Good for MTB, hybrid or ebike, this is a 14km loop starting from Strathbogie Township. Head out of town along Euroa – Strathbogie Rd, turn right into Mackrells Rd (dirt), right again into Creek Junction Rd, right again into Spring Creek Rd. The roadsides are heavily treed. The vistas are of the rolling hills and pasture atop the Tableland. It is very pleasant cycling.
This can be a fast, flat road ride or a comfy cruise. The cropping and grazing plains surrounding Avenel are backdropped by the Strathbogie Tablelands. The township itself is worth taking your time to investigate for its many historic features and amenities. There is an excellent Avenel Heritage Walk (see link below).
Hub & Spoke Cycling Route
Route Name:
Avenel: Mangalore Aerodrome Loop
Mode:
Road cycling (or any other mode)
Start / Finish locations:
Avenel Railway Station
Difficulty:
Easy
Distance:
23km
Elevation:
136 – 155mm
Topography:
Flat
Surfaces:
Bitumen (smooth)
Description & Features:
A loop out west past Mangalore aerodrome then back through this historic town
ship
• River Red Gum agricultural plains country for cropping, grazing and horse studs.
• The route skirts Kestrel Helicopter Emergency Services and Mangalore Aerodrome.
• Runs parallel to Goulburn Valley Freeway for a short distance.
• Transits the historic Avenel Township.
Riding conditions:
The terrain is flat and exposed.
Options:
Clockwise or anti clockwise
Amenities (Avenel)
Car parking
BBQ
Fuel
Shops
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Swimming Pool
Railway station
Cautions:
Snakes may be active
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start Avenel-Nagambie Rd at Avenel Railway Station
Left Doherty St
Left Aerodrome Rd
Straight Hughes St
Left Old Hume Hwy (Henry St)
Left Livingstone St
Left Watson St
Right Shelton St
Left Jubilee Crescent
Right Queen St
Left Avenel-Nagambie Rd
Avenel Railway Station
Strathbogie cycling #strathbogiecycling
Strathbogie photography #strathbogiephotography
VictoriaWalks Avenel Heritage Walk: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/4516
Bump & Grind Cycling Route
Route Name:
Graytown – Mt Black Quarry Loop
Heathcote – Graytown National Park
Start: Graytown Prisoner of War Camp Heathcote – Graytown Rd., Graytown 3608
Mode:
Gravel, Mountain Bike, Hybrid, eBike
Start / Finish locations:
Graytown Historic Prisoner of War Camp
Map:
-36.815797, 144.949878
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Distance:
17km
Elevation:
Between 168 and 232m
Topography:
Gravelly, undulating hills, with some short steepish climbs
Surfaces:
Loose gravel, dirt, clay with patches of dust in summer and mud in winter, some short rough rocky sections. Ruts and erosion in places.
Description and Features:
The dirt tracks and roads through Heathcote – Graytown National Park Box Ironbark Forest are dirt and in regular use. Very dry and hot in summer and can be very cold in winter. Riding conditions vary with the seasons and over time.
This ride passes significant historic sites and lookouts you may choose to explore along the way including: Graytown POW Camp, Cemetery and diggings, Mt Black, Mt Black Quarry and Melville’s Lookout. See the walking track links below.
Riding conditions:
Dirt tracks shared with occasional vehicles and motorbikes.
Alternatives:
1. Start anywhere either direction.
2. You can choose to reduce or increase the distance. There are several dirt roads or tracks for various alternative routes.
3. Return via Surface Hill Rd and Graytown Cemetery Rd to avoid the 1.8km of Heathcote – Nagambie Rd bitumen.
Clockwise Cues:
Start Graytown Historic POW Camp
East on the dirt track below and parallel with Heathcote – Nagambie Rd
Left Graytown Cemetery Rd
Left Surface Hill Rd
Right Ballieston Rd
Roght Mt Black Quarry Rd
Right Tin Hut Track
Right Heathcote – Nagambie Rd back to start.
Amenities:
Car parking
Historic features
Road and track signage
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat
Cautions:
Open water
Mine shafts
Steep climbs
Soft shoulders
Rocks may fall
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Be mindful to keep within the Reserve
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Restrictions
No dogs
No firearms
No hunting
No camping
Take rubbish with you
No rubbish dumping
No firewood collection
Do not remove soil or rock
No theft of forest produce
Historic relics are protected
Native flora and fauna are protected
Do not remove timber from standing trees
No fires in the open
Closed on days of total fire ban
No 4WD or bike use of walking tracks
Drivers/motorbike riders must: use formed roads only, be licensed, be registered
Heathcote - Graytown National Park camping at Dargile (Heathcote-Graytown National Park) Camping & Picnic Ground, Plantation Track, Mt Camel 3523
Goulburn Broken Cycling #goulburnbrokencycling
For some excellent walks along this cycling route check out the links below .....
