the engine braking , and the ability to lock the rear wheel with each prodigious stab of the rear brake lever .
Churches were a prominent feature of the ride on this morning , often in the the most remote of places , with no other building within cooee . Substantial buildings of bricks , mortar , timber and undoubtedly witness to countless hopes , dreams , tears of joy and tears of sadness . Some appear operational , others laid dormant , windows and doors closed , overgrown with weeds , denying any opportunity for dreams or prayers .
A cash crop of two varieties abuts the Calala Lane entrance to Tamworth . Both formed of grass , and both legal ; lucerne on my left ,
kikuyu , and couch on my right . Kept green with irrigation from nearby watercourses , an almost neverending need for each variety feeding the farmers desire to keep producing .
Arriving at the Tamworth Hotel , I grinned as I entered the front bar , observing a large portrait of Paul Kelly in regal robes ; I think any pub honouring one of Australia ’ s greatest , if not the greatest singer / songwriters , had to be a wonderful place to spend the night .
Shown to my ‘ quarters ’, walking through the inner bowels of the Tamworth Hotel , a grand old pub , sitting opposite the railway station . The dark wooden panelling , double hinged swinging doors , lofty ceilings , thick almost green glass panelling and gold lettering spoke of an opulent time in the past . Period correct tiling in the bathroom , with high mounted cisterns and porcelain urinals definitely link to a former glory . Hot water flowed from the shower , with consistent pressure , suggesting a modern plumbing system .
Walking downstairs , the cool air of modern air conditioning enveloped me . At the same time , a broad smile spread across my face . I ’ d spent two days riding through great countryside , stopping to smell the roses , look at and appreciate the little things all around .
Like the pub , I might be a little old , I might be a little tired , but there ’ s still plenty of life left in me yet ! It ’ s time for that first beer . I think it will be an Old . PL
TRAVERSE 157