Harley Trip 2015

Hurtling around Australia by Harley

It is great having an understanding wife to let her husband take off at the start of every winter to ride a motorbike 12,000.00 around Australia for 3 to 4 months.

I have been doing this for quite a number of years, heading up through Queensland calling in on a number of veterans including Peter Conway at Lennox Head, an ex RAFFY mate (Airfield Defence Guard) and Keith Fisher. Keith did two trips to Ubon and two tours of Vietnam where he was shot by an American machine gunner when returning from a patrol. The shot hit his shine bone and messed it up big time. The order to open fire was given by a very junior officer in the radio room after he was informed there was movement out the front, even after being told by radio that the patrol was returning to base. (shoot first, ask questions later). That officer was immediately sent back to the States and spent quite a few years in Lebonworth jail.

Next stop was Anakie, where I spent a few days with Chicko and Sue Delaney. Sue of course has her hands full looking after Chicko as he had a leg amputated during last year. (Chicko and I are a great couple, one eye and one leg). He didn’t lose his sense of humour.

Onward to Camooweal, across to Barkley Homestead (where I paid $8.00 for a Bundy and coke), then up to Darwin. I spent a couple of weeks with John Atkinson, his brother Kevin and Dean Larkin putting a heavy demand on the local brewery, that’s for sure.

While still in the Territory I decided to ride out to Dundee Beach, avoiding riding via Dundee Lodge. Big mistake, the road I took was probably the most corrugated with soft sand in the Territory. Four kilometres to the beach and then four kilometres back. If I’d have gone via the Lodge it would have taken me to the beach on a good road. The rough road shook the crap out of the exhaust system, the gear selectors and I lost the fuel filter requiring a slow ride to the motorbike shop in Darwin. The repairs were ‘half baked’ resulting in lots of problems on the return trip. I had intended to ride via Humpty Doo, Jabiru, Kakadu and join the Stuart Highway at Pine Creek, but as the gears were still causing major problems I headed straight down the track to Alice Springs. I missed Uluru which I had intended to visit. I spent a couple of hours at the RSL at Alice Springs where I caught up with some friendly Vietnam vets and good cold beer. Headed to Coober Pedy for the night.

Next morning had breakfast at a local restaurant, set off on the highway, and fifty ks down the track started to get stomach cramps, so the next 250ks to Glendambo were the most painful I have every suffered. All I wanted was a doctor or hospital, but none in the area. Booked into a Glendambo pub cabin to rest while the publican rang the Royal Flying Doctor Service. After the doctor assessed me I was flown to Port Augusta Hospital, where I stayed the night. He diagnosed food poisoning. I had lots of gentle care by the doctor (who is the spitting image of John Denver) and wonderful nurses. I was discharged next day and the hospital staff directed me to the local bus depot, which is the only transport.

I had to hang around at the bus depot/service station until 10.00p.m. and arrived at Glendambo at 2.00a.m. Thank goodness the bus driver had a torch as it was the blackest night and no visability, so he had to direct me to my cabin.

After a good nights’ sleep I went up to the pub next day to pay my bill for the two nights, but the publican would only accept payment for one night. He had contacted the Royal Flying Doctor, driven me the four ks out to the airstrip and waited until the doctor assessed me. Good country folk.

The rest of the trip was more or less uneventful except for the gear lever which was just hanging in there. I got within 50ks of home, just 6ks outside of Raymond Terrace, and the bike stopped completely. I phoned my local bike shop (Port Performance) and they came out with their van and loaded the bike on and took it back for major repairs.

In the meantime a local guy driving past recognised me, he’s a Ulysses member, so he took me to his place where I waited for my wife.

My mechanic found the fault – the grub screw hidden behind the gear box needed tightening – pitty the guy in Darwin hadn’t had a good look. Would have saved a lot of stress.

I found camping spots ranged from $7.00 at Dunmarra while some were up to $25.00. Cheapest fuel was at Pine Creek.

That was the last of my long distance riding on my own, having clocked up around 250,000 ks over the years – not bad for a one-eyed young bloke.
Paul Mulvay OEB
30 01 2016

Only just became aware of site, what a surprise to see pictures of Ray. I remember when he was interviewed for that book. Maree Rowe came to the house and spent quite a bit of time with him.
All the very best for 2016 everyone. Gaye

Gaye commented on the post from Stu Golland re the book with Brownie in it. Just in case no one saw the comment I have reproduced it here as a post. Ed.

‘Jenny and family would like to thank all those 87 tpt members who attended Graham’s (Blue’s) funeral on 2nd December
and to all the members who sent or telephoned their condolences. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated by us.
A special thank you to Des Ralph for conducting the RSL Service which l know was a hard thing to do for a mate. The people who attended thought it most appropriate for the man.
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’
Jenny

This post may grow over the next week or so and notification may not automatically come through.

From the Sceneys:

To all the 87 families and friends we wish you a very merry Xmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Ken and Marg Sceney

Chris Curtis and Yoki

To ALL a Very merry Christmas and a healthy carefree New Year
See you in August
Chris, Yoki and Monica

From Pom and Sue Adcock

Wishing all of 87 a very merry Xmas and a safe and Happy new year. Looking forward to seeing you all in August.
Best Wishes
Pom and Sue Adcock

From Jim and Marie Thomson

Marie & I would like to wish all 87 members and their families a merry xmas and a happy new year regards Jim Thomson

From John and Jenny Pidgeon

wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy Christmas and New Year…..
fond regards –
John and Jenny Pidgeon

John and Janet Neenan:

To everyone in our 87 family: condiments of the season (in moderation, of course) and a fond wish that 2016 will treat you kindly.
There! I’ve just saved beaucoup dollars in stamps.
See you all in August, God willing.
John and Janet.

Pom and Henny Hallam write:

Merry Christmas Fabulous
New Year 2016
Robert and Jenny Hallam

Lyn Hatton writes:

We would like to wish 87 Friends and Families all a very Merry Christmas , may your New Year be filled with Happiness and above all Health .
Love and best wishes to you all .
Lyn Hatton and Family xxx

Glen and Patsy Hutley added:

Wishing all mermbers and family all the best for a great Christmas and a fantastic and healthy New Year

Regards Glen and Patsy

About 4 weeks ago I was in at Greenslopes Hospital, awaiting my appointment with the oncologist and my infusion. I was sitting in a chair reading the paper and I just happenned to half glance up to see a lady coming past the front of me. I picked up my bag to let the lady and gentleman sit together, got halfway up and this voice said, “don’t move”. I recognised the voice, the one and only BLOO DENNIS.
He only just missed me after my last treatment so he asked our Dr if she could get an appointment together next time which occurred. We had a great chat on old and present times.
Myself, I am fine except for few side effects, considering I was told November last year I shouldn’t be here.

And at this time Helen and I would like to wish every one a Merry Christmas and Happy new year .

Blue & Helen Hickey

Xmas card 2015-2

Some may not have seen this reply to the previous post so thought it wise to repost here.Ed.

It is with deep regret that I pass on the information that  your mate and mine , Bluey Morcom passed away last night 25/11/15. Any further news on the subject will be posted here as soon as we receive it.

Jenny, Helen and Phillip,please accept our deepest condolences in this hour of grief. Our thoughts are with you.