|
Thommo's Trek
August 2002
Start Lineup |
Lionel and Mary |
Larry & Annette |
|
Phew! What
a relief, clouds and showers have disappeared and we have woken up to
beautiful blue skies and sunshine, our ride is on!
Traditionally, the Thomas' arrive at the Loganholme Garage
meeting spot second last, with 6 bikes waiting for us, and as we have just
fuelled up John Spick arrives, and we are all systems go sharply at 9 a.m.
We cruise along the highway until turn-off No. 49 and we head for the hills
towards Numinbah Valley soaking up the views, and I still marvel at people who
live out in the country on acreage. All that mowing, and riding horses
instead of bikes!
|
Single File |
Bevan and Therese |
Cornering |
Black.... |
....and white |
Go shopping |
|
We arrive at Hinze Dam for our morning tea at 10.15
a.m. and to meet up with new faces (for us) Barb & Syd on a Valkyrie,
and Robyn & Paul on a black Gold Wing. Nothing compares to that cuppa
and biscuit and great company in a picturesque venue, what a tough
life? Helmets on - we take-off at 11 a.m. and we are now winding our
way through more scenic roads towards our next destination Stokers
Siding. We come out on the highway at Murwillumbah, and heading south
we almost trick a few people with our Stokers Siding turn-off! Not
saying that our indication is a little late, but we are trying to
remember this trip from almost 12 months ago. This is an interesting
find out in the hills, a small township nestled around a railway
siding, and even more importantly, a fantastic pottery shop. This is
our little diversion to extend our ride before going onto lunch, and
allowed the men to have a break. |
Dunnyart |
Smooth Valkyrie |
How does this work? |
Vice and Prez |
Make room! |
Val's Eagle |
|
Then it is a short ride up the highway to the lunch
stop at Tropical Fruit World. Refreshments over we depart at 1.30
p.m. and we wind our way down the hills - over and under the new
bypass - looking for our next sight-seeing stop called Timber Tops.
Now - helmet intercoms are very good for the radio, music cassettes
and news, but not when the driver and/or Navigator are trying to
remember which way to go! Luckily, or unlucky for Bill & Mary -
without a C.B. - they do some very clever cornering right behind us,
and Chris is our co-navigator letting everyone know which way we have
turned! |
Lionel and Mary |
Wot a Norf and souf |
Mt Warning over canefields |
|
Another pleasant break, checking out art, crafts and
furniture but with no spending this time. Ray flatly refuses to put a
timber Bar on the ‘Wing.
Now we start our homeward stretch back onto the
highway, and we head north turning off at Tumbulgum over the Tweed
River and another pleasant ride along the ridge to admire those
glorious coastal views. |
Pt Danger park |
We are making for
Point Danger as our final farewell before heading for home.
However, when we do pull up at Point Danger it is blowing a gale and
the National Parks have closed off a large section of the area, so we
huddle around at the kerbside and we bid a fond farewell to our newest
riders - Barb & Syd, Robyn & Paul who both live along the Gold Coast,
and the rest of us head for home. |
Pt Danger park |
|
Onto the highway we go,
Ray & I peel off at Helensvale as we call into my brothers for another coffee,
and wish you all a safe trip home. Another great day on the ‘Wing.
Thank you to everyone
who came along for our long planned-for trek, and we will do our utmost to
plan another ride before another twelve months go by!!
‘Wings forever - Ray &
Valerie
|
|
