agreed. We even joked about ducking in on our ride coordinator and his good wife when Michael and Tracey rode up.
After we had convinced them we were, in fact, seriously, not joking, riding to Bungendore we headed north-west up the Barton Highway towards Murrumbateman then turn north-east on to the Nanima Road with nary an Easter egg in sight. 
It was a pleasant if somewhat chilly run following twists and curves to the Murrumbateman Road where we turned south east on the Sutton Road which took us to the turn off on to Shingle Hill Way. It was here that we realised why there was a lack of Easter eggs along our route. There at the T-intersection was a dead rabbit. It had obviously been killed and robbed of all our eggs by nefarious unknowns. From there we rode to the Federal Highway where we first zigged then zagged on to the Bungendore Road.
A delightful run down the escarpment in to Bungendore was followed by taking up residence under a goblin’s tree in the courtyard outside The Blind Duck. 


Where are the eggzzes?


We want the eggzzes!!
Cappuccinos, chais and lattes accompanied by sticky date puddings, pancakes and bacon and egg rolls were soon ordered and delivered by very friendly and expeditous staff. They were dutifully consumed attended by tales of past rides and then it happened. There on a small plate in front of us were chocolate Easter eggs. Don’t tell me miracles don’t happen on Easter Sunday!

Ahhhh Eggzzes!
 Physically and spiritually replenished. We rode south along Ellendon Street which became the Hoskinstown Road, leaving Michael and Tracey to make their own way the six or so hundred metres to their home. The Hoskinstown Road is now my preferred route to Queanbeyan. It sure is a lot more pleasing and enjoyable than the Kings Highway. On to the Captains Flat Road before rejoining the Kings Highway just east of Queanbeyan from where we made our own ways home. A great way to spend a morning.
Peter Thomas
Who hath smelt woodsmoke at twilight?