A Rather Pleasant Day Out

As we have hardly used any of the motorcycles for the last few years, I haven’t even listed going for a motorcycle ride as a goal this year.  Particularly, in the summer we don’t really like going on the bikes, preferring it when the weather is a little cooler.  Well, today, the weather was rather pleasant, being in the mid 20s C, and as we had nothing planned, so we decided to take “Olga” the old girl out for a run to a local pub for lunch.

Our destination was the historic O’Connell Hotel, which has only recently reopened with new owners after being closed for a few years.  Of course, we couldn’t take the direct route, could we.

We travelled via some minor country roads to the village of Tarana before looping back to O’Connell.

There were two pretty little timber bridges along this road, but they are currently both in the process of being replaced by more modern, structurally sound versions.  It will be better, but also sad to see the old ones go.

The rattly timber bridge over the railway line still remains.  

The road goes beside, over and under the main western railway line.

This picturesque cottage is being restored.  I love its name “Paris”.

It was so nice to still see the landscape looking so green, especially in January and after us having weather forecasts of a hot and dry summer…….not that summer is over yet, by any stretch.

There was a good crowd at the pub.  

It dates back to 1865, which is fairly old for a timber pub around these parts.

The food was delicious and they have several beers from Bathurst’s local brewery on tap, which was good to see.  Mick does enjoy their Pale Ale.

As seating was at a premium, another couple sat down with us.    We got chatting and it came up that we were on the sidecar.  They laughed, as they had been having a look at Olga out the front.  It turned out that they are in the area farm sitting a place just down the road from where we used to live and they own a Ural sidecar.  We ended up having a lovely hour chatting away about the various places we have both travelled and also motorcycles.  An unexpected  bonus to our lunch.

Eventually, we decided we had better head home, of course taking the scenic route, rather than the direct one.  

Firstly, along some little dirt lanes near where we used to live.

Then we headed over to The Lagoon and then Ben Chifley Dam, our local water supply.  The dam is full, but had been closed due a blue green algae outbreak. Fortunately, they received the all clear and the speed boats were out in force and the aqua park has reopened.  It was good to see so many using it.

It really was a lovely day out, made even more so by the fact that it was totally unplanned.  A nice bonus.

Now, let’s see if we can get out and about on the bikes a bit more.