Decided that it was time I put myself to the test and the clock and registered with full intentions to complete and qualify for the SCDR ride to Cohuna VIC.

Of course, my ride starts on a Friday but those who know me also know that Friday’s begin with coffee and cake from my favourite café in town, so Happy FriYAY!!

Before I know it, it’s time for Fergus and I to go and get some fuel, a start docket and begin our adventure. Today’s about making it to my accommodation for the night. The long way round to Echuca. Straight out on the B400 through Wodonga and up onto the Hume freeway to head straight down to Seymour for fuel and comfort stop. Nothing interesting just a transit leg.

A bit further down the freeway and turn off for Bendigo, where I had a change of plan and decided to stop for dinner and fuel. It’s a pretty town and one worth coming back with Karl and the furbabies to look around. Out of Bendigo and pass through Marong that reminded me of a time I met with Fatman & LTP at the Elmore Bakery….good times. There’s quite a few things I’d thought “I should stop and take a pic” but then thought “just make it safely to a bed tonight on your first timed run out” and kept going.

Charlton was the next planned town and straight through watching as the sun is starting is early evenings dance. From here it’s a bit of a zig-zag on “C” roads with wide eyes and a memory of wildlife and the damage they can cause dancing around in my head. The C266 isn’t in too bad condition and was on hyper alert for things moving. Reaching Boort I pulled over to check my oiler as it’s still not dialled in. Glad I did as it was low, gave it a top up rubbed my butt which was starting to get a bit sore and headed off again.

A left and fast right onto the C267 and riding towards Pyramid Hill. Getting fidgety and watching the sky start changing colours and watching the verges for movement. Pyramid Hill is aptly named as the hill near the town is actually shaped like a pyramid. The wonders of Mother Nature.

Reach the T intersection of the C267 & B400 and hang a right and head towards Echuca. Into Echuca on dark approx. 8:20pm and go in search of fuel for Fergus before finding the Philadelphia Motor Inn where I get a goods nights sleep.

Apologies for the lack of pics, I should’ve put the real camera around my neck to get some pics on the fly, next time.

Saturday 22^nd Nov 25

Up before the alarm and feeling a little bit excited for two reasons, meeting up with my fellow crazies and hopefully completing my first “on the clock” ride since getting back on two wheels. Heading to the outskirts of Deniliquin “left turn Clive” and eventually ride into Barham. I’ve allowed time this morning to enable a few pics, have breaky an take a breath. A ride around town to find a place for breakfast, see some silo art which is stunning and a great park that I know the furbabies would love to roam around. The Riverside café served up a great breaky and coffee, very peaceful this early in the morning and next to some lovely little shops which I’ll have to come back in the car to explore….and shop 😊.

It’s only a short leg this morning, a meagre 300km and feel like I’m going around in a circle to get to my destination. Through Kerang then towards Durham Ox and then turning back onto the C267 and into Pyramid Hill again before reaching the same intersection as last night but turning left and into Cohuna.

Fueled up and to find The Bower Tavern to see Hackle reserving spots for us and helping me park up….of course we are super early but that is ok. Off to get a couple of pics of landmarks or big things, the code and the “Big Cohuna”…..lol

Our group of SCDR riders slowly start to arrive and check-in opens and I qualify…..YAY. A tidy 1021.60km for my SCDR qualifying ride to Cohuna, done and dusted.

The group photo is taken and we all fall inside to the air conditioning to have a delicious lunch.

The foods was magnificent, not a complaint from anyone. Can highly recommend The Bower Tavern for a feed.

As it is with these rides, the time dissipates like flour through a sieve and I’m the first to say “I need to get going”. I had planned contingencies just in case I couldn’t make it back home in the afternoon but as it turned out, I didn’t need them. Headed down and through Echuca again, bum already starting to burn and then through Shepparton before popping out onto the M1 freeway again and heading towards Wodonga where I stopped for fuel before the final leg home.

I think I know the B400 from Wodonga to home by memory now and set Fergus’ cruise control and just meander along the road, moving constantly to try and alleviate the burning bum. An hour and a half later, I pull in through the gate and park Fergus up, promptly vacating the saddle to put out the fire that’s been burning my arse.

