41 Illalung Road Lambton NSW 2299 - Ulysses Club...
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President Bob Croft 0414501924 Secretary Jose Stokman 0407765663 Treasurer John Lind 0412509668 Committee Wally Thurgood 448515626 Andrew Williams 0407179705 Theo Travalos 0410022246 Branch Social Meeting 7pm, 2nd Saturday of the Month Edgeworth Bowling Club 6pm for Dinner Rides start at Hexham McDonalds from 8.30 am unless otherwise stated. Well what a month it’s been! Firstly the AGM in Alice Springs, one of the best I have ever attended! I rode there with a few of the Port Stephens and Coalfields members as well as a Ulysses friend of mine from New Zealand. We took our time taking five days to get to Alice Springs. Our journey entailed nights in Nyngan, Broken Hill (where we were hosted to dinner by the Broken Hill Branch – very enjoyable), then Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Stuarts Well and finally Alice Springs on Monday morning. An excellent trip, the Red Centre is currently green due to the rain that fell recently. The AGM venue was huge, well set out and well organised – congratulations to the AGM organising committee. The only pain was that alcohol sales were extremely limited on site thanks to the NT alcohol rules. During the AGM I saw many of the NLH members who had also travelled to Alice Springs, some in caravans, others in motor homes and some had even included the AGM into a much longer adventure. There was no shortage of activities or sights to see in and around Alice Springs. The most popular being a trip to Uluru and the Olgas – a superb outing. As many of you will be aware we now have a new NATCOM consisting of Helena Gritton (President), Jen Woods (Vice President), Noel Wiltshire (Secretary), Mike Abberfield (Treasurer), Rob White, Henri Rokx and Peter Baulch as Committee Members. We can look forward to another great year for the Ulysses Club. While I was away frolicking in Central Australia the Branch activities were continued to be run by other members of our Committee. We are extremely lucky to have such a great Branch where members are willing to put their hands up to help make NLH such a great Branch. We have been invited by Graeme Boyd to run a BBQ at his shop in Islington on the 5th of July. Graeme has offered to supply us with the BBQ, meat, onion, bread, sauce and shelter. All we need to do is to staff the BBQ and set the prices. All of the money we make on the day will go to NLH and we (the Committee) are looking at running free functions for NLH members and their families so that the members get something for their efforts. If you are able to help out on the morning of the 5th can you please let one of the Committee know (even half an hour would be greatly appreciated). Ride safely, see you all soon, Bob 41 Illalung Road Lambton NSW 2299 newcastlelowerhunter.ulyssesclub.org [email protected] June 2014
Transcript of 41 Illalung Road Lambton NSW 2299 - Ulysses Club...
President Bob Croft 0414501924Secretary Jose Stokman 0407765663Treasurer John Lind 0412509668Committee Wally Thurgood 448515626 Andrew Williams 0407179705 Theo Travalos 0410022246
Branch Social Meeting 7pm, 2nd Saturday of the Month Edgeworth Bowling Club 6pm for Dinner
Rides start at Hexham McDonalds from 8.30 am unless otherwise stated.
