ALBANY VINTAGE & CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Flu Flung | Anzac | Two People | Tuning | South-West | Calendar
The South-West Ride
by Marilyn Smith
Congratulations to Bob and Chris (again) for organising
another terrific ride, the purpose of which was to show their friends
from Wales, Ralph and Mo, a bit of WA.
A nice little group of 9 departed Albany on a Monday and were joined at
Tenterden by Murray and Erin Hall.
Up the highway to Kojonup for lunch,
then inland through to Quindanning for afternoon tea, or drink, or
whatever at the Inn.
Then through
to Dwellingup for the first night
stop.
The camping ground at Dwellingup was excellent - a lovely
bushland setting for our first dinner party.
Erin has added a bit of
class on these trips, and we actually sat down to folded serviettes,
Willow patterned dinnerset, rosemary on the lamb chops etc. etc. and
all served by Erin in her pearl necklace and earrings!
Tuesday morning - another
beautiful day - and we are then joined by Huw
Jones who was to take the lead through the beautiful Ferguson Valley.
First stop Gnomesville for a look and photoshoot.
Gnomesville was
fascinating - a little village on the side of the road for gnomes.
Apparently it started with one gnome and over the years has grown to a
community of thousands.
We all saw gnomes who reminded us of someone or
something - even two members of our contingent blended in very well
with the community at Gnomesville as you will see by the photo.
No
prize for guessing who they might be.
Lunch was at Donnybrook - then we headed off with a few diversions
to
check out some great little camping spots on the Blackwood River - to
Hamelin Bay near Augusta where we made camp for the night.
The boys got
the camp fire going - quite a few little pyromaniacs among us - but
luckily we had fireman Peter with us to keep an eye that proceedings
didn’t get out of hand.
Another entertaining night around the camp fire
rounded off another day in paradise.
Wednesday and the girls (except one) were all up for an early morning
swim - Garry went along to make sure they were all ok - then it was off
to see the sights along Caves Road - through to Yallingup and
Dunsborough before heading back to Margaret River for lunch and meeting
up with Huw’s partner Bronwyn who now joined the party.
Chris is not
feeling very well - she had more than one wine the night before and it
was starting to show - so she needed a good lie down when we got back
to camp to watch a beautiful sunset, a few more social drinks around
another bigger campfire. Peter opened container marked “Wednesday
Dinner” to reveal another exotic meal made by Judy - who unfortunately
could not come on the trip because of work commitments, but who, in
future, according to Peter, would be happy to do the catering for
everyone on future rides - all we need to do is supply the trailer and
an Esky - a very generous offer indeed.
A few jokes by Clive - and a
few Welsh ones by Ralph ended another day. Erin suggested that we bring
a book of poetry on the next ride, we didn’t ask why - but I guess a
little culture could be added to the group!
Next day
(Thursday) - up and off to Nannup for morning tea - then the
scenic drive to Balingup for lunch with a nice little stop off at the
Craft Factory.
Raelene is still doing extremely well - considering this
was her first long ride - congratulations Raelene - pity she had to
keep waiting for Garry - who incidentally has removed Andrew Haydock’s
crown as always the last to be packed up and ready to go - quite the
reverse for Peter, who was usually up with a torch at dawn packing up
his camp.
After Balingup it was then a nice afternoon ride to Pemberton
for our last campout before heading home on Friday.
Very nice camp ground at Pemberton - and even better - only a 5 minute
stroll to the Sportsmans Club for dinner that night - Erin still
splendid in the white t-shirt and pearls, but she has assured us that
next trip it will be body piercing and tatoos to match the Harley
image.
Friday morning - and for the first time the weather looked
threatening,
but didn’t amount to much - hot cross buns and coffee at Walpole before
the last leg home. Unfortunately for Bob who had been the last man on
the trip all the way - decided everyone was on track so decided close
to Denmark to take the lead - only to find the boys in blue waiting
over the hill - poor G’Bob.
To Bob and Chris, Ralph and Mo, Raelene and
Garry, Erin and Murray, Huw and Bronwyn, Peter and my dear Clive, thank
you all for another great week. We all agreed everyone looked much
younger Friday than the previous Monday - amazing what laughter can do!