And that’s a wrap. Home safely – a tidy 1456km for the 2 days riding. Still getting used to Fergus but the seat OMG, something has to be done.

This was my first long distance ride since the crash on the 1 year anniversary of Kimmie v Emu. Fergus was all ready and packed for the ride and I was feeling good, to be honest I didn’t really think about it.

After the usual Friday coffee and cake at Café Corryong Brew, I headed off at a leisurely pace down the B400 or Murray Valley Highway.

Barnawartha and it started to rain, great but really, I just took a deep breath thought “this is nothing, just large drops”. Rutherglen and according to the Silo Art Map the Silo here isn’t started but as I got closer to the roundabout, it’s totally finished. Not being totally comfortable on Fergus yet to navigate u-turns, diversions, I kept going…..I can always come back to it.

Through some B & C roads and the rains stopped, skies are now cloudy, but the wind has picked up. Stopped up at Tungamah for some art and bumped into a lovely older couple wondering what I was doing out on a day like this on my own. Killing demons was my initial response but clarified with recovery process of a previous motorcycle accident and strangely enough they understood. Making new memories with Fergus.

Going through Katamatite and I couldn’t go past without getting another Silo and making more memories with Fergus, bumped into the old couple from earlier.

The skies are blue with fluffy clouds and the scene of canola fields dancing in the windy is everywhere. Forever watchful for unexpected wildlife but not prepared for the volume of birds that just want to play kamikaze today. Must admit, I did close my eyes a couple of times and backed of the throttle waiting but stars decided not Kimmie again.

10km heading to Numerkah and the TPMS warning light lit up half the instrument cluster with WARNING Low rear Pressure. I hit the panic button, I’ve never had TPMS before so thought best to pull into the closest servo and check. My tyre gauge gave me a good reading but rang Karl to see what I should do. He talked my through checking the tyre pressure on the TFT and it read the same as my gauge, so no need for alarm. Early lunch and comfort stop into a beautiful windy afternoon.

Out through Barmah which was a scheduled fuel stop and decided to keep going into Mathoura. Turn onto the Cobb Highway and the wind is really bad now. Another WARNING now, the Fuel light with 57km range remaining which again takes up half the TFT. So glad to see the Ampol Mathoura and fill up with 32km left on the tank. 372.9km on the tank not to shabby for battling wind most of the day. They have some pretty silo art and sculptures here.

Straight shoot through to Deniliquin now and the wind is the worst it’s been all day. Took all my strength to hold Fergus, really tested my lack of fitness.

Parked up at my digs for the night at Deniliquin Country Club Motor Inn. Can highly recommend if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Deni. Over to the RSL for dinner and enjoying a cold beer.

Fergus did well, things I learned:

• Don’t panic when the TPMS comes on but check and trust myself.
• Lowering the screen helps with the wind buffeting.
• Ground clearance is about the same as Dudley without having to lower him but the side stand still doesn’t clear some petrol station platforms.
• Reversing with the panniers on is a little harder (could just be I don’t have the bean at the mo).
• Trip meter has some funky settings but leave the setting on manual.

Saturday was an easy day for me since I was already at the destination but DNF’d on purpose. The Crossing Café is a fabulous boutique café with a lovely outdoors undercover area where we all dined after check-in.

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 13^th – 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.

Today is a cruisey day, a tidy 700km odd day to meet a bunch of like minded long distance riders for dinner in Cobar before heading out tomorrow morning for the Memorial at Netallie Rest Area just west of Wilcannia NSW.

A beautiful day to be out on Dudley a little fresh so the heated suit is needed for now and off we head (Dudley & I) to Holbrook through Lankey Creek before crossing over and heading up the back way to Wagga. Into Wagga for fuel and to grab coffee (naturally) and some pastries for tomorrows morning tea at the Memorial.

Out of Wagga, through Temora, wave through West Wyalong before coming to Unagarie where I pulled up under a tree to take a pic of the Big Sherrin Football (11:30am), have a stretch and a drink before heading off again. Feeling a tad warm but a little refreshed, we head off again to Lake Cargelligo.

