Day 1: Map (287 kms travelled)
Most of us met at Eastern Creek for some introductions over coffee before heading off through Castlereagh, Bell's Line of Road and on to the Monkey Creek Cafe for our first break.
This cafe overlooks the Hartley Valley. This bird must have been photographed thousands of times.
The guys enjoying a chat in the autumn sunshine.
It's good to get like minded people together on trips such as this. By the end of the trip, complete strangers become good friends.
Leaving the cafe, we ride down through Hartley Valley and up the unsealed road to Hassans Walls Lookout.
Recently, I discovered a second road that climbs up to the lookout from the Hartley Valley side and took the group up that way, then down the road that is commonly used and shows on google maps. This is the car park at the lookout.
This happens every time we ask some clown to take our photo. Too much sky !!!!!!
Jalal wanders off for his own pics.
The viewing platform is a recent addition. Previously, you would be climbing up and down on a rock platform.
While in the car park, I found an opportunity to get everyone with their pride and joy. Jalal with his pride and joy.
Jim and Nicky.
The "new" Mick and Belinda made most welcome.
Kelly and Grant.
Mick and Belinda.
A couple of uninvited "blow ins".
Jitendra and Preeti.
Ravi and Ritu.
Rohit, Pooja and little Vihaan.
Leaving the lookout, we carried on for a brief stop at Lake Lyell, just outside Lithgow.
A man made lake, formed by this dam.
Often used for recreational activities such as water skiing and camping, particularly in the warmer months.
Then it was off to the Tarana Hotel for lunch.
Meanwhile, Kelly discovers a tourist info board, across the road.
The management were thoughtful enough to reserve the deck for us, pending on the weather.
As it turned out, we enjoyed a fantastic lunch in the sunshine.
After lunch, we refuelled in Bathurst and then it was on to Sofala. Jalal rode ahead to take these great pics of the group as we rode past. you cant see through our helmets, but I can assure you that we're all smiling.
Here we all spent some time going our own way to do our own thing.
This little town seems to have stopped in time and looks great in the Autumn colours'
The town's post office.
The boys waste no time to down a drink and wash the dust down.
I took the opportunity to take a couple of pics inside the pub in an attempt to capture it's country character.
Even the Tooheys sign has age to it.
Great to kick back for half an hour or so.
Then this painted on one of the windows across from the pub.
After our break we were off to Hill End.
The road from Sofala was partly unsealed road but now has been completely tarred from start to finish. It makes for a very scenic ride through the area but we need to be very careful not to hit any kangaroos which have a habit of attacking motorcycles. The kangaroos generally win that fight.
We make it to Hill End safely and Cath and I go ahead to take pics of the group entering the town through its lovely tree lined street. Yes we're all still smiling.
Parked up just outside the pub while we find Lance who rode directly through as he had prior commitments at home.
Before, we head to our accomodation, we paid a visit to Kissing Point Lookout and Split Rock, to get a view of the sunset and the views over the valley.
This is Split Rock for obvious reasons.
These two only just met and already they dance together.
Another group shot at the lookout.
Here I finally bothered to learn how to use the self timer on my little Canon.
I thought these three were just excited to be there but found out later they were just posing for a photo.
And Mick was the photographer.
Ok, enough fun. Time to head back for a wash and walk to the pub for our meal and drinks.
We usually stay at the Hill End pub but found it booked out so we gave The Hill End Ranch a go, which ended up being a very good experience and our new venue when we return.
Cathy and I chose a converted railway carriage to spend the night.
This is the inside. Very cosy and clean with your own toilet and shower through the door and a small TV and lounge.
We had booked to have dinner at the General Store restaurant, however the chef/owner had a wrist injury and couldn't serve us so it was across the road to the pub for a basic meal.
The pub is terribly understaffed and we waited a good hour and a half for our meals.
Just as well we're a patient, cheerful lot. We made the most of a bad situation.
But, when one of our buzzers finally went off, it was like winning the bloody lottery.
So the accomodation was a 10 minute walk from the pub. There are no street lights in Hill End so we led the way with our torches. This is why kangaroos get hit by cars and trucks at night. Shine a light at their eyes and they seem mesmerized by it.
Day 2: Map (272 kms travelled)
After a great night's sleep, Cath and I set off for a walk about the town and to capture some great scenery.
There are hundreds of kangaroos all about Hill End, absolutely everywhere.
Great for tourism I guess but bad news to farmers.
This kookaburra wouldn't turn for me and decided this was his better side.
I love these little country cottages.
This lovely old church still stands proudly.
As does this store.
Walking back to the ranch for a shower and breakfast, we come across these two, which made for a great pic with the church as a back drop in the distance.
Then these two young bucks sparring and putting on a show for us.
You dont want to be on the receiving end of one of their kicks. Their sharp claws can disembowel easily.
Back at the ranch we bid old mate Lance a good morning. He and Jalal spent the night in the cabins. A very cost effective alternative to the carriages.
These were so comfortable though and well worth the cost.
Hi Cath!
We all meet for breakfast in the dining room, where Kerry our host, did an excellent job looking after us.
Mick and Mick decided to park their bikes under a tree. Lucky there were no drop bears around that night. Could've gotten messy.
Grant and Kelly enjoying a minute together before we head off.
We were ready early so we head in to town to get some more pics of this great little town. Another couple of weeks and this seen will be full of orange and reds, making for spectacular photography.
Very peaceful as well.
It's difficult to pick the right time for the best autumn colour due to differant weather patterns each year which influence what the trees do.
But we weren't disappointed.
Cathy and Jalal waltzing down the "busy" main road of town.
These two having a "spit n polish" before we head off.
We left Hill End just after 8:30am with our first stop at Oberon for coffee. We were worried about the weather so we were all wearing our wets this morning.
After Oberon, the plan was to ride through Jenolan Caves, but the road out of the caves closes to allow tourist buses in, at 11:45am. It became clear that we were too late so we decided on a break at Hampton before making our way home via Bells Line and through Kurrajong Heights for lunch.
Our final stop for the trip was lunch at Kurrajong Heights Hotel which is under new management. The new people are doing a fantastic job and numbers for lunch have increased accordingly.
This was our first ride with our new group and it was successful to say the least. We made new friends and shared some laughs over a few drinks and meals, while enjoying the best that the NSW countryside has to offer. Looking forward to many more in the future.
