OzSTOC
OzSTOC Ride Reports, Pictures & Videos => RIDE REPORTS => Topic started by: on November 01, 2019, 06:07:35 PM
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Day 1 Ride Report
Oh yeah baby, it got underway today in what was somewhat a case of Déjà vu. One took a leaf out of his Smythdale RTE road trip:
after the roster dealt me an early finish on friday I decided to go to Bordertown after work and stay there for the night.
Rain had been forecast but I beat it to Bordertown. Within half an hour it was bucketing down but I did get to unload and lock up a dry bike, albeit in the dark.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/09/22/9c6ff71e952442954f17d3496a1018d5.jpg[/url])
Eighty dollars for a room was a bargain, and as per our conversation Rex it was quite clean and big. If need be I'd stay there again.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/09/22/b2e2b658fcedaf3d33639534d29ec935.jpg[/url])
The only difference was longer days and daylight saving meant it was unlikely to be dark before I arrived. Although I had initially been rostered the same shift as the day I left before Smythedale I managed to swap it for an earlier one.
Likewise rain had been forecast. Did I beat it? Well sort of. It came down just as I pulled into the Bordertown OTR but disappeared by the time I had gone in and paid for my fuel and milk.
I'm in the same room I was in before and like last time the restaurant is closed tonight so I grabbed a beer on check in.
Prior to getting here I stopped at my usual rest area in Coonalpyn. There's a bed here for anyone who wants it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/01/7c941c24aac780ca94615f0d83a70522.jpg)
The kwaka is locked up for the night. Time for a beer.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/01/84d4de01a37434e48b68296d29a7906f.jpg)
Spot:
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=20cf05dbaa08db1180&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes (https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=20cf05dbaa08db1180&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes)
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Looking forward to the usual good read and Photos and looking forward to catching up in Tassie :hatwave
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Cheers and safe travels.....see you in Port Sorrel :hatwave
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Day 2 Ride Report
I slept in by my standards. In fact it was light when I woke up. I think waking up at 0130 yesterday, doing a full shift at work and then the ride to Bordertown caught up with me. Consequently I didn't have breakfast and loaded up the bike for today's ride.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/02/a996ccb7a8f328e448f55b4d1e5ba3fa.jpg)
I was volunteering at the library the other day, when a woman asked if I knew any good authors of dinosaur books.
I said. "Try Sarah Topps".
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/02/9696d77808a933606fc5c31a27827c97.jpg)
I spotted that outside the Pinball Museum in Nhill and thought it would be a good "where is this?" photo. There were other dinosaurs there and as I was taking photos someone came out and told me what it was all about. Apparently they got a new dinosaur pinball machine and the Jurassic Park theme was there for november only. He called it Dinovember. He also offered to open the pinball machines up for me to take photos. I haven't booked accommodation after Tasmania so I may stay there on the way back.
I spotted Molly Meldrum digging for worms in this roundabout at Minyip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/02/9c7f747cb83137ed316cc323ec136e1e.jpg)
After that I over-endulged on Victorian weather and copped rain for the rest of the day. Photo opportunities were at a premium. I am in Melbourne for two nights before sailing on monday.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/02/70eaaf1f2cce1dedfd4b9241976994d1.jpg)
I'm not sure what I am going to do tomorrow, but I have noticed I have forgotten my cutlery set so I'll probably walk around Preston and replace them. Then again, knowing me I'll probably get up early, get bored and say sod it, and take the bike somewhere. Watch this space.
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Day 3 Ride Report
After posting yesterday's ride report I learned that the South Preston woolies is open to midnight (even on saturday) so went and bought some cutlery. That and fine weather this morning meant I was going for a ride. It might not show up well in the photo but I could vaguely see a building behind the clouds.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/cf1b2cb49ca5cdd0b54357a52ac48ae9.jpg)
My destination for today was to check out the Australian mainland's most southern point at Tidal River but not before making a wrong turn and stopping here at Pearcedale and opening google maps to see where I was.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/8ea94dfd7ec83f0569aa27635d4fde3b.jpg)
This boat in Tooradin won't be the only one I see on this trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/abc608d0cd49315544790f415e382215.jpg)
This was in Koo Wee Rup. I have no idea what it is.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/76e4e2f068a2170a270dee4a4631d0cd.jpg)
This one was in Loch Village. I know this one, it's an old car.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/7231baa63bcfbe1deb5012f0cb46226f.jpg)
Unlike South Australian national parks it was free to ride into Wilsons Promontory.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/17c3e73e8036421460acf605dffcbdd6.jpg)
There some good views but I didn't stop at all of them. This one sort of reminded me of Stenhouse Bay.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/104d9e92b6982da5387b61aa623de2ee.jpg)
The tarmac ran out at Tidal River.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/1ba204f388291322177e3f01a1a4a470.jpg)
I can see why it is called Tidal River.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/da5a4d08b3fc35a93f797be14fe586b4.jpg)
Like when I went to Sata Peninsula in Kagoshima in 2016 the road to Mount Oberon was closed to traffic, but they did have a free shuttle bus. Lots of people were waiting for it and there was no information on when it will depart so I didn't hang around.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/a6d86251f5acadd886a411a919e61731.jpg)
I didn't make many stops on the way home as I wanted to beat the rain, but the road from Korumburra to Warragal was a nice ride.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/03/1940d888745278f4007512d08a3d483e.jpg)
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Thanks for sharing your adventure with us BG.
..... South Preston woolies is open to midnight (even on saturday) so went and bought some cutlery.
Reminds me of the last time I was in Adelaide (attending a conference), left my tootbrush at home, first night - around midnight - looking for somewhere to buy one, turned left as I walk out the front of the hotel, and walked around town for an hour, finally found one 50m from the hotel - shoulda turned right.
Next night after the conference, a number of colleagues and me looking for a pizza - around midnight - found a place, but it was closing, asked a few locals, "where can I get a good pizza?". The reply was, "Melbourne!"
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Reminds me of the last time I was in Adelaide (attending a conference), left my tootbrush at home, first night - around midnight - looking for somewhere to buy one, turned left as I walk out the front of the hotel, and walked around town for an hour, finally found one 50m from the hotel - shoulda turned right.
Addresses in many parts of Japan are like that. Without street names addresses go by blocks 1,2,3 etc. where you get all the way round and 64 was one or two houses back from where 1 started.
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Day 3 Ride Report
I didn't make many stops on the way home as I wanted to beat the rain, but the road from Korumburra to Warragal was a nice ride.
Damn, you could've called in for a cuppa! :Wot thuh: :thumbsup
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Next time !
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Day 4 Ride Report
I've stayed at the hotel before but this time I noticed they has Japan style vending machines and products in it you'd find in Japan. Pocari Sweat brings back memories. That stuff is only drinkable after you've worked up a sweat.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/8f50cc8caa6d2ecd0aacfded13a2769c.jpg)
With a short distance to travel I waited until just before checkout to load up the kwaka. The trolley was a big help. I also packed bags differently so I'd only need to bring two into the ferry's cabin. Dirty washing can stay in a pannier until tomorrow afternoon.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/b40cdf88ce42d83afe2e98b0edc8f0a7.jpg)
Then it was a short ride up to Office Works to print my ferry e-ticket. I'd done that before leaving Adelaide but must have left those copies at home. I more or less winged it from there to Port Melbourne, arriving at the port with heaps of time to kill.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/2dedbe7eb02c949d6e19b4a47c4a5daa.jpg)
I went to Coles and bought breakfast before taking it to the beach and eating it at Albert Park.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/0b2596cbb4904442e753cd04bdf59082.jpg)
I zoomed in on this bridge. I am guessing it may be my way out of Melbourne when I return to the mainland in three weeks times.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/abe626c2cb4692e89589cf602d84abec.jpg)
Then I decided to go for a ride down the coast, keeping it simple so I could turn back and know the way. First stop was Saint Kilda.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/fa4636186ca6cbb74dc084923ac1e10a.jpg)
Being in Melbourne I had pakd on the footpath, went to walk away and spotted this sign.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/986498cbcc01088467a4f5923668de07.jpg)
The bike was promptly moved.
I rode as far as Sandringham before turning around and coming back to Port Melbourne. I copped a bit of rain.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/74502e80aa49843f0aca508f935df565.jpg)
A cruise ship was in town and with shuttle buses coming and going I took the time to do some gunzelling.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/cd13eb1ffd18780585c8e8d9b29d10b8.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/b16674d6020d90a8edca1b5dfe711216.jpg)
There were a couple of bikes here when I arrived.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/06bf7df42352607033eae186ab2589b5.jpg)
A couple more arrived and it appeared they were from the same group. They'd come over from Tassie before doing the Great Ocean Road. One of them had an off in Ballarat and went to Bendigo before discovering they had a broken collar bone. The other three came to Melbourne before two of them went back to Bendigo to collect the injured party's bike.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/01e519f79187c10639d542d1fc9b12f2.jpg)
Without a rider it was now classed as freight and loaded on to the bike with a forklift. Had I known that was going to happen I'd have had my camera ready for a better photo.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/a54f6779d63d19fa5a1f506a1fb186c3.jpg)
It was interesting to watch this prime mover just moved semi trailer freight on and off the boat. I guess it's way cheaper than to have individual lorries trucks and their drivers make the journey across.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/b7c71db034cb613f59dae52d25416f65.jpg)
I'm now in my cabin for the night. The boat is about to sail.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/98d930799b1737fb649f59af51130113.jpg)
I've set the mobius camera to take time lapse photos as I sleep. I intend to crash into bed soon.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/04/db0a386219a4c69fab21210403e1e22b.jpg)
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Enjoy your trip over Bodo :runyay
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The bridge is the westgate bridge just be wary if it happens to be windy and looks like St Kilda has changed a bit since I was last there.
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Day 5 Ride Report
I slept like a log on the boat, waking up once at about midnight, going to the bathroom and crashing back into bed again. The boat was in the Devonport Dock when I woke up again. I wasn't expecting that and began to hurry packing. Then an announcement came of the tannoy that is was 0545 with disembarking to commence at 0630 so I needn't have rushed. It gave me time to have a shower.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/cf7201870568a232ff5dcd4e1c56cd69.jpg)
This is good to know for the return trip, although I could really have done with one of these shelters in Melbourne. For the record I had sunshine until I got to Ouse, but it got cloudy after that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/93bdbc7773dc207690214f000665f6f8.jpg)
I refuelled at Deloraine where I saw this Lime flavored milk. I loved spearmint milk when I lived in Perth but haven't seen it anywhere else so I had to give the lime milk ago. I wasn't let down. Very nice... and I'll be having more before I return to the mainland.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/2c33392ca3f2f68871588884995cc374.jpg)
I took this warning in Golden Valley.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/5bd6e9eb982491408567f853a4d3617b.jpg)
Highlight of the day (lime milk aside) was probably the Great Lake at Central Plateau.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/77644b8d878e2d4869450162fa08f491.jpg)
I saw these orange road markings on roads that are obviously prone to snow. I reminds me of playing football in my youth where we used orange balls to play in the snow. I often saw orange poles of this size on the side of the road in Perth but they were bus stops.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/b14b123d2c15e475fd4c7b3c01ee290b.jpg)
I saw a lot of burnt out forests as well. This one was in Steppes near the sculptures.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/565f53cf713c2917c37756460f53267e.jpg)
This Bentley was at Ouse. I saw a lot of them, all with Western Australian number plates. I guess they're here for a convention or something.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/d690e1ed7cafef3d5b366ebffed95162.jpg)
My first wrong turn (well missing the turnoff to be precise) took me to Wayatinah before checking my progress and backtracking to Ouse.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/c74e6d0cc25305f975f09e4a0498434c.jpg)
I was going to Gordon Dam. I didn't actually get there. I fell short of Lake Peddler by about thirty kilometres before deciding to pull the pin and head for Hobart. There were ice warning signs on that road, the temperature had plummeted to 2℃, the roads were wet and when it started to drizzle decided it wasn't worth the risk. Certainly not on day one. This was Florentine.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/aaffa6f640b0f1c3cfd17774f2f50eab.jpg)
This was on a yard in Maydena. I don't know why though.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/081a609d835317ba3fbe0ee2b1354a61.jpg)
My only spot of gunzelling was in Fitzgerald.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/87c175e5119eb7159df5e8926b98f768.jpg)
Belive it or not, National Park is the locality name.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/9365a51cb9d8bf65484582f75c9e2d02.jpg)
I spotted a bus there too. The destination screen said "grumpy old tourists".
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/c391deac142df9c24409a8771bd20ecb.jpg)
That's my reflection in the window so I'm not a vampire.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/05/b419171a6e00325331ef895935c0d275.jpg)
I'm in Glenorchy for the next four nights. I think it's the first time I've bought a three litre bottle of milk on a road trip.
What's weird is I didn't get seasick on the boat but I am getting it now as I sit in my room. I feel the floor rocking as though it's on the water.
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Good report there, thanks.
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Good report there, thanks.
Times two.