VictoriaWalks Mt Black walk: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/4573
VictoriaWalks Melville's Lookout Walk: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/4513
VictoriaWalks POW Camp, Gold Diggings and Cemetery Walk, Graytown:https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/4572
Hub & Spoke / Bump & Grind Cycling Route
Route Name
Euroa – Arboretum Loop
Mode:
Gravel Grinder, mountain bike, hybrid, eBike
Start / Finish locations:
Euroa Railway Station Railway St., Euroa 3666
• Straight off the train, start at the station
• Arriving by car, park in Railway St. to start
Map:
GPS -36.749156, 145.568173
Difficulty:
Easy – intermediate (not for road bikes)
Distance and time:
17km plus a couple extra if you include the Arboretum. 1 – 2hrs.
Elevation:
163 – 202m
Topography:
Flat with one small rise.
Surfaces:
• Good condition bitumen, with a nice wide shoulder on the Euroa – Main Rd return section
• Good condition gravel.
• Airstrip and Earnshaw Roads are two wheel dirt tracks which may be rutted. They have some dust drifts in summer, muddy in the wet.
Description and Features:
A ride from the sedate, urban areas of rural Euroa Township into the surrounding plains country. Flat expanses of cropping and grazing lands, with Strathbogie Tablelands as a backdrop. Wooded roadside vegetation. Many fine rural properties. A sad looking local airstrip. Large scale free range chicken farms.
Take a break at the excellent locally indigenous Arboretum. There are a few Km extra of intertwining bushland tracks to enjoy. Other amenities include shelter, picnic facilities, public art, wetlands, a bird hide, a small lake and the site supplied nursery is well worth your perusal.
Riding conditions:
Minimal gradients. Very little traffic. Exposed to the elements.
Options:
It is about 3.5km (7km return) to the Euroa Arboretum via the Euroa – Main Rd.
Anti or clockwise
Anticlockwise Cues:
From the Euroa Railway Station
Right Scott St
Left Elliot St
Right De Boos St
Straight Branjee Rd
Right Cowells Lane
Left Wood Rd
Left Airstrip Rd
Straight Earnshaw Rd
Left Angle Rd
Opposite Euroa Arboretum entry
Straight Euroa – Main Rd
Left Birkett St
Right Handbury St
Right Elliot St
Right Scott St
Left Euroa Railway Station
Amenities (across Euroa & Arboretum)
Car parking
BBQ
Fuel
Shops
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Swimming Pool
Railway station
Road name signs
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat
Cautions:
Soft shoulders
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water outside town
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Restrictions:
Take rubbish with you
Historic relics are protected
Native flora and fauna are protected
No fires in the open
Use formed roads only
Strathbogie cycling #strathbogiecycling
Hub & Spoke / Bump & Grind Cycling Route
Route Name / Address:
Euroa – Geodetic Loop
Mode:
Gravel grinder, MTB, Hybrid, eBike
Start / Finish locations:
Euroa Railway Station Railway St., Euroa 3666
Map:
GPS -36.749156, 145.568173
Difficulty:
Easy – intermediate.
Distance:
34km. 2 hours.
Elevation:
159 – 184m
Topography:
Flat
Surfaces:
Good condition bitumen
Good condition gravel
Reynolds Rd is a two wheel dirt track that may be rutted. Dust and gravelly drifts in summer, muddy in winter
Flooding is common when there has been a bit of rain.
Description and Features:
A nice and flat, often gravel, loop for taking in the surrounding countryside. This is a broad grazing and cropping plains landscape with the Tablelands as backdrop. Pleasant roadside vegetation with some grand paddock trees. The occasional small stream crossing. You may spot some wildlife like the Goanna above.
Riding conditions:
Not much traffic. Exposed to the elements.
Options:
Pranjip Rd is an bitumen alternative to the rough bit of Reynolds and Wood Rd.
Anti or clockwise
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start Euroa Railway Station
Right Scott St
Left Elliot St
Left Handbury St
Straight Drysdale Rd
Left Creightons Siding Rd
Right Nelsons Rd
Right Geodetic Rd
Right Angle Rd
Left Reynolds Rd
Right Wood Rd
Right Cowells Lane
Left Siems Rd
Straight (almost) Rowe St
Right Elliot St
Left Scott St
Left Euroa Railway Station
Amenities (Euroa):
Car parking
BBQ
Fuel
Shops
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Swimming Pool
Railway station
Road signs
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat
Cautions:
Soft shoulders
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Restrictions:
Take rubbish with you
Native flora and fauna are protected
Riders must: use formed roads only
Strathbogie cycling #strathbogiecycling
Download from the link at the end to view route photos.
