Monday February 06, 2012

A mild and sunny morning almost guaranteed a good turn-out for the run to Mount Macedon last Sunday. There was Alan Lindley, Ron Olsson, Peter Baulch, Ian Pope, Gary Hipwell, John Fitton, Gerry Roach, Alan Rae, Colin Gibbons, Mick Ferran plus three members of the fairer sex Tiny Veltman, Julie Waters and Karen. It was a prompt start at 0930 straight up the freeway to the City, over the Bolte Bridge and on to Mount Macedon via Gisborne. It was a clear day up at the Memorial Cross and the city could be clearly seen together with the brilliant blue bay beyond. Members of the majority of Victorian Ulyssian branches gathered there, beneath the cross, for a short but reverent reading to remember our fellow Ulyssians who had ‘ridden on’ to, hopefully, pastures greener. It was also a time to honour “the unknown soldier” to whom the cross is dedicated, and those others who have died in the various conflicts of this and the last century. After this sombre reunion we departed for Gisborne for nourishment and made our way home. El Presidente, the ride-leader, endeavoured to avoid the boring route up travelling back via Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest and Bulla to the City but after that it was back to 80k speed limit due to the interminable road-works until we pulled over at Thompson Road where he shouted us all an ice-cream. Three Cheers for El Presidente!!!.

Nick Swales