Of wheat, fish, utes and letters

A good start to the day, farewell Ullswater, to Horsham, Minyip roundabout, then on to Donald for tin fish. Lunch at Karang before jumping the river and heading to Deni famous for the Deni Ute Muster. Then onto Jerilderie where Ned had his letter published. If you haven't read it, please do.

Ullswater by Lake Yallakar

A great day as the rain cleared and guests start to roll in with all sorts of rigs.

My little green tent was clearly the smallest accommodation to set up.

The self-inflating mattress has been great. I'm very surprised at just how comfortable it is.

The two man tent has also performed well with the stiff breezes that have been a constant. Even without the fly being tied down.

Wangaratta to Ullswater

Wangaratta to Violet Town, Elmore, then to StArnaud. Onward to Rupanyup for some Silo art. Followed by Horsham and down the Wimmera Hwy and turn right onto the Ullswater-Mortat road. Too windy with a North Westerly all the way from Bendigo way.

Wangaratta Wahine

A nice ride with protective cloud cover from hard sunlight.

Down the Princes Hwy and up over the pass. Too early to stop at the Robertson Pie shop.

Almost stopped at the Big Potato but thought better of it.

Lunch at the Tuckerbox five miles from Gundagai.

Over the border and on to Wangaratta.

Was going to fix my own dinner but was given a voucher for pub just around the corner. What could I do?... It was dinner at the Vine.

Then back to the tent and listening to Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band. Wangaratta Wahine

And rehydrating with a Jim Bean.

Loaded for Ullswater

Packed and loaded. All tied down and neat lines kept. Nothing worse than seeing bikes stacked to the hilt and luggage hanging on for grim death. Asking for trouble.

Looking forward to ride and catching up with old friends down Edenhope way.

Will leave Sydney tomorrow morning (Thursday 22/2)

Shakedown ride

I received an invite to a good friends 60th birthday party over in Ullswater, Victoria and thought this would be a good opportunity to do a shakedown ride to test out the camping kit bits and pieces. Rhonda's invite said that great camping sites were set aside for the nomads and long distance travellers attending.

It's around 2300km return. I'll leave Sydney Thursday morning and camp overnight at Wangaratta and should arrive at the party mid afternoon Friday.

I'll head for home mid morning on Sunday. I've booked into the Royal Mail Hotel, Jerilderie for Sunday night. Monday I'll head to Wagga Wagga to say gidday to an old friend before riding on to Sydney.

A nice little weekend run with a great party and catching up with good friends.

Here's a link to the map.

First pack

First pack today for the trip. This is my kit less clothes and toiletry bag.

Here's what I've pulled together.

Left to right top we have:

• self inflating bed (on pillion seat)
• tent (on pillion seat)
• sleeping bag
• gas
• stove & mount
• cooking pots
• cutlery
• tubeless repair kit
• spare keys
• First Aid kit
• spare glasses
• 10ltr fuel bag

Next row

• towel
• PVC tape
• combo carabiner (for helmet)
• hair ties
• zip ties
• finger saw
• phone charger, battery etc
• multi tool
• tin of $2 coins
• micro washer
• oil filters
• two waterproof bags
• rock shoes
• two compression sacks

Bottom left

• 0.5 watt UHF radio
• Ocky straps
• sealed bags
• camel pack
• part of the tool kit
• tarp

Not in picture

• Wipes
• Head light
• Shifter log
• Sleeping bag liner
• Very small folding table

Tent and bed will be on the pillion seat. There's room in paniers for clothes etc.

Looking forward to my shakedown ride next week.