Lunch at the Spotted Cow.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:07 pm

Winter down under is officially only a few days away (June 1st)..and today was a beautiful sunny day..I had a few hours before I start work..So I thought I would go for a leisurely ride through the hills to a place called Yea for lunch..besides..it would also be a good run to scrub in my new tires..and also listen to the new Rush album that I had just loaded on my iPod.

I headed east from Melbourne and as I skimmed around the back of a place called Lilydale I stopped for my first pic showing the vineyards that follow this quite back road.

There is an old train line that follows the road to Yarra Glen and as the land rises and falls the line goes over these old trestle bridges.

This is the Pub in Yarra Glen.

I passed Wills Road..I looked out for Will but couldn't see him..This pic's for a mate called Wild Will..

Here's another popular roadside pub at Glenburn...On any sunny Sunday you will see bikes everywhere..It reminds me a bit of that pub in the Wild Hogs movie..

..(the one that got burnt down..

..) That's a Triumph rocket3 in the background behind my bike..it's there ever time I go past.

We have just come thought one of the driest Summers on record..and about a week ago we finally got a good dumping..the first rain in ages..and I was amazed at how the dry and brown country side has bounced back and turned green...green everywhere..it was great to see..sorry if I got carried away with the country side pics showing how green everything was.

I thought the Americans might like this pic..

..

I wish the little old ladies puttering along below the speed limit (and in the right lane) would take notice of these signs.

More pics of green

..

This pic is a bit dark but I thought the tree looked good against the sky..The sun would come and go as the clouds rolled over.

Do you guys have these roadside posts..that are not posts at all..They seem to be everywhere down under now..and a great idea.

More green.

I got to Yea just in time for lunch...I have no idea who this Bill Roycroft guy is..but the town seems very proud of him.

Here's the local town hall in Yea.

This is where I stopped for lunch.

The Spotted Cow...what a funny name.

Inside they had removed some of the plaster to show the old hand made bricks that the place was originally made from.

Outside was this beautiful little beer garden..Notice the red Autumn leaves.

Here's the food pic...I went for the chicken..under it was nice sliced potatos...beeeuuudifulll.

Cheers guys...

..and bottoms up.

Arrr...A nice cold Coke...just for a change..

..

Yes there were others there nearby..and wondering what's this guy doing taking pictures of his food and himself..arr..the things I do for you guys.

Was the food good...?...What do you think..

Back on the road home I was careful not to run over the ducks..(didn't see any)

Didn't see any roos either..What a beautiful day.

I was tempted to stop for more pics on my way home..but that would have meant being late for work...cheers.

DJ

Post by **taosports** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:16 pm

Thanks for the photos DJ!

This one looks like the vineyards near me in Napa and Sonoma counties...except for the kangaroo sign

Post by **GypsyRR** » Fri May 25, 2007 12:25 am

Nice DJ. It doesn't look like it is even close to winter there. If you hadn't pointed out the red leaves, it could have passed for summer!

How cold will it get in mid winter where you are?

Post by **Boxer** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:41 am

Great little ride DJ. Just what I needed this morning. The food DID look good.

Fall rides are the best.

I have no idea who this Bill Roycroft guy is

Oh him? He's that Legendary Olympic Equestrian.

Post by **NoRRmad** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:56 am

From the Australian Olympic Committee site:

http://www.olympics.com.au/athletes.cfm?AthleteID=5565

The deed for which Bill Roycroft will forever be renowned occurred at the Rome Olympics in 1960. On the last day of the three-day equestrian event, Australia faced a grim predicament. Two riders, Laurie Morgan and Neale Lavis, were doing well; Brian CragoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s horse had broken down, and the fourth member of the team, Bill Roycroft, was in hospital - concussed, sedated, with extensive bruising and muscle damage. Doctors refused to sanction his release from hospital. The problem was that, if Australia was to win the team event, it needed three finishers. Roycroft had fallen during the steeplechase phase the previous day after his horse, Our Solo, somersaulted over pipes and landed on him. He had climbed groggily back, finished the course, then been given oxygen (and whisky) and flown by helicopter to a hospital outside Rome.