Wellwhatamonthit’sbeen!FirstlytheAGMinAliceSprings,oneofthebestIhaveeverattended!IrodetherewithafewofthePortStephensandCoalfieldsmembersaswellasaUlyssesfriendofminefromNewZealand.WetookourtimetakingfivedaystogettoAliceSprings.OurjourneyentailednightsinNyngan,BrokenHill(wherewewerehostedtodinnerbytheBrokenHillBranch–veryenjoyable),thenPortAugusta,CooberPedy,StuartsWellandfinallyAliceSpringsonMondaymorning.Anexcellenttrip,theRedCentreiscurrentlygreenduetotherainthatfellrecently.TheAGMvenuewashuge,wellsetoutandwellorganised–congratulationstotheAGMorganisingcommittee.TheonlypainwasthatalcoholsaleswereextremelylimitedonsitethankstotheNTalcoholrules. DuringtheAGMIsawmanyoftheNLHmemberswhohadalsotravelledtoAliceSprings,someincaravans,othersinmotorhomesandsomehadevenincludedtheAGMintoamuchlongeradventure.TherewasnoshortageofactivitiesorsightstoseeinandaroundAliceSprings.ThemostpopularbeingatriptoUluruandtheOlgas–asuperbouting. AsmanyofyouwillbeawarewenowhaveanewNATCOMconsistingofHelenaGritton(President),JenWoods(VicePresident),NoelWiltshire(Secretary),MikeAbberfield(Treasurer),RobWhite,HenriRokxandPeterBaulchasCommitteeMembers.WecanlookforwardtoanothergreatyearfortheUlyssesClub. WhileIwasawayfrolickinginCentralAustraliatheBranchactivitieswerecontinuedtoberunbyothermembersofourCommittee.WeareextremelyluckytohavesuchagreatBranchwheremembersarewillingtoputtheirhandsuptohelpmakeNLHsuchagreatBranch. WehavebeeninvitedbyGraemeBoydtorunaBBQathisshopinIslingtononthe5thofJuly.GraemehasofferedtosupplyuswiththeBBQ,meat,onion,bread,sauceandshelter.AllweneedtodoistostafftheBBQandsettheprices.AllofthemoneywemakeonthedaywillgotoNLHandwe(theCommittee)arelookingatrunningfreefunctionsforNLHmembersandtheirfamiliessothatthemembersgetsomethingfortheirefforts.Ifyouareabletohelpoutonthemorningofthe5thcanyoupleaseletoneoftheCommitteeknow(evenhalfanhourwouldbegreatlyappreciated). Ridesafely,seeyouallsoon,
Bob
41 Illalung Road Lambton NSW 2299newcastlelowerhunter.ulyssesclub.org [email protected]
June 2014
WewouldliketoremindourmembersthatallofficialBranchridesandeventsarepostedinourridecalendarand,unlessotherwisestated,SundayridesLEAVEat8.30am.Ifmemberswishtohave
breakfastbeforehandtopleasearrivealittleearliertobesureyou’rereadytoleaveat8.30am.
11th. June Midweek Ride to Denman. Meeting Hexham 9.30 To Denman with a stop at Singleton for morning tea Approximate Distance 300km
14th. June Branch Social Meeting From your Place to Edgeworth Sport and Rec Club
15th. June Ride to Singleton Army Museum Approx Distance 250km Ride Leader Andrew Williams
22nd. June Coffee Morning at Longbench Second Fiddle Cafe From your place to Longbench Second Fiddle Café at 4 Samdon Street Hamilton 10:00 AM
29th. June Ride to Kearsley Hotel Approximate Distance 250km Ride to Kearsley hotel the long way round. Ride Leader Wally Thurgood
5th. July BBQ at Graeme Boyd Motorcycles 9:00AM to 1:00PM 210 Maitland Road, Islington
5th. July Christmas in July Venue: Tea Gardens Hotel Motel and Waterfront Please book before 1 July. restaurant 6:30 for 7:00PM dinner.
9th. July Midweek Ride to Gosford Meeting Hexham 9.30 - and pick up at Freeman’s waterhole 10am to Gosford art gallery cafe and Japanese gardens
12th July Branch Social Meeting From your place to Edgeworth Sport and Rec Club
13th. July Ride to Nabiac Morning tea at Gloucester. First 9am winter start Approx 350km Ride Leader Jose Stokman.
Coffs Capers 4-6 July 2014 – see their web site for all information and flyer attached coffscoast.ulyssesclub.org/
Hills Branch Donkey Sanctuary Christmas in July Ride or Overnighter. Saturday July 26th at Clarence Town with an option to stay overnight at Dungog. See Hills branch Website for Details.
Sydney Branch 2014 Odyssey 26-28 September at Gloucester NSW. A flyer has been received by our secretary if you are interested. Ask for it to be emailed to you. The details should soon be on the Sydney Branch Website.
