Broken Hill

Day One

Well, I looked in the gig book for the weekend and found I was gigless! What to do? How to fill in a weekend? I Know! I'll go for a ride. Now where should I go? Someplace I like or like getting there and only two days. I know - Broken Hill, just the thing. Just to make things simpler, I didn't plan anything apart from the destination and the non biker clothes I packed.

Up at 7:00, have breakfast, pack the bag, feed the animals and am on the road by 8:00 am. I'm glad I had the waterproof pants on as it rained from Trafalgar to Pakenham and then a little later near Ouyen. What can I say about the weather - It's cold that's what! The tips of my fingers were going numb after about an hour, so I slipped on a pair of over gloves that Roger recommended and they did a sterling job. The heated grips helped too.

I really like that sign just as you leave Wentworth "Kangaroos next 240 km". About 30 km on I spot a kangaroo that's seen better days and well, well it had that smell about it "Au De Road-Kill". 100 km further I spot a fresh road-kill kangaroo on the other side of the road. Must keep those eyes open. Apart from an Echidna that didn't make it across the road, that was it for the road kill. Stopped at Coombah and went through the usual payment ritual.

Arrived at 7:00 pm and stopped at the Crystal Motel and booked a room. "Will that be a single bed or a double?" "Double please, I like to stretch out!" Unpacked the bike, changed into civilian clothes and rang for a taxi to take me to MacGregors for dinner. Entrée, Main and a bottle of wine and I'm pretty happy. I ask the Maitre D' for the local news paper and check out the entertainment scene.

Thought I'd be adventurous and walked back into town. Hmm, no overhead lights, now where did that road go? Made my way to the Legion Club and checked out a guy with a three part name and a backing band called the "Dust Puppies" In the newspaper he was wearing this big black cowboy hat and holding up an acoustic guitar. That is exactly what I saw on stage too, except there was no backing band. He was using backing tracks of other musicians playing everything and even doing the solos. He had the playback device covered in an Australian flag. Not sure if that's the proper place for a flag? Meanwhile the hero, who had all the charisma of a damp chamois enthralled the patrons. He forgot his words once and just started again and quickly changed to the chorus when that arrived. Another time he'd started up the backing music and then had to stop it. His guitar strap came loose. Oh the trials and tribulations of an entertainer. Whatever happened to the "Dust Puppies"? Next stop was the Musicians Club which true to form was running a Karaoke night. That's the way to keep music alive, I knew there had to be a way. A lady was the Host/MC. She'd introduce the act, hand over the microphone and there was there 3 minutes of stardom. I decided I needed some consolation so I ordered a double Baileys and was presented with a glass and a plastic thimble each holding a shot. I ask for an explanation and am told "Oh, we can't put them into the same glass!" Didn't seem that hard to do for me.

Walked back to the Motel and wondered where I'd gone wrong. Maybe it was that decision all those years ago when I decided to be a musician. Entertainers and musicians clearly are two different breeds.

Day Two

Up at 7:30 am and decide to ride out to Silverton to check out that fabulous view of the Mundi Mundi plains. Most impressive. Half way there, on go the over gloves. My it's cold!

Back to the Motel, pay the bill and I'm on my way. Found one more kangaroo that's flatter than it once was, but that was it, no more. Maybe it has something to do with the lush green grass that is everywhere now. They don't have to graze by the side of the road. The grass and the flowers looked wonderful. At points you thought you were looking at the worlds largest golf course. Simply stunning.

Stopped at Mildura and had a bit of a look around and drove through the CBD. Big place. Had Subway for lunch. Decided to be a bit more civilised today and actually have lunch.

Around Charlton the temperature plummets. I can feel the cold air on my chest through the jacket, liner and windcheater. I crank up the heated grips to hot just to make sure they're working.

I missed the turnoff at Marong and ended up in Bendigo. In hindsight this was a very good move as I took the opportunity the fill up the bike. Continuing on my journey I noted that the next petrol was nearly in Melbourne. I must remember to fill up well before I approach this area next time I pass through.

More showers on the way home with a big storm as I was travelling down the Tullamarine Freeway. That certainly lifted the excitement level a few notches.

By now I was cold, cold, cold, so I took a detour to the Elwood RSL for the last hour of the weekly Blues Jam. Thawed out somewhat but I was still shivering when I went back to the bike.

The ride home was thankfully dry and warmer by a few degrees. A long warm shower thawed me out once I arrived home.

All in all I achieved my aim of filling in my gigless weekend. Now back to work to recover.