The long range weather forecast looks a bit dismal for the next 2 or 3 weeks but nothing too horrendous. I'm very much looking forward to your daily reports. I'm heading over Monday night and Julie is joining me in Hobart Tuesday evening and will stay for 2 weeks while we attend the rally and circumnavigate the island (where bitumen permits).
Have a great ride and we'll catch you in 10 days or so.
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Day 6 Ride Report
The agenda for today was to do Bruny Island and if time permitted the B68 down and around the peninsula you find Verona Sands. I don't know if it has a name. My friend waited for two and a half hours to cross to Bruny Island and I think Williamson also mentioned something along those lines so I left early and got there first vehicle on the rank.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/e45f630e7bca5318e3a9f8c886c3912b.jpg)
Mind you, when inquiring if they had a booking system the email they set back to me was if there was a big line ride around it and park next to the ticket booth if I was a solitary bike and they'd fit me in. It wasn't required in any direction.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/e747fa5ac8a35ea86c419b21d1779477.jpg)
It didn't take long for a line to form.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/9ef33b77d52dafb7529691eac78b3738.jpg)
Just out of Kettering I spotted the first ferry traversing the reverse direction.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/ec00582cc5579510540648f5042474d4.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/f712c5f746b49ef34d0aa02882ce522a.jpg)
Once on Bruny I took the opportunity to climb the Truganini lookout. I was the only one there but it was lots of people jammed up there when I rode past on the way back.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/9a080f3e18c9bf9294d2b52929c05711.jpg)
Just like on the Great Ocean Road in 2017 I was greeted with a roadworks sign in Chinese in South Bruny.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/e9e8b5bbaceeb154cbd2a58f85258477.jpg)
One for the letter box collection. The penguin even had an egg on it's feet like the ones in Antarctica do.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/0b52261f0ae4820ae00c094e81cd3b51.jpg)
I encountered some dirt roads, but fortunately the fallen tree wasn't on one I had to traverse.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/156494f2bc5dfb5b8fa1ca887c536e2c.jpg)
Seeing this sign reminded me of my first trips to Innes National Park and Flinders Nation Park in 2015.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/48434abefc114825bbca72b01eecdb11.jpg)
That said, I was prepared to pay and stopped to do so only to find there was no envelopes in the box so I couldn't.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/39529da9e77e0df816ab88817d30769e.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/83facfb8bc45a79bb23cfe7644568a0b.jpg)
I snapped this in the final five kilometres to the light house.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/be1b2db56221138f3c9fb99f4ffc9594.jpg)
And there she is:
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/5b38274ed6b9866ec14bb2d7e6081806.jpg)
I checked out a few more places on the way back. Adventure Bay was the pick of them.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/05730e63e50166c3a56a5605c1868e99.jpg)
As I was approaching the ferry I could see a whole line of cars making their way in the opposite direction which only mean the ferry had just come in and I could ride straight on. Sure enough it was there and I could.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/06/295f90b76b974a00bdd89d9891b14cc5.jpg)
Time did permit so I did go to Verona Sands. In fact, I was back in my motel room by 1300 hours. With rain and hail forecast for the afternoon that actually suited me fine. It's sunny now but we did have rain and strong wind which I avoided. I think the hail was more for the evening but as the parking is under cover here I should be right.
As I was back early I took the opportunity to do some washing. Neither the washing machine nor the dryers needed coins which was a surprise.
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What's weird is I didn't get seasick on the boat but I am getting it now as I sit in my room. I feel the floor rocking as though it's on the water.
That effect is caused by sleeping through the time there was a swell. Your vestibular system registered the rocking and is still stabilising.
I actually find the sensation pleasant.
FWIW, Blackmores make the best sea sickness prophylactic, and it's purely an extract of ginger.
I learned about them when doing the Bruny Island Adventure boat ride 7 years ago. Before we left the dock we were given our waterproofs and the briefing. The last bit of the briefing was "We're offering you these sea-sickness tablets. They're free here and $40 each outside in the open ocean." I'm susceptible to motion sickness, and the swell was huge, but I felt fine all the time.
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I'm not too sure about those "ginger" sea sickness tablets... :o
I don't normally suffer sea sickness and I've done the Spirit of Tassie plenty of times.
Think it was on my second last trip I decided, just to be safe, to take a sea sick tablet and, before long I started to feel queasy & the boat felt like it was rocking.
Stupid part was, we hadn't even left Station Pier... :rofl
On the return trip it was rough as guts but funnily enough, without a tablet I was fine...go figure... :thumbsup
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I remember getting a ferry from Shanghai to Kōbe and being fine yet the one from Kagoshima to Naha I was unwell. I'd never thought of sea sickness tablets until becoming a tour guide for Japanese tourists in Cairns and being taught to recommend them to those going to the reef.
For this trip I did buy some prior to leaving Adelaide and took them prior to boarding at Port Melbourne. Whether they work or not I don't know arrived in Devonport feeling fine. I didn't take anything for Bruny Island.
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Day 7 Ride Report
I'd like to use some adjectives that could see Brock send me to the norty corner because I've had a drinking shiraz awesome day, even if it was shorter than yesterday.
I departed Glenorchy on first light and whilst rain and strong winds were forecast there were patches of blue sky. This was in Franklin.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/8fbc294301dc6864c66b4a6da5e8e75e.jpg)
It's been a long time since I've seen one of these flag thingies on top of a service station. This was in Dover.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/354a4829f1d53aa79bbc44f49f4ad05b.jpg)
I rode into Southport and had a wee look before returning to the road to Lune River.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/07709d9031e9f116cb1703b8ce0ad100.jpg)
I certainly didn't expect to find a level crossing down here but there was one in Ida Bay. Funnily enough, there was a "lookout for trains" sign on Bruny Island yesterday despite there not being a railway there. I should have taken a photo of it. Anyway, those clouds did look ominous.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/e7c03abb0de072f8541d35aee2f44416.jpg)
More Chinese on display. I took this photo because it would make a friend's day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/8e9964ea40a58bc4e193614dcce16987.jpg)
I'm glad this said John and Chris because I may have thought it was Nigel's. (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/cdd60f6b1910302cd683f9cfe5e755fc.jpg)
The asphalt ran out at Ida Bay and with mud all the way places to safely stop and be confident that the stand wouldn't sink into the ground (even with a shim) were few and far between. This bridge in Recherche came to the rescue.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/a6afd8eaa3a9056ad496fb6a30b3eacb.jpg)
I pulled over here in Moss Glen to take photos only for this ute to overtake me and start setting up roadworks. I encountered them on Bruny island as well.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/c6a345456aa75a68e2c9fffcb4172250.jpg)
Not the first black swans I have seen in Tasmania. There used to be a time (before I moved to Adelaide) that I thought they only existed in Western Australia.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/0810ae1033b3109ee1a331e811510293.jpg)
Did someone mention Cockle Creek?? :grin
I can now say I have been there and add it to my milestone. I did look for the sign you posted it but only saw twenties, not a locality sign saying Cockle Creek.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/f373e1984caf1f9af57338309b805184.jpg)
Not only had the tarmac run out but the mud road also came to an end.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/7c0bfd4a76a87b520f18f472a321e84e.jpg)
I couldn't get the kwaka up here.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/329f7bcbe6fc0b0d497574f4a2044325.jpg)
I still had the return trip to go but it was obvious that the bike was up for a wash.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/99ec8100fd0734d0fbc8207c127b3b73.jpg)
This bridge was cleaner than the other one.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/d40e630ae7993ce908a0973fec35875d.jpg)
I must admit I did enjoy carving it up in the mud on the way back but I did stop here in Catamaran.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/0692d8f6835f2893bc6003ee88f84a12.jpg)
One of my workmates who is originally from Hobart said I ought to go to Hastings Caves. The road was closed at the information centre and so was the information centre itself.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/830fd733017aba8aba47405a75d5e5f1.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/b9ac21381381e40e68fbf12cfddfc09d.jpg)
I didn't hang around. I didn't make any stops on the way back to Glenorchy.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/07/d77003a215ef8b0914a942442ca6bebd.jpg)
I'm glad I got to Cockle Creek after failing to get to Gordon Dam two days ago. Mud and gravel doesn't bother me too much. Ice on the other hand...
Prior to departing Adelaide I had tossed up whether to bring my summer riding gear or my spring/autumn stuff. I went for the summer so despite having two layers of orange on I was feeling a tad cold. The warm shower upon my return was very welcome.
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Did someone mention Cockle Creek?? :grin
I can now say I have been there and add it to my milestone. I did look for the sign you posted it but only saw twenties, not a locality sign saying Cockle Creek.
Congrats! That photo was taken in 2016 so perhaps all 3 residents have moved on since then? :crackup
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One of my workmates who is originally from Hobart said I ought to go to Hastings Caves. The road was closed at the information centre and so was the information centre itself.
That's a shame, the caves are definitely worth a look... :thumbs
And you could also have warmed yourself up in the thermal spring fed swimming pool... :grin
https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/hastingscavesandthermalsprings (https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/hastingscavesandthermalsprings)
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I was actually looking forward to the thermal spring. I lived in Japan for years and onsen or sentō were a daily thing and something I really miss.
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Keep up the good work with your travel posts, Bodø...I'm enjoying the "reminiscing" ++ :grin
If you get the chance, a visit to the shot tower at Taroona is worth a visit.
It's not far out the Kingston side of Hobart...
https://taroona.tas.au/history/shot-tower/
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I'll keep that in mind, but tomorrow night is my last in Hobart and tomorrow's plan is Port Arthur. I haven't even looked at the weather forecast yet.
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Enjoy!
Hope the weather is better there than what we're copping here in South Gippsland!
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I couldn't get the kwaka up here.
Wouldn't have been a "bikes in front of..." because it's a standard sized replica of a whale- might even be a small representative of the species.
Goodonya for fearlessly riding on the wet gravel to snag your milestone location.
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I don't recall mentioning big things, although I have snapped a few of them. It would have been a good "where is this?" photo though.
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Day 8 Ride Report
Another relatively short day today. I've decided to make use of the free washing machine and dryer here before moving on to another place tomorrow. Today's plan was to check out Port Arthur.
Do Taswegians understand the concept of zip merging? Many on the mainland sure as hell don't.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/adfa10e91c7e02ccec526e9ef07fa1ad.jpg)
I made it to Sorell. Now where is the port and where is everyone else? (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/f703b9a1b6f17d037961055ac6c9a648.jpg)
I didn't cop any sea spray in any direction. There's a lot of 'necks' in Tasmania.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/ddd9f9a8a4ed31482dd63a7e7dc4097e.jpg)
Not the best on out there but a creative letterbox in Forcett.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/3dd1331282d90ad2ba74005bed5e8ca5.jpg)
I've been meaning to ask someone what this actually means. Lots of the speed limit signs above 80km/h have this "changing conditions" sign on it. This one was in Copping. A car traversing in the opposite direction almost ran into the ditch. I wonder if that was because they took their eyes off the road wondering what I was doing.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/dbf8feee4556bc5575873dc9ddaa2add.jpg)
Another one of there signs I have collected as it's the first time I have seen for the Tasmanian devil.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/7d7a1dbe7039b82f44c3eec163e8e19c.jpg)
I never knew they had wings.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/66cac0a833416411749c78473c7cffc5.jpg)
Both of those were in Murdunna, where I would stop to refuel, have a bite and a walk on the way back.
I had a look at Pirate Bay from Eaglehawk Neck.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/c2ce4b82eb80660ef9009b92cb158aa3.jpg)
I arrived at the Port Arthur historical site at about 0800. It didn't open until 0900 so I was restricted to taking photos from the outside.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/cc3d97a40f2a8bea21a74f7ea4ce3af9.jpg)
In Nubeena I rode up some random hill so I could turn around and go back to the jetty away from blind corners. It seemed like a good place to get a wee selfie.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/5627188933ed3141b38c4ed5d96d3b1c.jpg)
This cow in Premaydena was sitting down so I thought I'd stop and get a photo, only for it to get up and check out what I was doing. I think they meant business. It was sitting down when I rode back a few minutes later.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/951c39ca1fefda58da92289a5dc1364e.jpg)
This echidna was at Eaglehawk Neck when I made my way back to Hobart. It's the first one I've seen in the wild.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/08/14bac1601cf95119edd2ba0d52084a56.jpg)
This is my last night in Glenorchy. Tomorrow I load up the donkey and make my way to Swansea.
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Hope the weather is better there than what we're copping here in South Gippsland!
I've just seen the news. (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Rain was forecast for here and Port Arthur but I copped a bit of drizzle as I parked up at Port Arthur and it was gone as I left. Hail is forecast again this evening. I'm usually in bed before it hits and the bike is under cover so no dramas.
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Bodo, if that's a cow you saw at Premaydena, I'm prepared to suggest the farmer got seriously carried away with the hormone pellets.
