20
OCTOBER 2021
TRIP AROUND AUS 2021
Editors:
We left home at 4pm and arrived at the Oasis in Kingaroy at 6.30pm. We successfully Before we introduce the first instalment of escaped the 6pm Brisbane lock-down bell. Liezel’s and Huw’s epic circumnavigation of Australia, the first without getting anywhere The Lead Up near NSW or Victoria in recorded history, we Huw dived into planning for this trip must apologise to Liezel for our email dramas in January when he started raiding the local which means we didn’t get it, or the second. library and bookstores for books on Australia. If you send something, especially a trip report, The plan was to have the route plotted without and you don’t get a response, then please text/ committing to pre-booked accommodation that email/pigeon a message to us, we so appreciate would bind us to a fixed schedule. these that you are more at risk of being We normally travel light. After all, there smothered with affection rather than ignored. is only so much two people can fit into panniers Anyway, to the epic, Part 1..... on a 1200 GS. Huw has an unwritten rule: What does not fit inside [the panniers], does not go. In By Liezel Samuel, Member #4412 other words, nothing gets strapped onto the GS. This rule got challenged when we tapped into the A Speedy Start knowledge and experiences of our fellow club ur long-awaited trip around Australia was members. COVID-19 has filled regional Australia due to start on Saturday, 3 July – in Kingaroy with touring Aussies filling up motels. Without with the Club’s Christmas in July party. booking accommodation weeks in advance we On Thursday evening 24 June, Huw were at risk of being stranded without a bed to casually asked: “Hypothetically, but quite sleep in some nights. So, if we wanted to stay possibly, if they announce a lock-down this flexible in our travels, we needed a Plan B. weekend, will you skip work next week so we can get away before the lock-down bell rings?” When I responded “Yes”, I did not really expect it to happen.
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This short exchange luckily kicked me into gear and I fully packed and made sure all I needed fitted in my allocated space in the Top Box. As a rule, I normally pack for a trip the night before we leave. I have that luxury, as Huw is the one that puts in the hard slog to ensure the bike and all else are ready. As the pillion, my responsibility stretches as far as getting on the bike at the required time of departure 😊. So, when the lock-down was announced midday Tuesday 29 June, the decision was easy. All I had to do was get home from the city ASAP and find a way to squeeze the laptop in the Top Box so I could work the rest of the week from Kingaroy. Subconsciously, I was happy with the idea, as taking the laptop would enable me to write up our travel notes and finally provide Cindy and Duncan with contributions for the Club Journal. (Eds - guilt easing now it’s in)
By Easter we had acquired a new lightweight tent, air mattresses, sleeping bags including thermal liners and air pillows. Huw designed custom-made pannier bags and on Easter Saturday we had bought the faux leather, Velcro, straps, and buckles. I thought I could have it sewn up by Easter Monday. Well, the design changed about six times, okay, maybe it was only five times, and what (I thought) was a one-day sewing job, turned into many sewing
