Lookin' on the bright side

The 2010 Barossa Valley to Tamworth Charity Bike Ride began at Lyndoch Hill Retreat with a 7am blast from Monty Python's Life Of Brian film "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life".
Being a Monty Python fan it came as a whistling lilt to the fresh morning (7am) air and light.
The first two days have gone quick.
The 80km ride out of the Barossa Valley a testing first day climb.
"All the rest is downhill," said bus driver and retired bank manager Brian Birchall who not only collects any "dead bodies" but retired bikes as well.
Up front Tamworth truckie Greg "Goog" Davis was happily whistling away to the Monty Python boys on a CD put together by the ABC's David Evans.
It ws originally a suprise for ride organiser Barry Walton on one of the earlier charity rides.
"Baz was always whistling or singing it," Greg Davis said.
"So we got David to do it and played it one morning."
That tradition has continued much to the delight of us first time riders and any local folk up at the time.
Davis has been on all previous nine charity rides and has become a valuable procurement officer.
He approached "milkman" Malcolm Rose a few years back and the Peel Milk boss was only too glad to donate milk for the rides.
"He's given us four crates this year," Goog said.
"And Bede Burke has given 45 dozen eggs too. We really appreciate there support."Greg's motto is simple.
"I've always said if whatever I can do helps save a life then it's all worthwhile."
Meanwhile back on the ride a challenging first day stage of 80kmsis safely negotiated except for one minor fall.
Barry Walton came to grief just after the big climb out of the valley when caught in some loose sand on one of numerous little lanes we traverse.
Werris Creek's Jake Thomas is close by and is fortunate to miss the same fate.
"He went up in the air likea kangaroo and came down like a cropduster," Jake, nicknamed the Blue Streak for his first day riding efforts, said at a regrouping of riders not long after.
Luckily Barry Walton has only lost a litle skin from his calf.
"He always comes down in the first 30km though," Jake added.
"Last time he broke his arm."
After the sandy lanes the riders emerge onto bitumen and a huge 5km descent, where some reach 70km,and into the tiny town of Sedan for lunch. Then it's a 29km flat stretch into beautiful Swan Reach and a crossing of the might Murray River by ferry.
It's a picturesque end to a fast first day and one retired Manilla grazier Peter Watson was more than happy with.
"It was a good day," the 72-year-old who celebrates a 73rd birthday at the end of month, said.
"The first 25km was fairly solid though but I got up it (the 500m climb) all right. It's all downhill from here though after a hard first day."
Peter and wife Annette Watson, a retired solicitor and partner with Tamworth firm Evereringham Solomons, are on their first Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service charity ride although Pete has been on a few "Big NSW Bike Rides".
As a sportsman he has raced cars and ridden with the Tamworth Cycling Club and raced triathlons while raising sheep, cattle and pigs at his former Manilla property.
When he first heard of this long 1700km ride to celebrate the WRHS's 10th year in Tamworth he thought an excellent and interesting challenge.
So he saw a few friends and so far has raised more than $4000 in sponsorship. Cheif in that support has been Gundy Hunt (Tamworth Sporting Car Club), Bert Caulfiled (Holden Car Club) and Steve Hoy (Peel Irrigation).
Pete thanks them and numerous other smaller sponsors for their sponsorship.
Yesterday he and his fellow riders completed a 94.7km second stage from Swan Reach to Loxton.
Today the riders wind there way to Merringur for an overnight stay at the local Community Hall before venturing to Mildura tomorrow and another crossing of the Murray.
* In an earlier report WRHS chairman Cliff Marsh talked about the fixedwing aircraft at the Tamworth base. It already has a fixed wing aircraft. Cliff's quote should have also had "bigger and better" included. Apologies to Cliff.