Porepunkah Christmas Camp December 2009

I loved the Christmas Camp and could easily have stayed on a few more days. Not having been before, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, as it wasn’t a full on riding trip like the Cup ride, but I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Experience should not be underestimated either; having now been through one Christmas camp, I’ll know what other things to bring next year eg river shoes, bicycle, and a car (or someone who has a car). Many thanks to Uncle Ian Payne who offered to let me share his cabin and brought all the bedding for me.

I shall keep this brief, due to time constraints. I couldn’t bring myself to gear up in the heat, which provided the opportunity to do some other activities aside from riding—give me freezing rain, hail and winds any day over the heat. So on the second day, while the rest of the crew took off for another loop, Ian and I drove to Beechworth and found fascination in the bee shop where you could try a plethora of honey variations and watch the bees at work through a glass panel.

Probably the most exciting part of the whole trip was Ian and I going on a tandem microlight ride - we made it up to 5,500 feet! Being able to glide over mountains, sail up and down through the air like a bird was truly beautiful. Some other highlights include the scrumptious grilled barramundi that Suzie and I had at the Ovens Hotel, following Ian up and down Mt Buffalo, the awesome roads, the boys changing the air filter and spark plugs for me, and of course, the company.

There was misfortune (Ern’s crash), but also good fortune (a couple of Rob’s friends found Ivan lost in the bush and brought him to the Caravan Park). Kurn flew along on the rides, Pina rode well, Paul was missed, and Cameron got some work done to his radiator up at the Falls Creek chair lifts cafe...if I mentioned all the other things, this write up would never end. Better just to come next time and experience it for yourself J

Just as a breakaway should be, it was extremely relaxing, and I’m already looking forward to doing it again next year! J

Ha Du