Hi all, I managed to get myself up to Smithy's place for the after ride barbecue on the weekend to enjoy the kompany of the guys (and Kay), I also wanted to float an idea for Christmas.

Ruth and I have decided that we would like to host a get together at our place in Greta in the Hunter Valley to celebrate the end of a good year and the upcoming festive season. I announced this on Saturday night at Smithy's place and received a positive response so now wanted to let all the Krew know and get some ideas on suitable dates. Sooner is probably better as many people have lots of commitments at this time of year.

The only date I would prefer to avoid is Saturday 12th December as this is the BMWTC Christmas do.

Saturday 5th December has already been suggested as it would fit in with the Newcastle Toy Run being held the next day, Sunday 6th December (so I have been reliably informed). I should be able to get the barbecue cleaned by then.

Ruth and I are planning a special surprise for the event and all I can tell you at this time is that it will have "a foreign flavour" about it and should not be missed.

We have a large yard and ample space for camping along with a pool for relaxing should the weather be hot. Naturally wives and partners would be welcome and by all means come on four wheels if that is more convenient as this one is about getting together rather than riding.

As per events like Smithy's, it is primarily a BYO event but I'll arrange the necessary ice and no doubt Ruth will come up with some welcome nibbles.

We look forward to seeing as many as possible. Please add names and preferred dates.

Sounds great Gaz
                          Saturday the 5th is fine with me, but I will work it in if another date is chosen. Any coming from the north are welcome to stop over here at Riverdale to break up the journey.

Wives AND partners, wow very tolerant wives. 

Sounds like a good meet up in the making. We really enjoyed Gaz and Ruth over here so its not to be missed.

If I win the lottery between now and December 5th. . . .

Thanks Gaz
I'm in.

You can count me and Marg in for that one Gaz
5th is just fine for us.

Gaz...Unable to make it on the 5th. Daughter and son-in-law and grandkinder are off to Adelaide for Christmas and the son and his new bride are off to Griffith. So, we organised ages ago the 5th to have our family Chrissy before they all go. I can do the 19th. Carolyn is playing golf at the Vintage and overnighting there with her golfing mates. I will be a free spirit that weekend.

19th is better for me too, the first weekend of December booked with a bunch of old mates at Wee Jasper every year.

Al

Gaz, Count me in on this one. Looking forward to the foreign flavour bit. Cheers Tom

Thanks for the invite Gaz. Both the 5th and 19th are good for me.
Cheers

5th or 19th is OK for me but would prefer 5th. No real reason just a preference.

OK we're starting to get some feedback - thanks guys. Lets put aside my preferred avoidance of 12th December for the moment and list out names against the three Saturdays we have in December. Please cut and paste the list and add your names and add wives/partners to the dates you can make it to. Mark preference of dates if you can make more than one.

So far we have;

5th December
Smithy & Kay
Waz
Rick G & Marg (preferred)
Kaptain Holister
Tom Grabau




12th December





19th December
Rickmeister
Rick G & Marg
Al-58
Kaptain Holister


OK keep them coming and we'll try to pick one as quick as we can.

Thanks

Gaz, either the 5th or the 19th suits me. Tom

+1 me too 5th or 19th. trying to get Beth in the sidecar for this one.

I could do the 5th or 12th. 19th is difficult.
cheers, Phil

sounds like a fantastic idea Gaz . Not sure how I will fit into this one as yet , I definitely don't want to miss it , and would be keen to bring Trace along on our bikes.
We are both working on 5th and 19th , both free for the 12th .
My work Xmas party is on the 19th . 
 I have a "fill in " for the Toy Run on the 6th , 6am - 2pm.

The 5th is a "possibility ". I'd need to call in another favour at work though. 
I'll go with the flow , and try to jump in where possible . fingers crossed.

5th December
Smithy & Kay
Waz
Rick G & Marg (preferred)
Kaptain Holister
Tom Grabau
Ed ( a possibilty )
Rockman






12th December

Ed 
Rockman



19th December
Rickmeister
Rick G & Marg
Al-58
Kaptain Holister

OK all! We're going with the 5th December.

Anyone who finds they are able to make it but hadn't put their name up are naturally welcome to turn up unannounced (I did it to Smithy last weekend).

Once the sun is over the yardarm I will have cold beverages available on arrival to revive you from the rigours of travel and I will post details of where we are and where to access our property for bikes and cars in the next couple of days.