TheAliceSpringsAGMisoverforsome,manyarestillontheroad.ThistimeIflewwhichwasalotfasterthantheride20yearsagobutnotasadventurousorfun. Alicewasspectacularduetosomerecentrain,themostforthattimeofyearformanyyears.Theredandthegreencontrastinghighlightedwhatabeautifulplaceitisandofcoursethejokeisit’snearesttoeverybeachinAustralia,whichiswhywehadtohaveabeachparty.YourcommitteememberAndrewwasresplendentwithgogglesandflippersandseemedquiteconfidenthewouldbeabletodance.Ishouldn’tJumpaheadtotheFridaynightthough. Theweekwasfulloftouristythingstodoforthenearly2600attendeesandmanytooktheopportunitytovisitthenearandfarattractions.VerypopularwasthetriptoUluruandKingsCanyon.GoinglocalwasafantasticDesertParkwithbirdshowandmanyotheranimalsandlocalflora.TheDesertParkfeaturedmanyaviariesandthebirdshow.Oneaviaryhadahoneyeaterkeentobuildanestingreyhair.Itmusthavehadabonzerweekwithustraipsingthrough.
Artgalleriesaboundandtherearewonderfulmuseumsaboutthegeology,thefaunaandhistoryincludingaviation.IvisitedtheWomen’sHallofFamefeaturingmanyofthepioneerwomen’sstories.Itwassituatedintheoldgoal,anotherreminderoftheharshconditionsformany. NewsoftheAGMresultwillnodoubthavefilteredthrough.Themostmemberseverattendingtheactualmeetingandvotingforthenewcommittee.Thebuzzallweekwasrifewithallthemembersbeingconcernedaboutthefutureoftheclub.HelenaGrittonwasapopularresultforpresidentandourlocalmemberMichaelAbberfieldiscontinuingastreasurer.TherestwillbeonlineorRidingOnforyourinterestsoIwon’tincludeithereexcepttomentionit’stobehopeditwillbeacultureofcooperationandrespectforfellowmembers. Thephotoaboveisofsunsetatthemudflats.KenandIwereveryluckytohavebeentakentherebutacoupleoflocalsintheknow.WithColleenandMichaelwehadawonderfuldayseeingthesightsvisitingOrmistonGorgeandStandleyChasm. Jennifer
Old stalwarts and newer members after the parade. L to R Michael Abberfield, Neville Gray ex Nat com and long term Safety Committee, Rick Bedford, Tom Dudley ex Nat com presidents, Ted Richards ex Nat Secretary, Ken Taylor ex Nat com.
Colleen and Michael Abberfield on safari with trek leader Ken Taylor, lost in the Standley Chasm.
Itwasacold,wetandverywindydayonSunday4thMay,2014whenJohnandIsetoffforAliceSpringsviaUluru.Fortunately,itgotbetterfromthere!Wehavehadgreatweathereversince. WetravelledtoNyngan,BrokenHill,Woomera,MarlaandthenontoYulgaranearAyersRock.Wetravelledlongdistanceseachday,seeingmoreandmoreUlyssesRidersheadingthesameway. BetweenNynganandBrokenHilltherewerewildgoatswanderingfreelyalongthesideoftheroad,usuallytheywouldturnandrunawayfromtheroadasweap-proached-thereísalwaysonesillygoatinaherd! Furtheralongweencounteredcattlewanderingfreelyacrosstheroadasfencesranbetweenthepropertiesandnotalongthesidesoftheroad.Mostofthecattlestoodandwatchedusaswepassedbyorcarriedongrazing,ignoringusaltogether. TheRoadTrainswereconstant.Overtakingthemwasanewexperienceformeastheywerefromonetothreetrailerslong. Theroadconditionschangedaswewentfromstatetoterritory.SouthAustralianroadswereverygood.AsoneenterstheNorthernTerritorytheroadbecomesroughereventhoughtheywereingoodcondition,mybikevibratedasIrode.Thespeedlimitgoesfrom110kmto130kmandthenunlimited.Thepriceoffuelissoexpensivethefurtherwetravelled,suchspeedswereníteconomical. WespentthreedaysatUluru.Wemetsomanypeo-pletherewhowerealsoontheirwaytotheAGM,takingadvantageofthetimeawaytohavealookaround.AyersRockwasanamazingplacetovisitwithsomanycavesandinterestingrockformations.ItissodifferentupclosetowhatIhadseeninthephotos.Wedidthefreetourthattheyrunat8aminthemorninganditwasintriguingtofindoutabouttheaboriginalculture. TheNorthernTerritoryhadhadrainbeforewegottheresotheRedCentrehasputonitísfinestdisplay.Thedesertwaslushandgreenandthewildflowerswerecom-ingout,justsobeautiful. WevisitedKingsCanyononourwayfromUlurutoAliceSprings.Itísallrock,veryprettybutsored. AnywaybyMonday12thMay,2014wearrivedattheConventionCentreatAliceSpringsalongwithhundredsofotherbikestosignin.Itwassoexcitingarrivingandhear-ingtheroarofsomanyotherbikesarrivingtoo!SignedinandthenofftotheShowGroundtosettleinfortheweek. Afterpitchingthetentandsettlingourselvesinwewandereduptoseewhatstallsandfoodvenderswereavail-ablethere.NotasmanyasIhadhopedfor. TheonlybikesavailableforTestRidesweretheHarleyDavidsonssoIhadtogiveoneofthoseatry.Itookouta1200TwhileJohnsampledtheFatBoy.Ithadgreatmanoeuvrability,alotmorepowerthanwhatIamusedto,verycomfortable,theindicators(oneoneachhandlebar)
turnoffautomatically,Iamimpressed.Soundsandfeelsgreat! TheadvantageofnothavingmuchtoseeanddoattheAGMgaveeveryoneopportunitytoindulgeinsightseeing.Wedidtheridestoplacesthatwereaccessiblebybike.Firstly,JohnandIrodetotheWestMcDonnellRangestakinginOrmistonGorge,StandleyChasmandGlenHelen.ItwasafairhiketoStandleyChasmbutwellworthit,quiet,sereneandverypretty. NextwetouredtheEastMcDonnellRanges,enjoyingthesitesofEmilyGorge,JessieGorge,CorroboreeRockandthenontotheRossRiverResortforlunch. WealsoventuredNorthtoGemtree,stoppingalongthewaytohaveourphototakenattheTropicofCapricorn. Theroadsgoingoffthemainhighwaythatweresuit-abletorideonwereoftenverynarrow,justthewidthofonelanewhichmadepassingoncomingtrafficalittlediceysometimesiftheothervehicledidnítmoveover,astheedgesoftheroadwereverysoft-notmeantforroadbikes. Therewassomuchmoretoseetherebutitwasonlyaccessibleby4wheeldriveandtimedidnítallowustodoitthistime. AliceSpringsisalovelyplace,setwithintheMcDonnellRanges.Ithasagreatshoppingcentre,plentyofplacestoeatandthepeoplearefriendlyandcourteous. ThursdaynightisMarketNightatAliceSprings.PlentyofstallsandforeignfoodtobehadaswellaspickingupsomeAboriginalArtdonebythelocals.Definitelyagoodeveningísexperience. FridaynightwasBeachPartynight.Peopleturnedupinallsortsofthingsfromleistosnorkelsandfins.Itwasagreatsuccess,somanypeopleturnedupforit.Theyhadsanddeliveredbeforethepartystartedsowewereabletodanceinthesand.Agreattimewashadbyall! SaturdaymorningwastheGrandParadeandby9.10amtherewasaseaofbikeslinedupreadyfortheparade.Itgotunderwayat9.15amanditwasphenomenal.