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That’s a lot of Bull🤓
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Day 9 Ride Report
I left my accommodation in Goodwood(not Glenorchy as I first thought) in the dark and headed for Richmond. I swear, I am convinced every state must have a Richmond. I have been to five of them now.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/a506129e0277a8fa2284a17ac4ace373.jpg)
I know Williamson said he likes his bridges but I must admit I do too.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/0443f501924382af0c2d9f876cfadc4a.jpg)
That’s a lot of Bull🤓
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/1349830a658828a987a6c260773b41d6.jpg)
I saw that at Forcett and thought I need a photo of that. I traversed the same stretch of road yesterday and didn't see it then. Knowing I took this photo earlier in the morning seeing Jonathan's comment made me laugh.
Just prior to Dunalley I turned off the road I traversed yesterday and turned into Boomer Bay.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/d9e9c0b1605490879a65c8f9f9907b8e.jpg)
This strange alignment of wood was in Breaam Creek.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/ec561bdef39b91a2301c236bc38c3ab5.jpg)
That's an unusual way to place your containers.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/354dedb86e41c4e920f164428ed6973f.jpg)
Possibly poor planning on my part but my planned route took me along gravel roads. The only day I intended to travel unsealed roads was when I went to Cockle Creek but I've run them every day except my first day on Tasmania.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/848b0243250e98e7edaf13075c8c221c.jpg)
Most of the road from Boomer Bay to the photo above in Kellevie was dirt. That said,it was smooth dirt. I missed my planned turnoff to Nugent and somehow ended up back in Copping so ended up riding back to Sorrell and the A3 to Orford. Looking at the map it was quite a long way round, but doing some twisties at speed was pretty cool. I rode into the roadhouse at Buckland but they didn't have any 95ron or 98 ron so rode back out again.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/2db789b7320b3511038facbe3fbab98c.jpg)
One thing I like about touring is stumbling across things other Ozstocers have posted in the "where is this?" thread. I've actually looked for a couple like the Red Rock lookout at Alvie (posted by Stinky Pete) and the Mia Mia propeller monument (posted by Williamson) but usually I fluke them. When I had a car travelling behind me leading up to an overtaking lane I waited for them to overtake me and despite me slowing down they remained behind me so they were still behind me when the lanes merged back to one. Not long after that there was a sign for a lookout so I turned into it to get them off my tail and as I swung around I recognised it immediately. Jdbiker had posted it in the "where is this?" thread.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/e65dd429eac3780d9f69a772dbfd2190.jpg)
I climbed up the lookout and had a good stretch of the legs and the view was well worth it. Who knew there were vineyards in Tasmania. Actually I've seen a few now.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/a14150578537d23a0393b2952c12eec2.jpg)
Whilst I'd have missed that lookout had that car not been up my muscat my destination for the day was Swansea so I'd probably seen it on the way back from Coles Bay. I knew I'd get to Swansea too early for check in so had already incorporated a trip to Coles Bay into the day's itinerary. Coles Bay was nice and as you can see the sun was out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/9af5e66a14c570028313215a935c26fd.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/67aea53f10b9b22e408ac7813a7c9f9e.jpg)
Apparently there are deer here too. This another thing I have meant to ask people. Are there dawn to dusk speeds actual enforceable speed limits or are they just recommendations. I have notied they are always 45, 55, 65 (ie. end in 5) km/h.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/38fd9d5f634e502e6c7f8b9d0769dbd7.jpg)
Outside my accommodation in Goodwood was a school sign with flashing lights and I wondered if that changed the speed limit like they do in Adelaide or just flash to warn you children could be close by.
I'm now back in Swansea, where I'll be for the next three nights. I stopped at this IGA to pick up some supplies (milk, bread, crisps etc.) before going to my accommodation. Actually I also looked for more lime milk. I've looked every day after discovering it on day one but no one else has it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/bd962d1ada4a18cf86b334a3c95053cd.jpg)
The person in the reception of where I am staying gave me a map and marked a few things in town that I may need. She mentioned a different IGA so I asked here what the difference was between the one she said and the one I visited. She asked me if I went outside of the grocery part of the one i visited. I noticed other parts to it but didn't go it. She tells me it is something else. I might check it out tomorrow or monday.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/bf0da5967608a2f4a5365bb56fe38d55.jpg)
With the bike unpacked and locked up I went for a walk along the beach and then into town.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/899fffb0d0ac114460cdc3a68f8fdd26.jpg)
It only dawned on me that is was saturday when I saw the local cricket team playing a game. That was unlikely to happen on a week day. It doesn't feel like cricket weather.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/84986d818ed8497e3dd5ce4007525cdc.jpg)
I was also recommend the Bark Mill tavern but with it being the other end of town I shan't be going there today.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/09/29c24e51dadc1f4bb8d6bbb96e8d6729.jpg)
The sun is out but the wind is picking up. I've avoided rain every day except the one I went to Cockle Creek, but that was a day that the rain added to the experience. Just about every night hail has been forecast but I don't know if it has done or not. Tonight is the first night my bike isn't under a roof since leaving Melbourne so I am hoping it doesn't.
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Bodo, if that's a cow you saw at Premaydena, I'm prepared to suggest the farmer got seriously carried away with the hormone pellets.
I wasn't specifying gender.
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Bodo, if that's a cow you saw at Premaydena, I'm prepared to suggest the farmer got seriously carried away with the hormone pellets.
I wasn't specifying gender.
You did though. A cow is a fully grown female, preferably having birthed a calf. Heifer not having birthed. Bull is an intact Male, while steer is an male no longer intact.
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So what's the generic word (non gender specific) for this animal?
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So what's the generic word (non gender specific) for this animal?
Bovine.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
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I traveled up to Tarraleah to meet with PC and Navgirl and they found Bodo out and about , so we all had some lunch together and then headed off in our different directions , a great day , weather was , I will call it reasonable, Bodo will post a photo later
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Day 10 Ride Report
I woke to fine weather and set out for Campbell Town. I snapped this at a turnout in Lake Leake.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/b833bc177d634ca25e41c8d3159f263c.jpg)
After passing the roadhouse (getting used to them not being 24 hours now) turned off to check out the lake the locality is named after.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/02a621a1ce3466db2a187884cf34f0fe.jpg)
In Campbell Town I came across a level crossing that didn't have the "railway not in use" signs on it. Does it still see trains?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/ac6908c3e25c4f270b61413dbdf7141e.jpg)
This piece of machinery on the track at Ross would suggest it does. It didn't look rusty of derelict.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/f2f49abdbb27be2c419a1eee6bb64853.jpg)
I've see a few of these haystack creations now. This one was at Oatlands.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/c78c3681a1187040397cefb6664bbf66.jpg)
Today's gravel comes compliments of Lower Marshes.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/4343002dffa591bee4db2f2a63dea227.jpg)
After getting to Bothwell I traversed the same roads I did on my first day in Tasmania so didn't stop until I got to Wayatinah. This was where I realised I had made a wrong turn on that day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/a4243d1ce511beed5873a0216d2dcf7f.jpg)
Just after that it began to rain.
From there the plan was to go to Tarraleah where I past an ST facing the opposite direction and I couldn't help think "I wonder..." but I was travelling too fast to pull up. I did end up pulling up the road where a harley had skidded off into the ditch. They were travelling in a group and had passed me when I was taking the Wayatinah photo. After signalling he was okay I went to move off when the ST I had just passed had also come back this way and was wearing an Ozstoc jacket so when they pulled into the Tarraleah community entrance and stopped I pulled in and introduced myself. It turned out to be PC and Marian, whom I had met in Balranald earlier this year. They had plans to have lunch with Phil. S at Tarraleah and said I was welcome to join them. As it had just started raining it was a real instant RTE, just add water.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/53769e7897966e7b01e2019a4e71d157.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/03229d086ad21723259054fbc1c0b583.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/c6e48e251a488c3c89efde407b6a0ac4.jpg)
As Phil said, after that we went our separate ways. I headed off to the Tarraleah power station and then Bronte Lagoon.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/8c43294ca17b920434c6b2a0a9f74cbf.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/c958e981f7123cfdbac367ad6093d129.jpg)
My plan was to take the B11 from Bronte Lagoon to Miena but half way up the road it turned to gravel (I thought B roads were supposed to be sealed) and had signs saying gravel road blah blah blah, poorly maintained blah blah blah, weather conditions blah blah blah, don't risk vehicle damage blah blah blah so heeded the warnings, turned around and headed towards Derwent Bridge thinking it would connect with the A5 until a sign saying no fuel 66km made me think something is wrong. A quick look at google maps confirmed it so another u-turn had me heading back towards Tarraleah. I passed another two ST's (one white, one blue) at the entrance where I caught up with PC and Marian earlier, waved and continued on. One of them had an Ozstoc jacket on. Unsure who they were.
A couple minutes later I stopped at had a look at the place the harley skidded off the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/54aa6b8df2c1013ad3a494b88dbff3fb.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/abe57d307ab71b74293a2d3baddc8dec.jpg)
Today's cattle comes from Gretna. When I entered Gretna I thought of the Scottish town by the same name and Gretna Green only to go on further and notice that the hotel was called just that - Gretna Green.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/10/df5177eb763f21c4cc2d677e2fcb4b9c.jpg)
After wrongs turns and backtracking it had become quite a long day so I pretty much headed for the A3 and rode back to Swansea with the only stop being for fuel in Richmond and the bathroom at Orford. I should sleep well tonight.
Thanks to PC, Marian and Phil for the great company for lunch. See you in Port Sorell.
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The white and blue bike sounds like Staya on the white ST1300 and his mate Mel on a blue FJR they were on the boat with us more Qeenslanders :like
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Day 11 Ride Report
The sun wasn't visible when I departed this morning but it was close enough to give the sky behind the Freycinet National Park a blood red color.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/0b94cb0f97f2573262b1b2d270884141.jpg)
Travelling down the southern half of the state reminded me of rural Japan with the smell of smoke, either home incinerators or fireplaces. I'd been meaning to mention it in a ride report for days now but always forgot, so when I saw this sign in Cranbrook I snapped it with the sole purpose of jogging my memory.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/cd613c1e3849b692657cfa7487dc3950.jpg)
I spent quite a bit of time at the Bichenho blow hole. If I was on the ball I'd have taken a gopro with me on to the rocks.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/91d246cea464a0844245e72644c9de03.jpg)
The holy grail. I'd found this in Deloraine on my first day here by chance and been looking for it ever since. I found it today at Saint Helens.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/cc6dcaf8cf0bac012e09b9b765057664.jpg)
My only dirt for the day was to Ansons Bay. My other plans for the day were changed after Phil explained to me what A, B and C roads were.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/41b4af9319cb6e7ee89a9a7641cb11e8.jpg)
After returning to to the A3 I pretty much stayed on it until Launceston. This was in Moorina
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/ae1f37ed92c7bf4cfe5c489603d62fd8.jpg)
My only deviation was to head to Gladstone. I found these Herbie Hancock pants in Pioneer.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/999269320751973e65b69f6aabbca0f2.jpg)
I nearly didn't stop for that but just as well as I did because as I looked around at the spot (I was already off the bike) I noticed the house across the road had a rhinoceros in it (gender unknown). I'd have missed it if I didn't stop.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/d9796b6781e45bd1bc6e890eefafe46f.jpg)
This I did spot, but decided t snap it on the way back. This was in Herrick. There were tow others on the opposite side of the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/f89bbbc76701ce2efce3ad8c815b15b1.jpg)
As I was taking this selfie a bike with a distinct ST sound zoomed up the highway behind me. I turned to look but can't confirm for sure if it was an ST, but it was black in color and they were riding two up.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/0c6865aeddb621d7142f1ca6ab5b0466.jpg)
I finally got around to taking off the helmet and putting on the Ozstoc cap for a photo. This was at the lookout in Springfield.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/31dad4315038dcece1d17a61b9c1a981.jpg)
I went full circle around Launceston as I got lost looking for the A1. From there I headed to Campbell Town before returning to Swansea via the road via Lake Leake I took in the opposite direction heading to Tarraleah yesterday morning. I did make one final stop in Perth though.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/11/8ebaaf8397782aedcd1a668515dab627.jpg)
No rain at all today but plenty of strong winds. It'a blowing a gale outside my cabin right now too. It was actually quite warm in the latter part of the ride. I didn't bang on the heater as I returned to my accommodation for a change.
Tonight is my last night in Swansea.
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So what's the generic word (non gender specific) for this animal?
Bovine.
After I posted my question I did some research into this. What else is there to do at 3:00am? It turns out it is cattle. I'd always though cattle was plural, but in can be singular. Bovinae apparently is a group that includes cattle, bison, oxen, buffaloes and yaks.
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Beast would also have been ok as a fairly generic term for the species.
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Sheep is definitely singular or plural. I'm not so sure about cattle. However, I wouldn't bet the house on it because English is a funny language and it is easy to be wrong.
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Sheep is definitely singular or plural. I'm not so sure about cattle. However, I wouldn't bet the house on it because English is a funny language and it is easy to be wrong.
Well I went to the obvious source for enlightenment- the Ox dictionary. It asserts "cattle" is definitely plural.
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I went back and looked at what I researched. You're right. I misread it. Was the shortening to Ox intentional?
