1993 February Holidays Tasmania
Friday (1) to Bega
Too hot to pack last night so finished off this morning. Took pushbike to Graham for him to send on to Tasmainia for me. Left, light drizzle to Lake George which was pretty full of water, then patch of blue. Refuelled, not full. Patch of cloud over hills, like NZ, near Nimmitabel. Good Run through Mountains Hwy. Bega YHA good - but figure 562km to Port Welshpool, about 6 hours so must leave early! The Seacat Ferry leaves about 1.30pm and you are supposed be there about 1 hour before sailing.
Saturday (2) George Town
Two-am rain wakes me. Up 5.30am shave, eat and gone. Good run at this time of day; only trucks! Cruising at 120 km weather turns good, sunny but cool. Arrive early, 8 bikes to, more 4wds, the rest cars. Left 1.30 pm sea bouncy. Small rock islands called the Curtis Group are the only lanscape sited. Went on bridge, not much to see, most interesting the feeding birds on the water surface. Movie just Ballroom. Next movie Shout. The just gets smoother, glass like when we see Tasmania. YHA George Town has comment about not Seacat but spewcat!
Sunday (3) National Park
Warm weather - 2 photos of the Seacat then off to Batman Bridge, Bridgenorth, Selbourne, Westburry, bought some veg & fruit, then Quamby Brook. The back roads are very narrow and, great on the motorcycle, too narrow for car-car to comfortably pass. On to Golden, Liffey Falls, Berona. Really great rock out crops, to the high plains, much like high plains on the snowy, strange heath and the Great Lake itself, through to Bothwell, of shacks for holidays along the road around the lake. Back through Hamilton, same as last saw it on the Grest Tasmainian Bike Ride '91 (push bike ride run by Bicycle Victoria). On to National Park, a small stream reminds me of NZ, opps call it 'Tyenna River' to me just a small stream. The wind today blew from the west for the most part, except for the last bit when it turned cold, then spits of rain as I came in to National Park. Lots of dead devils on the road today. YHA is filling up, good for tomorrow, walks and Lake Pedder. The YHA book comments that the manager is to find I had no problem.
Monday (4) National Park
Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls and a forest walk. Then back on motorcycle and up to Lake Dobson, picked up an English lass who had waited 2 hours for lift to the start of the walks! She's going to walk 3 days around the top. Did a walk to Lake Dobson, good vegetation. Tarns appear to be swamps/lakes must look better under snow. Then back to YHA pick up boots + leathers, its cool riding along! Then to for food, back to YHA for lunch and on to Lake Pedder. 2$ entry. Lake Pedder is, then back around to Lake Gordon and dam, and don't see much of Lake Gordon. You see Frenchman's Cap but its much better viewed from the Lyell hwy, nothing like a cap this side. Back to YHA, rang Alison re plans, arrive Wed about lunch I said, BV letter. Walk MT Field West tomorrow, 1439 meters.
Tuesday (5) National Park
Down mountain makes me put off starting Mt Field West, so I eventually go up Field East, a 3hour walk, as I finish this the weather clears so I go up the beginning the Mt Field West walk. Got to the turn off to Lake Newdgate before the weather came in from the east... had been keeping a look out of the weather from the west, goes to show. However saw good views of Sea Lake, Mt Bridge etc.
Wednesday (6)
Hobart up on the old push bike route used in '92, great memories. Took pic of valley in and another in Bushy Park of the water wheel, went past the old tree. Not much finding the Alexander's place.
Thursday (7) Lune River
This morning bought bus ticket for me + push bike to Lanceston. Bought bread at, ok but West Gordon better. Saw 2 German motor cyclist that did the crossing with, they are going up to Mt field. Good road down, cops + towie-pulling van up from river, off the wet weather gear then rode around. Bought groceries at Houonville (Woolies) petrol at Grevston. Started on the coastal walk for 1
hour then a thunderstorm up on a hill nearby. opps my boots were beside the bike tops up! Ran back to find cup full in one and a spoonful in the other, but the boots are fairly new and don't to have absorbed much, but everything I am wearing is wet. There is also a blue stain my shorts, where from?
Friday (8) Hobart
Two couples left at 6am, day looks good finally left 10am. Walked to South Cape Bay, rain on the way there but a good sight at the end, with lunch. On the way back Cockle Creek meet a Vic lass going on a 4 day walk. Some rain on the way back but compare to the way out. Rode back, hit a parrot dark brown with yellow/green, same as 6 I saw on the walk out. Bought more bread at Devon for the, saw one of the Germans riding back, didn't stop as a cop looked like he was him and it was a divided road. Oh well expect to see them at Mole Creek, made about 4pm. Push bike arrived ok; Ted helps me assemble the bike.
