The Gowrie Park weekends came about after the demise of the Bronte Park Hotel, razed to the ground by fire in 2018. The massive concrete steps are the only testament to its former glory.
The Bronte Park weekend had been an annual March combined clubs weekend overnighter, going way back. The Ulysses Tamar Tourers Branch then initiated having this combined weekend at Gowrie Park Wilderness Park, it has now become an annual fixture on our ride calendars.
When March arrived, we were in the early grips of COVID 19 and our ride calendar was scuttled. In June we took a punt, organised this weekend at Gowrie Park for September, crossed our fingers and hoped that any future rules and restrictions would still allow the event to go head.
As good fortune would have it, we had a great weekend. A group of Hobart Ulyssians left Granton on Friday morning, some on bikes others in tin tops. First an obligatory coffee at Sealy’s Café, Bothwell, a quick stop at Miena and on Mumma Buzz in Deloraine for lunch.
Our hosts at Gowrie Park, Shelley and Geoff could not have been more accommodating under the circumstances. Knowing there were limitations around the pandemic we were restricted to 38 people. The onsite accommodation is a choice of cabins, bunk rooms and campsites. By the time we arrived on site many of the northern branch members had already set up camp in caravans and motorhomes. Friday nights meal was a BYO barbeque. More members arrived on Saturday afternoon
Our hosts had suggested that they would like to cater for the Saturday evening meal and what a great idea that turned out to be. An all you could eat roast meal, sticky date pudding and pavlova roulade with strawberries. Man can some of those old Ulyssians put away their grub, great effort guy’s. Max found his voice and took the roll of MC, and herder at the food counter. Pete and Alaina Alexander included the weekend as part of their honeymoon trip and a tipple was raised to their future.
Sunday saw the Hobart group gather in Deloraine for breakfast. From there some when on to Miena for the National Memorial Ride Day, others making their own way home.
Thanks to all those who attended from all three branches.
Keep an eye out for next year’s event.