Into Lake Cargelligo for fuel, grab some lunch and in dire need of the public facilities. I ask a serviceman (ambo or fire not sure) if there were public facilities in town, have the usual chat….you on your own, where you headed, have a great day and I was off.

Had a nice break in the Apex rotunda at the park opposite the information centre, then set off to grab a Silo Art pic on the way out of town (12:51pm)

Dudley and I headed north on the Tipping Way towards Cobar feeling good and looking forward to seeing our friends tonight for dinner.

The roads are long, straight and mostly flat with some undulations thrown in for good measure. It’s a beautiful day to be out riding around, listening to country music and enjoying the head space.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make dinner and the end of Dudley’s and my ride concludes 12km south of Mount Hope on the Tipping Way.

Surprise, surprise My Sweety Karl is joining me on this years adventure….YAY

Are we ride fit, ah that would be a definite NO. Does it bother me if I don’t get a start docket …maybe, but let’s wait til the journey begins. Does Karl mind, well let’s just say he is a little concerned about our fitness & the conditions.

Day 1 is Home in Corryong to the Citrus Valley Motel in Renmark.

Start docket for me in hand and we are off into the bloody freezing morning at 8:45am. Freezing, depending when you look at the ambient temp gauge on the bike which varied from -3 degrees to -5 degrees. I had ICE on my gloves, jacket and Dudley’s screen, the mirrors were useless, and the fog was thick. Needless to say it was a slow ride out to Albury, where we head into sunshine, cool temps and fuel & early lunch in Finley. Deniliquin, then turn of at Pretty Pine, through Moulemein (roads in better condition than last year but still not fabulous), before arriving in Balranald for fuel.

New helmet fitted with comms isn’t sorted out and then add glasses and you have uncomfortable pressure points where your ears are screaming at you. Karl’s butt is sore, he has sore ears too and we are both out of condition. I didn’t think the wind was too bad but there was no way I was going to make Renmark 310km, so a splash and dash at Buronga and use of the facilities was in order. Slow afternoon through Mildura as the sun starts to lower and is blinding. We pull into the Cirtus Valley Motor Inn at 6ish, then head down the road for a Chinese feed.

Wrap up for the day, necks sore, ears have sore points that I didn’t know existed, heated gear is a blessing and the new Camelbak is a pain in the arse – some MacGyvering is needed on this to get it to work for me. It’s lovely to have Karl along and he also has sore ears, neck & butt and a few more pains since he hasn’t ridden for ages.

About 3 roos, a dead wombat and that was pretty much it.

SCDR ride completed at 892.2kms for the day.

Day 2 – Renmark to Streaky Bay SA.

Out a little earlier than the plan which meant we had more time to have coffee & Karl breaky in Burra @ St Just Café.

This is the 1^st time that I have ridden out of Renmark in daylight which was nice and thankfully uneventful with only a few roos that weren’t terribly interested in us. The wind will be our nemesis today and by the time we got to Burra, I’d lost 40 kms on the tank which required me to do a splash & dash in town before heading out. Highly recommend the St Just Café if you are in Burra for breakky or even morning tea….the cakes display was very tempting (good reason to come back). The wind only preceded to get worse as the day went on. However, it didn’t take away how pretty the countryside is through that area leading through the hills into Crystal Brook. Green as green as can be and peaceful except for the wind noise. Out onto the A1 and into Warnertown for fuel and happy to get the helmet off and readjust the glasses and comms earpieces – still causing heaps of pain. Beautiful day to be out if only the wind would go away. Its seriously like doing a workout battling the wind and the oncoming road trains which are in abundance.

It’s quite unusual for Karl to sit behind me so when his highbeams would come on “all of a sudden”, I’d back off to see what was wrong. Seems his gloves hit it without him realising until I’ve slowed down so much that I can see him waving at me to keep going…LOL

Through The Gutter, past Iron Knob and into Kimba for lunch & a break. The roads are long out here with a slight curve every now and again but the scenery changes, whether it be the cloud formations or the vegetation…it’s still beautiful. Half Way Across Australia is the town of Kimba, also home of the Big Galah, some silo art and a pretty special moment to have Karl with me.

