Thursday 18th December - Echuca

Well today the new brake pads should arrive and Gertie will be feeling well again. Mal did an early morning wander as he often does and then we had breakfast before heading down to the lake to spot - yes you guessed it - BIRDS.

Mal was never far from thinking about the parts for Gertie - it sort of dominated the day unfortunately.

5pm still nothing - Mal had the bike all pulled apart and ready for the installation of the new pads - but no action from Toll - apparently bad weather had delayed the flight from WA. 6.15pm parts arrive - Mal installed them without any hitch however when he ran the bike to check it for a morning departure the Headlight low beam was blown - all parts shops closed for the day - another delay in the morning.

Pizza for tea - not the best we have ever had.

Goodnight Folks.

Friday 19th December - Echuca to Forbes

Mal with inspiration from Sue had repaired the clip mechanism which had broken and let the bulb rattle around and break. Sue had suggested use of the cap from an empty bottle of whisky as a washer - Mal eventually used the cap but made it into a simple hinge and problem solved. Mal ducked out to Repco in the morning and picked up a bulb and headlight fixed.

Packed ready to go 8.45am

Bird hide first visit - no water left in the wet land - some small mice like creatures were around but few birds.

The question of water is a difficult one - there are folk who want to give more water to the environment but it seems that with a system of dams, wiers, locks and irrigation channels that controls pretty much every drop of water (except for extreme floods - which are rare) - people in power have to want to give water to the environment - and it is more than likely that there are many powerful people who are not of that persuasion (irrespective of what they say in public). We saw a farm advertised in the real estate window - about 6oo acre dairy farm with a 360 gigalitre water licence - that is just one small farm, how many more are there with similar or greater entitlements? Also in Echuca, which is a large prosperous town, pretty much everything is based on something that is eventually based on the river - I suspect that Echuca without the Murray water would be like Detroit is without a car manufacturing industry -

We stopped in Deniliquin and a kind mechanic, the owner of a Honda Super Blackbird, greased our trailer hitch - and then with the wind mostly at our backs and a beautiful 25c day we rode North.

We stopped in a rest area and Sue spotted a small birds nest made of sheep's wool hanging in the trailing leaves of a large gum tree. The nest was almost invisible to the casual observer. The bird had flown into the nest and only their tail feathers were signaling that anyone was at home. The bird was not inclined to welcome us as guests so by climbing on top of the trailer Mal was just able to reach the lowest leaves of the trailing branch - he rang the door bell and out came a most irate owner - who unbeknowenest posed for an excellent portrait.

A small family of Chinese turned up and were curious about what we were looking at - maybe a koala - no we said and pointed out the bird's nest -they had very basic English so Mal asked if they were visiting Australia - no no we live in Brisbane - not boat people, just people who can afford to buy their way into Australia - Joe Hockey would be so pleased. Mal asks the question will the Chinese and Indian economic invasion of Australia counteract the Islamic cultural invasion - it seems that the Indians and Chinese want to get rich and live in the cities and drive expensive cars and basically live a very material existence while the Islamic community is less well off and seems more intent on maintaining their cultural norms in a fairly materialistic society with Christian roots. Globalisation has reached Australia and the young people of today are going to have a range of challenges as these forces find hopefully a peaceful equilibrium in the future. It may not be easy.

Chatted to a couple of truck drivers from Simons transport -

We stopped in West Wylong for fuel and the owner of a Honda ST1100 came over and asked where we were heading. We answered Toowoomba and he proceeded to tell us how boring the Newell Highway is and how we should turn East at Forbes and run down the putty road and then back up Thunderbolt's way and so forth. - Mal made the mistake of taking him seriously and said that with the trailer some of those roads are not as much fun as when travelling solo. Mal refelected on the conversation and determined that in future he would have a standard response - "That sounds like a good idea" which is code for, I don't want to be impolite about your opinion but I have no intention of taking your advice. So if Mal says to you, "That sounds like a good idea" just be warned he may not mean it literally.

We stayed in a caravan park on the Southern side of Forbes and after putting up our campsite we rode back to the bird hide near the swamp to see if any birds were about. Sue managed to photograph some spoon bills and some plovers then we rode into town and had fish and chips by the lake as the "sun set slowly in the west" - another picture perfect day.