Route Name / Address:
Nagambie – Murchison Loop
Start / Finish locations:
Nagambie Railway Station Prentice St., Nagambie 3608
Mode:
Road bike (or any other mode you prefer)
GPS 36.785292° S 145.160579° E
Difficulty:
Easy – as long as the distance is OK for you
Distance:
50km
Elevation:
211 – 145m
Topography:
Flat
Surfaces:
Sealed bitumen. Narrow around Kirwans Bridge and Goulburn Weir. Firm dirt shoulders. Murchison East has quite a bit of through traffic, but broad sealed shoulders. Morningside Rd has quite a bit of patching. It is the roughest section, not too bad.
If you wish to join the Rail Trail to Rushworth at Murchison (another 7 – 10km one way dependent on where you start), you will require a bike able to manage a gravel surface.
Description and Features:
Nagambie is well serviced, Murchison less so, but can offer accommodation, food and drink. This is flat river plains country. The route parallels the Goulburn River, Weir and major irrigation canals most of the way. There are various scenic sites, such as the aged Kirwans Bridge, broad vistas across prime grazing and cropping land, quality horse studs and wineries.
Riding conditions:
Generally, fairly low traffic during the week with more tourists about on the weekends. Some long straight stretches. There is little shelter from the elements on the road.
This morning’s interview with presenter Matt Dowling regarding my work on tracks and trails promotion in the Strathbogie region. Commences at 43.30minutes.
Ruffy Store start and finish (check opening hours). Good condition gravel, broad vistas, bit of a climb back up.Map: Ruffy – Red Gate lane Loop
Hub & Spoke
Route Name:
Ruffy - Red Gate Lane Loop
Mode:
Gravel Grinder
Start / Finish locations:
Corner of Longwood – Ruffy Rd & Nolans Rd., Ruffy 3666
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Distance:
14.5km
Elevation:
394 – 547m
Topography:
Undulating with some steep inclines
Surfaces:
Longwood – Ruffy Rd is sealed
Nolans and Red Gate Lane are gravel
Description and Features:
Depart the Ruffy main street for rolling green hills of pasture, sweeping views and treed roadsides
Rocky outcrops
Riding conditions:
Little traffic, road conditions are generally good, can be very hot in summer and cold in winter
Options:
Clockwise or anti clockwise
Amenities (Ruffy):
Ruffy Store open intermittent hours or by booking
Car parking
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Directional road signs
Information signs
Cautions:
Steep climbs
Soft shoulders
Uneven ground
No potable water
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Be mindful to keep within the Reserve
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start corner of Longwood – Ruffy & Nolans Rd
Straight Nolans Rd (west)
Right Red Gate Lane
Right Longwood – Ruffy Rd
Finish corner of Longwood – Ruffy & Nolans Rd
My recently acquired touring ebike. Battery assist range 150km. It includes an auto power selection mode. Pedal pushing is always required, but you can choose how much effort to put in. You will keep fit!
Sub title: Central Victoria, the Centre for eBikes.
As I have aged (now approaching my mid 60s), I have progressed from road bikes to mountain bikes to hybrids and now, ebikes.
My message to everyone out there who rides or is contemplating riding is “Get on your bike!” If you are fit and able enough to provide your own power, find the bike that best suits your journeying and ride. If you think you are past it, reconsider. From 8 to 80 years old, anyone with balance who can get astride a bike frame now has bicycle touring at their feet!
With the advent of ebikes for all modes of cycling, the Central Victoria region is perfect for you and your bike. There are many kilometres of un-trafficked rural roads and tracks traversing diversely beautiful landscapes. You will be amazed at where an ebike can take you, from sealed flat stretches across the plains, amongst rustic rolling foothills, to tall treed dirt tracks through mountain forests.
Many people have asked me about the different modes of cycling I refer to in the cycling route descriptors I publish. Most often, about Gravel Grinders. Gravel Grinders as a specialty appeared somewhere in amongst my cycling experience. I missed their rise until alerted by a mad keen cycling cousin.
This alert coincided with the commencement of my mapping and publishing of walks and cycling routes in and around the beautiful Strathbogie region. A good port of call for those interested is the Gravel Grinders Melbourne fb page. The article linked below may be American, but is brief and indicative of gravel bike features for the uninitiated, as well as being fodder for dreamers. It is worth noting that one of the bikes listed is an ebike.