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I went back and looked at what I researched. You're right. I misread it. Was the shortening to Ox intentional?
Nah, jus foolin' around. It seemed more apropos than "Oxford". :grin
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Day 12 Ride Report
Today I packed up everything and said goodbye to Swansea. I set off north up the A3 for the third time passing the Devil's Corner lookout. I know JD had posted it in the "where is this?" thread and his original picture looked nothing like the tower. I assumed he'd touched it up to throw us off the thread, but as I raced past yesterday I realised his original picture was the sign near the road, not the lookout tower. This morning with that knowledge I stopped and took a photo of it as well.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/f22c66c00eb1ae4a261507a7b838ee77.jpg)
Something I didn't notice yesterday but did this morning was the speed limits signs on either side of this road in Bicheno had different speed limits, the left saying 60 and the right 50.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/40afe9fc4cacf90096052c82cdc73f32.jpg)
Another spot which had made it to the "where is this?" thread was the Elephant Pass pancake house. One of my workmates who lived in Tassie said I had to try the pancakes. Alas, it was closed, otherwise I would have.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/1765e748eead21c1e37c2cec3bcdaa23.jpg)
I saw a lot of these birds in Fingal. I don't know what they are.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/11580eba519b990afdc63fe9dfa76269.jpg)
In Avoca the roads were wet but the sun was out. I really only copped tit bits of drizzle in various parts of today's leg.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/b2828960c50fd47f877d4281d69911a4.jpg)
The truckies memorial wall is in Epping Forest. I'm not sure if it's dedicated to truckies who have 'ridden on' or more specifically those who lost their lives on the job.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/54639ed987c856ab343ab6ebfbaa72f6.jpg)
I can categorically say with certainty that these creatures in Frankford are cattle.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/299bdeefaf7b9e3a0522a3c311fe38b1.jpg)
The name of this river reminded me of another Ozstocer (whom I have never met but I think is attending the national rally).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/59f3efed1966460edb20254a790c7dcd.jpg)
I rode into Devonport to do some shopping before getting to my accommodation. There's more in the pannier. That is one advantage of having the weather dictate that I wear all the orange stuff is that I had more room for storage.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/12/2652507af1551ac0a3ab8f7ce6073f64.jpg)
Then is was the 16 kilometre ride to Camp Banksia, which will be my home for the next two weeks. I haven't seen any other Ozstocers or ST's here so just maybe I am the first to arrive.
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Just as well I am a instant coffee snob and bring my own. This is the first time I have arrived at accommodation and there's been no coffee in the room.
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I went for a walk yesterday afternoon. I think I am the only person in the complex, Ozstoc or otherwise.
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Day 13 Ride Report
This morning I set out for the west coast, with the plan of going to Derwent Bridge where I turned around a few days (ie. to connect the dots), Queenstown, Strahan and Zeehan. Whilst checking out the lookout at Upper Burnie I heard the klaxon of a train so watch it make a move. This is the first moving train I have seen in Taswegia on this adventure.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/aee3ca23be59aa0c99659c751de223b0.jpg)
I took this at Ridgley. As you can see I had blue skies. That lasted until Highclere.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/55d5e9ad8d0c1543067cf03ec3afda30.jpg)
Once the rain started I pulled over, put the mobius camera away and replaced it with a gopro and likewise set it to take timelapse photos. It had take 300+ photos by the time I arrived at the rest area in Guildford (near the Waratah turnoff).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/88c51e8650e40712c33c562c3af458c3.jpg)
I had a walk around the steam railway at Tullah. I don't know if it runs. The Ida Bay railway no longer does.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/b1ed91ed70a748c62e470c1edd61e1da.jpg)
Good to know they're working on it. Actually there looked like a bit to see (I vaguely saw a lake) in Rosebery and I'd like to have another look when the weather is better. I'm here for over a week after the rally and nothing is planned so hopefully I'll get back there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/29662e808436ca9ad3316c5cbb824584.jpg)
I rode into town at Queenstown, took a few photos of the station and proceeded to look for a service station. Having not found one on the main drag returned to the highway assuming it was on the main road saw the sign no fuel for 86km so u-turned and rode up and down every little street before finding the caltex. After refuelling I asked the shop attendant what was between there and Derwent Bridge. She told me I'd see nothing given the weather so my next question was where was a good place for breakfast. Her question was what sort of breakfast do you want? I hadn't eaten anything but wasn't overly hungry, I just wanted to defrost so she said go to the train station cafe as they had a log fire. Sold!
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/0101678bb7309b473ffcb5c5197ed634.jpg)
Making my way there I spotted two ST's parked undercover at the Oasis hotel so I parked behind them. I wondered if I'd see them in the cafe but I didn't.
I parked behind these two outside the Oasis hotel in Queenstown. Both had Victorian number plates, one had an Ozstoc sticker on it.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/2da1a32632598700df2918134419419c.jpg[/url])
That is Dennis & Diane on the :dred11 and
Neil and Val on the :slvr13
Breakfast done, coffee done and more importantly body defrosted so it was back on the bike, with a change of gloves. Even though I have water proof covers for gloves that work briliantly stopping for photos in the rain and putting wet hands back in eventually caught up with me and they were quite wet inside. I aborted the Derwent Bridge leg and headed for Strahan.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/c384606c30e6e904da52dc1c29795c26.jpg)
Whilst not perfect I did see a bit at a lookout between Strahan and Zeehan.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/de0d199dd3ef49f0d3be6bf2aa0d7ae8.jpg)
Like Rosebery Zeehan is another place I'd like to look at again if I can go back on a nicer day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/d69d3d283cf2e70760f8678fccb16d8e.jpg)
I stopped under the canopy of a now defunct servce station in Tullah on the way back down to change the sd card in the dashcam (should have done it in Queenstown).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/6d5a841fc35fc503442f0d83113032d3.jpg)
At Yollo the sun came out so the gopro was out away and the mobius brought back out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/da69c9b165acb02b65ae5afcfe728d77.jpg)
Back at Camp Banksia I opted to do some washing, mostly to dry the clothes that got drenched today. PC and Navgirl arrived here today and I had a bit of a talk with them.
I went for a walk around the area after I checked in yesterday. I got the feeling I was the only person in the complex. Today there are a few more vehicles here. I don't know what the proper name for this bird is but Phil referred to them as turbo chickens. That's a good description.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/13/eae050de099217e2edf7ef19c017d997.jpg)
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Day 14 Ride Report
After yesterday's drenching between Ridgley and Queentown, Strahan and Zeehan and back down again my boots were wet inside. They've been perfect in the past so I am guessing it's developed a leak somewhere. In order to keep my socks dry I resorted to putting plastic bags around my feet for today's trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/f3e0487c9d64224f9383e165399f07e6.jpg)
Destination for today was Stanley. I did some gunzelling at Wynyard on the way out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/c2581b71b8584315699a2777355293b6.jpg)
I thought I'd check out Smithton before going into Stanley and the side road said 15km to Edith Creek so I thought I'd ride that road until the tarmac ran out, but in Trowutta it didn't look like doing that so I turned around. I'd had plenty of rain by then.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/88db400482a6ccb58776d65e8379d048.jpg)
It sort of abated by Smithton.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/53abd6848278a1bfcc0a590d0b6b1de6.jpg)
Original plan was to run the A2 until it finished at Marrawah. This sign at Redpa suggested the road to Arthur River was sealed and the other sign said 22km so I decided to go there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/1e3b3704d1857683cfa90eb8dbc55161.jpg)
It was there I opened google maps to see where exactly I was and noticed the Tarkine Road would take me back to Smithton so I said sod it, let's do that. I had planned to do the Marrawah/Redpa Comeback Road on the way back but this change of mind meant I didn't go back. I crossed the Arthur River at this bridge and back again at Roger River (locality, not the river).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/09a882df28219859cd3b6a440061f570.jpg)
Anyway, that was the best decision I made as the Tarkine Road was an awesome ride. The rain had gone and the roads were dry, and with many twisties and nothing to stop for I throttle it a bit. There were lots of rumble strips but with a gap in the middle just the right size for the kwaka's tyres lining them up and motoring through added to the exhilaration.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/98fee7946a485f50d23ac5f08d103c19.jpg)
That was at the turn off for Corinna. That road was dirt and wet as so I opted to park the bike on the 'footpath' so that the stand wouldn't sink into the ground.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/2be5e7de7fc8469578b4edf1a53d7bd8.jpg)
One thing I have missed in Tasmania are these distance markers. On the mainland you see them every ten kilometres but I think I have only seen four on this island.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/1c8f27751a1953d061d846e274a47ac3.jpg)
As said above, I crossed the Arthur River again here at Roger River. I did enjoy walking across this bridge (and back).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/34ee562cc317c7a2d67c8d4f872f8f2d.jpg)
Eventually the Tarkine would take me back to Trowutta, Edith Creek and Irishtown which I had traversed earlier. The other day I posted a picture of a bird in Fingal. I hit one of them in Irishtown so I pulled up at the first safest location and assess the damage. There wasn't any. Phew ! The blueskysea dashcam should get a good close up of it, but I shan't be viewing it until I get back on the mainland.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/8eb4b42bfb7c5248b10f32be1d13e16b.jpg)
By this time I was content with the Tarkine road on the West Coast I was quite happy to ditch Stanley and fiti it in next week, but when I got back on the A2 it said 7km so bugger it. I went. It looks like this is another roadhouse that has bitten the dust.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/dce2d1ec9e9c68e3260c8f20685c2de5.jpg)
After checking out Stanley I pretty much rode straight back to Port Sorell, only stopping to refuel at Somerton. PC and Navgirl had arrived here yesterday. Phil had dropped in and PC came over to invite me to join them for coffee. After a shower and clean up I did. Later Ppopeye and his other half, Rex and Debbie, JD and Chippy also rocked up so we had a bit of a social gathering.
As others left I too returned home to cook dinner. Just as I finished cleaning up there was a knock on the door. LindsayGT said hello and advised me Johnny and Wendy had also arrived.
I bought these yesterday so I might just crack one open. I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/14/3c8fd58355e1446ff61efc8e54c99363.jpg)
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Another great report.
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Another great report.
I am reading with some envy, and getting ideas.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
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I am reading with some envy
That's how I felt about Mackay last year seeing all the facebook posts and photos.
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Reading this in Bodo's "lounge" having rocked in half an hour ago. I saw PC and Marion when I arrived. Bodo has gone shopping and I'm catching up on the posts. It looks like the wet weather has gone to NZ and we will have clear skies for the Rally.
There were about 8 Stocers on the Spirit and we had a mini RTE in the lounge while waiting for the disembarkation. The others have gone their separate ways pending check-in opening here.
My SPOT is active again for the duration of my Tassie time.
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=20d775dc0b65617644&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes
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Day 15 Ride Report
Only a short ride to Westbury today collecting some big things and a bit of shopping. I was doing my usual thing this morning when about an hour or so after I woke up the fire alarm went off. I checked to see if I had turned the stove off (I had) so perplexed walked out side.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/c87b7bfc6d5f1ca147c1e45fc0656447.jpg)
PC had also come outside so I asked if his was going off. It was so I was relieved it wasn't just mine. A school camp has been on here the last three days and the students had all congregated in the evacuation assembly area. PC, Navgirl and myself also made our way there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/295c35e0e2244d9de8a88fa84c9941de.jpg)
Part of me thought it may have been a drill for the students (with the purpose of getting them out of bed) but teachers assured us that wasn't the case.
The manager rocked up not long after and it was a little while before the firetrucks did.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/73ea747f716ee6fded05814d5f7cea94.jpg)
I see these three are all wearing different colors. I wonder if there is a reason behind it (cue Phil S. to enlighten me). (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/93d924abdfbc029e39705251344e4481.jpg)
Eventually the all clear was given and we made our way back to our rooms. We even joked about sending Diesel a text saying "you might need to find another venue". Biggles rode in about half an hour after that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/8d1b702648a375c0e0a28865f24d70e4.jpg)
After greeting him and a bit of a chat I went for a ride. This is the first time I didn't have the orange gear on (although the jacket did come out eventually).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/e9e779b2c2c07895518decc04d6cca2d.jpg)
Until today I had only seen two solitary wind turbines but a whole heap of blades stacked up near Somerton so I presume a wind farm is going to be built soon. This small one is probably the first one I have seen without a solid tower and had a frame I could actually look through. That was at Wesley Vale, just a few kilometres from Port Sorell.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/195e68635d2d3d97a24d15abcbff23f8.jpg)
Oh what joy, roadworks in Exton.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/93262fa5eb3c1aa8832a02364f5e6eb0.jpg)
I took the opportunity to get a selfie. Tourists !
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/5d9e9456895c118f36f8b33249df8813.jpg)
I was making my way to Westbury to bag the big cricket stumps.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/1f34352196c0f5f4ebfbe1b11cd5ed3d.jpg)
I captured the big potato as Sassafras and big cherries at Latrobe on the way back.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/2f9d53cf8078c41cd5c7d0eabba45e55.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/26818082b2125771752b3730c755602b.jpg)
Objective achieved it was back to Port Sorrell. I did some grocery shopping at Woolworths in Shearwater. Johnnyyted and Wendy were turning is as I rode out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/15/9d3c403007a81d1ca41330b868956b5d.jpg)
In the next few hours I expect a lot more ST's and odd impostor to start rolling in.