Look forward to enjoying the kompany of those who can make it.

Cheers

Rockman wrote:I could do the 5th or 12th. 19th is difficult.
cheers, Phil

5th and 12th are looking increasingly difficult. 19th is looking better.

How to get to the Krew Christmas get together on 5th December.

The link below should take you to Google Maps where I have placed a marker on our house in Greta NSW. You can zoom in and out as normal on a Google map. Zoom right in to look at the red line for rear access.

Google map showing our house and track for bikes and campers to access our property.

Those that are arriving by car please drive from the highway up Water Street until you get to the end of the street (it turns left at the top of the rise) and our place will be on your left easily identified from the photo below and park in the street. Walk to the right of the house around to the pool area. Our house number is 50, displayed above the garage doors, but don't use this in Google maps as they think we are number 45 (don't ask me??).

Photo of our house

Those arriving by bike and/or camping please follow the red line I have placed on the map (turn left off the street before you get to the top of the rise) which will bring you down along a fence line to our back gate. I intend to put a sign up at the roadway to assist. The area just inside the gate in and around the grape vines is the flatest area for bike parking and tents.

Arrivals anytime during the afternoon is fine with us. Look forward to seeing as many as can make it on 5th December.

Cheers

Gaz80 wrote:OK all! We're going with the 5th December.

Anyone who finds they are able to make it but hadn't put their name up are naturally welcome to turn up unannounced (I did it to Smithy last weekend).

Once the sun is over the yardarm I will have cold beverages available on arrival to revive you from the rigours of travel and I will post details of where we are and where to access our property for bikes and cars in the next couple of days.

Look forward to enjoying the kompany of those who can make it.

Cheers

Thanks for the invite anyway Gaz. In the end I've got all three weekends tied up one way or another anyway, ex-4-Owners club annual end of the year get together at Wee Jasper, BMWTC XMAS Party, then some other social bits and pieces inc a breakfast ride that I'm hosting on 20/12 (Spencer Gen store if anyone interested).

I hope you all have an enjoyable time and a Happy Kristmas.

Al

Thanks Al, it was very short notice but we didn't think about it until on our way home from Europe. If this one doesn't scare us off the idea and we do it again next year there will be more notice.

Might see you at Cassilis.

Cheers

Gaz , I'm not able to find a fill in for work for the 5th , so I'm out unfortunately. I'm sure it will be a top night out though , enjoy .

Sadly, I'm on in-law duty that weekend.    In-laws are ok but they live too far away from Greta. 

Have a great gathering, guys & gals. 

Bill

Hey Ed,

Trust me, you really really should come up to say hello on Saturday. If you're on call we have mobile reception up here and I have a selection of non-alcoholic drinks for those people who may have to duck off elsewhere.

Even if you can only stay for a short time I'm sure you will be glad you did. Anytime during the afternoon or evening will be fine and 4 wheel conveyances will be used by a number of other attendees so do that if it is more convenient.

Cheers

Ed

Hopefully you will make it. I suppose though the on call may require you to be within a specified timescale of work?

Olaf.

I'll definitely give it a go . Kross me fingers and Kross me toes and say an Irish blessing for me .
you could always ring for an undertaker..... I'll get there quicker.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Ed

Hopefully you will make it. I suppose though the on call may require you to be within a specified timescale of work?

Olaf.

sure do. Gaz's puts me about double my normal time response. the old saying Two steps forward , then 3 back again , this is it but see how we go.

Rockman wrote:

Rockman wrote:I could do the 5th or 12th. 19th is difficult.
cheers, Phil

5th and 12th are looking increasingly difficult. 19th is looking better.

I'm out for the 5th. Pity. Maybe next year.
Have fun.
Phil

Hey Gaz,
Put me down for two.
See you Saturday.
Sorry for the late notice.

Looks like this one has the makings of becoming an annual event......would be a great idea.

With a bit of forward planning and two tube stops anything might be possible.....

Again, I'm sad to miss this one.

On a brighter note, being face to face with the Krew might just be a good time for people to plan some 'together travel' down to the snowy ride on the weekend of 20-21 February. 

Bill

Good on you Rosskko, I'll put an extra stubbie on ice!

See you up here.

Cheers

Hey Ed, there is a figure sitting in front of a house just up the road from me dressed in a red suit and with a long white beard. He hasn't moved in a few days so maybe we can get you out on Saturday in your professional role in the work truck to come and check him out.

