Have arrived back in sunny Brisbane... a great day was spent on Sunday, strolling around the St Kilda market and then down into trendy Acland Street. managed to get a touch of the sun and a blister on my foot...
Tasmania was not all that I expected - only a couple of days of wearing my rain gear and only 1 day of headwind! But the hills were there - just as bad as I knew they would be - maybe a few more than I had hoped for. those little bumps on a trip profile can be much steeper and harder than one might imagine. But Hennie and me got along just fine - though there were plenty of occasions when I had to get off and push Hennie and her load up to the top.
I loved the forests, the fruit trees in blossoms and the beautiful gardens all brimming with wonderful flowers - rhododendrons being the most spectacular at the moment. Interesting to see not many native plants used in the gardens, a few calistemons and flowering gum trees, but the forests made up for that.
I also loved seeing all the old buildings still being used today - and loved the experience of staying in some really lovely old buildings. In fact I can't recall any of my accommodation being uncomfortable and unclean. from modern cabins to rustic ones, friendly backpacker dorms to old cottages - I loved them all.
The things I didn't like were the amount of road kill and litter! Its amazing that there are any animals left in Tasmania - and soooo sad to see many wombats among the stinking corpses. But then some in Tassie think that there's too many of them and I am sure many are killed on purpose... but the wallaby count was also very high.
And the litter is continuous - same as in Queensland: beer cans and bottles, cigarette packets, coffee cups, plastic bags and bottles, general garbage just flung out of cars or blown off of utes... Keep Australia Beautiful is no longer a force... something needs to re-awaken the public psyche...
I missed the cycling infrastructure that I have experienced in the Nordic regions and in the Baltics and Japan... and although most motorists were kind and gave me plenty of space, there were several that I was thankful I wasn't hit - they came so close and a couple of occasions it was obvious it was deliberate... Aussie culture again... even the Kiwi drivers were much better than - and I think the tourists were the best drivers of all...
So some good and bad... the natural environment and old historic places were beautiful tho - will upload some of my favourite pics later - but today is Granny Day again so am off on the school pickup run and to spend some time with my wonderful grandkids whom I have missed these past 3 weeks!
Tuesday 14 November 2017
Friday 10 November 2017
Last Post from Tasmania
Another lovely short day - with only a couple of bumps to negotiate before sailing down into Devonport.
The blue sky has been covered by grey clouds, but they look so high and surely they won't rain on my last day - and they didn't.
After saying goodbye to my kind host at the B&B, I sailed down through town, checking on the topiary to make sure none has absconded during the night, but they were all present and correct!
I stopped in at a nature reserve that protects a variety of native orchids, but didn't see any of the purple ones, tho there were 2 kinds of white ones merrily flowering away. I didn't walk too far into the reserve, so I am sure they were just around the next corner.
Soon I was rolling into Latrobe - felt quite at home with the Lucas Hotel - but it wasn't beer o'clock, but coffee was definitely required, so I rode along the main street until I came to the Crowded Lounge - recommended by host. and a nice cuppa and almond croissant too... am going to have to get back to healthy eating when I get home again.... sigh!!!
I then found the River Road and headed towards Devonport along the Mersey River - that's such a nice ride all the way into Devonport - the river on one side and forest on the other until arriving into town. I dropped my panniers off at the Warmshowers' place then rode off to the beach. there's a great walking path up around the headland and then paths going in all directions, so I tried most of them until it got to ice-cream o'clock... the town centre has a mall and all the old buildings are being used for the usual shops one sees wherever.... I did zink into Harris Scarf's to buy a clean t-shirt for tomorrows ferry ride, but otherwise didn't need to do any shopping...
eventually it was time to go back to my hosts and I rode along a really wonderful path around the headland, puffed up a short sharp hill and zoomed down to my bed for tonight.
so my touring trip in Tasmania is almost over - until I get Hennie and me onto the ferry... Photos will be uploaded soon, but tonight I am tired and am off to sleep!
The blue sky has been covered by grey clouds, but they look so high and surely they won't rain on my last day - and they didn't.
After saying goodbye to my kind host at the B&B, I sailed down through town, checking on the topiary to make sure none has absconded during the night, but they were all present and correct!
I stopped in at a nature reserve that protects a variety of native orchids, but didn't see any of the purple ones, tho there were 2 kinds of white ones merrily flowering away. I didn't walk too far into the reserve, so I am sure they were just around the next corner.
Soon I was rolling into Latrobe - felt quite at home with the Lucas Hotel - but it wasn't beer o'clock, but coffee was definitely required, so I rode along the main street until I came to the Crowded Lounge - recommended by host. and a nice cuppa and almond croissant too... am going to have to get back to healthy eating when I get home again.... sigh!!!
I then found the River Road and headed towards Devonport along the Mersey River - that's such a nice ride all the way into Devonport - the river on one side and forest on the other until arriving into town. I dropped my panniers off at the Warmshowers' place then rode off to the beach. there's a great walking path up around the headland and then paths going in all directions, so I tried most of them until it got to ice-cream o'clock... the town centre has a mall and all the old buildings are being used for the usual shops one sees wherever.... I did zink into Harris Scarf's to buy a clean t-shirt for tomorrows ferry ride, but otherwise didn't need to do any shopping...
eventually it was time to go back to my hosts and I rode along a really wonderful path around the headland, puffed up a short sharp hill and zoomed down to my bed for tonight.
so my touring trip in Tasmania is almost over - until I get Hennie and me onto the ferry... Photos will be uploaded soon, but tonight I am tired and am off to sleep!