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False alarm will cost them unless it's a drill/test but they have to notify time and date before hand.
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All of us lost souls who couldn't make it are waiting to see some reports or photos.......... :popcorn :popcorn
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/9107e5d38a0a4a7dff751b8a6044762a.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/6a5d85e3a990c560a81949d16cfd29ec.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/0cb16f685afe38e6d79a405d2a4e7268.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/6f796a54a41467eb83b28fd16ada73bb.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/4dbe9e7f605065780642c454f78a6cc7.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/fb5205f85e19d2db93aa60a2df4786da.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/46c5f25e1f444f2379e9f3faaa39cca3.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/71955474ea6279bf5bab8452b605049c.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/2b15c9427ef567db2d273780bea8d6d1.jpg)
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I've registered to attend, but won't be able to make it. If one of the SA contingent can't transport it back, I'll top up the order to cover postage.
I should be able to bring it back for you, if you don't mind it being carried by a kwaka.
I have it in my possession.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/2dbf031f67e5794a1a820237ec21f890.jpg)
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Day 16 Ride Report (Sheffield RTE)
Woke up quite early and pottered around for a bit before deciding to go for a walk. I snapped all the bikes at Camp Banksia before going to the beach. It was a tad fresh so out cam the jeans. Harrington and beanie.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/7e406f1e8ab96d44eb643f5ee84539b5.jpg)
Back at the camp it was time for a spot of breakfast. My first hot breakfast since defrosting in Queenstown a few days ago. As it stands the weather forecast for Queenstown is to be fine(r) on wednesday so if that doesn't change befor then that's what I'll do.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/2f79ad446c938c9e059273eeb2e7b3bb.jpg)
I opted to take Diesel's tour to the RTE. Thanks for all you work Diesel and also to everyone else who has helped to put this event together.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/46c3861c5f49cd96e175cf91e433ba34.jpg)
I wasn't the only one to take Diesel's tour.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/1e68c22139494340652c182c096dbad3.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/acdc57c7c7c155d3fb0b91f0965ceb6b.jpg)
The venue for today's RTE was Sheffield, home of Def Leppard. Oops, wrong Sheffield.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/d4ffd9902139aed616bc1f3b39bf8112.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/f5c3f21a26b96b427122fbc82c69eded.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/541d9687aba3f70438f3a7c6b56b2281.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/6614ab27c1ee76eaecacf5df67b28d6a.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/3d520ee5026565d1a639df66ce497584.jpg)
Wild Rose is down here too, but that hasn't stopped him sending out happy birthdays to the relevant forumites.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/a09b4ab4d1c737156d304e492ca90c24.jpg)
I can now say I have seen snow on this trip. I haven't got as close to it as PC and Navgirl though.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/22b2a2971a91c73611960d01f3a4ace0.jpg)
We rode up to Gowrie Park and did a u-turn and waited for a bit which had me sctratching my head (metaphorically speaking as it's hard to do with a helmet on). All made sense when I spotted ST2UP and Sicman taking photos. I guess I'll see them one day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/3cf3fe3129197b2ce1cb8a64b46c45ad.jpg)
Back at base it was time to line the bikes up for the group photos. I managed to get the kwaka in the middle for a change.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/6e1611c5b001f0ef3bbddeed6c513d4e.jpg)
A2Z saw me taking a selfie and said that he'd never seen a camera where you can flip the screen to see what yu're doing, so I got one with him as well.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/22bac2f43fcdb91e0f45191f06ec2662.jpg)
I've been flag bearer for South Australia. I took it down last night to put in the bike so I didn't forget it today only to be scolded by Wendy and made to put it back in the dining room.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/aaa71fb68b2d29a245f6708ec14efd2f.jpg)
Somehow the kwaka ended up being the one between the Australia and Tasmania flags which I thought was pretty cool.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/85c997490ebd0516cb5d09d1b1c37aa8.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/c3eae6616478d9a7b381efdc9538700e.jpg)
Now excuse me as I have a dinner to attend.
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A couple of shots from the dinner.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/32aec6e1e6ebeb46497bf9c6a80b38ef.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/8c548c7c451d88ec44ffe7655c7dfd26.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/13b1a08c079732eb47fa46da25c3741e.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/16/1a3058f8061c4111b90b54c9493ed3f1.jpg)
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Day 17 Ride Report
We had glorious weather all day. Wet weather gear stayed locked away in a pannier all day, although the hiviz orange jacket I did wear for most of the day. That said, I am currently sitting in my room in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt without the heating on, a first since arriving on the island. Special thanks to Diesel for taking us on another great ride.
Sometimes I think I have supernatural powers because I see things that other people don't, like that stop sign at the level crossing Moltema.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/0299f2e86409274cc79bcce0ff6459e5.jpg)
Unfortunately about half an hour after that in Red Hills one of us dropped his bike. Fortunately he got up without a scratch but the bike (as he put it) now has some character scratches. Dusted off we proceeded to Deloraine for some coffee.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/fe27e3bcb981b330a4108d09610cdd01.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/14015cdd643731a7a068e6596eeec26e.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/9d3fd06cc2e23f556a0be16662e28607.jpg)
We were there for about forty minutes. Then we did some minor roads before hitting the A5 to the Great Lakes. That portion of road on my first day after disembarking from the boat. Johnny let rip a little in Golden Valley.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/4ed27005638c0b1196af071015ac4634.jpg)
For the last two days we have also had a support vehicle. Those guys have also done an amazing job and I for one appreciate their hard work.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/ad894979d021d839ed99a8d2735dc6fc.jpg)
We all appreciated the view, me for a second time.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/22be733cca2a1a127d32a1f2c9f5d95d.jpg)
Then it was off to Central Plateau to see the Highand Lakes. When I came here the week before last the coffee van wasn't here.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/a7cb65ba5397dbd026838e3637609ebc.jpg)
Nature called so I discretely went to nature.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/843b950ce6b173ad167806395a98778b.jpg)
The final stop was going for ice cream at Elizabeth Town's Van Dieman's Creamery. I don't think I've ever uttered the words I'm going for ice cream before.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/4194f729a37b3c3d7906e93a96edfacc.jpg)
After that we went our separate ways. I refuelled near base and then went and had a look at Hawley Beach. I contemplated parking the bike on the ramp for a photo before opting not to.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/66813e18d46cb7c7a0562cb0859c1917.jpg)
I knew there was a guy fishing when I zoomed in to take this but it wasn't until seeing it on the computer I noticed there was a second person there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/17/857283c538ab869254a41493ee861d4a.jpg)
I think there is far less people in the camp this evening and no doubt tomorrow will be even fewer.
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Day 18 Ride Report
Today was my fourth consecutive 'short' ride. Friday I wanted to be back in Port Sorell for meet and greet and saturday and sunday were national rally related. Today however, the kwaka needed new tyres so that was factored in to my plans. I wanted to check out Poatina and last night someone (I think it was Wild Rose) said it snowed in Miena and showed me a photo so I headed out that way. This was in Breona on the way.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/a5a08a7c09bb6baa46aabaed3afd6539.jpg)
The was no snow to be seen. On the road to Poatina from there I got stuck behind a log lorry for quite some time. Once I got past it I could let rip (well to a certain extent). I saw a great lookout but didn't have time to stop. It would be ages before I had the chance to turn around and I didn't like the idea of being stuck behind that lorry again so I kept going. Only to get stuck behind a second lorry. I think it overtook me when I was taking photos in Longford.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/f59fc43968be241e25c5d4bcd3128529.jpg)
Ah, those roadworks in Exton again.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/c671199041ca6437e6c2b24a713ff7bb.jpg)
No selfie, but I did snap a Merseylink bus this time.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/c6325082271b864d55a88348f8194f1d.jpg)
Then it was a straight dash to Spreyton Motorcycles. I saw West Aussie Glen and his Goldwing in Latrobe on the way there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/42472df69f3d569871aafc025bac0168.jpg)
It turned out being a Kawasaki dealership.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/e3b681628e15ef3aeec63d558643f61b.jpg)
They even had a Versys 1000 (2018) in there. Black though is not my choice of color, basically for safety reasons.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/a06fefbf6d1158d4de1fe7d0842425c2.jpg)
Whilst having tyres fitted I got brunch at the bakery next door. I'd have bought a drink too if they had lime milk. They didn't so it was just a wrap for me. They didn't have tables or chairs either so I sat on a street bench. There I ate my food and booked my accommodation for Mudgee. A train went through but I didn't have a chance to snap it. Then I went for a walk to the level crossing. I could have got some good shots if I knew it was coming.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/0ce9cd08a7f497efb89c889dced5992d.jpg)
New tyres on and then it was a scenic ride home.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/b58921343856779ff278d3fd2a5d1f5b.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/458e3f18df6c0222ed65245765578f01.jpg)
I also snapped the big apple in Spreyton. It's my third big apple after the ones in Acacia Ridge (qld) and Balhannah (sa).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/f3ea08c0d7fc041e7f7b8a4a836429d8.jpg)
This sign saying Earl Town intrigued me. Google maps doesn't recognize it but google search takes you to the Latrobe wikipedia page. Said page doesn't even mention Earl Town.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/7f7036cf6b2031eed8de7a9c85d05a6b.jpg)
I spotted this bovinae at the same spot.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/d0a04ff0455c5c22b0fdb770e9c9030b.jpg)
Motorsport doesn't interest me generally but I have enjoyed speedway in the past.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/a511cf2c11932a9d74255a8a6005d1fc.jpg)
This colorful flower was in Squeaking Point.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/18/f598b6bb34d4d95a8eace0e2a6436386.jpg)
Back at base I've polished my second last Guinness. Whether I knock of the last one is like a glass coffin... remains to be seen. Tonight I'll probably return to my normal sleeping hours and from tomorrow longer road trips.
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:clap. Another great report. Thanks for the good read
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Lots of interesting things to see in Tassie if you keep your eyes peeled. You were gone when I got up. Hope I wasn't messing with your usual sleep pattern too badly.
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No you didn't. More down to socializing in the meal room at times I would normally be in bed. :eat :beer
I absolutely enjoyed it, but despite going to bed late the body insisted on waking up at the same time.
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Day 19 Ride Report
Last night I did my first cooking since last thursday. In Victoria I discovered I left my cutlery set at home. Fortunately the Camp Banksia kitchen is fully stocked. They even have chopsticks. It's not the first time I've used metal ones. Stainless steel chopsticks are the norm in South Korea, but what are those weird round things at the end?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/65ca55895668863feca5fe759ecd65ba.jpg)
Okay, I know they are skewers but they did the trick.
Today's ride turned out to be a long one. Last week my trip to Queenstown I copped a drenching and aborted going to Derwent Bridge. The rain did wash away all the mud the kwaka was covered in from Cockle Creek. With good weather forecast for that region today I decided to give it another crack. I wasn't happy when I hit rain in Guildford.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/73ce631fb4c3d9eb8bd79c1665bed31f.jpg)
Fortunately it cleared upby the time I got to Tullah. Roadside waterfalls like this are very reminiscent of countryside Japan. I saw a few but not in places where it was safe to stop. This was in Rosebery.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/cda08e1b6285a707605982b04a24e2e6.jpg)
More roadworks in Renison Bell.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/103158099c423930cac9f0a213ae67b3.jpg)
The vehicle behind be overtook me over double solids and then overtook the ute in front of me over double solids and flew off into the distance.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/be617626a47d88258199c451b4d5122f.jpg)
There is a big collection of these at the service station at Queenstown.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/7e54b19498f20a20643d76a26bfabb9c.jpg)
As you can see the weather cleared up and I had good weather for the rest of the day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/241c828499827d7f8ff7d57565e33a38.jpg)
Then the spatlese who overtook us over the double solids in the wet came and asked me how slippery the roads were (by which point I knew who he was as he got out that car), told me I was too slow (and I guess the ute too). I told him he was a bellend.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/33a38f96a6a6efd3147d46a3ad31f469.jpg)
I'm glad I came back and did this because the ride from Queenstown to Derwent Bridge was a good ride. I wouldn't have had this view of Queenstown last week.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/299dcd40774d63bf9c467052c800c0da.jpg)
I went to check out the wall in Derwent Bridge before heading back the way I came.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/5e7e214b83ff73495588490e7ebeb0d8.jpg)
There was still a bit of snow about, but not near the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/a178c647048d23f11d47faf3d84c15a8.jpg)
I popped into Lake Burbury on the way down.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/c5c14e936c5e6d5b755073f852d22416.jpg)
Generally it's me letting other bikes overtake in the hills but on this leg I overtook a harley and triumph (both sporting SA number plates). They overtook me when I stopped for photos and I'd pass them again. This happened a few times before we both pulled into the same spot at Gormanston so we had a bit of a talk. They were from Adelaide's north eastern suburbs.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/262dc8dd44623d972e36ce7e49c6b1f9.jpg)
They went into Queenstown, but as I had been there in the morning I skipped it opting to refuel in Zeehan. There's only two fuel service stations in Zeehan and both have unattended prepaiid machines. At the second one I asked someone who was also refueling if there was anywhere to pay cash for fuel to which I was told go to the store across the road and they'd do it for you. I did and got fuel. The people running the shop have a property up the road that they're in the process of making into motorcycle rider accommodation. Her husband is a rider too.
