Road trip

I look at the blog front page and I think, “How can it have been a week since I did the last update?” They say that, when you retire, you have to stay busy or you die. Well, at this rate, I’m going to live to 103. Fact is that, with the family settling in to our place for an extended stay, it was a golden opportunity for us to get away and put some miles on the Minibago.

You see, while recovering from the accident I had lots of time to think and, one of the many thoughts that occupied my mind was that motorcycling is a very hedonistic pursuit. Unless ones partner like to ride for themselves or pillion on your bike (mine does neither) then the wonderful times that you spend on the road are really only enjoyed by you. So I determined that, once I got better I would take Helena to all the great places and show her all the amazing sights that I had seen on the bike and let her get to enjoy them as I had.

We’ve done quite a few weekend/ two-day jaunts but the limiting factor for longer trips has always been getting someone to look after our two cats on a daily basis, not easy to do. But, with the family here, the opportunity couldn’t have been better to do an extended run, so we fuelled up and headed north. Unlike my many motorcycle tours, however, the goal was a little more laid-back; less emphasis on how many k’s you do in a day and more on “stop and smell the roses”

My goal for the fist night was Myuna Bay on the shores of Lake Macquarie. I spent my first four years of high school attending a school that was right on the edge of the lake so I have a strong love for the area and its natural beauty. However, arriving at the lay-over next to the lake where I had planned to camp, we were met with numerous “No Camping” signs. Very disappointing so, despite the fact that I have seen lots of people doing so over the years, we decided to obey the law and move on. No tourist information booth in Toronto meant a quick visit to the NRMA whose friendly staff advised us that we probably COULD camp there without an issue but they also recommended the caravan park at the end of Wangi Point which is where we ended up, and very pleased that we did so.

As you can see from the photo above, the surroundings are excellent. What is not shown is that the facilities are first rate, spotless and clean and it only cost $30 per night to stay. So, after a good sleep and enjoying the “We’re winding down” feeling, we headed out the next morning, heading a little further north.

The goal was Port Macquarie, one of my favourite stopovers on my many tours and also where Helena and I spent our honeymoon over 42 years ago. Amazingly, the caravan park in which we stayed in 1973 is still there so, if for no other reason than nostalgia, we booked in for two nights.

Along the way we had stopped at Taree and visited some motorcycling friends who run the local bike shop and had lunch down by the river.

Also spotted along the way, this innovative furniture removal technique in the main street of Buladelah.

Yes, that is a three seater lounge strapped to the bonnet of the Falcon! And, speaking of Buladelah, the trip north would not be complete without a pilgrimage to O’Halloran’s Gap, the route taken by the Old Pacific Highway before it was bypassed by the freeway.

So, Port Mac. The caravan park is right next to the town so you can walk to the shops, cafes etc and the waterfront path that goes for kilometres in both directions affords you stunning views of the river and the ocean. When we got to the stairs, I stopped but Helena went right to the top and got some great pictures.

Two days of kicking back and relaxing went very quickly but we sure did feel wound down when we headed south again on Monday, bound for an inland return home. First stop was Taree again to visit some more of the northern rivers motorcycling fraternity then west from Nabiac to join up with the famous Buckett’s Way, the road often travelled by me on two wheels but never on four with my wife so it was all new to her. The north is just looking superb at the moment, so green and so beautiful. I should add that, despite the RTA signs along the way that roadworks are in progress to improve Bucketts (and have been there for at least 10 years!) the road is still in very poor shape in places and caution is still advised.

A pause at Mt Mograni lookout overlooking Gloucester..

..then lunch in town and south again. Devonshire tea at the cafe at East Gresford then on into Singleton. At Singleton we killed a couple of hours under the shade of some trees at the sports ground before arriving at our chosen destination, the home an old school mate and his family just out of Broke.

It’s always easy to spend time with good friends, and the night passed quickly. We slept in the van by choice, even though beds could have been made up for us. Lenny and Pauline work long hours and work hard so we were happy to save them some extra duties preparing bedding, etc.

Lenny and Pauline live on acreage with this magnificent view as the backdrop to their busy life. Tough, eh?

From here it was a little more familiar territory. The Minibago handled the Putty brilliantly; it never ceases to amaze me just what a competent touring vehicle it is, even in the twisties. Coffee at the Grey Gum cafe then fuel stop at Wilberforce and home via the back roads.

Just as soon as we have things squared away we will be off again, this time probably south though a FAR north expedition is also required with Waterfall Way, the Dorrigo, and the other magnificent roads heading up Qld way yet to be explored.

Life as a retiree is great; the hours are fantastic, though the pay is lousy. But, hey, it’s all good.