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| One of the many dead gum trees |
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| Hennie resting while I go in search of orchids |
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| A bit too early for a cider... but tempting! |
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| Mersey River |
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| checking out the path around the Bluff |
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| kids vying for Darwin Awards |
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| Hobbit country |
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| Flinders St east again! |
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| definitely hobbits live here! |
Thursday 9 November 2017
Rollin' into Railton
There's no rush in the morning when there's only 45km to go, so Hennie and me didn't get started until just after 9.
The first 10km was always going to be fraught - pedalling along the shoulder of the busy Bass Highway, but apart from some narrow sections and gravel patches, it wasn't too bad, but heavy traffic certainly made it harrowing, tho no real reason to complain... amazing!
I had planned to stop at the Raspberry Farm - had been told its a must, so after negotiating a right hand turn on the highway - reassured that the Farm was open, I rolled up to the parking lot, only to see a sign saying - Closed - re-opening tomorrow!! wah??? dang it, but there's nothing to do but get back on the highway and ride onto Elizabethtown... the cafe just after the intersection is damn fine and the coffee was just right (as was the vanilla slice!!)
After Elizabethtown, I was back onto the minor road to Railton and although there was a little traffic, nothing too bad - even the few trucks didn't give me any grief. This is farming country - bright green hillsides, gardens overflowing with flowering plants of all colours - quite pretty in a very un-Australian way... rhododendrons seem to flourish in the part of the world and the trees are just overloaded with them... pinks, whites, magenta - all so impressive! Roses too - well, you name it, its probably growing here - tho yes, have not seen any Sturt's Desert Pea!!
The weather was another blue-sky day and the almost nil wind was actually coming from behind again!!! The rolling hills seem to be more down than up - is that possible? well, yes as Railton is in a valley - just means that there's some up tomorrow, but the word is that once up, its then all downhill to Devonport... we shall see!
Can't believe that this adventure is almost over - its been tough - but some wonderful places seen!
The first 10km was always going to be fraught - pedalling along the shoulder of the busy Bass Highway, but apart from some narrow sections and gravel patches, it wasn't too bad, but heavy traffic certainly made it harrowing, tho no real reason to complain... amazing!
I had planned to stop at the Raspberry Farm - had been told its a must, so after negotiating a right hand turn on the highway - reassured that the Farm was open, I rolled up to the parking lot, only to see a sign saying - Closed - re-opening tomorrow!! wah??? dang it, but there's nothing to do but get back on the highway and ride onto Elizabethtown... the cafe just after the intersection is damn fine and the coffee was just right (as was the vanilla slice!!)
After Elizabethtown, I was back onto the minor road to Railton and although there was a little traffic, nothing too bad - even the few trucks didn't give me any grief. This is farming country - bright green hillsides, gardens overflowing with flowering plants of all colours - quite pretty in a very un-Australian way... rhododendrons seem to flourish in the part of the world and the trees are just overloaded with them... pinks, whites, magenta - all so impressive! Roses too - well, you name it, its probably growing here - tho yes, have not seen any Sturt's Desert Pea!!
The weather was another blue-sky day and the almost nil wind was actually coming from behind again!!! The rolling hills seem to be more down than up - is that possible? well, yes as Railton is in a valley - just means that there's some up tomorrow, but the word is that once up, its then all downhill to Devonport... we shall see!
Can't believe that this adventure is almost over - its been tough - but some wonderful places seen!
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| sunset from motel room |
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| Goodbye sunny Deloraine |
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| large flock of Masked Lapwings - never seen so many in one place! |
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| Found at last! Mama Moo came over and told me she was dodging the Swedish winter and chillin out in Tasmania! |
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| Blue and gold - a carpet of forget-me-nots |
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| Railton does topiary - here at RSL memorial |
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| Ned Kelly guarding someone's mail |
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| Born to be wild |
Wednesday 8 November 2017
Being a tourist in Deloraine
only a short pedal today and apart from the grind to actually get out of Launceston, there weren't any mountains - just annoying bumps.
the old Bass Highway, now called the Meander Valley Way was quite a nice ride, tho there was still a bit more traffic than what I really like - no time to dream and wobble along.
The Western Tiers - rocky outcrops that I first spotted on my first day cycling - now I am coming back from the other side - but they are still pretty impressive.
And this is Green Country - the paddocks are really green! Hereford cows, sheep and lambs and a few fancy horses with the oilskin jackets, looking like the man from snowy river!!
really old cute buildings in the small towns - being lived in and used is great!
I stopped for coffee - but then later a mango gelato at Westbury - but eventually I rolled into Deloraine - crossed over the river then climbed up thru town to the Visitor Centre - where they gave me maps for tomorrow's ride and booked me into the Mountain View motel - so huge window looking out over the Western Tiers - very nice...
hopefully I will get some photos up tonight - stay tuned!!
the old Bass Highway, now called the Meander Valley Way was quite a nice ride, tho there was still a bit more traffic than what I really like - no time to dream and wobble along.
The Western Tiers - rocky outcrops that I first spotted on my first day cycling - now I am coming back from the other side - but they are still pretty impressive.
And this is Green Country - the paddocks are really green! Hereford cows, sheep and lambs and a few fancy horses with the oilskin jackets, looking like the man from snowy river!!
really old cute buildings in the small towns - being lived in and used is great!
I stopped for coffee - but then later a mango gelato at Westbury - but eventually I rolled into Deloraine - crossed over the river then climbed up thru town to the Visitor Centre - where they gave me maps for tomorrow's ride and booked me into the Mountain View motel - so huge window looking out over the Western Tiers - very nice...
hopefully I will get some photos up tonight - stay tuned!!
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| Goodbye Launceston - I thought I was near the top, but I was wrong :( |
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| Morning tea by a river is always good! |
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| Found a nice bench in a peaceful place to have lunch |
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| One for Carl |
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| Didn't stop for a beer, but was tempted |
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| Seen this range on first day out - now from a different angle |
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| Western Tiers |
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| Dream home |
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