Lunch was unexciting, fuel is getting more expensive and the windy just isn’t going away. Through Wudinna and just out of Poochera we take a “left turn Clyde” to head towards Streaky Bay our stop for the night. Fuel and off to the Discovery Park Foreshore Streaky Bay to our cabin by the bay.

Courtesy bus to the pub…bonus and there are heaps of other riders there too, some old friends of mine all headed for the same destination Border Village. Unusual for me to be chatty..LOL but it’s been a whole year since I’ve seen these guys. Introduce Karl – see he “does” exist and we tuck unto our dinner.

Have I mentioned how bad the winds were?? We had tail winds, head winds, cross winds and human winds (although those ones didn’t really affect the fuel economy but sure made you feel better) the entire day. Was glad to get off and not feel like I was better battered.

Into bed for a decent sleep.

Day 3 – Streaky Bay to Border Village.

Good morning Streaky Bay!! Overcast skies but thought we would be ok but I was wrong and we had some rain most of the way from Smoky Bay to Ceduna. Not enough to get you real wet but enough to make you a little cautious and hoping it doesn’t get any heavier. Pop out onto the A1 just out of Ceduna then into the Highway One OTR for Karl’s breaky and coffee. We are both still having issues with our ears getting so sore in the helmet. Karl seems to think it’s his ear moulds, I seem to think it’s the earphones and pressure from my balaclava. A few more adjustments and we’ll see how we go…..gotta get it right eventually.

Slight breeze today but nothing like yesterday thank heavens for that. The road surface changes from here on (I don’t know why) but the scenery continues to be beautiful. Some would say there is nothing out there to look at but I don’t see it that way and there is so much beauty in the outback that the average person just doesn’t get to experience. Guess Karl & I are lucky people.

Into Penong for fuel and some fella’s from last year also roll in. Lance, his son Dan, mates Adam & Chris (although I didn’t get their names right until we got to BV but I did remember their faces). We are all warned that there is a floating copper with radar in the area (how big is the area, well that is undetermined) so with caution we head off sticking to the speed limit.  We were almost at Yatala when we approach a slow-moving caravan, but I noticed in front of that Mr Plod sitting a steady 100kph by the speedo. I overtook the caravan but was a little nervous to overtake Mr Plod until Karl went past all of us…onya Sweety. So, when I had the chance did the same thing, politely nodding to Mr Plod as I passed and gave him a wave when I pulled in. Cautious not to do the wrong thing it took a bit to get some distance between us before you could wind on a little and sit a bit more comfortably.

The ribbon of road we are travelling just goes on forever, but we finally make Nullarbor Roadhouse for lunch and I told Karl it was “play tourist” time. Fuel & lunch done, then off to get some happy snaps. Fuel here was $2.92/lt and that was for 95 but you take what you can get as there is NO other option.

Last leg for the day, the final 184kms to Border Village. I thought we’d see a lot more bikes than what we have so far today, especially since last year by this time Nullarbor Roadhouse was packed and there was a steady stream of riders all heading out in what looked like a convoy. Never mind, it’s good not to have to wait and to have the road to yourself. As we turned out onto the A1 again, we were asked to move off onto the verge for a big arse oversized load that had full on police escorts. They were carrying buckets for dozers that were seriously as wide as the entire highway and you HAD to get off the road. Imagine the digger those things were to go on HUGE!!!

There’s something about knowing you are on the last leg that makes it go longer and everything seems to get sorer for some reason, and we were both feeling this. The ribbon of road undulating as you got glimpses of the Great Australian Bight but I was not pulling off into those lookout bays as I have learned my lesson…maybe on the way back we might stop.

5km to Border Village, the sign that says all your aching parts can have some relief when you park up and we arrive…YAY!!!

Check in, unpack, rest….ahhh.

The time here really messes with my head so we had an early dinner for ACST but closer to our own real dinner time, did a little bit of socialising, grab some more touristy pics and headed back to the cabin for the night. Showered and ready for bed…don’t care if I sleep till 10 tomorrow.

