Nelson 6/7 Dec

[Kev Murphy]

Uneventful trip over, just a 70 k run for me. Light misty rain, just enough to make the road wet and leave beads on the screen.
Arrived ahead of anyone else being as it is practically 'next door' from home. Had my tent set up before midday, and wandered around with the aid of my tripod as my knee was playing up something fierce.

Met a few other campers while waiting for the influx of bikes.

Seems the rain discouraged a couple of riders from attending, and caused everyone else to cancel the camping idea, and opt for bungalows instead. I had about 5 acres all to myself....



... well, apart from some of the Park permanent staff...
These five wandered around freely, stripping berries from bushes... only two visible here, sorry, blurred pic


And of course, Skippy the resident bum,... who seems to exist on a diet of hand fed biscuits, potato crisps, cheese and lollies. We discussed plying him/her with wine, waiting for it to marinade, and then utilising the camp kitchen BBQ.......


Many other pix, but will let others post them when they reach home.
Had a great steak last night at the Hotel, A really good meal.
About my Muslim sleeping pad... (The ones that blow themselves up?).. thought my luck had changed last night, as it went down on me ... deflated, due to a puncture.

I continued on to Mt Gambier this morning, but was unable to contact Jason re: his brake problem. After an hour, I had to skip towards home, as I had a 1.30 appointment to keep.

Was attacked by a wild Black treaded snake near Drumborg on the return trip. Seems it was hitch hiking on an approaching logging truck and decided I was fair game. About a five footer, it leapt into the air to about head height, writhing and twisting in mid air, it missed striking me by a couple of feet, and slithered into the scrub at the side of the road. About 8 inches wide, and an inch thick, wirey bugger, have seen many dead ones at the side of the road before but this is the first time I have seen one attack. Looked like a Bridgestone pattern. Truck appeared unaffected, it had 21 others fitted.

Poor Fish.... I will leave someone else to explain that saga.... good thing he has broad shoulders 

[Brock]

Those tread snakes can be a bugger. You were lucky you had a skinny one, those that are 8" wide and 1" long are worsererererer.. 

Nice write up

[StinkyPete]

On Saturday morning Fish, Pete, Richo, Les and I met on the outskirts of Adelaide at the Crafers BP at 0830 and encountered light rain as we rode south.   First coffee and snack was at the Keith bakery, after which we turned south on the scenic Riddoch Highway which goes through the heart of the Coonawarra wine district.  We arrived at the Kwyong Caravan Park in Nelson mid afternoon, to light drizzle and the prospect of putting up the tents has suddenly lost it's appeal, so we hired a cabin for the night.  TouriST, also from Adelaide, left a little later and rode down the coastal highway and we met him at the Nelson pub.

New arrivals were appropriately greeted and acquaintances renewed.  Once everyone was settled in, the gathered OzSTOC crowd took over the Camp Kitchen.   Furniture was rearranged, and quantities of drinks and nibbles appeared.  Poor Fish, who arrived on a beautiful touring Harley Fergusson was the butt of every possible jibe and Harley joke.   I can't imagine why he agreed to come along, but come along he did, and had a great time with us Honda folk.

The pub was a 1km walk from the Caravan Park, which did us some good in both directions.   The meal was great, the company engaging, and the walk back was sobering and refreshing.

Sunday morning, Marcus left early for another engagement, and after the compulsory photo opportunity in the Caravan Park, with the State flags covering Fish's Harley, we rode to the Princess Margaret Rose Caves for a  tour arranged by Hendo (thanks mate).   While we were waiting it was coffee and muffins all round.   The cave was stunning, and after the tour, the SA contingent farewelled the Vics and headed towards home in weather that just got better and better and the day went on.

A second flag photo was taken at the carved trees near Penola, which commemorate the work of Father Woods and Mary McKillop.

All home safe by around 4.00pm, and thanks to all for a great weekend.   

[Wild Rose]

Great report Kev and Pete  Thanks for sharing 
 

[Marcus]

Nice one guys. Yeah I wanted to go to the caves, sadly "Silly friends of mine decided to get married and expected me to be there" So 6.30am head off from Nelson, I had to detour into Portland for fuel then straight home, shower then get to this wedding.

I was pretty happy that I finally saw an emu (as he ran across the road in front of me)

When we got there, They delayed the start of it for about 1/2 hour, I then get a phone call from the bride. "Are you here?"
"yeap"
"Great, we can start then we were waiting for you"

Oh yeah... I get home to a missed call from the Caravan park. Seems Gordo did a runner with the room key. hahaha (I don't know how far he got, but it was returned)

It was a good weekend. cleared out some cobwebs, just what I needed.

[StinkyPete]

Oh yeah... I get home to a missed call from the Caravan park. Seems Gordo did a runner with the room key. hahaha (I don't know how far he got, but it was returned)

    It seems that Gordo was not the only one   I found mine in my pocket when we were getting ready to leave the caves.   Denis and Di dropped it back for me, but the Caravan Park owner had already been trying to ring me to find out where the key was.  I hope we would all be welcome back.

[ST2UP]

The group picture in the top photo using both the OzSTOC flags is a ripper.....They do a fantastic job of camouflage and consilment, but you can still just see the White walls   


Cheers

[Marcus]

   It seems that Gordo was not the only one   I found mine in my pocket when we were getting ready to leave the caves.   Denis and Di dropped it back for me, but the Caravan Park owner had already been trying to ring me to find out where the key was.  I hope we would all be welcome back.

Oh maybe that was you, then, he just said my roommate so I assumed it was Gordo

[StinkyPete]

Others may have a photo with all of the 18-20 attendees, but I couldn't resist the photo with Fish's bike concealed.   Fortunately he takes the ribbing very well, and happily fits in the with the OzSTOC crowd. 

[Kev Murphy]

It was great to meet up with all you guys, I really enjoyed myself.
Couple of pics here with Fish showing off his whitewalls to the guys n gals

[Kev Murphy]

This was taken before touriST arrived from town

[richo]

Thanks for your company it was a great weekend.   The trip back to adelaide was great, the further we got from Victoria the more sun shine we got.  when we got to Keith as soon as the bikes were stationary everyone was reaching for the summer gear and packing away the wets as fast as possible.    I have added a few more things to the farkle list as well.  The bike is cleaned and polished and ready to go for the next ride.   Richo

[saaz]

Looks like great time was had. Wish I could have gone, but next time...

[Marcus]

the further we got from Victoria the more sun shine we got.

Just remember the weather travels West to East, so you brought it all with you.

[Hendo]

Thanks to all for the great company, the ride was good, weather was  ,  lets just say it could have been better.

Catch up with you all soon.

[ppopeye]

the further we got from Victoria the more sun shine we got.

Just remember the weather travels West to East, so you brought it all with you.

I agree wth all the above comments. I also think the south australians brought the clouds and then left them behind, unlke the keys apparently.

Great weekend. Good company and food. A great time was had by all. I think Fish was very gracious as we gave him a fairly hard time. Deserved of course.
Bike still dirty as I had chores today so I know what is happening tomorrow.

[Pete]

Great RTE overnighter to picturesque Nelson, what a lovely place.

Wonderful ride up & back with South Aussie group including poor old Fish for being the butt of every joke.

Lovely to catch up with new & old faces from Vic.

Company & food at the local pub was brilliant.

Well done to Hendo for organizing the cave tour to top off a great weekend.

[Kev Murphy]

Something that came up in conversation at the camp kitchen, forgot who I was chatting to at the time..?.. It bears passing on to others. Have been doing this since I acquired the ST.

If the grey tupperwear on your bike looks a little tired after washing, freshen it up with some WD-40 on a soft cloth. Sort of finishes the job off nicely.
Click pic to enlarge.

before


after


 Now to do the rest of the bike....