Considering you blokes are putting in the effort to upload/share the recent spate of 'just because' drives that seems to have descended over the group - I figure I may as well join in. You don't need to read it, it's probably more for my benefit than anything.
I headed off from my place at around six this morning, just had to wait until the light was safe enough to drive. Intent of the mission was to pick up some fresh grown hops from a friend of a friend in Northcliffe; This is the route I had chosen, which just happens to wander through some of the prettiest scenery I think in Australia.
200'ish K's each way.
Not too long into the trip, my old friends the Emu's popped up...
!
Being as I wasn't completely sure of just how 'off the grid' this bloke's house was, I took the XT instead of my car - turned out to be a wise decision. Nearing his place the road went from sealed, to unsealed, to dodgy, to sand. You can see here where it just instantly turns to white sand;
Their house was very cool, they've essentially built the entire thing from the ground up. No power, but running water, and kept very nicely. I didn't take any photos of their house though, first time I'd ever met them and all that - thought it might be a bit odd! But what I came for was right out the front as I drove in. Hops! This area used to be quite well known for hop farms/gardens but all of them as far as we can tell have been torn down, most turned into apple orchards. As Brett will tell you, fresh hops are a very cool thing, very expensive and obviously you have to buy them in from elsewhere, so the opportunity to go and pick some to make some beer was one I was not giving up.
These are the puppies; this photo is the Perle variety;
Some Hallertau;
And, some Cascade;
It was all a lot of fun, though one thing nobody tells you is that they are ridiculously itchy when you get covered in them. My arms are still red raw and old mate wasn't fairing any better than me.
Only took about an hour or so, and after a brief chat, I was back on the road. With four garbage bags full of fresh picked sedatives sending their goodness into the cabin of the XT. I can only imagine how long I would have been on the side of the road if I had have been pulled over by the plod - driving back from the south with four garbage bags of what literally just smells like dope!
Feeling quite chuffed, I decided I'd meander home and take some snaps. It truly is quiet this far out. You're not going to see another person, especially not on a Sundee.
Always being cautious of the speed limit...
It is very dry still;
Considering I'd literally not seen one other person/car since leaving the hop garden - I thought I might check out some of the sights that I used to go to with the family when I were a wee lad. The main thing that prompted me was that one of my favourite spots as a youngster is names 'Cascades' - I figure, if you've just been picking Cascade hops, and you've got a boot load of them, you may as well round it out and go and check out the Cascades in the National Park.
The paths/bridges at the beginning of the hike trail are a LOT better than I remembered.
As I had suspected, the Cascades weren't exactly a white water torrent...
This is what they look like at the height of winter;
The trail ends here and you can journey onward on the 'loop' or go for a bit of an unbeaten path, I was enjoying walking by the water so I just kept following the river;
Cool little bit of nature making do;
As I kept going I came to an old railway bridge.
The sign said it was no longer in use, so naturally I climbed out the middle to take some snaps.
It was at this precise moment I felt as though it was getting windy. It wasn't though, not even a rustle of a leaf. Then I literally started to feel the bridge move, and then I heard an almighty horn blow - bloody train coming! I won't make this out to be too dramatic, as it was probably going just a few cogs faster than walking pace, but it was a bit of a heart starter considering I was in the middle of the bridge...
Turned out to be a tourist attraction. Pretty cool timing though, also, I think they should change the sign that says it's no longer in use!
Kept going, found another old bridge, this one was beasty - no hand rails or guards either...
Stood on top of it and heard the little train coming again;
I'd started to get pretty far off the track, and away from the car, so called it a day and headed home. It was awesome. So cheers to you blokes for making me think to do a couple of extra things while I was out and about. I'm pretty keen to head back after we've had some decent rain and get some better photos, not so dry.
Thought this might give you a taste of MDSC scenery...
Cheers,
Nik
right off.
