Despite the attractions of the "Island" and the screens, some of us still went for a ride today.

We assembled at Officer and enjoyed a chat.

Samuel volunteered to do Tail End duties again. Once formalities were over we rode off into the hills towards Beaconsfield Upper before looping back to Pakenham where we joined the old highway through to Nar Nar Goon and Tynong.

We the rode south via Cora Lynn to Bayles and on via more back roads to Poowong. Some sections were more than a a bit bumpy and yet more new 80 K zones have been introduced.😖 We also managed to regroup into a tighter bunch while be slowed down by a B double milk tanker😜

We eh rode west for a bit along the Lang Lang - Poowong Road Road, not the conventional route but it did supply some great views and bends before turning south and riding into Loch for a cuppa and rest break. I think it is fair to say that South Gippsland didn't disappoint - the roads and scenery really are beautiful.

After that break, Brian bid us farewell and the rest of us then explored more great roads and scenery. One navigational glitch by me gave us some "feet up" U turn practice and we got to see one bit of scenery from both directions. - Whoops!

We rejoined the South Gippsland Hwy at Koonwarra and enjoyed assorted views including the old rail trails and bridges before stopping at Meeniyan

for lunch which we enjoyed at a picnic table in the centre of town.

Then we rode north through Dumbalk to Mirboo North

for a brief fuel stop before heading on to Thorpdale.

I really do enjoy a set of curves on that road. The enjoyment has been marred by the introduction of an an 80 KPH speed limit but it is still a delightful piece of road anyway.

At Thorpdale we turned left and used more backroads

with some great scenery before finally joining the Princes Hwy between Trafalgar and Yarragon.

Then it was transport run along the freeway back to Melbourne. I bid the rest of the group farewell at Nar Nar Goon and rode home via the Dandenong Ranges.

Finally, thanks to all (Andrew, Brian, Colin, Jeff, Les, Ralph, Reece and Samuel) who came along and made it such a great day out motorcycling with fellow Uysseans.

Cheers John Cook