I had wanted to go back to Zeehan to take photos of the railway stuff their but after all this stuffing around with fuel completely forgot about it and rode on to Corinna. I doubt many ST's have taken this ferry.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/a174f305c4b14dd80f00fd19ff5c0c29.jpg)
Generally when I take these ferries I don't shut the bike down but I did on this occasion.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/82c72ac788b23947ab48b0bdb4320036.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/996a309b108896f6af5a241c6b73266b.jpg)
At the other side the kwaka wouldn't start with the symptoms of a flat battery. I'm guessing I left the key in with all the lights on but it wasn't that long. With a jump start we were going again and I didn't shut it down until I refuelled in Port Sorell. It did start after that so that's a relief.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/f02f4b8da047134ec4270f72f2d0baa0.jpg)
I did stop and take a photo fo this at Mooreville.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/1e3b4d316e5d173a69e9b1c66e645af0.jpg)
I understand the sentiment but it'll be hard for the driver to see you if you hide inside.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/90c0cf4f2a3179b5c5176d9223235384.jpg)
Back at base I noticed the last caravan had gone and my two neighbors have moved out. I didn't need to turn on the heater and it's still not on. Time for bed.
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Day 19 Ride Report
I did stop and take a photo fo this at Mooreville.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/19/1e3b4d316e5d173a69e9b1c66e645af0.jpg[/url])
I understand the sentiment but it'll be hard for the driver to see you if you hide inside.
https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs (https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs) :grin
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Another really interesting ride report Bodø, well done!
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Day 19 Ride Report
I did stop and take a photo fo this at Mooreville.
https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs (https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs) :grin
I've got a video of me riding through a tunnel in Japan with the Timelords' version of "Doctoring The Tardis" on it. I'll have a look for it when I get back to Adelaide.
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Day 20 Ride Report
I have now surpassed my 2017 Halls Gap RTE that had me arriving home on day nineteen. Eighteen days to get there, one day to get home. Both that trip and this trip I kicked off on the first of the month, so it's easy to know what day of the trip it is.
Bodø
([url]https://i.ibb.co/tDX58ny/bodo.jpg[/url])
Yes, for a change I headed east today. Probably for the rest of my stay I'll be alternating from east to west as I slowly rode roads closer to base. Who knows, by the end they'll probably be close enough to do a loop. I left in fine weather and had a look at East Sassafras.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/ff8f7f864cc69ee7ee04a685b074255b.jpg)
The kwaka's odometer clocked up 110'000km in Hagley. It doesn't seem all that long ago since it clocked up 100'000km in Murray Bridge on the way to Smythesdale.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/e1892f8d18d9035b4093865dc5edfcb3.jpg)
I passed this car wreck in Springfield back when I was based in Swansea so sort of had an inkling it might still be there. Someone failed to negotiate a corner. The driver's side window had "reported" written on it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/3fc6b2abdc1368cfb1f918ebbcfefe7a.jpg)
Another service station that has bitten the dust. There are quite a few of them on Tasmania. This one was in Scottsdale. It's the first one I have seen the pumps wrapped up in plastic.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/5e00cfdfdfae4c9eaf1b8c6952da07d9.jpg)
This letter box was in Bridport. All I could think was something along the lines of collecting your mail from a pig's a***.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/cd46b98f46bee786ee3776515b4c28f4.jpg)
I didn't know that Tasmania had such a long straight road. Anyway we found it and it was bloody gravel!!!
([url]http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/williamson_photos/Tassie%20Tour%20March%202014/8ea2bccd-fad9-4b72-bf4d-e08ecdfb820f_zps54d98983.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s643.photobucket.com/user/williamson_photos/media/Tassie%20Tour%20March%202014/8ea2bccd-fad9-4b72-bf4d-e08ecdfb820f_zps54d98983.jpg.html[/url])
I rode it today. There's still gravel on it, but I guess they're working on it. I encountered roadworks at Boobyalla.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/4b0a9e8bc45101193b7e5d9aa4aa1cfe.jpg)
It may be a secret but I found it, unless the secret is the yellow grafitti on the sign.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/9a3bd5f9f7d2255fb9c6260a4daf80e4.jpg)
Some random biker back in Bridport.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/769d49805327497819ebe33803fd3c93.jpg)
I couldn't get the kwaka up to the lighthouse in Low Head.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/04c97cf5a61b884eaadd0982785612ac.jpg)
This little critter was on it. It was less than 2cm long but it looks like a red preying mantis.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/2f323f640ee30d82be05cedee1238ffc.jpg)
I rode into Bell Bay because it was on the map. It's nothing more than an industrial area and a port. I couldn't go into the port, but could zoom in on it from the lookout.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/1cd1d99e2e0495cee91f91ca1b589a7b.jpg)
A lot of people mentioned the Batman Bridge at the rally. I stumbled across it in Hillwood and took a few photos before riding over it. In hindsight I should have walked across it. I've walked across a lot of bridges on this trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/1347608153363e2a2806a464dba8c9c3.jpg)
Beaconsfield is pretty famous these days. I did have a look at the mine museum.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/07367d591d52a7170dfa847951aa57f7.jpg)
I'm not sure what (s)he is looking at but I bet they have a bird's eye view.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/09ba96a71f916c3a19ebd89dd31a23a0.jpg)
By the time I got to Greens Beach I was feeling a bit peckish so I decided if the takeaway had lime milk I'd have lunch. They did so I had lunch on the road. That has been rare on this trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/e1a0db506c17a20c52de2228e964b335.jpg)
There's some derelict buildings in Tasmania too. I think there is a wicked witch buried under that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/71ecd86c4399c572109188575c58e308.jpg)
I stopped to take photos of this tractor and bicycle at Holwell. The owner came outside, got in his car and drove up to talk to me. He said it's the most photographed tractor in Australia. I doubt that, but it was good enough to make me stop.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/181f99f029ebb3d48db659ba06dc3fb1.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/bba0c2c315a463a3422497a599ee1244.jpg)
Final task of the day was to refuel at Shearwater in preparation for the next day's ride. It's been a daily ritual since I arrived in Port Sorell. I think the guy in there knows me by now and has stopped asking me "cash or card?" which almost every service station here does. They also seem surprised when you say cash. I did chuckle at this product's name. I love this country's sense of humor.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/20/9fbd197e542fd2e1fb7077f1ed8b9f65.jpg)
Back at base and Camp Banksia is officially a ghost town now. For the second straight day I haven't had to put the heater on and it's actually quite hot inside. I almost out on the air conditioner. The news says it's hot as hell back in Adelaide.
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Hey Bodø, it reached 39 here in Portland today! ... The hydrants were bribing the dogs!
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Day 21 Ride Report
As I suggested yesterday today I headed east. I saw a Toll ship approaching Burnie port so I pulled into Blythe Heads at Heybridge to try and get a photo of it. I did, but upon looking at today's photos on the laptop realized it wasn't any good. I also had a look for these penguins but didn't see any.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/2277df34061e73a5a64cdc6601055ea8.jpg)
I opted to take the C102 today and pulled into the first lookout at Round Hill. With three viewing platforms at that one you get a good a view in all directions.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/27c285de518421849e388448867c68dc.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/6f43b0e22939cfcf04e931cd66313030.jpg)
I even got a better shot of the ship I saw at Blythe Heads. By now it was in the port.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/178eaabe8ba21d95112402725bfbeafc.jpg)
Next stop, Natone.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/3743d2807596534e81e788921fc8b8cb.jpg)
There I spotted a Buses R Us bus parked up. I've seen quite a few of these all over Tasmania now but this is the first time I had been able to photograph one. It may not interest many people here, but the South Australian version of Buses R us went into liquidation quite some time ago so seeing them here was a bit of a surprise. The photo was more for showing to workmates as opposed to posting on Ozstoc.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/677a348d30dbbf7d3162591f4f7f129e.jpg)
In Upper Natone I saw mostly cattle but there was one goat.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/c5137597a43070281b27f55a9125d82e.jpg)
I hit the Ridgley Highway at Hampshire. I've seen a lot of that highway now.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/afc6870534bf3bce4622d9409cc23b78.jpg)
I pulled into this rest area at Guildford every time I've gone through here. I know there's a comfort stop there but today it was nice to see it dry for a change.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/07161a60ae5c0d6d3105893079965cca.jpg)
I looked inside the building for the first time today, half expecting it to be locked but was pleasantly surprised how clean it was inside.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/faf2f4a334b9109604ce8bc5e998d25f.jpg)
This was the purpose of today's ride. Riding to Cradle Mountain. This lorry driver waved to me as he went by.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/713afce28b8d8ab5dccd48cfe10273d1.jpg)
Belvoir Road was an awesome ride. I snapped this from the top of the Black Buff lookout. That too gave you a 360℃ view after a 200m walk to the top. It was windy as shiraz which made taking photos difficult. I could barely keep still.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/8474dfb2ec3737f5d56717a8ee96c77e.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/911903c33de0183fe7f74de92d5f83ae.jpg)
The vandalism seen on Google Street view is no longer there.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/5177bbe9782fd7af8ca79ebd7e0f581c.jpg)
Speaking of Google Street view, Biggles said we past one of their vehicles in Latrobe after lunch on the Sheffield RTE. I must admit I didn't see it, but it's in my list of places to check that I past such a vehicle this year. I also passed out outside Bridport yesterday.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/30f0b0a7457ed05033f66a65887c5046.jpg)
I saw this sign and thought yeah I'll check that out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/bcff4b9e2e7f21fe54c8302056d1d9a7.jpg)
Turned in to find it was closed.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/7dd10fb08e00d0354253256582e83d2a.jpg)
This sign reminded me of working at Raging Thunder Adeventures in Cairns in the early nineties. Our Barron River white water rafting trip relied on the power station releasing water for us to have enough water for the trip. As a result some days we had one trip, others two or three.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/6092f55a9973be6b3ca5fcaaf8e4488d.jpg)
I've lost count of how many bridges I have walked across now. Kicking myself I didn't walk across the Batman yesterday.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/a3da7149473e3aa74c81c699cf065d83.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/78021c9f6344360f7704456e35e4b75e.jpg)
The lookout may have been closed but I could ride up to the top of the dam on the other side of the river and saw this boat.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/4dd2b50cd31c8ba9bd0fc6190ab52aa3.jpg)
I only wanted the photo of the locality sign but the locals were interested to see what I was doing.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/f8b930edd429d37c4aa8ba800d56930c.jpg)
I refuelled at Mole Creek which was a bit of a hassle. I put the nozzle in the tank waiting for it to pump only for a lady to come out and say it won't pump until I swipe a card. I told her I wanted to pay cash to which she said you can't. "Why not? It's legal tender" was my response to which she said "It's not my store, I am just looking after it for the owner". Then she disappeared out the back. Eventually some guy came out asking "what's this about legal tender?". I explained I wanted to pay cash and he said okay, how much do you want? Well I want to fill it up so I don't know. I had this problem in Zeehan on tuesday. Anyway, I got fuel and moved on to the purpose of being in Mole Creek, bagging the big Tasmanian Devil. I couldn't actually park in front of it because the ground was too soft.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/22d08bc8baf8a869e0d537c83098e641.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/b8e2399e29e2041ff659c5e95c13de88.jpg)
The ground in front was so soft because they are doing road works. This lorry sprayed the dust as I was mucking around taking photos. Today is my first day I've really got bombarded with insects since arriving on Tasmania so he was welcome to 'wash' the kwaka.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/764328f128252df6c123e09e28dee498.jpg)
I went to Deloraine to check out some of the things Diesel showed us but couldn't photograph because it was a group ride.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/c045a92b480ffb7b9016f8b44d4402dc.jpg)
I rode through Latrobe looking for the big platypus (which I had seen before) but missed it on my way to Spreyton. I was going to Spreyton Motorcycles to buy some chain lubricant as my current can ran out. Cue people to remind me that ST's don't have a chain. Pulling out of there the level crossing lights went off so I stopped and snapped the train.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/21/223e6e73925d6029441cb8c17dfc393f.jpg)
I've yet to see a level crossing with boom gates in Tasmania.
I was back at base by 1330 so quite early for me. Now I am off to plan a course for tomorrow.
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Another great ride report Bodø, and backed with fantastic photos. Thank you! :thumb
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Bodo that loco looks like an x Qld loco
But I have been known to be wrong before
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I wouldn't know, although I do have friends who probably would. I was just chuffed to see it. I actually planned to turn right at that intersection which is just before the level crossing but as soon as I saw the lights go on I decided to go straight and be held up.
