Tea and scones at Mt Perry

Shajota

Hero member
Location
Whitsundays Qld
If you will indulge me, instead of putting some pics in the Out & About thread I’ll write some BS to go with them about a small getaway last weekend.
I know can’t compete with the stunning scenery posted by our European friends but perhaps an Aussie flavor will be of interest.
Started own thread so can be passed over as desired (I appreciate it won't appeal to all)..................

Recently heard that the Gentlemen of CLQ were heading up to Mt Perry for high tea so me being partial to scones, I decided to take the triple on a promised excursion taking in an expanded loop around some back blocks targeting Mt Perry for Saturday night. Had limited time, basically a slightly elongated weekend, but should still be able to fit in a decent meander.
After a busy Friday morning, eventually left just before lunch heading out to the coal fields and Central Highlands with the plan to get to Capella for Friday night.
It is winter and the mornings are cool so I still have the lining zipped into my jacket however by the time I left it is very warm but at least I put my light gloves on. Heading past Moranbah on my way to Clermont it was 33c and I am cursing the jacket liner but not worth mucking around, will be cold in the morn!
I already posted a pic of the tipper on the back of a low loader waiting to be picked up so here’s another angle and yes the turntable coupling is a bit high for the Lav……. just though this might fit on the back of my grandsons Tonka truck.....
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So, on toward Clermont. There are many peaks that litter this whole area between Moranbah, Clermont and Capella which are collectively known as the Peak Range. Always look cool:-
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Clermont is just off the highway, but to reminisce rode in for a quick look around. A place proud of their Coal, Cattle and railways:-
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Who says Clermont is very dry & isn’t pretty? Hoods Lagoon:-
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Back on the main road and mixing with the big dogs:-
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I was going to post this pic on the Out & About thread the other day as it seemed appropriate for the conversation then......!
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And finally, at Capella, where I can now try and peel my jacket off. Always like the look of Queensland Bottle trees, just look at the size of these 2 beauties:-
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Stayed at the Capella Hotel. They have a few motel rooms, some dongas out the back and also just behind them is a former shopping arcade they have developed into small motel style rooms for $80 per night, perfect. The pub has been updated, has Tooheys Old on tap, good food and Friday night atmosphere so the stumble back to the room was a tad later than anticipated.
Tomorrow’s another day and morning is supposed to be cold…………..tbc
 
Ok, so up and about Saturday to be greeted by a crisp clear 4c morning. Heading south the day wasn’t expected to get as hot as yesterday and in fact would only get just above mid 20’s, very pleasant. Load up and head to Emerald for fuel. In 2 minds which way to go from there, but as I am early enough headed south through Springsure, then back across to Biloela for the final leg south.
Virgin rock near Springsure (part of Minerva Hills national park) see me mate on the fence post.....:-
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Heading back East, the Dawson River on the outskirts of Moura:-
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Continue East through Banana and then turn South at Biloela and stop for a peaceful lunch at Thangool:-
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Painted silos at Monto and strange looking cows at Mulgildie:-
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Bit further south and turn left for Mt Perry and hit the dirt. Hard packed and corrugated but no trouble, through years of painstaking procrastination my suspension is finely tuned to handle all conditions and the Koni Dial a Rides I put on in 1990 still seem to go up and down (well to some degree anyway)!!
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Dirt section wasn’t long and suddenly I was on a new great section of road with lovely smooth sweepers on the last leg to Mt Perry.
Rode a few kays down the old Gayndah road (dirt of course) for a squizz, Ahh, the serenity:-
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And here we are. Lookout just before Mt Perry, town is down the hill, round the corner, behind the bush:p:-
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................................TBC
 
