Currumbin to Nimbin: Spyder wars

I had decided I wanted to go for a ride after visiting someone in Elanora though this plan didnt go to exact plan though. Still I was wanting a ride and the idea was to head to Uki and Clarrie Hall dam. That was the plan and then go home.

On my way to the appointment I wanted to make, I spotted a red Spyder that looked more expensive than my little green beast. He had seen me and we both waved as we were on the roundabout. I thought it was pretty cool as I had not seen another one since I had my bike and it had been just over one year since I had gotten it. He passed me again when I stopped at my appointment that I needed to make. I didnt think I would see the bike again at all.

The ride officially began when I ride out towards the Currumbin rockpools where I was going to head into Murwillumbah from the back way via the border crossing. I had been the other way down to Currumbin before, but never been to Murwillumbah. It was a nice day and the views were amazing. I did pass a cyclist pushing his way up the hill. I only stopped at the border, but on the way down I would have loved to stop somewhere to take pictures of the view towards Murwillumbah. Once I had gotten off the hill and towards the town, I seen the Red Rattler cafe, which is some railway carriages that are now a cafe. I took some pictures as I was going to keep going. Then I changed my mind and went inside for a coffee. There were artworks from local artists and other memorabilia especially from The Rabbitos as someone was a fan. Once I had my long black I was ready to take off and met the Spyder rider from earlier in Elanora. He did tell me there was another guy in the same area with a limited edition bike. Makes mine look really ordinary when you are looking at both.

Two Spyders

Still wanting to ride to Uki, I rode through Murwillumbah and was starting to feel the heat. The weather was really getting warmer and I knew it, I could feel it as I had my wet weather insert on still though it was not worrying me yet. I was following the signs to take for Uki and was hoping I would not miss any through the main part of Murwillumbah. The Catholic cemetery was one place I wanted to stop at that I had found several years ago and a headstone I wanted pictures of and then I would be back on the road again after the quick visit. Before entering Uki there was one small detour that jumped in my way and that was the Mount Warning turn off. I decided the trip would not take very long and took the ride, which like all my bright ideas wasn’t exactly true.

The narrow one way road Mount Warning

 I soon found just after the caravan park that the road became very narrow and I was getting worried as I had not seen any signs for the walk up the hill and wondered if I could get stuck with other drivers coming to me. The weird part was I never had cars follow me and I heard them when I stopped for the loo that was a long drop. I was wondering about the truck I could hear rattling down the hill. I found the end of the road and the entry to the 5 hour summit walk. 1130am was not the time to decide a wander up the hill and there were plenty of people who were actually doing that. My thoughts were to get downhill before anything happened even though I did have several stops including at a sign for Hidden Valley and at the caravan park basically to say I had been there. I was surprised to see a garbage truck up at Hidden Valley collecting rubbish, but someone has to do it. One guy stopped and asked about getting a wheel alignment and I thought it was something that the bike did automatically. I think I showed I had no idea.

Once I was back on track heading to Uki again I was wondering if I had missed the turn off for the dam somewhere. Uki was where I had to stop for lunch as I was getting hungry and I knew my body needed food or else. I did have pie and chips though the chips took longer and I was wandering around the town too. There was some really nice artwork on the buildings and something to do with a guy called Poppie as there was a memorial with a garden rake. The supermarket did have some nice paintings outside and I think there was a steampunk type place next door to the takeaway shop.  Some girls were wondering about my bike and one told her friends that it was a spyder not that I said anything as I was more amused than anything else. I did find a book for $3 that was A Christmas Carol and I want to read about Humbugs. Think you can tell what I am going to read. The butter factory was a nice building, but I knew it wouldnt be long before I was on the run again. I did find a pie shop that I never knew to be there so maybe next time I will take a ride and chomp. Time was getting away from me, but I was going to the dam just to see what it was like.

