Macquarie Towns Classic Motorcycle Rally

Can you believe it!  We actually went motorcycling on the weekend. Something that hasn’t happened very much in recent times. 

This rally, based at Windsor, is one we enjoy participating in, as we explore areas we would never ordinarily go to, and what I always enjoy is that the weather is just a bit warmer than at home.  

I always enjoy seeing the paddle boat moored in the middle of the river. One day I WILL go for a ride. 

There were some lovely bikes at the starting point. Mick loves CZ bikes. This one was ridden by a lady. She won a couple of awards with it. 

These two turn up each year on these small bikes. A bit of fun, but beautifully presented. 

The Rudge was the earliest bike in the rally and went really well. 

And we’re on our way. 

Part of our ride took us near some controlled burns to prevent bushfires, so quite a few fire trucks and even helicopters were seen. 

The morning tea stop was at Ebenezer Church - the oldest church in NSW. We stopped here on a previous rally. Here is the link to that post. 

It was so nice to see the jonquils in bloom.  We saw lots of camellias over the weekend too. They really were pretty. 

The church is right beside the Hawkesbury River. Mick decided to be an intrepid explorer. 

The voting for the best of each class occurs at lunch, but this time it was at morning tea. There was plenty of room for the bikes, so it was a good decision. 

There were just two sidecars. 

The array of 1970s bikes was impressive. I think most of them were shinier than when they came out of the factory. A real credit to their owners. 

The other thing we look forward to is crossing the Hawkesbury on the Sackville Ferry. 

The cliffs are stunning. 

I forgot to take any photos of lunch, but it was held at a school and the food was plentiful and nice and fresh. 

The dinner was at a different venue this year and we were well looked after. Mick was lucky enough to win the sidecar award, which was nice. 

We didn’t join in on the Sunday ride as we had some bits and bobs to do at home. 

It was good to get back on the bike again. Hopefully when the weather warms up we may get out a bit more. 

More Winter Celebrating

The Winter Festival continued for two weeks with the night time events just being one part of it.  During the daytime there is the ferris wheel, house of mirrors and the big attraction of the ice skating.

When Mum and I were up the street during the festival I decided to take her up to the festival and we watched the ice skating for a while.  I asked her if she was feeling brave.  The up shot of this was that we parked her wheely walker and hopped on the ferris wheel.

At the age of eighty eight, this was Mum's first ever ride on a ferris wheel.  Dad had always taken us on the ride when we were little.

Mick reckoned she looks terrified, but Mum assured him that she wasn't.  I'm so pleased that we did this.

The following Saturday we went back in to the "Brew and Bite" evening event.  The weather was good and the crowds were out.  It was great to see.  We enjoyed catching up with friends who also ventured out.

We had a dragon in the fountain this time.

There were a few musicians to keep us entertained.

We watched a bit of the general ice skating.  The first year most people were fumbling their way around.  You can notice an increase in skills each year.  

Then the professionals came out and showed us how it's done.

The big old trees in the park were all lit up.

The Carillon is always the centre piece of Kings Parade.

This time there were lots of interesting market stall.

Yes, another ferris wheel photo.

More great entertainment.

Looking towards all the food and beverage stalls.  We start the evening each time with a glass of mulled wine from Renzaglia Wines, who were our next door neighbours when we lived out of town.  It is a delicious, warming way to start the night.  We didn't get around to buying anything to eat until about eight o'clock and many of the food vans had sold out.  That was a wonderful result for them.  We went to the local Chinese restaurant and enjoyed a tasty meal.

And now it is all over for another year.  My workplace is quite near the parks and on Monday it was a little sad seeing the attractions being dismantled.  

I think the event is going from strength to strength and can't wait for next year to come around so that we can get rugged up and do it all again.

It's Winter - Let's Celebrate

Over the school holidays Bathurst once again held its Winter Festival.  This was the event's fourth year and it is certainly going strong.

The whole thing kicked off with "Ignite The Night", where they turned on the illuminations of various buildings around the CBD.  Unfortunately, the weather was a bit rainy in the late afternoon, which meant that numbers of attendees were down.  However, it soon cleared and those of us that ventured out had a wonderful time.  

The Courthouse is the centre piece of the illuminations.

Kelso High's circus troop entertained. The lighted hoops looked great.

Space invaders???

My favourite ferris wheel.

Christmas in July.

The Courthouse dome.

There was a wall of kittens for everyone to colour in.  It was a bit hard to see at night, but I think it would have been great in the daytime.

There was a fantasy woodland feel to Machattie Park

This year there were penguins in the fountain.  It is always fun to see what they come up with each year.

There were a few rice paper creatures through the park, also an elephant head and a whale.

The fernery was beautifully lit.

The lighted arch was new.

There was a floral theme on the cathedral illuminations.

Another new attraction this year was the Hall of Mirrors.  Now that was fun.  However, I don't know how I'd go if there were five Micks all the time.

Walking back to the car we loved seeing one of the local businesses beautifully decorated.  It was in the paper the other day that they had their best trading time ever over the fortnight of the festival, which was great to hear.

I'll share more soon.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge for July

Just a quick post this time with my completed blocks for the Squared Away Sampler.  

This month's block is called "Round the Corner" and was designed by Nancy Page in 1920.  They came together very easily.  I can't believe we are so far through the year already.  It will be fun putting them all together into a top.

I have linked up with So Scrappy over here.  Thanks girls for this fun project.

Splendid Sampler II - Rose and Dot

This week's block was a nice easy one - Rose and Dot by Lori Kennedy.

I'm back to machine blanket stitch, although if I had more time this would have been a great block to needle turn applique.

Now to wait for next week's surprise.

You can see some other creations over here.