John and Helen
The Great Outback Ride
July5,2014NewcastleLowerHunterUlysses Venue:TeaGardensHotelMotelandWaterfrontRestaurant. Pleasebookbefore1July.Whenmakingbookingsringbetween9AMand4PMandtalktoSarahorSusan.MakesureyoutellthemyouarewiththeNewcastleLowerHunterUlyssesgroup.Contactnumber:0249970203.ThereismusiconSaturdaynights.Thefollowinghasbeentakenfromaleafletprovidedbythevenue:
TEA GARDENS HOTEL MOTEL & WATERFRONT RESTAURANT AccommodationGroupBookings l Single Room $65 l Twin/Double Room $85 l 3 Person/Family Room $95 l 4 Person/Family Room $105 lChildren $10 extra. Mustbe12peopleormoretoreceivegroupbookingrates. This can be done either by Credit/Master Card over the phone, EBT or CHQ Please request our details to make payment. DEPOSITS A Credit card / Debit card number must be given to secure your booking BREAKFAST We can supply a hot & cold buffet breakfast for the group at $15 p.p. We need to know numbers (12 OR more) 2 weeks prior to check in date. OR a continental breakfast for $10 p.p. (this will be delivered to your room) CANCELLATION POLICY Please note that all cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to arrival, if not 50% of the total booking will be taken off your nominated credit card. If you wish to alter your reservation please contact us on 02 4997 0203
Christmas in July
ThepeopleofAliceSpringsturnedoutindroves,trulyanexhilaratingexperience. SaturdaynightwastheAGMDinner,themedtheMadHatterTeaParty.Itwasagreatsuccesstoo.SomanydressedasMadHattersbutQueenofHeartsmadeanumberofappearancestoo.Therewerealsoavarietyofwellthought-upcostumes.Thefoodwasdeliciousandthedecorationswerecleverlyandtastefullydone.Wegottodancethenightawaytothebandafterwards. SadlySundaymorningcameandmostpeoplearemakingtheirwayhomeagain.Thelongtrekbackfromwhereyoucame! Backontheroadagainandsoweremanyotherbikesaswell.WemadeittoMarla,itseemsthateveryoneelsewasmakingittheirfirststoptoo-luckilywebookedahead. NextstopPortAugustaandthenBrokenHill,stillplentyofbikesontheroad.WestayedatBrokenHillfor2nightssothatallowedmostofthebikestotravelahead.Wegottohavealookaroundthemuseums,artgalleries,minesandSilvertonwhichisthelocationwhereseveralAustralianMovieshavebeenmade. WerodeontoCobarandthenhome.Therewereveryfewbikesleft,justtheoddoneortwostragglers.Thegoatsstillwanderedthesideoftheroadandemuswanderedhereandtheretoo. OurjourneytoTheRedCentrehasbeenanamazingadventureseeingsuchawonderfulpartofourbeautifulcountryandlookingintomyrearvisionmirrorshasbeenlikelookingintoalivingpicturepostcardofanever-changingland. It’sbeenalongwayfromplacetoplace,thecostoffuelandfoodhasbeenexpensivebutweíveseenanddonethingsthatnoothercountrycanoffersowhatawonderfulexperience.Ihopethatwegettodoitagainoneday,maybebeforetheyhaverainouttherenexttime!
HelenMcDonald
Above: Peter and Debbie at the AGM.Right: Andrew at the AGM Beach Party.Below John on a ‘shooter’.
Left: “Where’s Wally ?”Recently on our way to the Alice Springs AGM we stopped at Uluru, we ran into someone we know or at least it looked very much like him, sounded like him and the same personality, even the same name. I looked on the back of his saddle but it didn’t have “Sir Dot” there, so I’m not sure. Anyway meet Wal. John Rowles
Ride to Peats Ridge on the 11th May.
Withdarkcloudsoverhead,rainseemedobvious.Butwasn’ttobeasSimonledaboutadozenridersoutfromHexhamontoadryroad.FromhereridingtotheKurriKurri/BuchanroundaboutontotheHunterExpressway,HartsroadWeston,CessnockthenBrokeforacoffeeandachat.Withdryroadanddamppatcheshereandthere,wemountedupandontoWollombiandourdestinationPeatsRidgeforlunch. Afterarelaxedlunchbreak,itwasontothetarmacagaintoMorisset,TorontowithriderspeelingofftohomealongthewaybyBoolarootherewastwo.IshookhandswithSimonwithbothagreeablethatitwasamostenjoyabledayandheadedhome.Iwishtothankthosethatcameontheride,fortheircompanyandfriendshipontheday.
