Eildon Poker Run Sunday 8^th August, 2004

Honda CBR929 Ben Warden (leader) Harley Buell Nigel Hellyer

Honda CBR929 Ian Payne Suzuki GSXR750 Matt Clark & Beck

Honda CBR954 Paul Southwell Honda CBR929 Rod Hagan (1^st ride)

Although the weather outlook was not promising, I didn’t care as today would be my first ride since returning from South America. I was quite eager to get back riding, no matter what the weather.

As I trundled down Plenty Road towards Whittlesea I noticed Paul waving frantically from the ‘first’ service station! I pulled in to find that our usual Mobil servo had closed for renovations and this would be our starting point. Ben and Nigel were there, as was Rod, a first timer. He had heard about us from Bill Wee and was keen to see how our poker run went. He usually rode with the Front Line Tourers and we were quick to establish that he wasn’t from the Police Force!

With the arrival of Matt and Rebecca, Ben shuffled the cards and we drew our first card, then headed off towards Flowerdale and Strath Creek. Although the roads were wet, grip was quite good, so it didn’t take to long to reach Trawool and Tallarook. Then out to the Pyalong road before picking up the main road into Seymour, our first stop.

It was now quite cold, the hot food from the ‘little take-away shop’ most welcome. While waiting, a read of the newspaper clippings adorning the shop window showed our cook to be quite a celebrity!

It seemed the elderly owner, at last count, 89 years old, had owned this establishment from when it was the Seymour Caravan Park kiosk. The park has long gone but the kiosk remains and, with help from her daughter, is still a seven-day-a-week business.

We picked our next card, and, after a check of the deteriorating weather, Ben decided Eildon was out and we would return to Whittlesea early. No complaints from the rest of us. So, after another card picked, we head off towards Highlands and thick fog. Fortunately it cleared quickly and we proceeded onto the main Yea road, then back down to Flowerdale and Kinglake West where the ride finished. Apparently, along the way the driver of a new Mini Cooper objected to Ben and Paul arriving suddenly in his rear view mirror, so upped the pace and left the disbelieving pair in his wake! “Boy could he drive” was Paul’s only comment!

This being our last stop a further 2 cards were picked to complete our poker hand. With an almighty cheer, Paul was declared the winner with a straight.

Paul Winner	9 of Hearts	Queen of Clubs	Jack of Spades	10 of Hearts	8 of Diamonds
Rebecca	King of Diamonds	King of Clubs	Queen of Clubs	Ace of Clubs	10 of Hearts
Rod	Ace of Spades	8 of Diamonds	King of Diamonds	Jack of Diamonds	Jack of Hearts
Ben	Ace of Diamonds	8 of Spades	King of Clubs	Ace of Clubs	10 of Spades
Matt	King of Diamonds	Jack of Hearts	Queen of Hearts	King of Clubs	10 of Hearts
Nigel	King of Hearts	8 of Diamonds	Jack of Spades	9 of Spades	9 of Clubs
Ian	King of Diamonds	10 of Spades	Queen of Clubs	Ace of Diamonds	Ace of Diamonds

A big thank you to Ben for the organizing this fun day and Matt for the rear riding duties.

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929RR)