Aidan, I have not driven on UK concrete roads, but you remind me of the concrete sections of the M1 in the southern section of the Gold Coast.

I was quite surprised at the thumping of many otherwise nice saloons over the joins. It was particularly horrible in my 1980 Triumph TR7. It did not thump, but the concrete was bent down in the middle of each panel, giving a wave effect. At traffic speed of 95 to 100 Km/H this wave matched the natural pitching frequency of the short wheel base Triumph, generating a rocking horse motion.

My grandson, young at the time, loved it, but I & any other passengers at various times found it unpleasant. I was very pleased when they covered it with smoother bitumen

Hi there FOXY...

Yes there's no doubt as BANJO said MILAT is a real piece of work. I've known many worse; Archie Beattie McCAFFERTY being one. I think I appraised you and others on Archie? One to the very worst I've known.

Back to the topic: Still there's some lovely old villages along the HUME, Berrima being one of them. Though these days one needs to exit the Hwy in order to get to most of them. Berrima is one of Australia's very first villages, complete with a very old Gaol. Being among Australia's very first, and still in use even today?

Quite a few convicts met their ends there, with much folklore supporting many reported incidences of hauntings within the gaol. I'm sure BANJO could supply you with all the correct answers about the HUME and the many legends that've occurred along there? Great Topic by the way FOXY.

Foxy,
Allow a full day for the Canberra places I suggested, especially if you are to meet your MP, which I recommend as they like showing their workplace to their voters and you may also be interested in chatting to the staff in the Parliamentary library. There is a lavender farm which is sorta between Beechworth and Albury, which could interest you. Enjoy.

OSW,
One cannot spend most of his life in one place and not learn about it, a few beers and Belly and I could exchange stories for hours. You
may have been the one that booked me for just clipping an unbroken centre line after overtaking a truck, between Bimbos and Picton. I was young! I have a mate, ex copper, who used to race Mini Coopers.

I knew Milat was in Goulburn, but what about the crud that murdered Ebony Simpson at Bargo. Bastard even joined the search for her. Do you know anything about him? Sorry but these types make my blood boil. I would pull the lever, or trigger, no risk. Needs gut shooting!

Glad to know you as one who helped put them away. You have my respect

Foxy,
As OSW said, Berrima is a good break from the freeway. The pub is old and still serves meals for tourists. There are other coffee shops and tea rooms there also. How does devonshire tea sound , with home made jam and proper fresh cream. If you liked Beechworth, you will like Berrima

OSW,
I will google McCafferty, but Crump and Baker (Mrs Morse) were the worst I recall. then of course was Anita Coby and the girl Collins and her mate near the Vic border on the coast. Other heinous crimes as well that I do not recall just now.

I honestly do not know why we keep them

Dear O Sung Wu,

Berrima - my husband remembers well. He was commissioned
a few years ago to produce "measured" drawings of the
Berrima courthouse for historical records.
I'm glad you like the topic of this discussion. I'm certainly
learning so much from it.

Dear Banjo,

We're allowing 2 days for Canberra and we intend to do as
much as we can from what you've recommended.
It will be our wedding anniversary during that time so it will
be a special time.

BTW - we'great lovers of Devonshire Teas - especially with
home made jam and proper fresh cream. Yum. The best scones in
Melbourne that I've ever tasted were at a little place in the
Dandenong Ranges - near the William Ricketts sanctuary. The
lady there made these superb scones. She retired - and they sold
the place. It's now under new management - and it's not the same.
Unfortunately. So my mouth is watering just thinking about
Devonshire Teas - with the real stuff.

Hi (again) BANJO...

You're so right - (Alan BAKER & Kevin CRUMP) were the {worst ever} in my experience. I was on the periphery of the original investigation as I've said previously, and one of the lead detectives had to be momentarily restrained from drawing his gun and shooting BAKER, such was the level of emotion and temperature at the time, immediately post their arrest!

BAKER was by far the leader of the pack; and CRUMP was very much the follower. What many don't know, at the time of their arrest, CRUMP could neither read nor write, but I'm sure since his incarceration that's changed somewhat, all at taxpayers expense. Both were immediately placed on the highest level of 'Protection' from other prisoners and 'Prison Warders' as well, such was the tremendous hatred for these two men.

I was on 'police habeas' (police responsibility to ensure, both were produced in Court) during their trial. They needed to be conveyed (separately) by car, rather then the usual police 'Caged Vehicle', in which most prisoners were conveyed daily, to Court hearings. Owing to the high risk factor of them been attacked by other inmates. Interesting times I can tell you my friend.

From my understanding both, are the longest serving prisoners in Australia. The NSW government has passed (unanimously) special legislation to the effect; *they'll never be considered fit to be released from custody, in their lifetime*! This is in accordance with the horrific nature of the crime, and the comments and recommendations of the presiding Justice.

Furthermore I've heard that CRUMP has become a devout follower of the Christian religion, for the past 15 - 18 years. And has since applied twice to have his sentence modified, in order to obtain parole. On each occasion it's been denied outright, in accordance with the above mentioned paragraph, marked with the *asterisks* above.