Canberra - April 28-May 2

Saturday

Early start for the congregation setting off from various points in Sydney to converge at a little cafe at the Y intersection in the middle of Mittagong.  Traditional breaking of bread and assortment of hot beverages before heading to a starting point near the local cemetery called Welby.  Worshippers on this pilgrimage included Dean (a first timer), Ashley, Peter, Rohan, Graham, Yarro, JohnO, JD, Paul, Richard and Phil.  Eleven in all and lucky not to be known as "Motions" Eleven after curry on Sunday night.  But we're getting ahead of ourselves - focus, focus.

Lunch back in Mittagong before the drive to Canberra with a quick run around Bruce Ridge before dark.

Off to the cabins at the corner of Canberra Ave and Monaro Highway for quick shower and shave and couple of Bundies before dinner at the Kingston Hotel.  Huge red steaks and huge red wines.  Back for bundies and bed.

SUNDAY

Eight o'clock drive to Manuka and the Cafe for breakfast and coffee before a swarm of roadies arrived.  Lucky we went early.

Off to Kowen State Forest with the morning on the East side of the highway.  Lunch at Bungendore Bakery then afternoon on the West side - or should I say MTB Heaven.  Oh yeah - this was awesome particularly Kawelski which we did twice and would have done more but consensus said "you can only have so much of a good thing".

Check out the skydrive here for heaps of individual shots.

Dinner at Timmy's Kitchen in Manuka.  Manuka is crazy busy - come on - it's Sunday night and every restaurant was packed.  Lucky to find a park let alone a place to eat.  But Timmy's was good Chinese / Malaysian - a good balance for those that like it hot and those that not.  Hint for future in Canberra - buy your drinks before 6 because all but the Kingston Hotel is closed.  Thanks to Deano and Rohan for a run to the Kingston for the necessary products to re-hydrate after a solid day.

Back to the cabins for a cleansing ale or 3 and the movie Taken.

MONDAY

Breakfast back in Manuka but again it's packed.  We couldn't get a seat that the bikers cafe so went around the corner for the "Big Breakfast". 

Destination "Majura Pines" near the airport for some wandering in the forest.  Some went high, some went low, others went left and others North East.  A nice chance to swap bikes, check out the "9ers" and appreciate how good the riding is around Canberra.  So much - too much - to choose from. 

Lunch in Manuka at yet another place - again so much to choose from.  I could get used to the his "living off the land".

Phil, JD, Richard headed back to Sydney after lunch.  Paul and Dean not far behind.  Graham and Yarro chilled at the cabins whilst JD, Rohan, Ashley and Peter headed out for a Lake Loop.

TUESDAY

To be finished once the Caretaker (Phil) gets the news of the last day at regular Sunday Service at the Long Shot Beecroft.