Saturday (9) Mole Creek
Off to Cremorne, but not before Juno, the dog, got away from Ted. Posted BBR then found bank not taking my card... hmmm. Up through Great Lake, the road has more on this side, to Mole Creek- lunch in the pub. Made it out to the rally site 1
before the rest of the BMW gang. The Germans arrived along with peter, got them all a beer. Germans are going back across the Nullabour to Perth. Meet Darcy O'Connor 80 with 1942 WLA Harley and side car. Good night talking, looking on at the tiger hunt, most after the weed the tiger had in its mouth.
Sunday (10)
Lanceston Club won best banner at the rally. Left peter still packing, off to King Solomon Cave- good- better than any single cave at Jenolan Caves. Most of the BMW club has come to the caves; I say good bye and go on to the Walls of Jerusalem. Walked up to the top must get some proper walking boots for the bogy bits! Fantastic scenery. Bought veg at Mole Creek as it was 4.55pm and shops further on may well be closed on Sunday. Into Delorane 5.30 thought about backpackers but decided I could get on to Lanceston sunset. Got there to find the ATM's still not taking my card grrrr. Never mind took $100 from the westpac card. Found Backpackers, $10 a night and 10cents a shower, staid - street must get some ear plugs. Weather forecast says showers in the afternoon.
Monday (11) Oatlands
So much for the weather forecast got some post cards and an envelope. Rode on to, nice back road some rolling grades but nothing too steep. Posted the cards using some self sticking stamps, pretty good. Fast boring road to Campbell town, chemist with ear plugs, down to Ross the town with the bridge, its nice but not a photo with my camera. Bakery closed so no lunch yet. Past the topiary, took some, but missed some. On to Oatlands, bought lunch and eat in the YHA, no one else. Walked on up to the council chambers, looked at the photos large one of E Pillinger (one of my forebears) and an even larger dedication. Got a map of the town walked around. The mill will be very good when there is more to see. Bought afternoon and dinner, 5pm thunder and rain, looks like its set in for the night.
Tuesday (12) Wineglass Bay
Out to Stonehenge, just to say I've been there, same name as the one in Queensland. On to Freycinet National Park for lunch. Climbed Mt Amos, good climb but very steep slippery. Similar to Ayers rock but without the safety chain. Made it down to the car to find 2 of the backpackers from Lanceston going in for an overnight camp at Bay. Decide to join them. Good walk in over a ridge then across the beach. Nice by the sea, with the sound of the surf crashing about 10 meters from the tent.
Wednesday (13) St Marys
Up to quartz range, saw a yacht sail in and out of the bay. Good views of the bay Hazard Beach, the coast and ranges. Walked back and had lunch. Then took off to the. Fresh raspberry pancakes at the pancake barn at the top of Elephant Pass were that and a pot of tea took 3/4 hour! Then on to Faulty Towers, but they are full back to St Marys and the YHA.
Thursday (14) St Marys
Out towards Ben Lowman but it clouded in with a light misty rain. So I gave that up took the forestry roads to St Helans. The forestry roads are not good but the scenery really worth it and a bit more. Bank ATM takes my card but will not transfer funds! Is very annoying. More groceries, then back to St Marys for the night.
Friday (15) Launceston
Stormy but brakes up as I descend from the YHA. Back to Hobart via the boring hwy. Repacked and off by coach to Launceston. Eat my 3 sausages that I had left at the Backpackers then off to a pub for dinner.
Saturday (16) Evandale
Out to Evandale partly on the freeway, 18km, arrived before 9.30 am. Saw the Farthings racing. The slow race was very good, they don't have to maintain forward and so can use backwards motion to maintain balance. Meet Gerald in town, he tells of the $6 entry fee that I have avoided by arriving before the streets closed. Left races and meet the catering team. Meet Greg and Peter, went to pub. Then worked 4 � hours making 1040 meat and 180 vegies sandwiches for tomorrow's lunch.