PeterKimeP.K.member49252
NEWCASTLE LOWER HUNTER ULYSSES BRANCH THANKS THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS OUR 2013 POKER RUN
EDGEWORTH BOWLING CLUB: 1 Park Sreet, Edgeworth. Phone: 4958 1994AUTOBARN: Unit 4/240-260 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay NSW 2282. Phone:49537461AUTO PRO: 702 Main Road, EdgeworthNSW 2285. Phone: 49586469BRISAN MOTORCYCLES: 250 Maitland Road, Islington NSW 2296. Phone: 49408777 Fax: 49691330BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE: 15 Stockland Drive, Glendale. Phone: 49541900CC LEATHER RIDER: 1139 Pacific Highway, Lake Munmorah NSW 2259 (Caltex Service Station). Phone: 0438588313CHRIS WATSON MOTORCYCLES: 279 Maitland Road, Cessnock NSW 2325. Phone: 49912566 Fax: 49912514FARMERS HOTEL: 792 Gresford Road, Vacy NSW 2421. Phone: 49388106GRAEME MORRIS MOTORCYCLES: 4 Cameron Street, Broadmeadow NSW 2292. Phone: 49570674 Fax: 49570673HOLMSVILLE HOTEL: 21 George Street, Holmsville NSW 2286. Phone: 49532905KAWASAKI NEWCASTLE: 5 Lang Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292. Phone: 49524955MAITLAND MOTORCYCLES: 339 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320. Phone: 49331998 Fax: 49345052NEWCASTLE HARNESS RACING CLUB: Jackson Street, Broadmeadow NSW 2292. Phone: 49561750NEWCASTLE MOTORCYCLE DOCTOR: 53 Hudson Street, Hamilton, NSW 2303. Phone: 49616998 Fax:49613243REEDS BY THE CREEK RESTAURANT: 1a Park Street, Edgeworth NSW 2285. Phone: 49589153STRATCO: 2 Hartley Drive, Thornton NSW 2322. Phone:49222777 Fax: 49660466SUZUKI OF NEWCASTLE: 90 Lambton Road, BroadmeadowNSW 2292. Phone: 49521577 Fax:4956188HERRON TODD WHITE INDEPENDENT PROPERTY ADVISORS: PO Box 1731 Newcastle NSW 2300, Phone 02 4956 1200 Toshowoursupporttothesebusinesses,pleasegivethemtheopportunitytofulfilyourneedsandletthemknowyouareamemberofUlyssesNewcastleLowerHunter.
Thisreportisamonthlate.Myapologies
ElevenenthusiasticridersarrivedatHexhamMaccasreadyforanotherdayoffunandexcitement.AlexaswasridingwithusandhadinvitedacoupleoffriendstocomealongandseewhatsomeUlyssian’sgetuptoonthesecondWednesdayofthemonth.RoyandKenkindlydidthechauffeuring.Theweatherwasmagnificentnotacloudintheskyandwarmerthananticipated. AfterabriefingfromKenweallheadedupthePacificHighwayandturnedrightontoMedowieRoad,aftertravellingthroughMedowieweturnedleftontoRichardsonRoadandthenleftontoLemonTreePassageRoad. WearrivedatTanilbaHouseontheTilligerryPeninsulaaround11am,justintimeforacupofteaandbickie.Aftermorningteaandmeetingthelocals(achattycockyandaveryfriendlyverybigdog)weallmovedinsideforatourofthehouse.Itwasconstructedin1831byconvictlabouroutofquartzporphyrystonewhichwasquarriednearby. Ithasbeenkeptinremarkableconditionandverylittlehasbeenchangedinsideandoutside. Someofushadpicniclunchesandothersdidn’tsowerodeuptoMallabulaandenjoyedlunchbeforeweallheadedhome.ColleenandMikeAbberfield
Billyrealisedthegoldfishhaddiarrhoeaagain
There must be money on the ground down there - Morning Tea at Bulga.