Day 4 – Border Village Rest Day

We both got a good night’s sleep which is unusual when we travel but we obviously needed it. It’s fresh and a cooked breaky is calling. Poached eggs on toast and the worst coffee of the trip so far for me and bacon & egg roll for Karl which set us back a pretty penny but that is the outback price. Everything must be trucked in, all the power is run on a genny and then wages so it is what it is.

Some more touristy photo time, SA/WA Border sign (which is still in disrepair), Welcome to Western Australia sign, beautiful fresh outback morning, and a very quiet village…the calm before the storm.

Not having travelled past the quarantine station into WA we went down the road to Eucla with Bill & Hoffy. Eucla a tiny blip on the map with a motel that has a nice looking café/restaurant, a museum which has some interesting stuff in there and the old Telegraph Station. The Telegraph Station is now derelict and mostly covered in the sand dunes but is well worth the trip down the gravel road and walk through the dunes to reach it. When you see the pics in the museum of when it was erected on a flat plain where women used to pass messages from SA & WA from one side of a wall through a port hole to the other side is amazing….not to mention the time difference that happened between that magical port hole which is a whole other story but is the reason for the funky time zone for Eucla/Border Village area.

Today is expected to be busy, lots of motorcyclists from all over the place will roll in today some part of clubs like us (SCDR – Southern Cross Distance Riders) and others just travelling to meet old friends……it’s a great time and I love it!!  Watching old friends arrive, one “on the clock” so it was a quick check his docket so he could be off again to meet his ride schedule. Others arrive for the night and it’s BIG huge gathering all round. We have the official check-in for the SCDR Border Run with the group photo done out at the SA/WA Border sign – Border Run complete.

More socialising and some rest before a dinner full of fun and frivolity with wonderful blokes and lots of laughs. Must be getting old or time zones have messed with us but we seemed to fade very quickly and say our goodnights and farewells – ride safe and we head for bed.

Day 5 – Border Village to Wudinna

Woken by some engines wanting to get away early (I think about 5am) but dozed on and off as we listened to more engines coming to life and departing. We pack and for a change aren’t the last to leave, in fact not even close..lol. The cloud cover was heavy which shielded the rising sun from our eyes but held the colour of rain and just knew we were going to get wet. The roads wet, it starts to rain but not that drenching rain just enough to make the road a bit slippy. Just before the roadhouse you have to get THAT photo (even if it is sprinkling).

184km to Nullarbor Roadhouse for fuel and Karl’s breaky, coffee for me and more friends pull in after us. Joined by Chicky, Quinny, Macca, Bill, Trevor & Possum where we enjoy some laughs before it’s time to head off again into the rain where we no doubt will meet up with these guys again. Penong for fuel & yep the boys pull in after us. Karl found an old FarRider cap which someone left behind, so when we get to Wudinna tonight I find out who owns it and arrange for it’s return.

It’s uneventful crossing the Nullarbor, there’s barely a bend in the road but we continue on and pull into Ceduna for fuel and go in search of a café to get some lunch. Well, on a Sunday – fat chance of that. The only place (other than the roadhouse) was “Bill’s Chicken Shop” so that’s where we pulled up. Allo and behold who should also arrive but our stalkers – the boys….LOL. The guys are really a barrel of laughs and I would gladly travel with them any day of the week…..if only for the laughs. They are stopping in Ceduna tonight but Karl & I still have 211kms to go to reach Wudinna, so we are on our bikes and off again. Still raining and just over 2 hours later we get fuel at the Wudinna roadhouse before turning into town and locating the Wudinna Hotel Motel.

So glad I booked us here, best accommodation we’ve had so far and attached to a lovely pub with great dining room. Into get dinner and bump into Nick “Super Frog” & Steve already seated, so we join them for dinner and conversation before heading back to our room as we are beat. Another good nights sleep and Karl wakes we up at 8AM….what!! We’d picked up our continental breaky the night before and had a nice breaky and late start – Nick & Steve were long gone.