Hi All, 

Just thought we'd let you know that Ruth is preparing nibbles to start us off and salads to have with our meal. Cold beverages will be ready for you on arrival.

We'll have bacon & egg rolls for breakfast for those staying over.

See you on Saturday.

Cheers

AL-58 wrote:19th is better for me too, the first weekend of December booked with a bunch of old mates at Wee Jasper every year.

AlMe too guys...yes I am still alive...just finished the worst 2 years of my life what a crap job.....but am now good to play the "K"

Unfortunately the 5th is not so good but the RS has many good years left in her and I look forward to seeing you all again soon..

Klompy

Good to hear from you Klompy. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting up and glad to hear that more K playtime is likely in future.

I retired from a difficult work situation in November 2014 and the amount of kilometres under the bike wheels this year has jumped dramatically and I'm loving it.

Cheers

Hope all the special K people have a great meeting. Unfortunately can not make it this year.

Great morning for a ride, Kay and myself are just heading off now. We will go straight to Toronto and should be back in Greta late afternoon.

excellent weekend for all riders . travel safe all.

I had a message from Olaf early this morning wishing us well for our get together today and he mentioned that the weather forecast for Ireland is not that flash.

So with that in mind I thought I'd post a photo of what my fellow inmates will be looking at as they sit in the shade with a cold beer in hand and we are only expecting a modest 30 deg C today.



This is looking like one of those occasions when............. you know, someone's got to do it!

Cheers

And one for the Krew!

The first aid station has been set up.

Gaz80 wrote:And one for the Krew!

The first aid station has been set up.

Well I know it does say to clean wounds with alcohol but I don't think that's what they had in mind.....

Just to make me feel good...France in the summer......

It was fantastic to meet everyone there Gaz, Had a great time maybe stayed longer than I expected, but still disappeared way to early.
So did Rossco sleep with his hand on the 80 all night ????? He sure didn't look like he intended to let go.
Great to hear and see olaf, despite the choppiness of the data stream it was great to meet as it were like that.
I apologise if I didn't answer any questions put to me at the time, as it was missed and it was a busy time there at Gaz's place.
Thanks Gaz, I had a ball. It was really nice to have a quiet chat as we waited for the teem to turn up.

A good turnout last night and a great opportunity to meet a few more K owners. Some good Konversations, food, Koolant and Komradery made for a great evening.
We were even treated to an exceptional Kristmas pudding by special delivery from Olaf. Thanks mate  
Thanks Ruth and Gaz for hosting a great evening.

Good to see the Krew had a good night. I met some old riding friends from a long redundant club down at Wee Jasper on the Goodradigbee River.  Fabulous fast flowing riding country on the RS.

I'll be at the Snowy event after Karuah, see you there.

Al

G'day All, a great night at Gaz's and Ruth's last night - very enjoyable. The company was terrific and Ruth's ( and Gaz'z) catering was excellent. One of the highlights was the skype with Olaf and of course those puddings. Thanks again Cheers Tom

it was a fantastic night put on by Ruth and Gaz. we were very much at ease and made most welkome. the banter proved strong through the evening , and I managed to stay for all of the festivities without disruption . 
key points of the evening were much more than anticipated , sharing an online chat with Olaf , hoeing into some most delicious Irish Kristmas pudding served up with a drizzle of cream , MMmmmmmmmmmm! very nice . and it was good to see the Banner ( now known as the sKroll )  return to Aus after a very well earnt trip overseas receiving the notations of Komraderie it now has the priviledge to share . By the time I left , around 11.00pm , there was truly not a noise in the house , not even a mouse. 
Once again , it was such a wonderful experience to share with fellow Knuts and family. thankyou to all , and to those unable to join but were there in spirit. cheers Ed.

Hi to all of the Krew and forum inmates world wide. I have finally got myself to the computer to compile a post about our activities last night.

This is the first sight that greeted people on arrival.



I think some of the Aussie members were speculating that I had brought the banner back to Oz from Ireland but I had not confirmed anything until they arrived. I had discussed it coming back to Oz with the Eccentrics while I was over there but could not fit it in our luggage so after deciding to host this event I quickly got in touch with Olaf to see if it was possible to get it back in short order and he responded magnificently - we had it back with a couple of days to spare.

