The 42 attendees (not individually named due to space restrictions) all had an absolute blast and the people who did not come will have to imagine the great fun we had. We met everyone at Hume, test riding the Triumph Trophy SE 2013, which Mick had picked up from Eurotune the day before.
The weather was glorious as we all gathered at Hume with Mick ticking off attendees and Judy gathering funds for the dinner. The ride down the Monaro Highway to the Nimmitabel Bakery was alternately sunny (relatively warm) and foggy (chilly). We bypassed Cooma taking the Polo Flat Road arriving at the bakery for an early lunch at 11.30. Tracey can recommend the caramel and macadamia slice. Forewarned of the numbers expected the bakery coped very well and it was warm and cosy inside with everyone indulging in the culinary delights and coffee on offer.
We travelled along the Snowy Mountains Highway through Candelo seeing wallabies, hawks and an echidna on the way. Brown Mountain was fun on the new bike although Mick was frustrated he couldn’t give the bike its head due to the overly cautious car in front - we spent most of the time inhaling cooked brake fumes. We arrived at Merimbula around 2pm with everyone checking in – except Judy who seemed confused over her reservation (which Motel?) and had to resort to blaming her chauffeur for the mix-up. After an entertaining walk on the Merimbula boardwalk it was time to get back to our rooms, get ready, and meet everyone else at the Club Sapphire dressed in their Christmas finery.
We met Leo first – he had come dressed as a present – sadly his suggestion to a lady that she might like to take him home and unwrap him was politely declined. After some pre dinner drinks we were herded into a room especially put aside for us. 42 of us sat down to a festive dinner of soup, turkey with vegetables and plum pudding with cream and custard. Then the real fun began with the usual Secret Santa mayhem – a bottle of rum proved very popular changing hands many times, but the holder of the last ticket decided to swap his gift for a jewellery box his wife had taken a fancy to. Prizes were handed to the best dressed for the night. While some danced or bingoed the night away, we two and Judy were clever enough to catch the club courtesy bus back to our lodgings where a select few were invited to a port party.
The next day dawned cloudy but this did little to dampen our enthusiasm for a BBQ breakfast – Darryl, Mike and Caroline excelled at cooking enough bacon, eggs and toast to feed an army – thanks guys! Washing this down with juice, tea and coffee it was a good chance to discuss the previous night and plan the trip home. We took the road to Bermagui via Tathra encountering a few boy racers on the way (some were even ours and you know who you are). After coffee at the Sundeck Café at the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf we travelled to the Bodalla Dairy Shed for lunch – again encountering a boy racer on a Ducati (another Sunday rider). Much time was spent (wasted) trying to convince Tracey to let Mick buy the Trophy (one bottom, one licence = one bike!) After lunch everyone staggered their departure and we were almost the last to leave arriving home by 3.30.
Another fabulous Canberra Ulysses Xmas in July capably organised by Judy. While the weather was kind to us, the roads twisty enough and the test bike a joy, the success of this special annual weekend is due to the hard work done by Judy in organising the whole event – the venue, the menu, Secret Santa and the suggestions for accommodation.
Many thanks to Judy from all who attended this marvellous event.
