I BUNGLED BIG TIME

…AND ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT WORDS/PHOTOS DON LEYS

“I NEVER MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE. I MAKE IT FIVE OR SIX TIMES, JUST TO BE SURE.” ANONYMOUS (OBVIOUSLY)

They say that when you really bungle, you should do it in style.

Well, I bungled big time, my accomplice being my stylish (most would disagree) Yamaha XJ900 Diversion. She’s a grand old friend, 20 years young this year, but never misses a beat, and she just loves the open road… all the way to the Warrum-bungles!!

Having ridden from Sydney to Wodonga (just in Vic) on the uneventful Hume Highway to visit my parents on the farm, I spent several days assisting with crutching of sheep and feeding of livestock in the chilly winter weather. From here, for this country boy who now lives in the city, it was off to the north-west of N.S.W. to ride the western plains (like Clancy of the Overfl ow*), enjoying the freedom of the ride on uncluttered roads and the smoothness of the XJ900 as it purred along the delightfully well formed and maintained Newell and Oxley Highways, with their ever changing landscapes.

Yes! The Bungle (Big Time!) was yet to come. Of course, I mean the Warrumbungles.

Forbes has a number of great cafes (there’s good tucker in Forbes), and a central park that hosts a number of activities. While I tried to resolve whether the town was setting up towelcome me, or some (other?) celebrity, the XJ “hob-nobbed” with a Trumpie nearby.

It turned out to be some other celebrity, but I didn’t mind.