Pedalling down to Tarraleah

After heaps of rain and wind in the night, the day dawned bright blue skies and only a gentle breeze!  How good is that! 

Major hassle when Hennie fell over while I was loading her and snapped the stand…  totally! 

Anyways, we will survive - brekky at the café was a bit boring - I mean instant coffee???   

So on the road!  Now this is what cycling holidays are all about - the open road, preferably without much traffic - gently rolling hills, more down than up (can it be possible!!)  wind from behind!!  Am I dreaming???  But no, its all true!

It was a great ride - looping down from the mountain, past the button grass fields into the blue gum forests. 

It was only a 50km ride - but I thought I would try a short cut away from the highway and when the turnoff came up, I tested the gravel road - it was nice and solid and not soft after all that rain, so toot toot and away we go. 

I really enjoyed riding along all by myself - only saw a couple of cars for the whole of the last 20km…  first past some old farmlands, then into plantations of blue gums and pine trees…  the road dipped down to creeks and then climbed up again, but I made all the climbs ever so slowly!  Nice to be just on my own in great weather. 

Really enjoyed the whole ride…  suddenly I was back on the highway and pedaling alongside huge pipelines leading into the hydro stations at Tarraleah…  this is the area that the book 'One hand clapping' is based (must read that again)  and the town very proud of its history of struggle and all things hydro. 

But its such a pretty little town.  No-one actually lives here, it's a resort with all the house set up for renting There's camp ground, abig fancy Lodge on the top of the hill, with beautiful cherry (I think) blossoms plus the cabins and various other accommodation.  There's a café and the Highlander Arms restaurant - was not impressed - trying to be big city but failing…  I mean no vego on the menu - chef can do parmesan polenta with ratatouille - boring and no taste of parmesan and the chocolate cake?  A few tasty crumbs and a couple of blue berries does not a dessert make!  Came back to my cabin and made a milo and finished off my biscuits!!  And $34 less I my pocket…..

But anyways, my cabin is really comfy and spacious and all's well that ends well…  or one would think!