A Weekend Away to Binalong

"Where's Binalong?"  That's what most people asked when we said we were going there on a motorcycle ride there at the beginning of September.  Either that or they made the comment "Oh, that is such a pretty ride through the valley", or "Oh, it's lovely up that way".  No we weren't going to Bylong or to Binnaway.    Binalong is somewhere that people from our area don't generally visit, as it is halfway between Yass and Harden.  For us to travel south(ish), we generally have no need to go across that road.

The ride was arranged by the Panorama Motorcycle Club, of which Mick has been a member for a couple of years, but we haven't had a chance to ride with very often as yet.  This weekend sounded an ideal opportunity to get to know them better, as well as visit somewhere new to us......Yes, we haven't been there before, or if we have it was a very long time ago and we can't remember it.

We took "Sophia" the Moto Guzzi for the run. (Hence our previous day out, just to make sure she was running well). I didn't get a photo of all the bikes together, but there would have been about 20, I think.  We had 24 sit down to dinner on Saturday night.

This, being our first big ride with the group, was always going to be an interesting experience, as each group has its own dynamic.  Some suit us, some don't.  This lot were great to ride with.  We are not speed demons by any stretch of the imagination and there was a small group of four bikes that rode together at a sedate pace.  Just nice to go with the flow and enjoy the scenery along the way.  After a quick regroup at Tuena, we stopped for morning tea at Crookwell.  We were wondering how it would go with such a large group all wanting a coffee.  No worries.  They just went to all different cafes.  Too simple.

Lunch was at Boorowa. We had time to have a wander up the street to the op shop, where I bought a little ball of scrummy gold yarn, which I think will be just enough to make a little shawlette, as well as some wool for Mum to use in the rug she is knitting at present.  Oh, and I also introduced a couple of the girls to the "Courthouse Crafts" store, where I stocked up on some tomato relish. Two shops I like to visit whenever we travel through there.

The weather was perfect for motorcycling, except for at Crookwell, where it dipped to 9 degrees.  Mostly it was in the low 20s.  As we travelled south, the landscape changed to having quite a green tinge to it.  A nice respite from the dry at home.

Once we reached Binalong it had been arranged to visit a private motor museum.

How's this for a beast??!!  It is a 1908 MAB, made in France, but somewhat modified by the current owner, who does use her on rallies.



There were other interesting cars, but I just enjoyed looking around the neat and tidy workshop.

Those drawers would be perfect in my sewing room.  Apparently, I wasn't the first lady to make that comment. 

There was even a little cross stitch.

This was our home away from home for the night.  It doesn't look all that imposing from the front, but what a treasure.

The beer garden was great.  Yes, it even had a garden, with herbs, and a fire bucket, as well as plenty of parking for the bikes.

There were beautiful old leadlight windows.

Unlike most old pubs, this one retains so many original internal fittings and finishes.

A rather pleasant place to spend some time.

We were served a delicious meal in here.  We pre-ordered when we arrived and received great service, which was no small feat with so many of us. The food was great for dinner and again for breakfast.

The smaller "Public Dining Room" had a display cabinet with the original hotel china.  The pub must have been quite a busy place in earlier times.

The rooms had  basic fittings, but the beds were comfortable and the original hand basins spotlessly clean. (I forgot to take any photos.)

It really was the perfect country pub to stay in.

So, what about the village of Binalong.  Well, it dates back to colonial days and its main claims to fame are that Banjo Patterson went to school there and that John Gilbert, the bushranger, was killed there.  Of course Mick and I had a nice wander around town.

This is now a private residence.

The garage is up for sale and the locals really hope that the business is able to be kept open.

Binalong Traders had only opened a couple of months before our visit.  They had some lovely wares.  A couple of things may have been brought home.

There is a great mural on the side of the store depicting the final moment of John Gilbert's life.

This old pub is also now a private residence.

The Mechanics Institute looks like it is still very operational as the local hall.

The old railway station.

The railway used to run right through town, but it was moved a little further back and a "new" station built.  

You will notice that the "new" station is between the two tracks and the only access is via stairs from a pedestrian overpass.  However, all the stair treads have been removed, so there is no access at all to the station now.

The old original pub is beside the current version.

The Courthouse is rather impressive.

The simple Anglican Church.

The Catholic Church.

The former Convent, where many local girls were educated.

The former Presbytery.

The CWA Rooms, which were originally a garage.

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Being early spring, well actually, we were there for the first day of spring, we enjoyed seeing all the blossoms.

But, let's keep things real.  That is frost on the bike.  Fortunately, it had warmed up before we headed off.

We had a great time with the group and hope to participate in one of these rides again.  It was well organised, without being regimented.

I'll share what we got up to on the way home soon.