Next morning, with the final phase, the show-jumping, due to start soon, Roycroft insisted on signing himself out of hospital. The doctors said no, and refused to give him his clothes; he then threatened to leave in his underpants. Finally, he signed a document taking responsibility for his safety, and was allowed to go. He was 45, laced heavily with pain-killers, unable to bend, and his comrades had to dress him for the last ride. He was virtually folded onto Our Solo, and the reins were placed in his hands. Stiffly, flawlessly, he completed the round of 12 jumps, ensuring team gold for Australia. (Morgan also won the individual event). Roycroft, patriarch of a legendary riding family, competed in four more Olympics, winning team bronze in 1968 and 1976. He also carried the flag at the Mexico Opening Ceremony in 1968.

Post by **Biff's R** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:44 pm

Yes DJ, we do have the little posts that are not posts on the side of the road.

Nice pics, and good looking food.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:02 pm

How cold will it get in mid winter where you are?

GypsyRR..Yes it gets pretty cold here mid winter..I once had to turn my heated grips on..

I haven't seen jack frost for years but occasionally its cold enough for him to appear..We might get the odd early morning as low as 5C (40F).

NoRRmad...Thanks for that info Re. Bill Roycroft...He's a legend in my book now..

Thanks Biff's R...The idea probably came from you guys..Sometimes I feel like giving them a low five as I ride past them..

Here's a better food pic...and next time I might have desert..

Notice the sign on the men's toilet door (Basil)..the women's had Sybil..

...for the Fawlty Towers fans..

DJ

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:06 pm

DJ, I enjoyed the ride, I like the green also, Den

Post by **DSKYZD** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:23 pm

Great pics as always, DJ. On our Bash trip I took my camera into the restaurant with the specific intention of taking a "DJ style" food picture. I must have been too hungry because it slipped my mind. Maybe someday...

DSKYZD

cruiser · Post by **cruiser** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:07 am

Thanks DJ, for another fascinating glimpse of your great country. Whenever I log onto this message board usually the first thing I do is go to 'Great Rides', hoping that you've posted another of your series... I get quite disappointed when there's nothing new to see, but I console myself by enjoying one of your earlier series and look forward with anticipation to the next surprise!

...BTW, thanks to all who post their great pics and commentaries in this section!

There's so much about your corner of Australia that reminds me of Wales, where I was born and raised, including the pubs and the pub-grub!

Must say I'm not feeling too happy right now as I've just learned that Wales were denied a famous victory against Austrailia at Rugby Union, in the dying moments of the match...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 691839.stm

...congratulations Australia and thanks again, DJ... cheers mate!

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:14 am

Thanks DSKYZD...is your avatar the right way up just for me?..

cruiser..."much about your corner of Australia that reminds me of Wales, where I was born and raised, including the pubs and the pub-grub!"

Hmmm...I wonder why that is..

...sorry about the Rugby...not!..

DJ

cruiser · Post by **cruiser** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:16 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks DSKYZD...is your avatar the right way up just for me?..

cruiser..."much about your corner of Australia that reminds me of Wales, where I was born and raised, including the pubs and the pub-grub!"

Hmmm...I wonder why that is..
DJ

It's green and hilly!

...never mind, I give up!

...this could be a shot of the 'Brecon Beacons' in South Wales, are you sure you're down under?

Post by **DSKYZD** » Sat May 26, 2007 1:53 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks DSKYZD...is your avatar the right way up just for me?..

Yup! To everyone else it looks upside down.

Post by **OU812** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:49 pm

DJ, nice write up and pics!

It seems the Spotted Cow's are everywhere!

Move along little doggies......

Boxerboy · Post by **Boxerboy** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:34 am

cruiser wrote:
DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks DSKYZD...is your avatar the right way up just for me?..

cruiser..."much about your corner of Australia that reminds me of Wales, where I was born and raised, including the pubs and the pub-grub!"

Hmmm...I wonder why that is..
DJ
It's green and hilly! ...never mind, I give up!

...this could be a shot of the 'Brecon Beacons' in South Wales, are you sure you're down under?

He's downunder alright, even further downunder than NSW..."New South Wales" I wonder why they called it that?

thenewcamus · Post by **thenewcamus** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:05 pm

Thanks for the ride report DJ! This pic reminds me of a recurring daydream...

Just awesome.

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:08 pm

Thanks DJ, nice pics and write up as usual. We are absolutely gorgeous here in the Pacific Northwest, f 80's with light breeze.
Sad Irony.... Our summer has started as yours comes to an end.
Seems just days ago you were shaing the stories about the men on the beach and the 'bad starfish'.

Thank you again for the nice post.

Just-Beeming

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:09 am

mmm...chicken looks good...God I'm hungry again...
thanks again DJ!