Lap Complete. 16 775kms

Dearest Intrepid Reader,

The last of three homecomings.

We are home in Hervey Bay. Trikes are in the shed.

We had a great sleep in the Krakkatinnie for our last night on the road. Emily captured a beautiful sunrise from her swag outside the camper, for our last and 50th day on the lap.

Pack up is never fast on our weekends away. Someone always comes up for a chat. This time it was Kerry from Bundaberg. He arrived late yesterday after only deciding to come last minute. He towed down his hand made wooden teardrop he made himself, on the back of his Can Am Spyder. It was great to get some time to catch up with him.

He, and his wife Maria are off to the Spyder Muster next month in Bathurst. It is expected about 150 Spyders will do Lap of Bathurst, which will be a wonderful sight to see. Kerry reminded us he is up for his OBE next year. ( Over bloody eighty) Legend!

We caught up with everyone else to say farewell until our next event. It was great to have a quick hug with Stu and Janelle who also only arrived late last night. Emily dropped her helmet which elicited a huge, very loud, collective sigh from the group.

It was wonderful to ride out with Emily for the final leg of our very long journey. Hard also not to have Jenny and John with us as they will ride home to Calliope with the group tomorrow for their final leg.

As always there was the compulsory stop at Goomeri Bakery. I had an extra shot in my coffee as the fatigue is actually real on the 50th day. The understated MOTH agreed. So even though there is only 150 kms today we will have a couple of stops.

It was a beautiful day for riding. We have had an incredible run with the weather on our lap. There is the timing, July, August for an Anticlockwise lap is just about the perfect time. We believe it gives you the best chance of having a fair weather ride. This has definitely been our experience. Both for camping and riding. The cool weather is easier on the bikes and the bikers. All accept for the Orbost day.

To drive into our driveway was the absolute best feeling.

To ride around our beautiful beloved Australia, is a privilege and an honour. We set our minds to this great ride and to complete it is a sweet moment in time indeed, that is just ours to own together.

Then.

Our wonderful Jerry heard our trikes. His joy was boundless he did not know what to do with it. He sprung about in so many directions not knowing which of us to knock over first. He leaped on to the cane lounge which went skidding along the ground. We love him so but we are not near as skilled at expressing our joy and love for him as he is for us.

We cannot thank, or speak highly enough of our wonderful house minders Sharon and Andrea from Aussie House Sitters. They made it possible for us to go away for seven weeks without a care in the world. They have gone above and beyond in so many ways in the care of our home and Jerry. They even kept Mum and Dad up to date with Jerry’s antics as is something I do daily.

We had only been home long enough for me to slip into my first dress for fifty days when my dear friend Linda appeared with beautiful flowers to welcome us home.

Both trikes have performed beyond expectations, they kicked over everyday and got the kilometres done. The workshop foreman is to be congratulated for his tireless care and maintenance checks daily and the planned service and tyre changes in Perth. Such a great idea. That ensured an issue free ride. The MOTH may even give him a bonus. ( same guy)

Our Krakatinne camper had a couple of issues but they were both fixed quickly and expertly by the MOTH and we never had any lost time because of them. We are in awe of the little 8inched tyres. They are the same tyres for the whole 16 775kms and if that’s not enough they have done several other trips as well. We estimate they may have done about 40 000kms.

That little trailer cost us $1800.00, 7 years ago. Last of the big spenders.

We are never throwing the tyres away. They will be mounted and celebrated in the shed. If we ever need to change them. We took two spares but they were never used.

The Lap is complete.

If you ride out to find the way.

The way is around Australia.

For the last time.

MOTH and LOL