NQ Capers

[Shajota]

Sunday today, so took the AE to church!
Well went for a leisurely cruise on back roads around the Pioneer Valley and it was good for my soul so must be the same thing surely??
Was going to post a couple of pics in the “Out & About…” thread but I always like to add the bull so started this thread.
Also means anyone sick of my bull can ignore but I thought it good to put together a small show of paradise which is right on my doorstep, just like I am sure everyone else has. (Reminds me, must take some pics when out on the triple to upset the orange and series 2 fairing haters)

Anyway, was going to be a hot clear day so an early start was in order for a run down the highway past Calen, turn off at Mt Ossa, head for Gargett via Owen's Creek, onto Mirani then loop back through Dow’s Creek and the back way past Mt Charlton to Calen with a few little detours onto interesting looking roads. Bit to do beforehand so managed to get away just after 7am with plan to be home by lunch before temp in mid 30's and very high humidity.
Day started with beautiful riding conditions and nothing like the morning light and green countryside:-


Forgot to take a pic at Cattle Creek Gargett (which is very pretty) so onto Mirani. Too early for a heart starter!!

Platypus beach at Mirani is a local playground on the banks of the Pioneer River under the road and rail bridges. (pics not great, but hopefully you get the drift)


This old Ford makes a good pot:-


TBC

 

[Shajota]

Going via Mt Charlton to Calen involves a small stretch of dirt. The loose surface was ok, but after recent rains there were a lot of potholes which were hard to see in the dappled light under the tree canopy:-

Couple of nice causeway crossings on the Barren Creek road:-



A bit further on and back on the bitumen I came around a corner and was confronted with a farmer moving a mob of cows straight at me. He was behind the mob on a 4 wheeler and of course when I turned up in front of them they spooked and tried to head back the other way. I hit the anchors and turned off the engine so they could settle. The farmer was on a high verge beside the road and when a couple of head tried to reverse he headed down into a deep gutter, then had to somehow yank his vehicle back around and head back up almost rolling it. He then jumped off and started hootin' and hollerin' at the cows to try and turn them back while I just sat silently. They eventually obeyed and warily trudged past me. Once they were on their way to where they should be going the old fella grabbed his heart and mopped his brow. I yelled sorry even though I was nearly the one head butting a couple of his pride and joys. Of course I only thought too late to take a pic, so missed a great opportunity, damn!! Fired the AE up and onto Calen, then back on the main road and home. Now sweating in sticky conditions while cruising back on highway 1 and happy to be home.
Only did about 270kms but took me 4 hours and loved it. As I said, good for the soul and clears the head. Hope some enjoyed me showing off a small bit of our (less known) local area...............

 

[chrisk]

Nice one, shame it was too early for a beer though

 

[Tippie]

Great little story in very familiar country. I did a season carting cane for a farmer on Mirani loop, lived near Calen. Did my first collarbone crashing my SF on the way home from work (the front tyre that should have been on never arrived from Brisbane by rail). Top country and great people around there, but bloody hot in the summer.

 

[Shajota]

Great little story in very familiar country. I did a season carting cane for a farmer on Mirani loop, lived near Calen. Did my first collarbone crashing my SF on the way home from work (the front tyre that should have been on never arrived from Brisbane by rail). Top country and great people around there, but bloody hot in the summer.

Cool, I'm sure would be fond memories. I still have an occasional ginger ale with a mate who is in his 80's who cut cane by hand as a young bloke - hard yakka!
You'd know the Pioneer Valley is a popular day trip for Mackayites (Including motorbicyclists) heading to Finch Hatton Gorge for a swim or further up the range to Eungella to cool down, of course with a stop at the Pinnacle pub for a Pie and a coldie (Pinnacle is just up the road a bit from Gargett) I deliberately didn't go to Eungella this ride. During heavy rain (1m++ in 3 days) a month or so ago Eungella range had another landslip and while the road is open I will leave it to full repair before another jaunt up there. I kept to more back roads and was only zapped once by a group of modern rocket riders when I had to turn back onto a more main connecting road!!
Of course Eungella is a destination itself including am easy place to spot a Platypus. (OK travel mode off!!)

 

[Alzero]

Seriously? You can really see platypus in the wild? What an amazing place you live in!

 

[Shajota]

Seriously? You can really see platypus in the wild? What an amazing place you live in!

More viewing decks are now in use and I think the Platypus may be more used to noise as they seem easier to spot than years ago. This is a pic I took in 2020 when one was out in full view much later than expected so we were the only ones looking!! (think I posted it before and have others)
(Edit - Should have said, this is Broken River Eungella which has best viewing)

Just for context, this is a pic looking down the Pioneer Valley from Eungella (about 690m elevation):

 

[rowdypat]

I was in Eungella in 2010. A beautiful place and lots of platypus to see.

 

[Legs]

Great to hear stories from the other side of the country. Just got back from the Victoria Lav Club yearly bash at CurdieVale. Will take a few days to recover.