REPORT ON THE ‘WIGGLES WEEKEND’ AT SALAMANDER BAY – 5th & 6th February, 2011

Our usual meeting at Macca’s Hexham was met only with a few “die-hards” due to the very hot morning, 6 bikes in all. Wal started out as ride leader until around Maitland and then Kathy took over. What happen Wal did you lose your way? Well done to you both.

We started out well but gradually became a “Zombie Style” of ride as things gradually dropped off the further we rode along. John’s (and yours truly) Pannier was the first to come off early in the piece and thanks to Lyn and Brian bringing up the rear was able to retrieve it along with its contents. I must point out that John has just gotten a new bike and he only fitted the extras the night before, a rush job. Once that was replaced we continued on only for the same thing to happen again, sorry guys....

We stopped at Singleton Macca’s for morning tea break only to be bagged by Chris. Les kindly joined us there after finishing his shift at work. Man, was the air-conditioning good there, it was certainly hard to leave.

Back on the road again, the air was like the devil’s breath, it was a scorching, searing heat that melted the best of us as we rode. And of course not to disappoint everyone the Pannier came off John’s bike again but yours truly was able to save it this time although we did have to stop yet again. Anyway, continuing through the searing heat on our way through Gresford to Dungog. The road was rough but you get that on country roads, except for this one corner that turned to the left that apparently had a pot-hole filled in and it had sunken so therefore creating a mound to one side – which by the way wasn’t obvious until you were already on it. Too late then! Well Wal hit it bounced up and thought he’d seen his last Xmas and it seems practically everyone else did the same thing including Chris, my oh my! Well we stopped just outside Dungog and Chris realized his right hand side Pannier was missing. Four of the bikes turned back to look for it holding little hope of finding it let alone in one piece. Chris found it lodged in the paddock on the opposite side of the road where he’d hit the bump in the road, hah hah hah! Nothing lost thank goodness. I think it’s safe to say that Chris takes the award for losing the Pannier (or is it John’s), hmm?

Lunch was at Snack Corner, Dungog in the wonderful air-conditioning. The food was good and so was the company. Where would we be on a ride without the larrikins Wal and Les bagging each other?

We arrived at Salamander Bay just after 2.30pm – checked into the motel. Some of us cooled off by taking a swim, others by having a cool shower but definitely icy cold drinks in the bar. Mind you I have it on good authority that John managed to have a short nap between shower and drinks at the bar.

Around 6.30pm-ish we donned our wigs and made our way to the Bowling Club where we met other members from Port Stephens and the Central Coast Ulysses. Leo was seen flashing her bra. There were definitely some great wigs. Dreadlocks seemed to dominate the theme. Les looked suspiciously like “Warrick Capper”. Wal, what was that you were wearing – fairy floss? Great effort guys, I take my wig off to you.

Chris was worse for wear before his dinner arrived. Dinner was lovely and again so was the company. After dinner we opted to listen to the band, it was somewhat cooler in there. By this time Leo was showing signs of being worse for wear. After flashing her bra again she became liberated when her bra hung from the ceiling fan, you go girl.....

The party started to break up at around 10-ish but party animal Chris went on until he was ushered out at closing time.

Breakfast was at Leo and John’s next morning – thanks guys for putting on such a great spread.

All in all I think it safe to say everyone had a ball!

Regards Maccatac (A.K.A. Helen).