- Michael & Tracey Winters Triumph Trophy
- Peter Arday ST 1300
- David Robinson FJR 1300
- Trevor McLeod FJR 1300
- Jen Woods XVS 1100
- Jan Wills Honda DNO1 (aka Dino)
- Butch Wills BMW K1000 LTXB
- Leo Farrelly R1200 GS
- Steve Mills SV650
Saturday morning dawned and it looked like the ride leader had got it right – the weather was perfect. We all met at Nicholls, with the exception of Jen and Leo who were to follow us later.
We rode to Harden stopping at the familiar Terracotta Café who had opened half an hour earlier than usual for a Saturday morning just for us. To make it worth their while we all ordered something to eat with our coffees (well that was my excuse anyway for the apple pie with cream) and lingered for nearly an hour sitting in the sun.
Then off to travel through Cootamundra, Bethungra and Illabo arriving at Junee around noon. We had lunch at a local bakery watching the draft horse and buggy along with a double decker bus with Circular Quay as its destination go past. As we were accommodated all over Junee we decided we would regroup at 7 at the restaurant leaving each free to see what they wanted to at the festival.
Mick and I had booked the Junee Rail Carriage B&B – a beautifully restored and converted old Sydney red rattler. Whilst it had accommodation for 6, it was only Mick and me as we had declined Peter’s kind offer to share. Our hosts were lovely and all evidence of the six Harley riders who had been there the previous weekend was gone. We walked back into town and wandered around looking at the stalls before meeting up with Jen and Leo. We looked at the historic railway station and saw a steam train that was traveling to and from Wagga for the festival.
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| Sometimes folk just won't look at the camera :-) |
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the beer garden of the Commercial Hotel with a storm forcing us inside. This storm also took out all the power in the region with the hotel bistro feeding us cheese and bickies on the house as they could do nothing else. We walked to the restaurant at the Crossings Motel for a beautiful meal.
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| Potential triumph owners - already their will crumbles! |
Sunday saw us parking the bike in Peel Street for a bike show but owing to the late notice Ulysses Clubs in the area received there was a disappointing number of bikes. Steve Mills travelled from Canberra that morning for a day ride with Derek and Margaret (and their extended family including a brand new grandson) arriving by car. At least we had somewhere safe to park the bike (well relatively safe as here is a photo of three suspects playing with the switches) as we caught the double decker for a tour of Junee’s highlights including Monte Christo, the Licorice Factory and the Railway Roundhouse. Bad luck if you get caught at the railway lights if the slow moving (seemingly) five kilometre long train comes through as you sit on the top level of the bus with no air con!
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| Chuff Choff Whooo woooo? |
We visited the stalls in the park listening to music provided by local entertainers, had lunch in the railway café and farewelled Jen and Leo. Jan, Butch, Mick and me visited the local Museum and were impressed that so much local history could be preserved. That night we were back to the motel for a special dinner put on for us and a few other groups.
The owners of the Crossings Motel are knowledgeable friendly locals (who can also cook!) and they helped to make the weekend a marvellous experience. Michael and Natalie went above and beyond to look after us (and not all of us were even staying with them) and we hope to experience their hospitality at next year’s festival to be held on the Canberra Day Long Weekend.
Sunday dawned and sadly the weekend was coming to an end. Meeting at the Motel we left via the Licorice factory to stock up on the essential chocolates. Here we came across three riders from South Australia who were on a round trip with Canberra their destination for Sunday night and the Great Ocean Road still to look forward to. We left for home with a police car kindly leading Peter into Cootamundra – here we passed the Crow Eaters taking a break in a park but they then passed us as we stopped to refuel. After brunch at the bakery in Harden we followed the Hume and Barton homewards.
A superb long weekend – great weather, great riding, great food and great company – a weekend of food, chocolate and laughs!
Tracey Winters