The ride out to the dam was a little further than I thought it was and once there all I really did see was the dam fort the Tweed water supply. I used to know someone who lived out that way, but I am not sure if they actually did anymore as I had not seen them for several years. The thought that occurred to me while parked looking at the water was I could visit Nimbin. My phone told me the town was half hour away and I thought why not head out that way. By this time I felt like I was slowly cooking in the heat. Once back on the road I found I was having some trouble with parts of the road especially since I was unfamiliar. One car that was following me was still behind me when I turned off for Nimbin, but soon over took me like he didn’t like being behind me at all. Another two vehicles appeared behind me and I knew I needed to pull over as I was starting to flag and needed a breather. I did find a shady spot to pull over and actually took my wet weather insert out of my jacket and it was wet. I did bring water with me so had plenty in the bottle.

Once I was back on the road again, some random man just walks out in front of me around 200 metres away and crosses the road. I thought this was really random and weird. No houses anywhere that I could see. The road I was not too impressed with as it did not seem even and I had a fright earlier before I had pulled off as my bike had hit a bump or uneven part of the road, which moved the bike sideways. I was contemplating getting onto the highway and heading home that way, but I might end up going through Lismore instead. I do think the heat was getting to me. Once I made it into Nimbin I seen lots of colour and life. People looked at my bike and I was looking for a carpark. I found one out front of the medical clinic and nearly across the road from the police station. I went for a walk from one end of the main street to where the war memorial was located. I didn’t enter any of the shops including the Hemp Embassy, but there was a quote from a judge in the 1980s. The town seems to have a thing for chalk. 

I was in awe of the artwork and I do think I fitted in with my sideburns. None of the locals bothered me in any way though last time I was with family and they had been scared. I was specifically looking for the locations to the two buildings that had burnt down. The vacant museum block now had chooks doing their thing. I thought it was a great use for the site and the music wasn’t too bad either. The whole town seemed to have a relaxed festive atmosphere. I want to return to try the coffee and maybe have a meal, but I think it would be organic something. The buildings were full of colour and cheery for something that could have a bad rep for drugs. I never seen any or was offered at all.

Once I was back on the road and rested. I hope I was rested as I headed back the way I had come though I did ride to the Nimbin school on a random turn I made. I couldn’t believe they actually had a school and I wondered what they teach in a hippie village. I do want to go back and explore more maybe with other people. I stopped outside the candle factory as I wanted a picture with the sign before going home. I didn’t seem to be as vitalised as I thought I would be, but the road seemed better from the other side. I did seem to hug the white line and I was wanting to make a pitstop at the dam again. I knew some cars were following me and suddenly one vanished. The vehicle had tried to do something in the slow lane and then tailgated me until I came to the turn off for the Clarrie hall dam. I was happy once I had peeled off and think the driver was trying to intimidate me. I did stay at the dam for around 20 or so minutes and I was loving the shade, while laughing to myself about one of the walks called Dam Lookout. I didn’t want to leave my bike alone for far too long.

My thoughts to riding home were not to take the main highway as I didn’t think I had the concentration for that and took the back road home via Tumbulgum. The heat was something I knew that had gotten to me especially when I never realised just how warm a day it had gotten to be. At the end of the day I made it home. I had left around 830am and came home just after 430pm. I had ridden around 200kms and not expected to be out that long. At least I had made it home before dark. I seem to now have a thing for taking photos of my bike with the town signage so that could now be my thing if it was to begin with.

Have Pastry goods will travel: The pie wars.

Pastry travels

On my many trips overseas the one thing that seems to highlight some of my travel blogs are that of me eating pies or some other pastry goodness sometime during the day. I have sampled many delicacies on the road. To me it is food and I will eat when hungry. The only unique thing I have is the fact I have no smell and taste. This is something I have mentioned in my other travel blogs so maker eating out unique and have to be careful at the same time.

While on holidays I usually have my 3 meals a day and they can be anything I lay my hands on. One of the reasons I don’t go out grocery shopping for food and eating at the hostel is that I am usually on the move every couple of days and having food left over would be a waste as I am on a bus for hours and I would rather travel light. Some of the easiest food to find is something from a bakery or even a dairy. Some supermarkets do sell hot pies too especially in New Zealand. Some of the places I have been to can be listed for the pastry goodness.

