With a capital "A" ;D
I decided to get the heck out of Dodge (so to speak!) last week. The weather was just perfect, the big yellow bike was calling to me from under the house and I felt it was time for a ride. I decided that I wanted to go and visit my girlfriend in Mudgee, who also lost her hubby last year (only a few months before mine. Yes, what a bizarre world we live in!). As luck would have it it was also her birthday the day I arrived so we had a little celebration.
Most people dont expect to see a woman get off the Ducati, so I was a bit unsure of the response I would receive when pulling up in places. I took the long route down from home to Mudgee, which meant it would be straighter and not too many bends. I hadnt ridden for a few months due to one thing or another (usually work) and so wanted to have a easing back in on the bike. I was also pleasantly surprised that everyone I did come across were friendly and interested in me being on the bike. Whenever you pull into a town, people always turn to look, mostly because they hear you coming first! There really is nothing like that sound of a Ducati and with its tuned exhausts you really can hear it coming from miles away. I used to be able to hear it getting started at the airport and that is 7kms away from our home!
Mudgee has really changed over the years and now with such a big wine and tourism industry, people are renovating the gorgeous old homes back to their former glory. The town has a strange mix of country and city as well. I guess a lot of people are making their "treechange" to Mudgee.
My girlfriend took me to a cafe in the main street that she thought Id like. And she was pretty spot on! It was called the Butcher Shop Cafe and as expected it was in an old Butcher shop! It was fairly sparse inside but still quite comfy. Much to my delight, they were also roasting their own beans and once I saw that, I was hoping that they knew what they were doing at the machine. Sure enough, their coffee was impressive as well and I couldnt resist and had two! Before I left on Thursday, I stopped in for a coffee as well. Still consistently great! So, if you find yourself in Mudgee, be sure to try this one!
Thursday, I headed for home, as the weather was shaping up for rain and I had to be back before the weekend. I did plan pretty well as even though the weather whilst in Mudgee wasnt great, Thursday shaped up pretty fine for travelling. This time I decided to take the shorter route home, which meant going back through Dunedoo and Mendoran then on to Coonabarabran. We normally go this route in the car so I was pretty familiar with it and having had the ride down I felt a bit more confident as well. I stopped at Mendoran for some thing to eat at a small cafe there. It was run by a retired couple whod made their treechange from Sydney. The husband was keen on British bikes and as he was wanting to get something to ride, asked if he could have a sit on the Ducati. He decided that the fuel tank would get in the way of his stomach, or rather, his stomach would get in the way of the fuel tank! This couple had a coffee machine and grinder too but as I had already had my fix for the day, I didnt try their coffee. But their hospitality was just great and when youre travelling alone, this helps to make you feel like youre not!
So I got home safe and sound. Proud of myself that Id been able to do such a big ride on the Duke. Even packing enough clothes yet not having too much in the tail bag was a good lesson as well. Just being able to have a few enjoyable days away. But best of all, having that enjoyment of riding on two wheels through some beautiful country. Im sure that having a grin on my face every time I took the helmet off went a long way to endearing people to me!
This pic was taken with the phone, so excuse its quality. I took it outside the cafe in Mendoran.

Anyway, I just thought Id share that with you all!
I decided to get the heck out of Dodge (so to speak!) last week. The weather was just perfect, the big yellow bike was calling to me from under the house and I felt it was time for a ride. I decided that I wanted to go and visit my girlfriend in Mudgee, who also lost her hubby last year (only a few months before mine. Yes, what a bizarre world we live in!). As luck would have it it was also her birthday the day I arrived so we had a little celebration.
Most people dont expect to see a woman get off the Ducati, so I was a bit unsure of the response I would receive when pulling up in places. I took the long route down from home to Mudgee, which meant it would be straighter and not too many bends. I hadnt ridden for a few months due to one thing or another (usually work) and so wanted to have a easing back in on the bike. I was also pleasantly surprised that everyone I did come across were friendly and interested in me being on the bike. Whenever you pull into a town, people always turn to look, mostly because they hear you coming first! There really is nothing like that sound of a Ducati and with its tuned exhausts you really can hear it coming from miles away. I used to be able to hear it getting started at the airport and that is 7kms away from our home!
Mudgee has really changed over the years and now with such a big wine and tourism industry, people are renovating the gorgeous old homes back to their former glory. The town has a strange mix of country and city as well. I guess a lot of people are making their "treechange" to Mudgee.
My girlfriend took me to a cafe in the main street that she thought Id like. And she was pretty spot on! It was called the Butcher Shop Cafe and as expected it was in an old Butcher shop! It was fairly sparse inside but still quite comfy. Much to my delight, they were also roasting their own beans and once I saw that, I was hoping that they knew what they were doing at the machine. Sure enough, their coffee was impressive as well and I couldnt resist and had two! Before I left on Thursday, I stopped in for a coffee as well. Still consistently great! So, if you find yourself in Mudgee, be sure to try this one!
Thursday, I headed for home, as the weather was shaping up for rain and I had to be back before the weekend. I did plan pretty well as even though the weather whilst in Mudgee wasnt great, Thursday shaped up pretty fine for travelling. This time I decided to take the shorter route home, which meant going back through Dunedoo and Mendoran then on to Coonabarabran. We normally go this route in the car so I was pretty familiar with it and having had the ride down I felt a bit more confident as well. I stopped at Mendoran for some thing to eat at a small cafe there. It was run by a retired couple whod made their treechange from Sydney. The husband was keen on British bikes and as he was wanting to get something to ride, asked if he could have a sit on the Ducati. He decided that the fuel tank would get in the way of his stomach, or rather, his stomach would get in the way of the fuel tank! This couple had a coffee machine and grinder too but as I had already had my fix for the day, I didnt try their coffee. But their hospitality was just great and when youre travelling alone, this helps to make you feel like youre not!
So I got home safe and sound. Proud of myself that Id been able to do such a big ride on the Duke. Even packing enough clothes yet not having too much in the tail bag was a good lesson as well. Just being able to have a few enjoyable days away. But best of all, having that enjoyment of riding on two wheels through some beautiful country. Im sure that having a grin on my face every time I took the helmet off went a long way to endearing people to me!
This pic was taken with the phone, so excuse its quality. I took it outside the cafe in Mendoran.

Anyway, I just thought Id share that with you all!


I thought it was a good idea because not every time you go into a petrol station can you get to the side you need to!

Comment