Day 7 – Wudinna to Quorn

It poured down last night and this morning everything is wet and the fog is heavy & a bit chilly. Karl led us out and it’s slow going at 80kph. Again, the cloud & fog hid the sun so we weren’t blinded by the sun however we were blinded by the fog and so was everyone else. Caravaners travelling slow & slower with overtaking made difficult due to poor visibility. Eventually we passed them and rose out of the fog just west of Kimba and had beautiful fresh mornings run into Port Augusta.

A splash and dash for fuel at the BP out of town before heading north for a stop in Quorn for 2 nights. We were in shock because on this road there is, wait for it…….twisties!!! Not many but enough to give you a little bit of excitement and then you arrive in Quorn.

There’s even a “Superman” phone box in town…..if I wait long enough maybe “Karl Kent” will show up. The Transcontinental Hotel for dinner where we had lovely local lamb before going up to watch the Silo Art Light Show. It’s cold and the show goes for 3hrs but we could only do an 1hr before heading back to the warmth of our room.

No alarm for the morning so we can get a sleep in on our day of rest.

Day 8 – Quorn Exploring

Woke to the silence of a country town, bliss. Our day of rest includes laundry duties (which the owner kindly allowed us to utilise since the laundromat has closed down). So, with washing on, it’s off to have a morning coffee at the Scruffy Fella Café. It’s an artisan café run by two lovely bearded fella’s and the resident pooches Harry & Willie. The coffee is good and will be back for afternoon tea there.

More walking to have breaky at Tea’s on the Terrace. Naturally you have to have the tea which is served up in beautiful china tea pots and cups with saucers…..very refined.

The rest of the morning was off walking around town visiting the stores that are open, the railway station / museum, the Bush Tucker Trail and seeing more lovely old buildings and some local mural art.

Back to check on the washing and relax in the sun reading my book while Karl is relaxing inside. Whiling the afternoon away is just so lovely when you have no timelines to meet. We head off to the Scuffy Fella Café for afternoon tea & get some pats in with Harry & Willie before we leave. Thought we’d try the other pub in town The Austral and ordered 2x entrée tasting platters which were ok and the pub was quiet cos it’s Schnitty night at the Trans so everyone was there…lol. Another little walk back to our apartment for a quiet night in and good sleep.

Day 9 – Quorn to Broken Hill

Well, we woke to a beautiful sun filled morning with birdies tweeting. We’re away earlier than anticipated on empty roads through green fields and through Wilmington before heading into Orroroo. The obligatory touristy photos before locating a lovely little café called Two Farmers Daughters. Karl had breaky & coffee, I had a darn good hot chocolate. I then took myself off for a little walk of the main street.

From here we head east towards Peterborough for a quick photo. Peterborough brings back heaps of great memories from the Black Dog Ride in 2012 where I made a some very special friends and we made fabulous memories. There aren’t many bends so it’s more straight roads with a little bit of traffic and before long we were pulling into Yunta for fuel.

I forgot to tell Karl that from here we WILL encounter goats and emu. We saw 1000’s of goats and some long-legged feather dusters (which left us alone) along the entire 200kms to Broken Hill. We arrive approx. 1:30pm, unpack and go for a little walk around the block. We went to the art gallery and weren’t impressed with what was on show. Some looked like Howie & Lucy slipped and wiped their tails across the canvas. I dragged Karl into a few more shops before heading back to our room for a rest.

We went up to the Line of Lode Miners Memorial to watch the setting sun and were not disappointed. It’s a bit chilly up there though but it was well worth it. I also got to sit in the biggest chair I have ever seen – felt like Paul Bunyip was gonna turn up at any minute. Dinner at the Chinese Restaurant before retiring for the night.

Day 10 – Broken Hill Exploring

Nice to sleep in again with no pressure and all the time in the world. On our walk around yesterday we spotted a café that we had breaky in this morning. A little bit of sophistication this morning. Another quirky urban café called The Silly Goat. They serve Cats Pajamas Coffee…..hope the pussies aren’t cold without their pj’s this morning. Karl had Perusian Mushrooms on sourdough and I had the poached eggs and we both had coffee….all was delicious.

