How to start this, it was the ride I never completed last year. The universe thought to throw an emu at me to spice my life up last year. Well as you know the outcome was tragic for Dudley and had me off the bike for quite a while.
I had purchased a new bike in June (Fergus) but not having enough ride fitness or confidence thought it was wiser to attend this year in the car. The plan was simple, use last years ride plan.
Out through Holbrook and in Wagga Wagga for morning tea. Well, it wasn’t fabulous so not even worth taking a pic of. Really need to search out a better spot for coffee in Wagga. There are bound to be better options, I just need to find them. Dropped in and said thanks to the Ambo & Fire Services in Lake Cargelligo and got another pic of the silo. If it wasn’t for them and the off duty paramedic that stopped to assist me on that fated day, I don’t know how’d I’d be today. I truly just can’t thank you enough.
Turning onto The Tipping Way gave me a little panic. Really had no idea how I was going to feel or what I’d remember from here on. As it turned out, there is a really big gap in my memory. I remember passing the sign to Euabalong and travelling down the road for a while and then nothing seems familiar. I have vivid memory of the actual incident but the time leading up to that is vague. One thing you’re always wary of is wildlife and since I’m on the same road was on the lookout for anything that moved and this year it was goats, goats and more bloody goats.
Stopped at roughly the crash site and took a few pics…literally nothing out there. About 50mt down the road the emotional impact of the crash hit me and the tears flowed like a river. Who’d have thought 51 weeks later it would hit me.
Stopped at the Mt Hope Pub to also say thanks to the publican for looking after Dudley for me afterwards. Really nice guy and they have acco there too if you’re looking for somewhere.
The Kidman Way, has had a bit of rain and 30km out of Cobar the goats got really bad & was glad to reach town.
Checked into the Oasis Motel – great place to stay if you are heading this way – recommend and will stay again.
Dinner tonight at the Cobar Bowling Club with a bunch of like minded crazies in the best possible way.
Saturday 13th – Memorial Day
Today set out for the IBA Memorial at Netallie Hill Rest area. Stopped for breaky with Foxton, Gatey & TK at Emmdale Roadhouse. Millions of goats again today, 3 emu and a couple of roo before we got to Wilcannia to meet up with most of the others.
There’s a nice little cafe in Wilcannia opposite the river, will have to stop there next time.
And if you’re after a quite place to sit and contemplate while enjoying your morning coffee the park across the road is just the place.
Then we conveyed out to Netallie Hill Rest Area where we were met by more riders coming to pay their respects. A beautiful peaceful spot, very fitting.
Afterwards we had a nice morning tea at the rest area. We then started our trek back to Cobar and no surprises here that the goats seemed to have multiplied. Anyhoos, about 51km out of Cobar I see Skidoo & Alan pulled over near a broken down BMW car, so I pulled in to see if I could be of any help. Poor bastards car has completely given up and there is no phone service for anyone. So he grabs what he needs, and piles into my car for the trip to Cobar so he can get help. Don’t panic I wasn’t alone with this guy, Skidoo and Alan were right behind me to make sure we all got to town safely. Passenger delivered to the servo and we were off to do our own thing for the rest of the afternoon.
I decided to go to the museum and miners memorial. Really needed more time to look and read things since it closed at 4:30pm, so maybe that’s another thing I can add to the growing list of things to go back to.
Museum currently undergoing some renovations.
Old mining machinery around the base of the hill the Miners Memorial is under.
Off to the Bowling Club again for beers and dinner with the gang. Memories shared, stories told and legends we all are at the end of the night.
We all have an early night as in our usual fashion everyone is up before the crack of dawn to head home. Being in the car made it a little less stressful for me, so I took a rather more leisurely pace. Took the opportunity to view Cobar from the lookout and what a spectacular yet cool morning to be out.
Grabbed a coffee and croissant from the bakery opposite the mural below.
Lots of goats again and roo this morning. Traffic for the morning 6 convoys of wide loads. I had to pull off the road for them….just like outback truckers….respect.
Comfort stop at Mount Hope and didn’t realise they had this sign art (obviously was overwhelmed heading up).
Heading home decided to just stay on the Kidman Way and head into Hilston. Figured there’d be less chance of a “strike” travelling a B road…..but you can’t guarantee these things and never let your guard down, even in the car.
Research last night advised there wasn’t anything open on a Sunday until way after I was planning on coming through. Note to self, there is a cafe open on a Sunday in Hilson and it’s busy. Google was wrong in research last night.
A little bit of art for the morning. Hillston Water Tower.
Really not much to report on from Hilston to Wagga. Went through a few towns, I’ve been through or stayed at going to or from RTE’s. The day is warming up slightly and there isn’t that much traffic. Arrive in Wagga and tried to find a nice café for lunch but it’s just so darn busy. Ended up with fast food and a disgusting coffee from Gloria Jeans…never again.
Wagga to home is an easy just over 2 hrs trip and arrive home with no injuries, no damage to Dougall (the car) and glad to be back with my Sweety and the furbabies.
