Portland by Peter
Philferan 23rd–27th
April, 2003
Wednesday 23rd
Today was a short ride to Ballarat. After doing a pre-ride check of my machine, I pulled the Yamaha 250 out of the garage, leaving at 2.30 pm and going through the city out onto the highway in fine weather. I arrived in the main street of Ballarat around four o’clock and had a cup of coffee, then headed off to the hotel which was just around the corner. I went around to the back where there was a big open garage, just made for me. I had a counter meal, then did a fifteen minute walk to the George Hotel and had a fling on the pokies and came out even on the night before retiring.
The following morning, after having a continental breakfast, I went out on the Glenelg Highway to Skipton where I filled up the machine, then continued on to Lake Bolac for morning tea. I had a couple of potato cakes, which melted in my mouth, and coffee. Then on through Glen Thomson, Dunkeld and finally arriving at lunchtime in Hamilton, where I was staying for the night.
As I had time up my sleeve, I stopped at the park and read a mystery novel. I am a member of the Camberwell Library. I had a bit of lunch, then went touring around the town looking for the George Motel. After making an enquiry, I found it up near Coles Supermarket. A la Hilton style, very nice. It cost me $55 for the night including a light breakfast. For the remainder of the day I took it easy. I did some window shopping and had a country tea before calling it a day.
Friday 25th,
ANZAC Day
About 9.30 am I left Hamilton heading for Portland, around 80 km away. It was a good road with some nice long sweepers. When I got to Heywood I got caught up in the ANZAC March and decided to hang around until the service was over, taking a break.
It was just on lunchtime when I arrived in Portland in glorious sunshine. It certainly has changed since I was there thirty years ago. After touring around the town for a while, I had some lunch and then went to my motel which was just outside the township in a little court. I cleaned up and relaxed for the remainder of the afternoon until about 4 pm when I went into town to meet the Club. Ron told me they would probably be there around that time. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Dianne broke down at “West Gate”. I finally went up the road for tea and while there met a member of the Ulysses Club who told me about their Coffee Sip and said “See you in the morning.”
Saturday 26th
At 10 am I rode down the main street on the water front for the Coffee Sip. About six Ulysses Club members were there. As the morning went on, it grew in number up to twenty. A good social chat.
Arriving on the scene around lunchtime came Rob and Kirsten to say hello and how are you. I get around you know. They were doing some sight seeing. I also met Julie Johnston who came into town with her parents to do some shopping.
In the afternoon, I visited the car museum, then went out to make a social call on Cliff Peters at Tyrendarra but missed the turn off. As I wasn’t sure where it was, I went back to my unit, made myself a cup of coffee. I listened to the football to fill in time before cleaning up and going down to the Gordon Hotel where I parked my bike and met a couple from the Ulysses Club who invited me out for tea. They took me to the RSL. A great night. Thanks to Lorraine and Geoff who live at Heywood.
Sunday 27th
Sunday morning I packed up, getting ready to head home, departing from my unit at 10 am. I did my usual thing and went off to church at 10.30 am. A nice service that went for an hour. Then I headed out of Portland stopping at the roadhouse on the highway to top up my tank and have some lunch. Then I went on, taking the Warnambool turnoff, and just kept riding. When I got to Warnambool I took the road to Mortlake, eventually arriving around 2.30 pm. I refilled and had some afternoon tea. I heard a car driver say that it was pouring rain in Melbourne. Gee, I thought, I’m glad I’m here. Continuing on, I went through the towns of Lismore, Cressy and Inverleigh and finally Shelford on the outskirts of Geelong. Taking the back way, it brought me out on the Freeway near Corio. The road was pretty wet, but no rain.
It was only going to be a matter of time before I got home, arriving there at 7 pm, after what was a great trip. Distance travelled: 900 km. I will soon have to replace the main drive belt and the rear tyre. I would very much like to thank Ron and Julie for making the trip possible.
Past History:
I have been riding with the Club for 50 odd years, an achievement in itself. I have held a few Committee positions, the longest being President for 13 years. I was a foundation member and now am a “Life Member”. The MSTCV is a wonderful Club to be in. Below is a list of bikes that I have had:
Lambretta 125cc, Heinkel 175cc, Maico 250cc, Honda Dream 305cc, Honda 450 cc twin, Honda 500/4, Honda 750/4 K2 (I managed to see this one with over 200,000 km on the clock …Ed.) BMW R/65, Kawasaki GT750 P1
Peter Philferan (Yamaha Majesty 250)