DenmanMay25/5/2014 Therehasbeenabitofatrendwiththeweatherlately.It’sbeengooduntilthedayofourscheduledridesandthenithasbeennotsogood.TheridetoDenmanstartedinthesamevein,withashowercomingthroughjustaspeoplewereleavinghome.I’mnotsurehowmanypeoplemayhavepulledoutatthelastminute,butninebikescarryingtenpeopledidturnupatHexhamreadytogo. Weleftontime(Josewasthere)andheadeddownJohnRenshawDrivetoKurri.Itwasnotrainingbuttheroadswereabitdamp.FromKurriwewentthroughLovedale,PokolbinandavoidedthekangaroowaitingforusontheroadtoBroke.TheroadsweredryingandbythetimewegottotheBulgaServicestationformorningtea,theconditionswerequitegood. Oneriderleftusafterthemorningteastop,havinganappointmentat1pminToronto,buttherestofthegroupheadedofftoJerry’sPlainsandthenturnedoffthehighwayandtookthescenicroutetoDenman.Therewasalotofevidencethatstockhadrecentlybeencrossingtheroadwewereon,butwedidn’thavetoomuchtroublewithanimals.WedidencounteronecowonBurreenRoad.ItwasclearlynottoohappyaboutourpresencebutleftusalonetocontinuetoDenman. WehadanicelunchinaTartucaEspressoBarinDenman.MichaelseemedtoreallyliketheItalianpastriesbecausehehadseveral.AfterlunchwefoundourwaybacktotheNewEnglandHighwaynearSingletonandreturnedhomeviatheHunterExpressway.
John Lind
....andagain-MidweekRidetoDenman11thJune11/6/2014
Afterafewdaysofrain,thesunappearedintheEastasImademywaytoHexamMacca’stomeetadozenotherUlyssiansfora9:30amgetawaytodestinationDenman.Extralayers,warmgloves,liningsinjacketsandheatedhandlegripswereallwelcomeasthewinterchilltookalit-tlewhiletodissipate. Wewerejoinedbyanewmember,Philwhomanagedtoaccidentallyfindhimselfamongagreatgroupofbikersanddecidedtojoinusforhismaidenmidweekride.Therideleader,Johnledtheelevenmenandtwowomen(thisrationeedssomework)viaKurriKurri,outpastPokolbin,ontoBrokeandalongscenicroadstostopforamuchappreciatedhotcoffeeatthecafeattheMilitaryMuseumnearSingleton.Aswewoundourwaythroughsomemagiccountrysidepastwineries,farmsandtheoddlargeholeintheground(mines),thecloudslookedominousbuttherainheldbackandthesuncameout. TodayIlearntanotherlessonongroupridingasattheturnsInoticedamemberholdingbackforthecornermarshalling,soeventuallywhenImadeittothefrontofthepackIdidmybit!Itseemedtoworkasnoonegotlost.Yeah!! BackonthebikestoheadtowardsDenmanandwithabackroadfromJerryPlainsthattookusthoughsomebeautifulcountrysidewithnotrafficotherthantheoccasionalcowwecametothewelcomingRoyalHotelandsatoutinthesuntoenjoyafeedoracoldie. AquickphonecalltomyauntBridget,wholives‘justuptheroad’inbeautifulDenmansawhercomeandjoinusforabitoffamilycatchuptimeandtomeetsomefriendlyfolk.Aswemostlylefttogether(exceptindependentJennifer!)withJohnleadingusagainbacktowardsthecoastwecameacrossaverylargeloadgoingdownalongsteephillleavingusnoalternativeotherthantocrawlalongbehindinfirstgearpracticingourbalancing. Ilearnedlaterthatitiseasiertodoinneutral…..nexttime...AfewheadedbackandmissedoutvisitingtheChocolate,Fudge,Coffee&Ice-creamplaceoverlookingtheHunterValleycountryside.WhileRoymetthefourleggedlocalsagainstascenicbackdrop,Kenshowedushisridingskillspursuinghisindependentotherhalfdownthehighway,returningwithhertothecafe´justintimeforacoffee. Wellaswewatchedthecloudcoverreturnandthewinterdaystarttoclose,itwastimeforusalltoheadbacktoourrespectivewarmabodesandlookforwardtothenextridewe’dallenjoyinthecompanyoffriendsinthenottoodistantfuture.