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Bodø, if you haven't already visited Waratah, I can recommend it! :thumb
Nice old pub and a fantastic waterfall...
https://tinyurl.com/tgxqply (https://tinyurl.com/tgxqply)
https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/accommodation/bischoffhotel (https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/accommodation/bischoffhotel)
Cheers :beer
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Bodø, if you haven't already visited Waratah, I can recommend it! :thumb
Nice old pub and a fantastic waterfall...
Cheers :beer
I sort of did. I rode through it but after my bike wouldn't start at Corinna (day 19) I wasn't keen on shutting it down. I did take a couple of photos but didn't go to the waterfall.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/6211ecb88dff2bacca4a0fe602814fdc.jpg)
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Not to worry, maybe next time... :thumbs
You've certainly covered some ground...and I've really enjoyed your reports!
Thankyou! :clap
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Bodo that loco looks like an x Qld loco
But I have been known to be wrong before
My mate who is knowledgeable on these things said:
Your friend is 100% correct. It gets complicated - originally built and operated in Queensland, sold to New Zealand, then came back to Tassie when the private company in NZ took over the Tasmanian operations for a few years.
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Speaking of New Zealand, when I cycled around New Zealand in 1994 I was told to put my bicycle on the floor below all the cars of the ship when sailing from the South Island to the North Island. It had train tracks in it and the trains also went on the ferry and back out the other side.
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Day 22 Ride Report
Quite possibly my latest wake up since arriving in Tasmania bar the morning I was on the Spirit of Tasmania. Most mornings I depart before sunrise but the sun was well and truly out by the time I got the bike running.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/f56cba88dfacbab8a19bc545e3996ba1.jpg)
I got through Exton as they were about to set up the roadworks I encountered before but got caught up approximately fourteen kilometers before Launceston. I'm not one hundred percent sure but think it's Hadspen.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/0ae4612969e907450d6fcd9342e3bf6a.jpg)
I think Launceston is my Australian equivalent of Nagoya - the city I always get lost in. I did on my first two rides through it and today whilst knowing where I ought to have been going but still somehow managed to make a wrong turn. After some u-turning in Kings Meadows got myself back on track. First portion of new territory for me today was the B81 from Rocherlea to Scottsdale. This was at the starting point of that leg.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/8b80422a5a6cb812f1fb33a9a5113c3b.jpg)
I spotted this in Lilydale. I think it's beyond cleaning up and getting on the road again.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/3b0784b59b19073fdb2d00b0fb701822.jpg)
In Scottsdale I saw my first ever kookaburra in the wild.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/80096c48f99da981a0f3ab00baed7650.jpg)
In yesterday's ride report I lamented not walking across the Batman Bridge when I was there. Today I rectified that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/e2b9b5224123bd86855e85a11a9b090d.jpg)
It sure as hell shook when one of these lorries trucks came racing by.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/e489beeb087f1ad337d92c4f8b37b03a.jpg)
There were vehicles racing under the bridge as well.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/0c2d4c808f14a7d444b60e107358e412.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/14d1aba435e62ee9c5c49ebfd9d4a8e5.jpg)
That was my exercise for the day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/a3c28bfb975a8a9d6dcb60b68421b60f.jpg)
I gave Exeter the thumbs up, even if I didn't find any Grecians.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/ffd6eb798629801ad7b1bb743e179374.jpg)
Another look at the River Tamar, this time from Brady's lookout at Rosevears.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/69be05fa1b914216f853ba9d0cfccd59.jpg)
I turned off some random street at Legana to get this. I think Legana is a suburb of Launy.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/871d7801f4507984155f1e5db71999b5.jpg)
This was somewhere in Rosevale, a minute ro so after passing Tasmania Zoo. I didn't go in.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/556fa3b19f089a516b768ed3fcff062e.jpg)
Whilst I have loved riding in Tasmania there are a couple of things that do annoy me. To a lesser extent the lack of yellow advisory speed signs or even any sign to suggest you are approaching a curve or corner, but by far my biggest hate is the amount of gravel that is on the bends.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/f7b0bc1a62e610316869851f667c74eb.jpg)
I started this ride report with roadworks and I am going to finish it that way. This was in Cluan.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/7aaec471ecc82b97b71b18d1d54866e6.jpg)
It's that thing that I do at roadworks in Tassie.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/22/dc7859097328925836a34c447ccf25a0.jpg)
Back at base I realised I forgot to buy coffee as my jar that I brought will run out tomorrow so I went for a walk to Shearwater and got some. The weather has been good all day. Yesterday I actually dug out the summer gloves, but today they weren't required. I think this'll be my last day heading east.
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:thumbsup. Another great report
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I forgot to mention I passed the Google Street view vehicle I saw in Bridport yesterday again, today in Nabowla. It turns out it's not a google vehicle but one for Apple maps. I've never looked at Apple maps so I don't know much about it or if it's limited to ipads or iphones etc.
Apple maps also had me scratching my head because I recall road maps in Japan in the eighties called Apple, or so I thought. Actually it was Mapple (had to google it). I didn't like them. JAF maps were way better.
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In the 80's, they didn't have Mapple apps. :rofl
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Day 23 Ride Report
Last night I opened a new jar of coffee and in an instant (no pun intended) realized why my coffee on this trip had been weak. I bought a different version that I usually do. I then sat down and plotted a course for today. I generally prepare mud maps like this and don't usually stick to them. A wrong turn here, a change of mind there, a new discovery over there and I'm off course.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/68c925d134c49906aa2f891722df7c85.jpg)
Well I woke up this morning to get a private message from a friend on instagram telling me of a big lobster in Burnie. As I already planned to head out in that direction I tacked that on to the front of my ride. It gave me another chance to ride past the wind turbine blades I'd seen last week so I stopped for a few photos.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/e3ba10ff1fc2ce803c5931191d992263.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/95317b514c3ef60b61ee96e97f5a4816.jpg)
Then it was off to Parklands to get a photo of the big freshwater lobster. It's difficult to get the bike close enough to it for a decent picture.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/369e8244d5d284dbaa03ed7e99115bea.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/7d249122a81f77b5ef4b148afc73c626.jpg)
I could not get the bike in the photo, so I settled for an OzSTOC cap. :thumb
I remember this and applied the same logic.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/a4a3f4421478e0ec5c79d9cd5537591b.jpg)
From there I saw that Toll freight ship I saw the day before yesterday.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/9e3f85a937ed47e6555eed602c0b0dfc.jpg)
Back at Burnie I got a closer look.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/2203edf551c7d96d9e7fde07f854e460.jpg)
I got closer to the port than I did in Bell Bay.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/a94d02217b032d991abb03eff6fc410c.jpg)
Snapped a train there as well, but it wouldn't be my favorite train shot of the day.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/8266c4a6a9f9fe3397037b7d75991b83.jpg)
Making my way back to Heybridge to kick off my original plan I passed those blades again. Being on the opposite side of the road I was far enough away to get the entire blade in the shot.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/3b55812cea121ade8f8145535f8e9c10.jpg)
I think it's fair to say logging is a big industry in Tasmania.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/3d51dd8d082abf79ccba684fafab3573.jpg)
I'm not used to seeing "no through street" signs. They usually say "no through road". Also google maps suggests it is not a no through street. I might have to make another trip to Chasm Creek.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/4efdccb31c8f25d97a7aa55fa382a10e.jpg)
This yard in Upper Stowart had quite a few interesting items in it. I would come across another in Preston.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/312eb74bb633fb7c81c7946d218ed423.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/6a6329987afb982b9778a11e4665271a.jpg)
This is not the Tardis I posted the other day. This one is in Penguin. I spent quite a bit of time in Penguin.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/a5488ab26a4b3118f31bc45f1019b268.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/b8a0154f0fb325ab7c8af794de0f0474.jpg)
After that the weather didn't know what it wanted to do. Rain, sunshine, wind etc. It went in and out of those all day and is blowing a gale in Port Sorell as I type this up.
Riding along the coast to Ulverstone a train came by at West Ulverstone so as soon as I saw it I pulled up and got out the camera.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/5cc2dbc423e46a87067f2eba4ec6db49.jpg)
Here's a reflection of me at the Ulverstone information centre.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/425dded84bfbf8a97e1fb8fd8bf6318c.jpg)
Next on the agenda, the B17 loop to take me back to Penguin. It reminds me of the route 16 road around Tokyo, just a lot smaller. Maybe it's more akin to the kampachi minus the traffic. It was a good ride. Quite a few tents at Bannon Lake in Gunns Plains. I'm surprise they're still standing given how strong the wind was.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/913f3ca4eb1dde481a8755d936286e68.jpg)
An old petrol pump in Gunns Plains.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/8f8367a24c394d97ecb7602dc695efc7.jpg)
It was nice of them to provide a shim for me.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/01e5c740848cca63f645b08b807ab943.jpg)
Remember when fuel was 70 cents a litre? I don't. It must have been the era I payed in yen.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/6d7ea478594b47d22aaac02a459f6d81.jpg)
This lookout, also in Gunns Plains was well worth stopping for. Despite the weather the view was fantastic.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/fd9c4209143a070de42d0ea90a1de649.jpg)
Back in Penguin it was on the A1 back to Ulverstone to get back on the B17 to pass through the Taswegian Gawler a second time and make my way to Nietta. A wrong turn had me going through the Taswegian Preston. I saw this yard which had lots of interesting and weird stuff in it. The owner came out and said hello, and with regards to taking photos said knock yourself out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/7fee40cb69c74f3bdd957e76d71c6627.jpg)
I did get to Nietta.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/090f3462952171475e3ed49ae3b3ee2b.jpg)
Another wrong turn saw me end up in South Nietta, none the wiser on what the weather wanted to do.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/74cf928a2cabc7f427ffc04981be436a.jpg)
At the beginning of the day that was where I was planning to turn around but since there were signs for the Leven Canyon I went and checked that out. This photo on the way to the lookout would be the only one I took there. Got to the end to take more only for the camera to say the memory card was full. I have never filled that memory card, and whilst I had more cards, they were in my top box and I wasn't going to walk there a second time.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/1e70c78d28b0c1661e24aae5e2ced374.jpg)
Back at the parking area I changed the memory card and headed back down the hill. This was in South Preston on the road I originally intended to traverse.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/2a855e67c35cd9c5abd684c912387ea6.jpg)
Why do they do this? :OldMan
I see them in South Australia as well but I don't need to know what the speed limit was. Why they can't put a sign saying what the speed limit is from this point on is beyond me. Stupid spatlese !
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/a696ce36380aab5ff8ac541ba06f519d.jpg)
Having tacked on Burnie and Leven Canyon on to the trip by the time I got back to Turners Bay I aborted what plans I had after that and head back to Devonport Coles to buy some lime milk. I know they have it and cheap as well. At the rally someone mentioned not seeing police about, but I know they hide behind this sign in Wesley Vale just after the speed limit drops to 60km/h in the early morning.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/b239960e97d136158d96f97ea3e952b9.jpg)
I haven't worked on a course for tomorrow, but I have seen everything I wanted to see on this trip, except one, which I plan to do on the last day.
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I took a photo of this crane at Burnie port this morning.
Sven news Tasmania has just said it was demolished today.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/98b5465ad793e9515ca6dbdd1fdde434.jpg)
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There are 2 of those Toll ships that run virtually the same as The Spirit..friends posted videos of the crane coming down in a controlled demolision was pretty cool to watch here on youtube... https://youtu.be/8Y65cdt0p_8
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I can remember when fuel was 18 cents per litre, and we were horrified when it jumped overnight to 23 cents!
Mid 1977, from memory?
Now the Grubbermint creams about 44 cents per litre in fuel tax.
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There are 2 of those Toll ships that run virtually the same as The Spirit..friends posted videos of the crane coming down in a controlled demolision was pretty cool to watch here on youtube... https://youtu.be/8Y65cdt0p_8
Thanks for that. That's a better view and angle than the news got. I've saved it to my photo album and put it with the photo I took. He's written the 22nd but it was definitely the 23rd.
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Been enjoing the read and pics BG, thanks for sharing.
This lookout, also in Gunns Plains was well worth stopping for. Despite the weather the view was fantastic.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/23/fd9c4209143a070de42d0ea90a1de649.jpg[/url])
And when the weather is better, the view is even mor more fantastic.
(https://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/williamson_photos/Tassie%20Tour%20March%202014/30eea425-986f-4659-b266-70691affc9ee_zpsohyp0opr.jpg) (https://s643.photobucket.com/user/williamson_photos/media/Tassie%20Tour%20March%202014/30eea425-986f-4659-b266-70691affc9ee_zpsohyp0opr.jpg.html)
Pic taken on the 2014 ride, I'll post 2019 pics when I can download 'em (having probs ATM). In this pic is Phil with his GSX1400 outfit, he was on his Harely outfit 2019 - some of you would have met Phil at Port Sorell and / or other Tassie locales, if you didn't see him, you would have heard the Harley.