When going to Cornwall there is something that you cannot try before leaving and that is the Cornish Pasty. Sure you can buy them anywhere in the world and throughout London. I had my first one at the Paddington Station in London where the train travels to Cornwall. When I was staying in Cornwall I did try many different pasties and I liked the mint lamb ones and there were even vegetable ones. I do want to go back one day to eat some more. I know in Bendigo there was a bakery that sold Pasties and I headed there after being given the tip while doing a mine tour at the Deborah Shaft. I don’t usually go looking for them in Australia, but I think I got my fill when I was in the UK.

Pies are the most common thing you can find. I am talking about the meat pie and not the other pie that seems to be directed towards a pizza type thing. Pies come in many different flavours and I have had some good ones. I really do like potato topped pies and that gives me really good memories of school being a senior student where I could walk in and buy things without waiting for the hordes of kiddies after food. There was a pie shop in Tweed city where I used to annoy people by eating a steak and garlic pie or even a steak and kidney pie. I have not seen a steak and garlic pie since that pie shop had closed. In New Zealand I have found several supermarkets that do sell heated pies and even when hungry I have gotten a bacon and egg pie directly from the deli. Christchurch was the most difficult place to find food and I found some stuff to eat in the supermarket as I had that pegged as a last resort. The only reason was that the location was still a disaster zone due to the earthquake and I was hungry. I did hear about a café on the South Island while on the bus called the Roadkill café that sold all sorts of pies. I think they were joking when they said there were possum pie as I never seen any and was wanting one.

Pastry shops or bakeries are those special places where you can eat all your pastry goodness and actual pastry shops seem to be very popular in Europe. I was lost in Nuremburg and was looking for food. One place I found was a bakery type place that you could select what you wanted and had tongs with paper bags. I never found that shop again and there was another in Berlin I ended up at for coffee with several other bakery products at Checkpoint Charlie for lunch. There was a MacDonald’s next door too, but this place I preferred and the server thought I was German until I spoke English. He did say sorry, but I wasn’t too worried about it. I don’t know what you would call these sorts of bakeries in airports like Kuala Lumpur, but I have had a fondness for black bean buns and several strange oddities that I have smuggled onto the plane for very long flight to Europe or even Australia. I don’t really like the pork bun type things with the white pastry stuff around them as I cant explain why, but there are others that are wrapped in a banana type leaf that you eat whatever is on the inside. Makes a mess, but isnt too bad. Not really a bakery item, but a hotdog stand in Paris sold me a hotdog with a firm piece of bread that seemed to be stale, but could just be French.

One bakery type store that was similar to the ones I had visited in Germany was recently in Melbourne across the road from Flinders Station. It was the busy lunch hour and I had grabbed several things including the strange hotdog type pastries that I think are yummy. New Zealand has them too, but they are actual bakeries with things like hedgehog slices and many other little slices. I could just about have a location guide to pastries of all sorts that is if I really wanted to. Waipu Bakery was one such place that had really nice bakery goods and being a small town near Whangarei as well. Once in Copenhagen I went to enjoy a donut I had bought with a drink and got annoyed by some lady I think was speaking Russian and wanted money. It did annoy me as I wasn’t local and just wanted to sit and eat.

Where would we be without mentioning the humble fingerbun? I should mention that a fingerbun you can find in just about any bakery, but some don’t seem to have them unless they have been very popular. People get worried when I don’t have fingerbuns or don’t mention them for a while. It seems you can find them at Bakers Delight, which is an Australian bakery although many small town bakeries would have them. I cant remember if I had found them in New Zealand, but I always end up with a pie with some bakery goodie. There are some buns that are more fruit sticky bun with the icing on top, but more often than not they are a plain roll. I do have a liking for cinnamon, but will take the other toppings though smarties and chocolate are the different toppings that I have had in the last couple of years. Coconut icing is the most popular too and I wonder if I should actually go looking for fingerbuns overseas. I do like them soft instead of being very crispy.

Until I can think of more pastry type delights I think this would make a little travel blog on my stomach. They are quicker and faster than waiting at a place called Maccas or even KFC. The best way to eat a pie is to suck the insides out especially when it’s a potato pie. You may make a mess, but it will be around your mouth. It is personal preference if you want a little sauce with the pie and some places have mashed peas too again preferences. One thing not bakery that I should find is a squid on a stick.