AlexaBrown
Destinations Denman
Denman, Alexa, Gary, the lost lamb and a horse of course.
JohnBeddoe GoldFinancial(FinancialPlanning)0418651547KerryMcLeish HerronToddWhiteIndependentProperty AdvisorsPh.49561200MonalandPtyLtd GreenslipsandRoadsideAssistance ContactKevinorDebPh.45578507 Mob.0412783322
Kawasaki CessnockMaitland Motorcycles Newcastle Motor CyclesBrisan Motor Cycles Kawasaki NewcastleSuzuki of Newcastle Graeme Morris Motor Cycles
Putty Road to GRey Gums Cafe
14/5/14Startedafresh foggydayatHexhamMaccas, withagreatlineupofriderson avarioustypesofbikes,Atotal ofseven. Headedoff,avoidingthemain roadsbyweavingourway throughWoodburytoMorpeth wherewepickeduponemore riderthencontinuedourwayupthenorthernsideoftheHunterRiverviaLargs,LambsValley,ElderslietoarriveatSingletonforplaylunch.ThisisalovelypartoftheHunterValley,itwasapitythatthefogspoiledsomeoftheviews. ThegroupstoppedatthebakeryonthesouthernendoftheMainStreetforrefreshments.Fuelandtoiletstophadtobeuptotheindividualasitwasnotanallatonestopso.Weregroupedabout40minuteslaterforthenextleg. OfftoGreyGums,thePuttyRoadisalwaysspectacularsceneryandavarietyofroadconditionsneverdisappointingandeveryonerodetotheirindividuallikingwithoutpressuretomaximisetheirride.GreyGumscafeisalwaysawelcomedstoptodecanttheearliercoffeeandtakeonafreshbrew.Bacon,eggandhashbrownbreadrollwasafavourite.Lunchwasgreat,withasmallenoughridinggrouptoallsitatonetableandconnect.Thenoutcomethemaps,thisalwaysmakesthedayinteresting! Oneitemthatwasdiscussedwassomememberswill-ingnesstoexplorethedirtroadsinourarea,soifanyoneisinterestedinamid-weekridethathassomeall-weatherdirt-roadsIwouldbewillingtohelp/leadit. By2pmmostofthegroupdecidedthatWisemansFerrylookedniceandwishedtocontinueriding!SomedecidedtostickwiththeoriginalplanandgonorthupthePuttyforablasthomewardandhalfadozenwentsouthintotheunknown,whatcouldgowrong? ThissouthernendofthePuttyisjustasniceasthenorthernendsothegroupsnakeditswaysouthcomingintothebackofWindsorthenouttoPittTownforfuelstop.Atthispointweallrealisedwewerenotgoingtobehometopickthegrandkidsupfromschool,nooneseemedworriedthough. Wepushedon,afterfuel,andintoWisemansferry,gottalovethelastbitofthatroadwhereweembarkedonashortcruiseacrosstheriver,(onboardentertainmentwasgood). WiththesungettinglowerandroaddampeningwiththeeveningairthegrouprodealongthebanksoftheHawkesburytoSpencerwheresomelocalswereonthebanksenjoyingacleansingaleasthesunwassetting.NextstopwasMangroveMountainwherewehadtocallitadayduetofailinglight.PatandStevedecidedtogohomeviaGeorgeDownsdriveandtherestoftheuscitydwellersoptedforthefreewayasthehomeleg. Theroute,weatherconditions,trafficandourgroupofriderssynchronisedtomakeaveryenjoyableridefortheday,makingitaveryworthwhile450kms.
Brett
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Helen McDonald & John Hunter
Vale to Ross Gigg Ross Gigg, the Secretary Manager of the Newcastle Harness Racing Club passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday 7th May 2014 at the age of 58. Some members of our branch remember his contribution to the Newcastle AGM in 2011. Ross was a massive help to the Ulysses Club when we were organising and running the AGM at the Harness Racing Club. He was very helpful and approachable about anything we wanted to do at his club. On behalf of the members of the Newcastle Lower Hunter Ulysses Branch, we extend our condolences to his family and friends He will be missed.
