Author: Sandy Gorman
Yay, ride time again! So So So looking forward to this month’s ride – last month we explored and this month we get to share the scenery with more members. We (yes, we, hubby came too this month!) arrived Friday afternoon and planned a dinner at The General Friday night with Kaye & Brian. Absolutely delish. Steve had been out on the mower since arriving, so deserved a drink with his schnitzel! Bonnie arrived Friday night too, with Sammie and Michelle both arriving in time for the ride Saturday morning.
Brian and Bonnie did some work on float training before heading out and at the end of the day Bonnie was thrilled with results – 15 minutes well spent! We floated down Falls Road and parked before McMahons road to saddle up. Steve dropped me off so he could use the car (he & Kaye planned a day out for lunch… the spoils of not riding). We headed out up McMahons road and without too much referring to the map I managed to head up were we headed down last month. We did a little side trip just to see if we could find the hidden falls, but turned back before discovering them and continued on with the ride. I think everyone enjoyed the new tracks; nothing too steep or difficult. Gently undulating (who knew, in Strath Creek!) tracks and little creeks. We passed a few young ones on their motorbikes, very respectful and pleasant. We stopped for lunch when we hit Flowerdale Road and checked the map out, deciding on taking a track off the main road to wind our way back. It looked just a “little way” up before we needed to turn and here’s where I admit that I didn’t check the map again when we found a track. It wasn’t long after heading down the track that I figured we’d taken a wrong turn. Not one to quit, we continued on. In my head I figured to just head back towards Flowerdale Road and continue on. Brian was figuring on finding the right track. So after a bit of bush bashing (no ride is complete without a little exploration!) we circled back and were heading back from where we came. Time was becoming an issue – we all needed to be back and ready for the club AGM by 4.30! We decided to take Flowerdale Road and head directly back. We were enjoying a lovely canter when Sammie dropped off when Chase became lame. Michelle and I were ahead and missed the memo. We turned back and found Brian and Bonnie. Sammie had elected to walk her pony back until we could go back and pick her up with the float. We were heading back down McMahons Road when we noticed Michelle had lost a scoot boot. Phone being in range we rang Sammie to ask her to keep an eye out. This was about the time that I realised that Steve was back at the clubhouse with my float and rather than us rushing back to collect Sammie, we could enlist his help to collect rider and pony. Gaelyn had arrived at the clubhouse by this time, so Kaye, Gaelyn and Steve headed out for Sammie and Chase. Kaye is always great with directions and had to check Steve wasn’t taking them on a mystery tour – but all good! We all made it back to the floats with big smiles. Although eventful, it was a really good day. The morning’s float training paid off at this point with Bonnie being able to load up Shezzie in no time. Missing Scoot Boot was our biggest drama, with Chase loosening up after his walk and feeling better, although not unscathed completely. Everyone made it back to the clubhouse close to the same time with Michelle deciding to head back and search for the wayward boot. Lee and Cath had arrived and settled their horses while we were out, Clare Murray and Jo also arriving for the meeting.
It was a busy afternoon getting our AGM done and dusted, and Lee was our chef for the evening. Yummo.
We lost Michelle to a family event Sunday, Bonnie also having to leave before Sunday’s ride. Sammie rested Chase, so Sunday was Brian, Lee, Cath and myself. The girls had chosen the Rail Trail Yea to Molesworth through the Cheviot Tunnel. They’d organised getting the float to Molesworth so they just rode one-way. Brian and I were doing the return trip as we weren’t on cleaning duty. Sammie helped organise the floats and we were set for another great ride. The horses were great through the tunnel – it always surprises me watching the videos as the camera kindly lights the way, where in reality its totally dark bar “the light at the end of the tunnel”. There was some bollards to the side of the end of the tunnel, and after a very enjoyable ride with lots of lopes and trots we reached the end of the trail to see it was “closed”. Oops. I hadn’t noticed any signage where we’d entered or along the way. The fires from January were very visible, but how quickly does the Aussie bush regenerate? We did stay safe and apologise for being where we shouldn’t have been. We hit the highway, which was a constant stream of cars UNTIl we got to the point where we wanted to cross to the café and somehow the traffic just stopped. Nothing. Very safe crossing. Lee and Cath loaded their horses up and headed back to the clubhouse, whilst we ran into Sammie & Kaye and had lunch at the old Molesworth pub/café. When we were ready to head back, again the steady stream of traffic magically stopped for us again (how cool!). Brian and I cruised back along the trail and I was shocked to realise just how late it actually was… we had cruised! We loaded up and there it was, our weekend away done and dusted. Now just to drive home and hope I make it before dark….