Chatterbox for community hero

Today I was going to try something I had never done before and that was going to be public speaking. This was part of a competition with my employer, Coles. I had put my name down for community hero and won at the store level so that was going to get me to the next level. I was to speak to a small group of people. I was going to talk about my involvement with the marine rescue and was hoping something would happen. Other community heroes and their store managers along with three judges would be present. I had written points out that would help me if I got stuck.

My plan for the ride down was to visit The Big Prawn that had been revamped and now located at the Bunnings site in Ballina. I was rugged up in my marine rescue uniform and off down the road thinking I would get to the surfclub with plenty of time to relax. The plan went kind of out the window when I took the first turn off to Ballina and wondered where that prawn was. I knew it would be huge and sticking out. A comfort stop later, I headed down the road not sure where I was meant to be heading. I chose the turnoffs mentioning Lennox Head as I knew the road would be nearby though pretty clueless as I had taken the wrong turn off to Ballina. On my way to Lennox Head, I spotted a turn off that said East Ballina and realised I needed that turn off as I was going the wrong way. I turned around and promptly was lost yet again. Knowing the surf club would be near the beach and the river entrance. Those I spotted pretty quickly and headed down the hill even though I found a lighthouse. I had reached my destination even though I had been slightly lost.

My boss was actually standing out front though I never asked if he was waiting for me, but he knew I had gotten lost. I was rushing as I still had my bike jacket over my uniform. Once I entered the room I was met with several people I knew. One was my old boss and another co worker who was in another store. At least I knew someone and I chatted to a girl who was in the SES for my local area. There were some interesting stories. Even Bruce the safety dragon stepping in for someone who was overseas. All the talks were interesting. I did stand up amongst them all to have my turn though I didn’t go to well. My brain splintered into squirrel mode, but I managed to make people laugh about hitting charter boats. I did not attempt to read my notes and that could have been the problem, but at least it was done though I have tried my best and was a new experience for me and am proud of myself. I had achieved so much out of the talk too. There are many interesting people who work for St. John ambos, SES, Soft ball coaches, church group leaders, meals on wheels and so much more. The managers of the stores learnt a bit too as they never knew the effort people put into volunteering their time. I was congratulated for a job well done even though I was not a winner at all on the day. I would say getting lunch and drinks are worth so much more for a day out.

After the meal and everyone went their separate ways I wanted to find the lighthouse and cemetery. Thing was I found the cemetery, but had no idea where I could find that cemetery. It had actually lost it again. I had done the same in Paris a few years before, but found it. My goal was to find the Big Prawn as I had a fair idea where to find it. I found I got myself going the wrong way again as I ended up following the exit to Tweed instead of Grafton. I was actually heading the way I came earlier in the day. Another comfort stop later I was back heading towards Grafton and that was when I found my prawn. The prawn should have been big enough for me to find in the first place. I was happy and off I was heading towards Byron Bay with the weather starting to close in a touch. There was some rain, but I was hoping not too much.

The ride towards Byron was interesting as I found my turn off that I had missed as I had been lost, but further down the road I found another turn off that could have taken me right to the beach front where the surf club is. There was a house with a nautical theme especially since it had lighthouses in front. Lennox Heads I bypassed as I wanted Byron and the famous lighthouse. The ride was actually longer than I thought it to be especially when some of the roads were in need of maintenance of some sort. Then I found the price of parking so I never got off the bike even though I was in need of a loo. I was surprised by the tracks up to the light house as the road was very narrow, but I was not going to stop for the $7 parking. The parking down the hill was $4 though I do hope they did not take offence to the fact I had to use the loo and not pay for parking. I was going to, but being busting and the coin wouldn’t go in I decided to opt for the easier option. Byron Bay didn’t prick my attention though could be as it was a touch wet, but not raining. I had without realising from the light house chosen the correct route to head towards the highway. Parking did seem to be costly there as I had noticed and my guess was the free parking would be full. If I had people to meet I would travel down more often, but there are interesting places to find. I was a little confused by the exit onto the highway as they were doing road works, but I soon made my way to the correct path.