Today we are out playing tourist again walking around Broken Hill and includes a trip to Silverton – 26km from Broken Hill. It’s red dirt country and the roads feel like you are riding over small corrugated tin that jiggles all your bits and all the other bits you didn’t know you had to jiggle. You cannot guarantee seeing the local donkeys but we were lucky today and they wondered into town, so naturally, you have to get that photo moment. It’s pretty windy today a vast contrast to yesterday but you don’t let that get in the way of doing things. Since my last trip out here the Bakery is now open but a couple of the galleries were closed, I think it had something to do with the Mundi Mundi Bash that is starting.

On the way back from our Silverton experience we went up to see the Desert Living Sculptures about 10km out of Broken Hill. You now must pay to go up to view the sculptures and they sting you a pretty penny for the privilege. We wind our way through the landscape before reaching the carpark and embarking on our Sculptural experience. The weather is wearing away a lot of the carvings in some of the stones but others are still ok. Karl critiques the art, however his critic skills need some honing.

Back to have a rest and decide an easy dinner tonight of pizza. It wasn’t bad and an early night as we leave tomorrow to start the journey south and home.

Day 11 – Broken Hill to Hay

I actually had to set the alarm for this morning so we could have breaky and get on the road. We sleuthed another café on our wanders and this morning we are trying Soull Café & Expresso Bar. I think they have a little obsession with coffee. A simple breaky this morning as I don’t want to be riding on a full tummy, it tends to make you a bit drowsy.

Heading eastward into the sun, heading to Wilcannia for fuel. Once again along this stretch of road there are 1000’s of goats and mobs of long-legged feather dusters (emu) and the odd roo. Wilcannia is not somewhere I would stay but for fuel it was a must today. It was fairly busy and some interesting customers inside which I’m not sure created amusement or worry. Anyway, we are out and onto a stretch of road I’ve not done before, Cobb Highway from Wilcannia to Ivanhoe. This section of road was previously “dirt”, so I am pleased to confirm it is now ALL SEALED. Lunch in Ivanhoe, not one of my best planning options but necessary for fuel as the roadhouse doesn’t really do much in the way of food so it was a pie for me and sausage roll for Karl.

More flat plains and straight roads, watching Karl’s rear tyre which is now resembling a house brick…lol as we travel down into the northern end of Hay. We did pass a look out about 16km north of Hay where if you are so inclined to come back and view the sunsetting over the Hay Plains…. maybe next time when we are in the car. Bidgee Motor Inn is our choice for tonight and Jacky was very lovely welcoming us in. A wonder around town and found some lovely sculptures and of course some silo art. However, my biggest surprise was finding a café (with the same name as one in Corryong) but this one doesn’t do breakfast…WTF!! I mean what café doesn’t serve breaky. There is a bakery and a little fancy café but it doesn’t open until a bit later in the morning. Dinner at the Crown Hotel before returning to our room for our last night’s sleep on the road.

Day 12 – Hay to HOME!!!

We decided to have breaky in Narrandera this morning. This is a very familiar road for me and there is still a bit of water laying around but everything is green. The local bakery served us well this morning as it seems most of the other café’s are either closed or just not open yet. No hurry again today as it’s only about 450km to home.

We pull into home just before 4pm after hitting some rain…what a surprise it is winter. How good is that feeling!! It’s been a fabulous trip and to have Karl come with me on a bike ride that he wouldn’t normally do, just made it all the more special.

A total of 4909.6km for the trip over 12 days. Dudley has clocked up 132,206km with me so far and what a trooper he is.

Now to unpack, hot showers, chill out and figure out what to have for dinner.

Thanks for reading…..until the next adventure.

Plan in place, start docket acquired from the local servo and off I go in the general direction for the 1^st Southern Cross Distance Riders SA ride to Mannum – SCDR 01 SA. Now to make things interesting am going Silo hunting along the way.

It’s quite windy and you can see the smoke & smell it from the fires in western VIC. First cab of rank is Tungamah Silo Art – theme birdlife and closed off to get close it (as many of them are now for some reason).

