Post by honestjohn on Nov 22, 2010 6:39:03 GMT -5
Ride to Fawlty Towers
The planned ride to Mt. Wilson up in the Mountains off the Bells Line of Road was timed for the end of September in Spring for the spectacular gardens and at the meeting point we were pleasantly surprised to see the turnout totalled some 13 bikes and approx. 20 people.
Because I had only booked for 10 people for lunch at the only Café in Mt. Wilson – I quickly phoned and gave the Owner the additional numbers with plenty of notice (3 hours) – to which she replied she didn’t think they could manage that many because they had a big day the day before and she was running out of salad. Nevertheless we carried on and I was thinking – why look a gift horse in the mouth – it’s extra business you silly old cow.
So whilst the weather was just perfect, the ride was not without the usual weekend tin-top drivers - with a lady in a 4 wheel drive pulling out suddenly in front of Neil without bothering to look (almost a case of skittles) resulting in some waving of arms and banging of bike horns. We proceeded on and then Chewy had a momentous occasion when overtaking Gary on the Mt. Wilson Road – but he recovered well enough and managed to stay on-road, just.
As we had arrived at Mt. Wilson early and took a short ride around the pretty little village, it was decided to head on up to the Café a little early (40 minutes) to make it easier on the poor Café owner during her lunch time” rush”.
• As we were on bikes (BIKERS) – she the “Sybil Fawlty” of the establishment didn’t want us to sit inside so she shoo’d us outside and we waited until space was available outside.
• Most indignant that we had turned up early – her instructions came thick and fast – “have the correct change; no Bill splitting – by table only; no credit cards accepted” – all within the first five minutes.
• She saw Chewy smoking and was fast to inform him that it was such an unacceptable habit and to put it out – even though he was well away from anyone.
• Then it was – no salad left to go with the Salmon so that’s off the menu; Meals with a particular pie will take too long to cook (also off the menu for that reason). The lovely waitress “ Polly“ in the meantime apologised profusely for “Sybil’s” behavior.
• After all had ordered (but not eaten) she rudely proceeded to collect our money first– coming back to add the 10% surcharge and re-tally our Bills. - Too bad if we were planning to have dessert!! We think this was in case we were planning to do a “runner” – by which time she was lucky we were still there.
• Paying $17 (+ 10%) for a very small 6cm pie (2 may have been filling), bread roll and a rationed amount of salad seemed like highway robbery.
• When we protested – she told us that she had to pay her (3) staff $28.00 per hour for Sundays – and we told her that surely our extra business would have made that a little easier for her.
• After that – she took great delight in telling us “how lucky we were not to be coming on the Public Holiday the next Monday – as the surcharge will be 20%”. Left us wondering if that surcharge is still legal in NSW??
• All that winging and bad service and we had actually brought her probably an extra $500 business for the day – in today’s climate most places would welcome that money.
After we moved off she sent “Basil Fawlty” out to clean up our tables – phew.
Some of us decided to have a look at one of the gardens, which were still a few weeks away from looking their best. None the less the couple at this Garden welcomed us to their property and it was well worth the $7 entry fee.
The ride back was brisk with less traffic and then we met up at Kurrajong Hotel where the establishment welcomed us - for a drink, and more food, and a great laugh.
No sure if we will ever go back to the Café in Mt. Wilson or how long she will remain trading - but the day was good for a laugh and a good ride at least!!. Although Ivan did threaten to go back there and steal her Toilet Key.
Lesley F.
RIDERS :
• Steve Chew
• Mark Gordon
• Ivan Zlatin
• Peter England
• Neil Lewis • Gary Peters & Lesley
• Vinnie & Lily Buck
• Chris & Phredd Maloney
• Tony Micallef • John Wicks & Daphne
• Craig & Wendy Job
• David & Kylee O’Malley
• Reg & Ruth Holfter
Footnote: Anyone considering going to Mt. Wilson – take a cut lunch!!
The planned ride to Mt. Wilson up in the Mountains off the Bells Line of Road was timed for the end of September in Spring for the spectacular gardens and at the meeting point we were pleasantly surprised to see the turnout totalled some 13 bikes and approx. 20 people.
Because I had only booked for 10 people for lunch at the only Café in Mt. Wilson – I quickly phoned and gave the Owner the additional numbers with plenty of notice (3 hours) – to which she replied she didn’t think they could manage that many because they had a big day the day before and she was running out of salad. Nevertheless we carried on and I was thinking – why look a gift horse in the mouth – it’s extra business you silly old cow.
So whilst the weather was just perfect, the ride was not without the usual weekend tin-top drivers - with a lady in a 4 wheel drive pulling out suddenly in front of Neil without bothering to look (almost a case of skittles) resulting in some waving of arms and banging of bike horns. We proceeded on and then Chewy had a momentous occasion when overtaking Gary on the Mt. Wilson Road – but he recovered well enough and managed to stay on-road, just.
As we had arrived at Mt. Wilson early and took a short ride around the pretty little village, it was decided to head on up to the Café a little early (40 minutes) to make it easier on the poor Café owner during her lunch time” rush”.
• As we were on bikes (BIKERS) – she the “Sybil Fawlty” of the establishment didn’t want us to sit inside so she shoo’d us outside and we waited until space was available outside.
• Most indignant that we had turned up early – her instructions came thick and fast – “have the correct change; no Bill splitting – by table only; no credit cards accepted” – all within the first five minutes.
• She saw Chewy smoking and was fast to inform him that it was such an unacceptable habit and to put it out – even though he was well away from anyone.
• Then it was – no salad left to go with the Salmon so that’s off the menu; Meals with a particular pie will take too long to cook (also off the menu for that reason). The lovely waitress “ Polly“ in the meantime apologised profusely for “Sybil’s” behavior.
• After all had ordered (but not eaten) she rudely proceeded to collect our money first– coming back to add the 10% surcharge and re-tally our Bills. - Too bad if we were planning to have dessert!! We think this was in case we were planning to do a “runner” – by which time she was lucky we were still there.
• Paying $17 (+ 10%) for a very small 6cm pie (2 may have been filling), bread roll and a rationed amount of salad seemed like highway robbery.
• When we protested – she told us that she had to pay her (3) staff $28.00 per hour for Sundays – and we told her that surely our extra business would have made that a little easier for her.
• After that – she took great delight in telling us “how lucky we were not to be coming on the Public Holiday the next Monday – as the surcharge will be 20%”. Left us wondering if that surcharge is still legal in NSW??
• All that winging and bad service and we had actually brought her probably an extra $500 business for the day – in today’s climate most places would welcome that money.
After we moved off she sent “Basil Fawlty” out to clean up our tables – phew.
Some of us decided to have a look at one of the gardens, which were still a few weeks away from looking their best. None the less the couple at this Garden welcomed us to their property and it was well worth the $7 entry fee.
The ride back was brisk with less traffic and then we met up at Kurrajong Hotel where the establishment welcomed us - for a drink, and more food, and a great laugh.
No sure if we will ever go back to the Café in Mt. Wilson or how long she will remain trading - but the day was good for a laugh and a good ride at least!!. Although Ivan did threaten to go back there and steal her Toilet Key.
Lesley F.
RIDERS :
• Steve Chew
• Mark Gordon
• Ivan Zlatin
• Peter England
• Neil Lewis • Gary Peters & Lesley
• Vinnie & Lily Buck
• Chris & Phredd Maloney
• Tony Micallef • John Wicks & Daphne
• Craig & Wendy Job
• David & Kylee O’Malley
• Reg & Ruth Holfter
Footnote: Anyone considering going to Mt. Wilson – take a cut lunch!!