and sweaty , I made the decision to stick to the bitumen . A dirt road over Pandora ’ s Pass to the Liverpool Plains had been on the plan . With recent rain , and the mornings bog hole fresh in my mind , I took the bitumen option .
The Liverpool Plains of NSW is one of Australia ’ s highest value farming areas . Covering an area of approximately 12,000km . Significant quantities of barley , chickpea , sorghum , maize , wheat , sunflowers , and cotton are produced , with beef cattle and sheep farming also present . The Liverpool Plains is also home to Spring Ridge , alleged to be a ‘ drinking town with a farming obsession ’.
The main street of Spring Ridge houses the Royal Hotel , along with a collection of other buildings . Some occupied , some vacant . Signs of a once thriving small town . Faded signs showing what was once a workshop and service station . The local post office now serving a multitude of roles – shop , general store , café , and bank .
Walking into the bar of the Royal , the warmth of the open fire matched by the warmth of the publican and staff .
Kat , a Quirindi local , makes the 40-kilometre trip each way to work , Renae the Dutch backpacker with a slight English accent cooked up a storm in the kitchen . Nicole , daughter of owners Robyn and Tony – quick to welcome you , just as quick to pounce on unruly or unwelcomed behaviour .
Over the course of the weekend , drinks quenched our thirst and provided the lubricant for many conversations . Hearty meals quelled our rumbling hunger . Warm beds and hot showers soothed weary bodies ( and heads ). Conversations easily started with locals and other patrons seeking the spoils of a good country pub .
Australia is a lucky country . Yes , we ’ ve had a shocker in 2020 . Restrictions have eased somewhat ; some suggest there ’ s still a way to go . The opportunity to travel in your own local area has never been better .
Take that opportunity . Find a spot on a map . Look for an indirect route . Stop along the way . Take photos . Talk to a local and spend some money . You can help in the recovery of small towns . And you can help in your own recovery by spending some time on a motorcycle . It doesn ’ t get much better . PL
The Australian bushfires of 2020 burned through 186,000 square kilometres of land , almost the size of Mexico , 50 % larger than South Africa . Almost 6,000 buildigs were destroyed , half of which were homes . It ' s estimated that 3 billion animals were killed , some species to the point of extinction .
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