This trip has become an annual tradition for us, visiting Boorowa for it's wool fest and running of the sheep and ending on the Sunday night with the NRL football grand final. This year, however, is the first time we managed to get a room at the Boorowa Hotel and simply enjoy the festival atmosphere all weekend.
Day 1: Map (405 km travelled)
This morning we met good mates Lance and Ian in Kurmond, before heading off down Bell's Line and across to Hampton where we met up with Mop, Kelly, Mick and Bel.
Due to it's position, the Hampton Hotel is a good opportunity to take a break before heading through Jenolan Caves and then through to Taralga for lunch.
By the time we got to Taralga, the sun was out and made for a very pleasant ride.
This was a good opportunity to get a group shot with the bikes.
The meals at the Taralga Hotel are always large and made well.
Jim and Nik who joined the ride up until crookwell.
Bel and Mick, regulars these days.
Ian, enjoying himself, on the inside.
Lance still pretending to ride a bike while making engine sounds.
Kel and Mop, good fun as always.
Then these two impostors inviting themselves along.
After lunch, it was time to ride on to Boorowa.
But not before getting all the gear on.
We ride through Crookwell and fuel up before arriving in Boorowa and the Shamrock Hotel, where we spend the next two nights.
For the record, a couple of us enjoyed this special.
The rodeo was beginning shortly after we arrived, so we changed and headed right on down to watch the action.
Some of these riders were quite young but had so much control over their horses.
The bull riding is always exciting to watch.
This bloke was damn scary. Imagine being charged by one of these mongrels.
This bull gets completely airborne in an attempt to lose its rider.
And he succeeds before too long.
This rider didn't last long on his bull.
Occasionally they will release a second bull to coax the other back behind the fence after a ride.
It has to hurt, falling to the ground then watching a huge animal jumping around you.
Then this one completely airborne.
Check out how close those rear hooves are to the rider.
Then it was time for the bucking broncos,
I have to wonder what makes these men want to endanger themselves like this.
Bravery or stupidity or both perhaps?
Still hanging on.
But the horse wins again and that's the rider behind him in the dirt.
This horse gives it's back end some serious air time.
Now this shot is bloody scary. Taken by good friend Ian.
The bull stands proudly after tossing the rider off it's back.
This was the final ride as the rodeo was cut short due to a serious injury.
Just after this shot, the bull rammed the gate off it's hinges which in turn struck the gentleman and injuring him seriously, resulting in a helicopter flying in to take him away.
The helicopter was on the ground for over an hour while the injured man was being stabilized.
Meanwhile the riders were still preparing for their ride, not knowing that the rodeo was about to be stopped.
The horses waiting patiently in the pens out back.
Kel and Bel admiring the bull in its pen.
It was to be the next bull out in the arena.
And this one was after it, but it's turn didn't come.
Soon the sun began to set, making for a perfect photo opportunity.
It was a cool evening with temperatures dropping quite rapidly, but the atmosphere was truly memorable.
What a great country NSW sunset scene.
Then I spot the girls capturing the moment.
The colour of the evening sky changes from orange to dark pink and this is what you get.
Finally the decision is made to shut the rodeo down.
This morning, Cathy dragged me out of bed to go for a morning walk. The temperature was -2c but by the time we changed and walked outside, it was a balmy 0c. That's frost on the paddock.
Close up of the frost on the clover.
I've photographed this house before. If you've lost your stuffed toy, try looking in this front yard first.
All those beloved stuffed toys hanging out together.
Then our walk takes us along the edge of town.
And along the river. Hi Cath!
Then this roo bounces away when we get too close.
The walk takes us under this lovely bridge.
The view from the other side.
This lovely church and it's bell tower full of country character.
These sheep grazed happily on a small block of land in town.
A face only a mother could love.
When we got back, the stalls were being set up for the wool fest.
Ian from his vantage point on the pub's balcony.
Vintage farm machinery being set up for display.
Among the many stalls, this one selling hand crafted timber ornaments.
The pipe band warming up for the day's proceedings.
And our mates warming up in the sunshine with a coffee.
Meanwhile, we return to the pub and I buy the pub's first beer for the day. Shit, do I have a problem?
Cathy steals a photo with our good friend Mike, the publican, dressed in his Irish best.
At this time of year, the cherry blossoms are in flower right through the region.
This stall selling fresh bread and cakes.
Here, the children could get up close and personal to a few sheep.
This stall also showed various types of fleece.
Just when I thought I'd seen all old peddle powered bikes, these three came out and really had me intrigued. This first bike had one large wheel on one side and two small, steering wheels on the other with a carry basket in the centre.
This one resembled an old type wheel chair.
And of course the penny farthing. All three bikes owned by this gentleman who I had quite a conversation with.
Approaching 12:00 midday, the sheep are unloaded in to a pen for the annual Running of the Sheep.
Our group go back to the pub and our vantage point up on the balcony.
Now those old machines are up and running, putting on quite the display.
The crowd lines up to watch the parade before the main event.
These guys put on quite a "Bushranger" show and afterward take their horses into the pub for a beer.
A quick shot of the girls before the race.
Suddenly, the sheep make their way, slowly but surely, down the main street.
The working dogs doing a great job, pushing them along.
And finally the farmer tagging along.
Racing ....... well walking to the finish line.
Following the Running of the Sheep, is the main parade.
The sheep shearing float.
The pipe band in full flight.
Even Llamas get a show.
And there's those old bikes.
The vintage tractors chugging along.
They look like they'll go on for ever.
Those horseman putting on a mock bushranger display.
At the end of the parade, Mike welcomes the riders and their horses, in the pub for a well earned cool beer.
Quite the sight. It was funny to see people walk through the door, only to be met by a horses arse.
In the evening we all enjoyed a pleasant meal at the pub, followed by a few drinks and the NRL grand final. The Boorowa Wool Festival was over for another year.
Our last morning greeted us with more glorious sunshine. Today, the group was returning home a couple of differant ways, according to where we lived. Here we take one last group shot before heading off.
Lance, Ian and ourselves, made our way through Frogmore the on to Wyangala and on to Woodstock for a short break.
The roads out here were fantastic and soooo quiet.
The plan was to ride over Wyangala Dam but unfortunately, the road was closed, so we rode around, then on to the planned route. We hadn't ridden this part of the country before and it was fantastic to say the least.
Here we arrive in Woodstock for a break but the pub was still closed.
So I took the opportunity to take a few pics instead.
The train station isn't used anymore but kept in good order and nice to photograph.
Riding on toward Bathurst, we pull over and take a few pics of the canola fields in flower this time of year.
You can actually smell the canola fields when you travel past them.
Another enjoyable ride with good mates. It was also great to ride some new roads which ended up gems along with roads we have traveled before and continue to enjoy. Until the next one.
