31 October - All Over Gippsland

Since returning from overseas I've been pretty occupied with the editing of all my photos as well as the video from our Hawaiian trip. The photos from Holland will become a photo book at the end of this process and this task is now about 70% complete. Additionally, in the past couple of weeks I have also fully retired from work and there are a lot of details and arrangements which have to be attended too as part of that process too. All that has now been completed. Combined with this general state of busyness, and lots of motorcycle unfriendly weather has resulted in a total lack of riding for the last couple of weeks.

When the forecast for today looked at least acceptable (early morning showers) I started up the Beemer and headed over the Strzeleckis to Leongatha and Korumburra for lunch at the Bakery Cafe there. Hadn't been there since puncturing a cooling water hose on the Honda a couple of months ago. By the time I arrived the skies had cleared and it was very pleasant eating lunch and sipping coffee in the alfresco dining area.

The trip home was via the Korumburra/Warragul road which has to be one of the great motorcycle roads in my area. If you ride it on a weekday it is generally very quiet and very enjoyable and today was no exception. This road hits the Princes Highway at Yarragon and normally I would follow it home but by the time I got there I was in the mood for more and so I turned off towards Willow Grove for a look at Blue Rock Lake. Even then I wasn't ready to go home so I took the long way via Erica and Tyers, before returning home around 2:45.

Total Distance: 256km of pure enjoyment.

16 October - Warragul

Just prior to my trip to the Netherlands, on 28 August my Honda suffered a cruel blow in the form of a pointy stick which punctured the main cooling water hose. Thanks to the help provided by Honda Rider Assist and the Leongatha Honda dealer, a temporary repair enabled me to ride home without further incident only to find a replacement hose was not available in this country and would not arrive from Japan for another fortnight. So, I ordered and paid for the hose and shortly afterwards departed for  Europe.

This morning, I was finally able to ride the Honda to Miles Honda in Warragul, where the new hose was fitted. The temporary repair proved to be very effective indeed because not a single drop of coolant was lost, but it was a good feeling to get the new hose fitted and to return the bike to full service.

Total Distance 156 km.

12 October - Mt Oberon (Wilsons Prom)

After the disastrous floods of 2011 the road to Wilsons Prom was out of action for some months. When it eventually reopened the road to Mt Oberon remained closed as large parts of the roadway had washed away. A few weeks ago re-construction was completed and it is now open again to traffic. I took the BMW down there this morning and after an absolutely delightful ride ride I arrived at the Mt Oberon car park which was packed - presumably lots of hikers taking advantage of the fine weather to explore the many walking tracks. The road from the park entrance to Oberon and Tidal River is an absolute motorcycling delight. I've heard many people complain about the 80kph speed limit but it actually forces you to ride at a speed which allows you to take in the sights of which there are plenty. After a "Prom Burger" at Tidal River it was time to head back. To my sheer delight I spotted two juvenile deer crossing the road just in front of me - I had no idea deer inhabited the Prom. The ride home, through Foster and Yarram was a bit windy but enjoyable just the same.

Total Distance 322 km

9 October - On the Road Again (to Paynesville)

First ride for many weeks today. Just returned from my trip to the Netherlands and today was the first opportunity. On top of that the forecast was for a fine (30ºC) day. Took the BMW for a spin to Paynesville to visit friends and just for the sheer enjoyment of it. It was absolutely fabulous - almost no traffic on the backroads through Merlieu and Bengworden - and not a cloud in the sky. A little wind on the return trip but nothing was going to spoil this ride. A great way to recapture the magic.

Total Distance 260 km.

4 October - Amsterdam

I left my birthplace Valkenburg, in the Netherlands a few days ago to return to Purmerend (Amsterdam) via Venlo, Breda and Delft. Tonight is the last night of my month long visit and tomorrow evening I catch a KLM flight back home. Really looking forward to catching up with all of my family again. After a five week absence I'm also quite keen to get the bikes started and back on the road. The Honda still needs to have a cooling hose replaced before I do much else.