Albany's Shannon River Run
6th & 7th January 2010 Written by Andy Photos by Lea Sutherland
Most Members of the Albany Chapter made the run to Shannon River for the overnighter at the lodge, booked thru DEC’s Manjimup office.
Trev and Pauline drove the support vehicle, Jonesy’s Nissan and trailer, with the swags and supplies including generator to light up the lodge. Thanks go to Trev and Pauline for forgoing the bike ride, but being willing to go as support.
The Lodge is a basic, but comfortable facility, a mud walled building with a large patio and BBQ with gas supplied as well as a wood fired BBQ or fire pit along side. It sleeps six people inside but has plenty of floor space for swags. There is also a large flat area for tents if needed for a larger group of people. Toilet and shower, kitchen is serviced by a wood fired hot water system. Kitchen also has a wood stove. All round, it’s a good and cheap facility.
The ride out was with fine weather, pleasant riding, especially thru from Denmark to Walpole where we pulled up for the obligatory piddle, coffee, food and fuel. After relaxing for an hour we made our way the next 70 km to the Shannon arriving early afternoon. (Note Jimmy didn’t come with us. His bike is still being repaired and he believes Shannon is a black spot after going guts up there on the way to Bridgetown.)
With all the supplies unloaded and the hot water lit, generator running and the kero fridge under way we began the afternoon layback. Some of us fitter minded individuals took to the walk trails around the area for some nature study, went over to check out the dam across the road and generally survey the surrounding area with its natural vegetation and the remnant domestic trees from when the area supported a town and sawmill.
The rest of us remained at camp. Well wot do ya think we did? Busted open the grog of course, sat around discussing where we were going with the Patriot’s, some domestic matters, and just told lies only as big as the quantity of sucked alcoholic beverage would allow others to believe and as the imagination could conjure up.
We had the pleasure of a guest rider, Doug, ( DJ ) who being ex army was pressed into signing up as a Nom. He should fit in well, He’s loud and noisy, gives as much shit as he takes, but soon as it rains covers his bike. Not yet sure why maybe it melts of it gets wet!
After BBQ tea, an evening of frivolity ensured with Harry, Tank and Andy entertained the captive audience with sparkling renditions of various songs (well, what we new of them, just the chorus, sometimes a full verse) much to the thunderous applause and/or abuse of the crowd.
After a late breakfast we cleaned up the lodge and surrounds then headed back to Walpole where we went thru the same routine as on the way out. Ten km’s from Walpole we left Beth, Rob’s sweet young wife at Nornalup. She had bought her canoes on a trailer to go for a paddle up the Frankland River but wouldn’t let us stay and watch, don’t know why. Hope she enjoyed herself though. It would be a great place for a paddle but I’m beyond it now.
It was an enjoyable little trip to the Shannon, Thanks to our ladies for helping with food etc and their support, and welcome to the Patriots DJ.