Naturally the banner became the centre of attention and much discussion ensued around the origin of the members who had signed it and many stories about the occasions when that happened.
Olaf was complicit in the arranging of this event for which I had teased people with the description of having a "foreign flavour", so a big thanks there mate and as you will see he actually put in a virtual appearance at the party.

Our first arrival was Keith (K75ster) who came early as he had only a short amount of time available and ended up staying quite a while and Ed (groverK) stretched the friendship with his work as he was on call but we were very pleased to see him especially with the banner having it's first outing back home.
Here's Ed giving Nigel, myself and Keith some of the banner story.


Waz and Tom looking pretty relaxed in my bike garage.


Now we all know that Craig (smithy) is mad about Ks, he has a few in the garage, but his life is full of Ks. Below is Smithy, his wife Kay, her brother Warren and his wife Kay.


No doubt Smithy is explaining some of the finer points of K bikes to Nigel (Kaptain Hollister)
with Sean (Saxon 7) looking on in the photo below.
 

Rosskko was hanging onto the back of my K75 for quite a while chatting away with Sean, Kerry and Waz so I was thankful that he had recently purchased a K75 of his own and was not coveting mine.


And me photo bombing a nice photo of Sean and Kerry in front of the banner.


Almost before we knew it it was time to hit the Skype button and welkome our virtual guest, young Olaf. Unfortunately where I live is not blessed with good broadband speeds so our video call was a bit sketchy and by 6:30pm there was a bit of noise being generated by the guests so made it hard to have a good clear conversation. Looking over mine and Smithy's shoulders some of you might recognise that distinguished gentleman on the iPad screen. 


Rick G enjoying his chat with Olaf.


Likewise Waz was next to get in on the act.


And finally Ed was explaining to Olaf that he has added a couple of appropriate forum stickers to the back of the banner.


Then it was time for a group photo before the light faded and it was getting to time to feed the hungry hordes. If you look closely you'll see Olaf in the group on the iPad in front of Ed.

Left to right; Nigel (Kaptain Hollister), Craig (Smithy), Warren, Tom (Grabau), Ed (groverK), Rosskko, Rick G, myself, Warren (Waz). Olaf in front. Keith had to leave before the group photo. The ladies declined the opportunity to star in this photo shoot.

With the barbecue cranked up Tom and Warren quickly realised that I am not up to scratch as a barbecue cook and took over those duties to ensure that the food would be edible. Thanks guys! That left me free to be "mine host" and mingle with the crowd and display my recently enhanced gift of the Blarney.
Ruth provided a tasty spread of salads to go with the barbecue meats for our main course but it was not over yet as the "foreign flavour" was about to be revealed.

Olaf had provided two of his prized Christmas Puddings to me before I left Ireland to share with the Krew, which I had then lugged through the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Belgium before flying home to Oz. So it was time to break out the pudding and cream washed down with 3 bottles of Mulled Wine made to Olaf's Recipe.

And it went down a treat!



As a final treat in the foreign flavour stakes Olaf had managed to stuff quite a large number of these Irish delicacies into the tube with the banner and somehow they managed to be eaten even after the barbecue and pudding.


Thanks to all who came along to make it an enjoyable night and I want to give a special thanks to Rosskko and Sandra who took the photos for me while I just wandered around chatting.

Cheers

great  to see gaz ...thanks for the post

good to see the krew and friends gathering again

and some fantastic interaction from the eccentrics ....amazing ...good on you olaf ..im sure there may have been others willing to be on the irish end of the celebration link up

vive la banner

hope it travels some more

a couple of the aussie west coast k100 owners have expressed a desire to see sign the banner as well

I dont have an contact - recipient for this as of yet
  
cheers to all that made the trip

Big thanks to Ruth and Gaz for hosting the evening.
Top time.
Not sure why Gaz is away from home so often. If I could eat the salads Ruth prepared for every meal I would not leave home. Or at least take a doggy bag.
Quick two hour run up the freeway for dinner and two hours back, but worth every minute.
Great to see Olaf turn up as well. Not sure if we dragged him out of bed or not. Hope he wasn't late for church
Thanks to Olaf for the pudding and wine.

Hope the Toy Run was a success and no one melted in the sunshine.

No Gaz, they are not Sandra's glasses.

No new K75 for me, but that is in another thread.

Hope to see you soon Olaf. In the flesh.

rosskko and sandrakko