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!

sunset from motel room

Goodbye sunny Deloraine

large flock of Masked Lapwings - never seen so many in one place!

Found at last!  Mama Moo came over and told me she was dodging the
Swedish winter and chillin out in Tasmania!

Blue and gold - a carpet of forget-me-nots

Railton does topiary - here at RSL memorial

Ned Kelly guarding someone's mail

Born to be wild