Difficulty:
Easy
Distance:
29km
Elevation:
136 – 179m
Topography:
Flat terrain plains country
Surfaces:
Bitumen, some ridging from tree roots in places
Description and Features:
The township is well worth exploring before or after. The wide un-trafficked streets lend themselves to pleasant cruising around. This route takes you into sheep grazing country, occasional swampy areas, past a few creeks, along wooded roadsides and through open pasture
Þ Roadside and patches of Grey Box and Casuarina woodland
Þ Bridged creek crossings
Þ Return alongside Pranjip Creek
Options:
Clockwise or anti clockwise
Amenities (Longwood):
Car parking
Shop and Hotel
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Cautions:
Soft shoulders
Limbs may fall
No potable water
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Be mindful of vehicle traffic
Roads may be subject to flooding
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding Anticlockwise Cues:
Start: car park opposite White Hart Hotel
North Longwood-Pranjip Rd
Left Pranjip Rd
Left Longwood-Shepparton Rd
Left Grimwade Rd
Right Longwood-Pranjip Rd
Finish White Hart Hotel
Start / Finish locations:
Euroa Railway Station Railway St., Euroa 3666
Mode:
Gravel Grinder, MTB, Hybrid, eBike (fats)
Map:
GPS -36.749080001925385, 145.56809969105484
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Distance:
32km
Elevation:
158 – 199m
Topography:
Flat
Surfaces:
Good condition bitumen
Gravel varies, but overall pretty good. A bit rougher on the minor road end of Balmattum Siding Rd. Old Euroa Rd has a significant camber in places, take care on the gravel when moving laterally for traffic.
Description and Features:
Flat with its own form of beauty, you have to be in it to appreciate it. Arrive at the Railway Station by train, car or bike. Euroa is an historic and pretty rural township with amenities aplenty. Appreciate it as you head through town to the fast straightaway of Balmattum North Rd. This smooth sealed bitumen parallels the Hume Freeway, but the traffic there isn’t too intrusive. There are more small waterways than expected and the countryside is quite appealing with the Strathbogie foothills to your right. There is a roadside stop at the only rise. When you hit the gravel you will find tree tunnels and enjoy vast plains vistas. Balmattum Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve is a great stopover for refreshment. Watch out for the playful Grey-crowned babblers. Return to Euroa alongside more waterways, swampy wetlands and lovely wooded roadside.
Riding conditions:
It is flat, so exposed to the elements in some locations. Well wooded roadsides provide some shelter in others. Not much traffic.
Options:
Access Balmattum Grassland via Wilbrahams Rd. However, the kink in Balmattum Siding Rd makes it a more interesting approach.
Anti or clockwise
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start Euroa Railway Station car park Railway St
Head north east
Right Kirkland Ave
Left Tarcombe St
Left Saxon St
Right Balmattum North Rd
Left Balmattum Siding Rd
Right Old Euroa Rd
Right Balmattum Grassland entry
South east Old Euroa Rd
Straight Riggs Creek Rd
Bear left Moglonemby Rd (south)
Left Boundary Rd North
Straight Melbourne to Sydney Railway underpass
Right Railway St back to the Station
Amenities:
Car parking
BBQ
Fuel
Shops
Seating
Parkland
Waterways
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Trail head sign
Walking tracks
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Swimming Pool
Railway station
Directional signs
Information signs
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat
Cautions:
Open water
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water outside Euroa
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Restrictions:
Take rubbish with you
Native flora and fauna are protected
Riders must use formed roads only
Difficulty:
Easy. Thick gravel can add an extra push requirement
Distance:
27km, 2hrs
Elevation:
128 – 144m
Topography:
Flat with slight rises.
Surfaces:
Good condition bitumen
Variable gravel. Mulberry Drive is smooth, but has drifts of quartz pebbles and blue metal stones.
Mullens Rd is due to be sealed
Nook Rd and Terrara Lane both suffer water sheeting and mud in winter
Description and Features:
Excellent services, wide roads and service lanes in Nagambie itself. Prime horse stud and wine country. Lots of vast grain fields, pasture and vineyards. The Goulburn River bends and billabongs at Tahbilk Winery are gorgeous. The winery itself is an historic gem.
Riding conditions:
Little traffic on the mapped route. If you opt to use O’Dwyer Rd there is steady traffic, but the shoulders are bitumen and wide.