Ha ha, TC. Well to be fair didn't carry much on the rack this trip but it had been fully loaded on the 4,000km jaunt to Sydney and back in 2017 and a couple of other trips out west.
Anyway, final instalment I promise............................
So, destination achieved for Saturday, time for settling in and reflecting on life. I had booked the presidential suite at the Grand hotel and while it could best be described as rustic, Mr Fourex is always happy to see new guests:-
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A selection of the CLQ bikes at the Federal :-
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After a few afternoon refreshers the group settled in at the Grand for a leisurely night. I must say the CLQ crew are well regarded around here and their patronage on the annual run is highly prized between the 2 pubs!!
So a couple of pre dinner cocktails and canapés, then into the dining room for a fine feed.
After dinner it was a nice relaxing sit down in the big leather armchairs sipping coffees and eating after dinner mints (oops, sometimes poetic licence goes too far…)
All right, all right, lets just say some bar room conviviality was had by all and suddenly the clock was suggesting it was actually Sunday. The publican confirmed it was getting cold so brought out (another) tray of warming shots for medicinal purposes and even though the young bloke behind the bar was keen to close, happily another tin of Guiness appeared for one last night cap.
A couple of blokes enjoying some fierce competition (apologies for quality, it was getting late ya know):-
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Sunday morning dawned bright and fresh (1c) so reluctantly got out of bed and packed up ready to head off. Started up and found the CLQ crew all up and about, most had already done their morning jog and Pilates course and were waiting for fresh fruit and croissants for breakfast.
I bid adieu and took off. While it was cold the day was crystal clear and as it warmed up absolutely perfect for riding.
This time headed to Eidsvold for fuel. The Mt Perry to Eidsvold road is another beauty although still a fair bit of dappled light from the trees so a bit of caution for skippys. From Eidsvold headed out to Cracow then onto Theodore for fuel. Cracow is basically an old gold mining ghost town. It still has an operational pub but all the shopkeepers left for lunch 50 years ago and never returned (well, something like that)
Cracow historic cemetery and abandoned shops:-
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I should mention that the bike seemed to be enjoying the crisp clear air and was purring like a kitten.
After Cracow stopped for fuel at Theodore where the local servo had the ubiquitous hot box, so bought a potato scallop and crumbed sausage, as you do. Seemed like a good idea at the time but a few miles down the road things not so!! Anyway, headed north to Moura and then I was back on the same roads travelled yesterday. Moura to Rolleston has some very long straight stretches (and not much traffic):-
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Not long after I took that pic I was having a drink of water, then I dropped a glove down a ditch and had to muck around getting it back when a car towing a caravan came up, stopped and asked if everything was ok. Good on em!
Near Springsure stopped at the staircase range look out. Picture probably doesn’t show much but looks over natural bluegrass plains of the Central Highlands:-
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Plan was to stop at the Springsure pub but it looked a very quiet Sunday arvo and I wasn’t sure I could handle too much country pub bonhomie so pushed on a little further to Emerald which would also leave me less than 500kms to home so an easy Monday morning run and home by lunch.
A couple of stubbies and a combo chow mien led me to an early night.
Next day it was cool with a bit of breeze up again. Packed up and quick trip home. This time turn right at Capella and out past Tieri and Middlemount before turning back towards Nebo and home.
Getting near Nebo I passed a pile of pallets with fruit and vege that looked to have fallen off the back of a truck, then a little bit further along came across this:-
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Not sure what has happened but the truck is fairly twisted up, but they somehow managed to get it to a pull off area out of the way. After that, fuel at Nebo, another 190kms and I'm home, although the final 90kms or so is on the Bruce highway full of trucks, caravans and roadworks, hmmmm, can I turn around.
The Lav ran great and pleased I didn't sell it. I think prospective buyers didn't realise that this was a very reliable option, just point it at the horizon and go. Aah well, their loss, my gain, what was I thinking…………:D
(Apologies for the long winded nonsense but I did mean to say - I never did see any tea and scones!!)
 
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As usual, a report up to your high standards, Peter! Thanks for posting - gives me strong urges to head out into the never never - so different from the verdant images from our Euro friends, but just as beautiful in our that unique Oz way. I'm about to click 'Add to Cart' on a pair of those Wild Heart throw-overs. Yours look like the 50L? I reckon I'll go the 40s.

How many km was that trip all up? Read like a rear-tyre's worth at least! And are you safe to wind it up a bit on those looong straight road sections or are the fuzz omnipresent? looks like 180+ territory to me!
 
As usual, a report up to your high standards, Peter! Thanks for posting - gives me strong urges to head out into the never never - so different from the verdant images from our Euro friends, but just as beautiful in our that unique Oz way. I'm about to click 'Add to Cart' on a pair of those Wild Heart throw-overs. Yours look like the 50L? I reckon I'll go the 40s.

How many km was that trip all up? Read like a rear-tyre's worth at least! And are you safe to wind it up a bit on those looong straight road sections or are the fuzz omnipresent? looks like 180+ territory to me!
Thanks Quentin. Not sure of the size of my bags but most probably the 50l as they are pretty big (Actually seem to fit on the 750 better, because of the flat seat I s'pose).
That trip wasn't that long, I think it ended up about 2,200kms but I was on a tight time schedule, I only left just before lunch time Friday and was home by 12.30 Monday and somewhere I lost a night or so:LOL: (Would have loved to go further west but needed more time)
Plenty places you can twist till it hurts including those long straights and I didn't see anyone around but no doubt the boys in blue would travel them on some sort of patrol and these days would take a dim view of overexuberance. I often travel the back roads and just take care around towns, but of course you can be unlucky..................................
 
Thanks Quentin. Not sure of the size of my bags but most probably the 50l as they are pretty big (Actually seem to fit on the 750 better, because of the flat seat I s'pose).
Always that nagging fear in the back of the mind about a copper on the remotest backroad pinging me for licence evaporation speeds, even in the car - and getting your name in the bloody newspaper as some sort of rabid lunatic for daring to travel at 'such speeds'!

Sending you a PM re luggage.
 
Reminds me some of those 'good old days' where you could just crack on and give a little respect around to 10-20 K mark of those country towns.. rare coppers or radars, just fine roads for the pleasure..
Great write up Peter..
now where's that old RGS of mine..? :p

:cool:
 
For a thread entilitled' Tea and Scones..' I was pretty disappointed not to find any images of either.
Therefore, I've gate crashed the party and added an image of the scones Rune and I had at Bradda Glen Cafe during the recent MGP. :giggle:
 

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