Sunday (17) Scottsdale 75km 17.4k/h 63k/h mxs
Wake me at 5am! Up at 6, left 8.30. Long queue for the luggage truck. Good weather great views from the siding, chased a bunch up the hill (at times 30k/h!) did not them until the top. Stopped for the view, photo and drink. Then down hill, overtook car and a horse float, and a few riders. Nick from the catering team names me (Mansell). 2 beers in Scottsdale, then camp-bag took some finding-set up shower and wash clothes in shower. Tonight I serve dinner.
Monday (18) St Helens 97km 21.2k/h 66k/h mxs&
Overcast, used upper and lower wets- scattered showers- removed lowers then back as I got wet. Dried up a bit so removed wets- really travelling along then the first 10km long climb through Derby. Lunch at the back of Weldbrough pub was very nice with beers with Greg but its cool when you stop cycling. Followed Greg until the hill, where racing gears meant he had to climb fast. As you climb there are gullies with tree in them, a little like NZ. same kind of slopes but no coastal views. In by 3pm, up, then beer with Greg in the cafe de canvas. This is a new thingy, a licensed tent is set up at each camp. Saves going to town for a beer. Shower 4.30 then sandwiches -9, bed.
Tuesday (19) St Helens
Rest day but drying wind. Must buy some combs, mine have gone missing somewhere! Went to by bike- my bum remembers the seat not favourably. Bought 4 combs, pot of tea, and postcards. Gerald walks in, we do the town walk, have more morning tea then at the post office. Back to camp for lunch, bought photo $8. Try the soda drinks, enough flavouring. Took tea to the hall, Greg is reading a novel, talked to Jenny who the cafe has made as much money as the commercial one that came along on the December. They broke even but had to be self contained, their own generator, wash up, food and water. The BV one can tap into existing services.
Wednesday (20) Bicheno 26k/h 80k 60k/h mxs
Bush at breakfast, bit seedy! On to the ride 8.40, lunch at St Marys 10.30, overcast not raining. Few spots on the way up Elephant Pass then raspberry pancake with tea, many stop for pancakes. Then a good run down in the sun stopped at the crayfish but decided against it. Caught a train doing 33k/h bring my average up to 26, in the pub, Mick walked in so we had a few beers. Into camp about 3 or 4 showered + did laundry in the caravan park, machine left washing damp. On to do sandwiches, already, so did washing up instead. Mossies inhabit tent- killed 6 before getting to sleep.
Thursday (21) Triabunna 27k/h 92k 57k mxs
Morning-stopped just out of town to put on my gloves, Bush goes past 'Given up?' so I catch him and tail him. Road grader passes us going up hill, we pass on the. Bush pull out with rear derailleur problem. I back off to 26 (previous 33) so he can up. Grader passes with a train of 15-20 cyclists, I tag on. Grader does 33k/h up down dale, must fight like buggery up hill and use the brakes down. Pot hole and road appear with out warning from behind the grader. Grader pulls right just before, he waves and so do we, if he had stopped at the pub he'd have a few free beers! On way in to camp, arrived about 1 pm, put washing on the tennis courts outer fence, pitch tent. Off to town, bakery is recommended, go to jetty, Peter's bike is there, have gone to Marie island! Back to bakery for chocolate eclair. Back to camp, write a note, and back to the jetty, pie & Pepsi at bakery, then the pub for beer. Bush his problem was not getting the top gears... bent derailleur, replaced at lunch by bike mechanic. The pub has a few photos of the place in snow, like the place is the sea! Shower at 5 pm peter arrives at 5.30. We talk about our trips so far, part, me for washing at catering, my partners in washing up are late due to ferry brake. Wash through to 8.30; saw the start of tonight film 'Spotswood' not my thing off to pub. Made it back and settlers before a heavy shower passed not long some following but not much in it. Greg & Pete are staying the night in the pub at the other end town.
Friday (22) Richmond 23k/h 68k 61k/h mxs
Rain as the tent is packed. Full wets, but no plastic on the shoes. Black Charlie done in overcast conditions, removed wets weather fines up as we get to the old at Buckland. Lunch stop just before road works, the road work crew has cleared a km section so the road bikes can go. The section was good, did 25km/h on the dirt, but few racers had flats. Buzzed down the hill, but had to slow for the racers picking their way through the pot holes, the mountain bike just goes straight through. Then flat tar a tail wind 40-50 km/h until the hills! There we turned right-cross wind going on turns a head wind + hill, not nice. Then down hill into Richmond with a 25km/h with sand and gravel on it + occasional ruts across the road. Find the camp site took some time to find my luggage at the back of catering. Tent up, Gerald sets up his near mine, shower or pub? Showers are not working so off to town-very nice- old 1836, 1 beer then return. Showers still out so cafe de canvas capchino and, Ruth has accident with someone nashos, so we volleys get to eat the accident, joins us with his coffee. Then off to the showers and on to make lunch. Chop for the cauliflower; start making marmite and cheese sandwiches, then dinner. To work, now buns with chutney + lettuce. Some rain, finished work and off to the pub- night before Hobart so its pretty full, 3 beers with mick, see Gerald but just waved the throng, a port to finish off, sky has part cleared.
