Gidday all,

Saturday 09JUL11, the weather was good with blue skies , some wind and we met at the Clubhouse around 0900hrs, turning up was myself, Banger, B.J. and his wife Lee, JAC ( Deputy SAA) Smitty and Furls. There were a few last minute drop outs due to various reasons but there was enough of us to make a ride. Furls was on his first Club and Pack ride so Smitty took him under his wing. We left later than planned , and 1^st stop was at the Caltex just outside Werribee so Banger and Furls could re fuel, then onto the Princes Hwy Geelong bound sitting on about 100km/h , the wind was a little stronger than expected and seemed to be a cross wind and slightly head on at times as we changed direction with the Highway. All in all though it was pleasant enough and wasn’t too cold.

We hit the Geelong ring Rd and within about 15 to 20 minutes we met up with Oddball at the FUP. Which I missed (idiot).

From there we headed through Grovedale and onto the Surfcoast Highway bound for Torquay. But I had a small surprise for the pack and we turned right and went to the Mt Duneed Cemetery. Why you may ask?

Well it is a very exclusive cemetery and only true locals and the descendants may be put to rest there,  both my Grandparents and great – Grandparents are there.

But that wasn’t the main reason I chose it. Recently when I was up there paying my respects to my relatives I notice a large memorial that had not been there before and it was dedicated to Lt Moon V.C. who was a local man and won the V.C. in World War I.

As we are a military bike club I believed this was an appropriate place to visit and honour. So a couple of us  placed poppies whilst  we read his history and citation, had a minute or two to reflect.  I said “Lest we Forget”  then some of the blokes had a wander around the cemetery and we took off and headed to Torquay.

Once at Torquay we went to Point Danger where each ANZAC Day they hold a large Dawn Service and there is a memorial there for those that have fallen in our Nations Conflicts. It also had a newish memorial and we took some photos of the group with a bike or two in front of it. Should be good for the web page.

From there we went a back way to Barwon Heads from Torquay and stopped for lunch at the Barwon Heads Pub (BHP). Once lunch was over Banger left for home and we said our goodbyes to him and we took off for St Leonards via Ocean Grove. So the ride did not go as I had planned but we thought it would be a good gesture to visit one of our comrades, the Holy man Reverend! Ha Ha. He had put on a spread of Jam doughnuts, coffee, soft drink and munchies and we had a laugh and a chat. He showed us around his new apartment, which is really nice and has a great view of the water. So thanks to you Reverend, that was much appreciated. But where were the Strippers?

From The Revs we headed along the bay rd and through Drysdale, Oddball peeled off home. Stopped at Geelong for fuel and travelled through the city onto Melbourne Rd. JAC peeled off home and the remainder of us highway burned  back to Werribee and the Clubhouse with B.J. and Lee peeling off earlier.

So Smitty, Furls and I had 1 drink at the club as there was no one there and we said our goodbyes and the ride was complete.

From what people say they enjoyed it and the weather was kind to us, especially for the middle of Winter.

Regards

Chook