Tumble weeds are everywhere poor Dudley’s radiator was covered in them. Then onto Katamatite Silo Art and fuel….NOTE: Katamatite DO NOT have Premium Unleaded but I had no choice I’d’ve not made the next stop.

Felt like I was zig zagging all over the place and onto another C road heading towards Picola for the next Silo Art. The colours in the Lorikeet are amazing.

Into Echuca to top up with Premium and pulled a heap more of tumble weeds from Dudleys radiator – the whole guard was covered with them….could’ve led to him to having breathing difficulties. Quick call to Karl and off again.

The wind is still strong and it’s still quite hot but the wind is kinda keeping the heat at bay. Next stop is Lake Boga Silo Art and hopefully a loo. Found the silo but it took a bit to get to the correct viewing side, which is the dirt track to the left BEFORE you cross the train track. This art has only been finished for 6 weeks and they haven’t got the signage or everything finished yet (alas no loo – hang on Kimmie).

The 14.7 kms to Swan Hill was very spirited to get to the motel and my overdue comfort stop….ahhhh.

Pioneer Station Motor Inn for me, a repeat stay, convenient to fuel and if you are lazy (read buggered) like I was Macca’s for dinner. The local RSL does a really good feed but I just didn’t have the energy for the walk.

Early chilly Sunday morning, glad I packed a cardi but had to stop in Manangatang to put on my emergency wet weather jacket to keep the chill out. Clear morning sky and the moon’s still out.

Onto Ouyen for the Big Wheat Statue and coffee to warm me from the inside.

Into SA & Pinnaroo for fuel, then Tailem Bend and the pic of the Rhino I have ridden past so many times.

Turn off the Dukes Hway towards Murrayville then onto Mannum. I’d forgotten to turn off avoidances and had me cross the river via ferry to get to the pub…..unexpected and pleasant detour 😊

Was met at the Mannum Hotel by great blokes with smiling faces that were very glad to see me. The rest of the group arrived except for the guys from WA who were thwarted by fires that closed the Eyre highway. Great to see Hackle, Scotlan, Chicky, Quinny & Derrick.

Bordertown came and I needed a sleep so into the OTR for fuel and a power nap, unscheduled but you have to listen to your body.

On hunting more Silo Art which took me to Kaniva and this beauty….not me the silo!!

Nhill for fuel and just a tip…DO NOT stop at the Ampol Roadhouse on the outskirts – the servo only has pay at pump and the restaurant section is totally seperate and not open most of the time. I rode out and went to the next Ampol further in town who does both and are friendly. It’s getting late and phone tonight motel to let them know I will be late.

Next stop is the Albacutya Silo Art, well so I thought it was. Into Rainbow where Googe said it was but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Rode around for 20 minutes then on the way out asked a local couple who informed me the Albacutya Silo Art is 10km down that road. Look at the clock, did some mental calculations and decided safety and dinner was more important than travelling a dodgy C road at night.

Had to be in Wycheproof by 7:50pm to be able to order dinner at the pub or miss out. Arrived at the Mount Wycheproof Motor Inn at 7:26pm, quickly unloaded Dudley into my cool room..thanks to Kelly & Phil for turning on my aircon for my late arrival before a spirited walk to the pub for a coldy and dinner.

You have to stay here if you are coming through, the rooms are super clean, generous size, the bathroom just sparkles and the bed was so comfy I slept like the dead.

After a great sleep in over to the Bakery on Broadway Wycheproof for breaky and good coffee. Lovely place with outdoor seating and a good array of local wears inside.

No silo hunting today, although I saw many town signs that I could’ve detoured down to get but honestly just wanted to get home as it was going to be a hot one.

I swear, I must’ve ridden & zig zagged along ever C & D road between Wycheproof & Yarrawonga this morning. Although some of the scenery is wonderful and an experience that most people wouldn’t even get. How can you not love this view.

Lunch & fuel in Yarrawonga before the push home. Needed to stop on the side of the road at Tallangatta to top up the camelback and tip the remaining water down my shirt to cool myself down.

Glad to pull into the drive at 3:30pm Sunday with 2084.1 kms for the long weekend & SCDR 01 Mannum done & dusted with a tidy 1002km