It was actually pretty good to bypass the hill with its radar trap and the massive amount of road works that was occurring along the way. The ride home late afternoon was really good and I had to stop at Chinderah again for fuel unlike last time where I had the fuel light on for some time and worried I would run out. I am worried about riding through that part of Chinderah as there are scarlet houses abound in that area. They might like KFC or Maccas. I did have a pretty good day away from everything and I could not have asked for more other than getting myself lost. This would have to be my signature move with every trip I seem to make I misalign myself.

Eureka Day 10 Buzzing off to the Gold Coast

Eureka Day 10 Buzzing off to the Gold Coast

I did actually sleep in a little since I was going to head home to the Gold Coast from Melbourne. I did first have to pack my clothes and other goodies from the trip. I did end up with several books about the gold mining areas in Victoria , Sovereign Hill and about the Deborah mine in Bendigo. I do hope I have shown people something different to look at in the various places that I have visited as I think my blogs could inspire people to learn more about their locations or drive them to visit them regardless. I could say the same of myself about where I live.

It had been suggested that I wander over to the Chadstone shopping centre and I was looking at the time and knew I would not have time at all to get that far and back before having to leave. I was going to just take a walk through Oakleigh before heading off to wait for Margie to get back so that we could head towards the airport. I wanted a pie and found there was a nice decent bakery that did potato pies in the shopping centre and that would be my first stop. They did seem to be really nice people the day before. I did walk in the direction I thought the shopping centre was, but I found a church / school and some more decent graffiti art that you do not see elsewhere. On the walk back to the house I noticed that in the little plaza type area that one fast food restaurant had not lasted and was just an empty shell and that was Subway. I am guessing that the local community like the café type locations better that you can sit and drink coffee.

It didn’t take long before I was off to the airport and learning about the different sculptures in the city of Melbourne especially the main freeways. The Ferris wheel did look pretty big when you passed it, but it was better than passing it beneath Costco. From a distance it takes up a bit of skyline. The plan was to do a dump and run at the airport and I had not expected to be dropped off, but it was good to ride to see what the local area was like. We did make the airport with plenty of time to spare and I think I had around 10 or so minutes left to spare, but at least I could check in and then zoom off to the departure gate to wait for the plane to be called. I did read something recently about not wasting time waiting in places like airports. I would never think I am as I have a book and music so I am pro active with my time. Once on the plane I found I was in the middle of two elderly ladies and one mentioned that I was the rose between two thorns. The plane was a little noisy too with a group of young ladies who were chattering away like what you hear in a class room and one had a decent camera with a zoom. It didn’t feel that long of a flight and I landed to blue sky and warm weather instead of being cold. My gear that I was wearing was actually feeling pretty warm.

I had one of the marine rescue people pick me up as he works with mum. It was pretty funny as I was going to have a coffee to wait for mum who had to finish work, but I got the offer to be picked up and I took it. I was not going to say no to getting home earlier than expected and I did have to stop at mum’s work to get keys to the house. I did have one dog that was both very happy to see that I was back and was in shock that someone was coming home. I was happy to be home. I did have to take her for a walk and I think that was something we needed to do.

My trips usually have the return in the mornings and on a weekend. This time around I am coming home on a weekday in the afternoon something I don’t usually do. I have noticed many things on this trip to the southern State of Victoria and that is I will be back. Someday I will have to catch a game of AFL somewhere like the MCG or another stadium. I didn’t visit museums this time round and I just wanted to see the buildings and other things like statues. They all tell a story of a city and locality. It is why I am in pursuit of anything that I find to be interesting. I really do like the public transport even if there are times where it can be squashy. I take the good with the bad as it is always some sort of experience and where are we without experiences? We could do worse and I love going at my own pace, but can handle doing the same for others too.

On my trip thus far I have seen some of the Gold trail and been down in mines to see how the people bought the metal to the surface. I have been to locations where there have been uprisings and stockades built where legends grew. Australia is a bountiful country with many learning experiences if you choose to find them. Places like cemeteries are locations that have some rarely seem architecture and information about their lives that will surprise people later on. Others have monuments to their achievements or even ill fated explorations that captures the public's imaginations