Options:
Use O’Dwyer Rd instead of Habel Rd if you want to reduce the distance.
Avoid what seems an obvious route along Vickers Rd. It has no shoulder is a narrow two way and heavily trafficked.
Clockwise or anti
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start Nagambie Railway Station
Left Nash St
Right Prentice St
Left High St
Right Nook Rd
Right Mulberry Drive
Straight Oneils Rd
Left Mullers Rd
Right Terrara Lane
Straight Nagambie – Locklsley Rd
Left Habel Rd
Left Ballantynes Rd
Right Murray St
Straight Nash St
Stop Nagambie Railway Station
Amenities:
Car parking
Fuel
Shops
Fishing
Winery
Seating
Parkland
Swimming
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Walking tracks
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Railway station
Directional signs
Information signs
Waterways & lake
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat
Cautions:
Open water
Soft shoulders
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water while riding
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Restrictions:
Take rubbish with you
Historic relics are protected
Native flora and fauna are protected
Riders must use formed roads only
Closed on days of total fire ban
Description & Features:
Quiet roads. Beautiful scenery. Vistas to grazing pasture, rolling hills, cherry orchards, vineyards, forested waterways and granite outcrops.
• A steady gravel climb to views across to Mt Wombat from Upton Hill
• A winding bitumen return downhill
• Avenel Maze is passed on the return leg
Riding conditions:
It can be very cold in winter and very hot in summer.
Check local weather conditions before leaving.
Options:
Choose clockwise or anti clockwise, the 14km of gravel is at the eastern end of Tarcombe Rd
Amenities (Avenel):
Car parking
BBQ
Fuel
Shops
Seating
Parkland
Playground
Picnic tables
Public toilets
Potable water
Accommodation
Historic features
Sports Reserves
Swimming Pool
Railway station
Cautions:
Steep climbs
Soft shoulders
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant riding
Anticlockwise Cues:
Start Jubilee Park car park
Right Ewings Rd
Right Livingstone St
Left Mitchell St
Right Jones St
Cross Hume Fwy
Straight on Tarcome Rd
Left Upton Rd
Right Tarcombe Rd
Cross Hume Fwy
Straight Jones St
Left Mitchell St
Right Anderson St
Left Ewings Rd
While walking along the Goulburn River a couple of days ago, I realised I was getting a bit short of breath going up hills. I haven’t been doing much strenuous exercise in recent months and I think it is telling. So, I got on the bike for a 10k tester to see where I was at. I need to get the cardiovascular system pumping again! The legs felt heavy and I was puffing away on inclines that have never bothered me before. My conclusion is that walking is a wonderful form of exercise for keeping you active, the joints mobile and getting some fresh air into your lungs, but you most certainly need to get the heart rate up on a regular basis as well.
Getting back on the bike mid-winter around here is something of a challenge though. Even on this sunny afternoon, the chill factor on the downhill cruise was quite uncomfortable across my chest. I will need to pick my times and use the resistance trainer in between. Still, these are good options and I think I am in the right frame of mind for regular cycling again.
I also started a Quigong class a couple of months ago. This is an ancient form of Chinese martial art practiced in a fluid, slow motion, somewhat like Tai Chi. It is excellent for coordination, balance, mind / muscle control and range of motion. I am yet to remember the 64 sequential movements necessary to take myself to the most basic level of fluidity, but that will come in time.
Company
There have been quite a few visitors lately. The most recent, a lovely visit from Lyn, an old school friend. This weekend brother Keir and nephew Caleb are arriving for some riding and bushwalking. It has been wonderful to see so many friends and family make the effort to come here. We really value and appreciate their stays. Interestingly, I don’t always know the people that come. Recently we had a visit from Mitch (who used to work for Mary) and his wife Jacqui. In their mid 20s, I had only briefly met them at their engagement party a while ago. What a delight to have such vital, intelligent, young visitors in the mix. They were great company and I really hope to see them again.
I love it when we have people of all ages come. Mary’s Melbourne book group is a case in point. 10 of them, half in their late 20s / early 30s, half in their 60s, are a highly entertaining bunch. I am lucky to be able to sit in when they meet at our place. Their birthday book club lunch meeting celebrating Darren’s 30th and Mary’s 60th was a real hoot. There was lots of laughter, perceptive book talk and conversations all over the place. I was sorry to see them go.
It is also great to see people arrive with their baggage and begin to leave some cares behind as they settle into the groove of just being here, no pressure to do anything, time to talk and walk, to look around, become part of the landscape and change down a cog, to begin to match the pace of the place. At least, this is the way I see it and I hope this is the way they find it to be.