Good night folks

Saturday 20th December 2014

We rose early, had a cuppa and were packed and on the road by 7am - some sort of record maybe. We had a smooth run through to Dubbo and while the landscape is gradually becoming more fertile, Mal's attempt to understand humanity is more and more futile. He doesn't like to hold people up as we travel at about 100km/h even in the 110k zones however when he indicates left and pulls over into a safe bit of road for some drivers to pass, they just sit back as if he is about to throw a U turn in front of them - the trucks are great they know a chance when they see it and leap at the opportunity - even toot their horns in appreciation.

We had breakfast in Dubbo, grabbed some supplies and apart from a chat with a guy who owns a DR650 - we had few interruptions. The ride out to Coolah is a pleasant one and as one approaches the ranges the landscape becomes very attractive, maybe courtesy of recent rain it is green and lush.

The run up the hill from Coolah is steep gravel road with some serious dips across it at regular intervals - Gertie came up like a trooper - the Touratech headlight protector broke at one end with the vibration - another repair when we get home. We poked into the National Park - what a treat - no set campsites, no registration forms etc, we just found a small group of old pines to camp near - the air is cool and the afternoon so peaceful it is hard to imagine, the middle east and the big cities hammering and pulsing with economic activity.

We checked out the campground near the Cox Creek waterfall, but the run in was a steep rough downgrade and Mal had some reservations about being stuck when it came to an early morning departure on Monday morning, so we took off the trailer and checked out the old Barracks campground - perfect.

Glen and Jannine were already camped at the waterfall so we dropped and introduced ourselves - they have a Northstar slide on so Mal was very interested in what Glen had sorted out with his choice and Glen and Jannine were very hospitable. So we sat down under a tree for a Christmas drink and a chat. The time passed quickly and there was more to learn than we could fit into the time we had - so it was about 4pm by the time we had our camp relocated at the alternative location. By the way Mal and Gertie had no trouble lugging Ernie up the rough stony track, though Sue had to go by shank's pony.

Sunday 21st December

The parrots are skworking in the trees, the kangaroos are peacefully grazing and the early morning sunlight is creeping in under the forest canopy. The air moves softly with a freshness between the tall pines and this country is at peace.

Mal lay on his back in a pine needle carpet and looked up into the tall canopy made by the large pines which forms a natural dome - a cathederal like atmosphere built by that other force that is not mankind.

We had some time to harvest water from the stream and check out some birds before Glen and Jannine turned up to say good bye - Jannine and Sue have made quite a connection which is great. The travellers headed off and we mounted Gertie for a ride out to the Pinnicles lookout - it is a basic road with lots of 2 inch gravel - so a bit of a rough ride. We also investigated the falls.

On return to the camp we decided to walk out to the giant grass trees - they are quite a forest - by this time it was mid day and the light was not favourable.

In the afternoon Mal did some water colours and also read some of our latest book - Clan of the Cave Bear.

It was a sort of sad day in a way - really the last day of our trip - here we were camped in a perfect spot and not able to reasonably stay longer - this place is a come again soon location.

Mal cooked tea, which he doesn't do often enough, while Sue checked out a small robin on her bird app. What a fantastic day in a truly beautiful spot - I don't think out great grand children will ever know this - it will all be organized to death with fenced off campsites and stuffed animals controlled by computers because all the real ones will be extinct - no habitat means no wild animals and humans just want to farm, mine and develop ever square inch of the planet - truly we are worse than any mouse, rabbit or locust plague - we are the plague to end all plagues.

Good Bye Coolah Tops

Monday 22nd December

7am we are on the way, all packed up and only having to do a rather steep downhill run on gravel to exit the park. We take the Pandora Pass road which is fantastic and after 60km or more of gravel road we are heading for Werris Creek and breakfast.

The run up the New England starts with a large spider climbing out of Sue's motorcycle jacket - those huntsmen get to be big and they are real hitch hikers. All cleared we then run North until we hit a rain squall just south of Glen Innes.

We catch up with the Agnews in Warwick which is always a pleasure and then we run home with the sun sinking low - we arrive in the driveway and Nick, Mae, Evie and Talion just happen to be at the front drive. We are all pleased to see each other and Sue and Mal are quietly pleased to have completed such a fantastic trip without injury or incident.

Now what is the next trip going to involve??????

Good Night