Gore to Riversdale

We had a very noisy night parked in the Gore RSA carpark on Thursday night - trains, trucks and cars seemingly all night long so little sleep was had. We were pleased when the greenkeeper at the Gore Golf Club, where we played on Friday, asked if we would like to stay the night in the club carpark and told us how to connect into their power. The southerners have all lived up to their reputation of being so friendly and hospitable. We have lots of nice memories of people we have met.

Moonshine start/finish

The Gore Course is 18 holes and interesting, being a bit more challenging than most of the 9 holers we have played on (apart from Dipton!) Again they are worried about the decreasing membership of the club with the oldies dying off and not many young ones joining up. We had a little light rain, when we played, which soon cleared away and it was nice to be able to have a shower in the ladies instead of the mens before we went to the movies afterwards - 1st movie for about 6 months! We saw The Quartet which we both enjoyed and later it was lovely to have a peaceful, quiet night sleeping in the rural golf club car park! We could easily have stayed longer in Gore as we really enjoyed the town and the people but Saturday we drove out to Dolamore Park / Croydon where there are some good walks.

Popplewells Lookout

We were expecting it to be pretty quiet so were surprised to be caught up with hundreds of people, cars and bikes when we arrived at the carpark. It was the annual Moonshine event for cyclists, runners and walkers so we had to hold back a bit before we set off so we didn't impede anyone's progress! We did the 90 minute Whisky Creek circuit as well as the rather muddy climb up to Popplewell's Lookout which gave us a good view of the surrounding countryside.

A plonker planking at Popplewells

Next stop was the Golf Club in tiny Riversdale where the dozen or so Saturday players were just finishing their competition round and invited us to join them for a drink in the clubrooms which of course we did. Only 2 ladies playing and Deb, a teacher aid who lives in a house adjoining the back of the course, was especially welcoming.

Riversdale GC ingenuity on mens urinal!

We had another quiet night in the carpark there being woken by some different birdsong in the morning. We enjoyed the return of good sunshine while playing golf, having the course all to ourselves, although we were able to stop for a chat with Deb who was in her garden by the 9th tee on the way round.