Drouin Pub Counter Lunch Sunday 8^th July, 2007

Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Dave Ward (Leader)	Suzuki GSXR600
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750

The weather forecast for today was showers with sunny periods, which means pretty much anything goes. I could create a weather forecast like that for a faction of the cost of what the Bureau of Meteorology charges the government and I don’t suppose that I would get it wrong either. Before leaving home I had the full wet weather storm suit out but didn’t take it as the sky around my house and as far as the eye could see was all blue. I took just a slicker top and stuffed an old two sizes too small pair of wet weather pants into my bag, then headed off to the meeting place at Berwick.

Upon arrival I spied what I thought looked like a new set of chain and sprockets on Paul’s bike. Paul confirmed this to be the case and added the he also had a new set of front brake pads. He was pretty happy with the wear on both components having just racked up 32,000 km.

Travelling north east that blue sky around Melbourne was no where to be seen coming into Powelltown and what I initially thought was mist turned out to be a light shower. It was one of those showers that had me revisiting the option of stopping to put on my wet wether pants or just press on. Misho, who was wearing full leathers with summer gloves inspired me to push on and grin and bear it.

Noojee was the first stop of the day. We engaged in a bit of banter about how cheap 2007 Kawasaki ZX10’s are selling for. Otherwise some track day talk filled in the rest of morning tea time.

Before setting off the waterproof plastics came out as the light shower turned to rain. Dave took us for run around Neerim before heading off to Drouin where Ben left the group to head to the footy.

Of course Drouin was to be the highlight of the ride with a counter meal for lunch being on the agenda. I’ve never been into the Drouin pub before and was I in for a surprise. The pub was packed; you couldn’t swing a cat. I wasn’t complaining as this is better than walking into a place in the middle of lunch time to find you are the only person there, and then wondering what food was going to be like.

I’m not sure what attracted the crowds the most: the band or the topless barmaids. Paul made the very insightful observation that you can tell how many years of service each of the bar maids has had by … may be better left unsaid …Ed.

Being a club event, no alcohol was consumed. So it lemon squash all round. On the food front Fish and Chips and Chicken Schnitzels seemed to be a popular choice.

After the sumptuous lunch had been consumed we headed off home via Jindivick and broke up beside the Princess Highway at Longwarry North. Thanks to Ian for going rear rider and Dave for both leading and selecting an excellent pub for lunch.

Cameron Stevens