Saturday (23) Hobart 32km 23km/h 62k/h mxs,
David has arrived to pick up Helen; he is clean and dressed in city gear, very much of place in amongst the cyclists! Gerald leaves 1
hour before me, catch him about, ride past the camp site up to the Alexanders, see Judy + Cathy crossing the at Salamander place-keep riding. Shower and change into full mc gear for effect. Ride on the mc, pick up lunch and gear-most don't recognise me-Kate finally does given time. Back to do the washing then Salamander place by foot. See Greg in the markets. Around. Back to the Alexanders and off to city hall. More work! To start with I am exit sign, then a quick dinner and back to work-end speeches-dancing starts up-move and chairs-pub for me-back to dances-help pack up the food + etc. Pub with Mick... more pubs end.
Sunday (24) Hobart
With patchy rain, I sleep in to 9! James and Judy leave 10.15, shave and clean then off to Cremorne. A little run in the boat trolling for fish. No Luck.
Monday (25) Hobart
Blue and cloud, walked to Salamander Place, Battery point, then into town only a few open-Labor day holiday. Meet some cyclists in town and talked. Back and prepare for. Ted test rode my cycle says brakes are not sharp but lighter. Some light showers, bike but ran out of tape for top of box.
Tuesday (26) Hobart
Variable, more packing tape from the newsagent finished packing the bike, trouble through but arranged a pm pick up. Off to Botanic gardens, herb section has plants eg rhus tree only marked poisonous! Has a Tas section from 1992 good but, road on fore shore is distracting, restaurant is ok, cream condensed milk. Various going on in the grounds but no signs up to say what they are for. Back to the Retro for a meat burger, then back for the pm pick up. Alison arrives back, I do some more. Alison leaves 2.20, bike pickup 2.30. Take dog for a walk/run, shower and. James birthday celebration tonight, the Shiraz disappears fairly quickly! Comments on my brothers idea of renovating the kitchen for $10k ok excepts for the $10k. Me too I say!
Wednesday (27) St Helens
Clearing, finally leave, nearing the end of the holidays. Put on wets, as it looks drizzle. Road works still on Bust Me Gall hill. Go into the start of Douglas Apsley don't feel like the walk in the variable weather. Go on up to St Helens, bought a at chain of lagoons, pancake and tea at Elephant Pass. Booked in to the YHA then around the points.
Thursday (28) George Town
Mostly. Well no rain but overcast some of the time! Went up to Mt William national . Very nice spot at Ansons River. Out to Eddystone Point, then up to Pool out to William- disappointed in the national park apart from the coastal scenery. Some very road works out here. Back through Derby, saw some HD's (Harley Davidsons) travelling, they waved!? On to Scottsdale, out to Birdport a beachtown, off to Pipers Brook. The resiling is good, nice finish but not enough fruit, and they have limited and have a � case limit. Make George Town and have managed to change booking to. Went up to Low Head, good displays and a nice place. Back to town, beer, shower and bed, tomorrow its 7.00am
Friday (29) home 6.45
Can't trust myself to sleep 15 mins so pack and eat. Around at ferry 7.40, is smooth but getting worse. Some HDs on board with me, they are members the God Squad going over for a national meeting. One HD has a flat tire on board ... they inflate it with the ships foot pump and get to the local garage to fix it. I onwards and fill up at Welshpool. Then on, a triumph over takes me so I follow, a while, he must know the territory. I back off, but pass him some distance down the, his pannier has come off but he's ok at the garage. I stop at Cann River to the options- Bega is easy or Comma/Canberra, Comma/Canberra wins out. Up Dirt! Pass a 4wd cop coming the other way, in the dirt, then later on the tar another with radar, but I'm too close to the Bega/Comma turning so he doesn't chase. I slow well before Comma but there is no welcoming party so its on up to Canberra. Still just, I decide to go on home. Make home about 11pm.