Settlement

Last weekend I had to confess myself slightly disappointed at the rather poor second half produced by Gold Coast United in Brisbane on Friday night. There was nothing for it other than to get on the bike and find a decent ride somewhere. I set off on Sunday morning for the old fashioned Springbrook/Numinbah/Tomewin circuit. The start was a little slower than I normally like, and I wasn't sure whether that was lethargy or just an early morning westerly wind. Either way, the climb toward Salmons Saddle at Springbrook soon shook that loose.

I was far more concerned with the potentially treacherous descent on the other side. I have ridden up Pine Creek Road a few times and measured 24% gradients there. This sort of thing tends to make one slightly nervous about descending the road -- especially in view of the fact that I hadn't done it since the infamous crash back in July. As it was, the disc brakes on the Salsa Vaya worked beautifully and gave me another of those "what the hell are you worrying about?" moments when I reached the bottom, turned south, and set out on the next part of the ride.



Why did every motor-cyclist on the Gold Coast want to share my ride today? It's enough to make you think disparaging thoughts about people who are too poor to afford a Harley (i.e. all of them) but still want to be "bad dudes". The ride through the southern part of Numinbah valley is indeed, beautiful, but these guys made it a lot noisier than it might have been the day before. A couple of them also saw fit to pass right in the middle of corners on the descent from Numinbah Gap -- again I can thank my disc brakes for making a potentially tricky situation into an easy one. Somewhere near Chillingham I got a little tired of the noise, and decided to head for a dirt road that I've eyed off for a while.

I knew Settlement Road would be quiet. As it was, I didn't see another human along the way. What I didn't realise what just how lovely the switchback dirt road that snaked it's way though Springbrook's southern foothills would be. The forest here was pretty dense for the most part, but it occasionally gave way to some really stunning views. After climbing for a few kilometres, the road deteriorated as it went past a fence line, and I decided to call off the chase here -- but only after admiring the view toward Mt Hobwee and Bald Mountain.
After this, there isn't a lot to tell. The Harley wannabes virtually disappeared after I passed Chillingham (apart from one lot at Crystal Creek). The only thing noticeable out here was the north-easterly wind that had replaced the south-westerly that started the day. Oh well, this bike tends to cope with headwinds better than any other I've had previously, and I still had Tomewin to throw at it. The climb over Tomewin was quite enjoyable, and almost rejuvenating. It left me with plenty of energy for finishing off the ride home, and another 130km racked up.

Another great ride was had. I also now have something to look forward to on the horizon, but I'll reveal that in another post.

Hambleton Peninsula circuit

5 miles. With Terry, Eddie, Barry, Gordon, Carol, Ian, Kate and Jill. From the end of the road round the cycle track anticlockwise. Drizzly at first, then clear and fine - coolish wind. Lunch at Don Paddy's.

Hambleton Old Hall

We paused for a break at the two benches overlooking Hambleton Old Hall. Fishing boats floated on the water. The bluebells were delightful. We saw lots of swifts hunting insects, and Carol assured me the loud birds we we heard were blackcaps.

Pre-teen spirit

My cutie-pie niece, in the shirt she's not allowed to wear to school any more.

I can't remember if she was actually sent home, or just asked not to wear it again.

Arnold and The Village Blacksmith

We may have lost our school, post office, butcher's shop, grocery shop, cobbler and church, but our tiny village still has a pub, a village hall and a blacksmith!



In 1908 a blacksmith fresh out of his apprenticeship set up in business at the far end of the village. Horses from the nearby villages were brought to the premises for shoeing, and the blacksmith would also travel to several other local villages which had small forges. In 1936 they moved the business up to this end of the road. The main business was shoeing horses but they also made and repaired cartwheels in conjunction with the carpenter. I have heard it said that the carpenter also used to make coffins, on the top floor of the black corrugated building. When the coffin was ready to be loaded it would be discreetly loaded down a chute onto the back of a wagon!



During the Second World War the blacksmith was commissioned to provide 1000 shoes for mules.To this day a member of the same family is still active making weather vanes, wrought iron gates and commissioned works.

I like this place for many reasons - including the beautiful worn and weather doors, the quaint roof tiles, the old metal work around the place, the sun-bleached wood and, of course, the sense of continuity.

Of course, on the way home I called in to see Arnold.His sheep friends have been taken away because the farmer doesn't want any more accidents. So poor Arnold is on his own again.

See Bennie having a wash as Arnold prepares to frisk my pockets for some more carrot or apple!

Except, who should I spy there but Bennie, sitting having a lick and a wash near Arnold!I had a chat with John and he said she has been spending time up there recently.I'd like to think she is keeping him company, they certainly seemed very relaxed together.

As I was leaving Bennie was checking out John's workshop

- which pleased him -

apparently he has quite a mouse problem.Not for much longer with Bennie on the job!

No access

The Scottish countryside - safely fenced off. Actually this is at a lay-by, and the netting has been installed so that the less considerate motorists, of which Scotland has a few, don't merrily fling their picnic debris into the adjoining fields. All the same, it's a bit frustrating if you want to capture the rural scene beyond when every lay-by on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen road is fenced off like this. But with a bit of fiddling, while teenagers groan 'Muuuum' in the car, the netting can be bypassed.
This is looking towards the Mearns hills. I'm not sure what the turreted mansion is. (Edited to say it's probably a church)