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I need to learn how to make panorama photos.
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I need to learn how to make panorama photos.
That one was a series (three or four) "stitched" together using an MS (or similar) program. Much easier these days using the "PANO" function on the iPhone.
Been using panoramic photos since the late 70's. Would need them for technical reports for work (this was RoSTA - Road Safety and Traffic Authority, and we would prepare reports on speed limit changes). In those days we would take two or three shots on 35mm film, pics developed & printed and then manually cut, spliced and pasted in to a report.
A mate at work had set-up three 35mm camers on a frame to take three pics (left, centre & right) simultaneously has he would drive down the road. This was 40 years ahead of Google Streetview.
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Day 24 Ride Report
Bodø is already cruising again (always an early rider) ...
Bodø found another untraveled road
([url]https://i.ibb.co/72pPwgt/bodo.jpg[/url])
I think today was a later start by my standards. It is getting harder finding untraveled roads. Although I did travel some of the roads I did last weekend and stopped for a photo here and there. I also went into Devonport for fear of not having a look with it being on my doorstep.
This dog in Lillico isn't the first one to go beserk when I stopped for photos but was the first one not to be stuck behind a fence/gate.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/7279d81ff8861a07d8c52dc06390e78a.jpg)
Sunshine On Leith (album by the Proclaimers).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/ee7972f0e0d3078a8fe5543f2d100b4d.jpg)
After checking out Leith on the coast side of the A1 I rode up towards Sprent in the reverse direction I rode yesterday along the B15. These sheep did the bolt when I got off to take photos at Abbottsham.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/d19a435e4f1aee0e03e5c11a42408c05.jpg)
I didn't notice this yesterday but it did make me laugh. It was the same property.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/41fa08675e4a2afdd46eb5e832ab83f1.jpg)
I would go on to photograph a lot of letter boxes today. I decided enough was enough but they kept getting better. They made this one in Kindred look rather lame.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/eeca57a9bfa2e56e09ed13b3bba2b7ba.jpg)
I didn't know sheep were into dreadlocks. I don't know why anyone is. They always look unhygienic to me.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/c83ace02ba00c44223b0d6ff7a919694.jpg)
Apparently people buy sticks.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/f56ba5c97109ee16b836583cb9454053.jpg)
Kev Murphy mentioned I rode Forth Road for the eight time. I'm not sure about that but I have crossed the Forth river a lot. Today I rode in and out of Forth a couple of times today. Actually you can see a bit of the river in this photo, but I was more interested in the color of the trees.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/e96e6de30fac4329a3ca87e73ffa09f2.jpg)
Another day, another defunct petrol station. They're everywhere. This one was in Turners Beach.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/f164166e3eaae625159a300bba3ca385.jpg)
There was a girl medicating in the corner of this lookout on the beach. She made me jump as I thought no one was there. I probably disturbed her finding her inner piece, so I guess we're even.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/0d13de6de5b6116fa11055a8e47d4160.jpg)
Early morning fishing for some.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/56a4534a74bbd08f88153592587c4039.jpg)
This guy preferred to do his fishing from a canoe.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/524454b1354d83d1d7c67867c149f5d3.jpg)
Back into Leith to check out Braddons lookout. Whilst taking photos there a car pulled out and as they got closer I heard the conversation was Japanese. One of them said you could possibly see the Aurora from here so I interjected to say you'd need to go further south than that. I don't know if that's true but it seemed like a good way to jump into the conversation. After a bit more converstional exchange I was asked if I was Japanese. That's when it dawned on me that I still had my helmet on and promptly took it off. We talked for about fifteen minutes. They're working holiday makers doing a farm stay not far from their.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/c4160bba8f370f8355666252eff0bfde.jpg)
Back on the bike and it was down the hill back into Forth again. This looks like an old train carriage, but even as shed it looks like it had deteriorated beyond being used for that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/3197fb000f688ef2f19c827ce419f3dd.jpg)
I saw a sign for Paloona dam so I thought I'd check it out. Like Cethana dam it's a hydro plant and you can't get close enough to see it properly.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/f303f33286786af609bb50bd0e01b3b1.jpg)
Ooh ahh, I was standing.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/846b6009df8ee2e42d2f6df02b91e273.jpg)
Throwing stones hadn't occurred to me until I saw this sign.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/2e274c609164e367ac7c0ca460366c73.jpg)
With the dam done it was back to my planned course. There were lots of creative letterboxes in Lower Wilmot and Wilmot. Hear's one. Others I'll post in the letter box thread.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/028596ef3560f246386e24919367bd13.jpg)
I stopped at the lookout at Wilmot too. I should have checked out Lake Barrington but didn't.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/5eb9683c59bdac1e6bd3fa58db023bbd.jpg)
I've now seen a Tasmanian tiger on this trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/dc96c9f2e48ae7ba756cd2ce947fabad.jpg)
And Shaun the sheep.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/0e453dac5c8b64e7e1f0598d3a2be39b.jpg)
From there is was slow going to Sheffield as I got stuck behind a tractor. Once around him I took off. I didn't expect him to come all the way into the town.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/409d802b6cfe86f6282e59dc20fd3b0c.jpg)
Could I think of anywhere else I wanted to go before getting on that boat? Nowhere Else. It turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. I so wanted to see a sign with "welcome to Nowhere Else" or even a locality sign, but as there wasn't one you get a photo of me.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/eb3aa3639e1cf0928ba534fc65842871.jpg)
I bagged the big platypus in Latrobe before going to Devonport.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/5660b6062f5684015488f745d549c05a.jpg)
I took some photos of the Spirit Of Tasmania (which wasn't there yesterday) and some at Mersey Bluff before stumbling across this. I have never seen a level crossing go through a roundabout before.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/085e7ef0e2515bc8e2f5bb0ba918b828.jpg)
I went to East Devonport to suss out where I board before going past Camp Banksia to check out the end of the road in Port Sorell.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/40e7e64d210489beb83a2f34509999e8.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/f4c8d530b13fd007e62d667e4f710f48.jpg)
Over the course of just under three weeks I did 8671km, more than 8000 of those interstate.
That was from my Halls Gap RTE trip of 2017. I have surpassed that on this trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/1277f9ef0c05b4b8f48816f5e1d2587b.jpg)
Going by google maps saying it's 720km from Port Melbourne to Adelaide I need to do 218km in the next two days if I am going to take that over the 10000km mark. I didn't plan on doing a big ride on either day so I could fall short, but I am intrigued if the trip meter will go to five figures. Tomorrow is forecast rain and I intend to do some washing so I'm not sure what I'll do riding wise. Might have to check out Launy.
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++. Thanks for the good read. I have been to tassie but have not seen anywhere as much as you in this trip
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Another great write up Bodo :hatwave
Always looking forward to the next one :like
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++. Thanks for the good read. I have been to tassie but have not seen anywhere as much as you in this trip
My theory was that it could be a once in a lifetime trip so I had better see as much as I can so decided to take a full allotment of A/L to do it. Being in Camp Banksia for a couple of weeks also meant I got a weekly rate.
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Another great writeup Bodø, and great pics as well. Thanks mate. :thumbsup
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We travelled the same roads a number of times, passed a turn-off or three to Leven Canyon many times, eventually decided it was time for a visit, so we did. Not sure if we passed the same site eight times though.
...... before stumbling across this. I have never seen a level crossing go through a roundabout before.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/24/085e7ef0e2515bc8e2f5bb0ba918b828.jpg[/url])
Roundbouts with trains, trams .......pfft!!!
(https://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/williamson_photos/Forum%20Inserts/Brighton%20RBT_zpsglqvbahl.png) (https://s643.photobucket.com/user/williamson_photos/media/Forum%20Inserts/Brighton%20RBT_zpsglqvbahl.png.html)
(https://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/williamson_photos/Forum%20Inserts/Brighton%20RBT%20v2_zpsopcicxzt.png) (http://s643.photobucket.com/user/williamson_photos/media/Forum%20Inserts/Brighton%20RBT%20v2_zpsopcicxzt.png.html)
Approx. six trains and four buses pass through here per hour. In order of priority we have trains, buses and cars; it's fair to say car drivers put up with congestion and delays in peak hours.
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Not as rare as I thought. So what happens if the lights come on when your half way through it? Do you have to exit it and the next exit or can you still proceed to your preferred exit?
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Great report as always. Gotta watch out for those girls that are self medicating early in the morning though 😂
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Only a minor typo, :grin
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So what happens if the lights come on when your half way through it?
Well, if you really want to add to your train collection...
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Ha ha. I've a thing about spatlese who stop in roundabouts.
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Day 25 Ride Report
Only a short one today. I woke up my usual ungodly hour. I pottered around my room for an hour or so before going to the laundry. Somehow I managed to change the washing machine settings after not being able to on two previous attempts. When I went back to transfer the clothes from the washing machine to the dryer it was sunny as despite rain being forecast. That all turned to cloud when I went back half an hour later to empty the dryer.
Washing sorted and got on the bike and head for Bakers Beach.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/ad7d1cedd80fee958d99f3162689401d.jpg)
I am sure these are the only kangaroos I have seen in Tasmania. I've seen a shipload of wallabies though.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/07c1ce97121f6a1375c501ef8babbe93.jpg)
I went as far as the point you pay entry fees for the national park before turning around and heading back towards Devonport. Today's letterbox is from Wesley Vale.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/d1741d723c20846899fff3b46d3afd9d.jpg)
Is Don, is good.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/ea2f64eb53984e5ebf24c0769a992e88.jpg)
I didn't know there was a railway museum in Don. The trains run but not on monday or tuesday so I couldn't board one. It only runs three and a half kilometers so n great loss. If I ever come back I'll do the Queenstown to Zeehan train.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/cd47f3b348177c5f6ead9ed7d0f92390.jpg)
I'm glad I don't have to type my ride reports with one of these typewriters. There'd be more tippex than paper.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/2f16f5c8089ed0d2fe0cda99456d22ce.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/5acf5f4e67ee96fc6658aaac76b7457c.jpg)
Hell yeah !
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/6c4ee8145efabfb26f654afef7c9b6f4.jpg)
There were quite of few of these signs. I knew where they all were except for Woodbury, Vermont and Hanleth. I'll google map those after posting this report.
Even railways have side cars. (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/f040ba39e1d96cd06870b6b9b082917c.jpg)
Then it was time to turn around and get on the bike.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/b5cf134ea2748f1e4555e195b3d2dd78.jpg)
I went via Forth and Lillico before getting back on the A1 finishing the day with a paltry 100km. I didn't even refuel at Shearwater. They know me by now so may begin to have withdrawal symptons.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/25/b3243015e27ac733bf6b1455ad06bb38.jpg)
Back at base I hoovered the room. I bought lunch at Wesley Vale as I was getting on the bike saw the blackboard said scallop pies. I think that's a Taswegian delicacy so I may have to go back tomorrow and try one.
I don't know what my plans for tomorrow are. Camp Banksia have said I can stay in the room until early afternoon. Washing's done and I think I remember how I pack up the bike. Forecast rain hasn't eventuated yet but either way I shan't be going too far as I am on the ferry back to the big island north of the Tasmanian mainland tomorrow evening.
Wednesday... haven't booked any accommodation so depending on how I sleep on the boat may even make a straight dash for Adelaide. There's plenty of places to pull up stumps in between if I don't feel up to doing it all in one hit.
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I got a beach cabin. :whistle
I assume that is the one at Camp Banksia :'(
Yes
Initially the beach cabin wasn't my first choice but took it as the en-suite cabins were already take but in hindsight it turned out to be a better option. Having my own kitchen was a big plus. I booked it that long ago I don't recall what the different in price was.
On the en-suite cabins been fully booked, I am convinced that cabin 3 stayed empty for my entire stay. PC's cabin has had one occupant in it for the last three days and the hall was used for a function on saturday night but for the most part the park has been a ghost town. That said, it's been a great base for me to ride around the north of the island.
Today I pack up my bags and load the bike for the first time in two weeks and bid Camp Banksia goodbye. I thank them for their hospitality. Actually I have been content with all my accommodation in Tasmania.
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Day 26 Ride Report
This morning I woke up at 1:30ish. Any other day I probably would have gone back to bed but as I want to sleep through the ferry journey arriving at the port tired would actually suit me so I got up and had a shower. I went outside to check on my bike as I do most mornings and saw this little wallaby behind it at the fence. I tried getting a photo but it isn't that clear.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/0351267fd92373b0f64e28e2ba799534.jpg)
First task after that was put the dishes, pots and pans away. Then it was a case of rotating between playing on the computer and packing stuff up.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/4366b984d5ed7645f90d3a808a4469cd.jpg)
I had hoped to finish off my breakfast cereal. I needed to make space so I could carry Shillas's rally pack. :Stirpot
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/9811610ed77808184a921af02455421d.jpg)
I am pretty sire this will be my last lime milk for quite some time. I'm a big fan.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/7a97ae8f39d9c37713dc679b304ca1a9.jpg)
Two of the locals came to see me off.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/4f14b432e50a776e2667262976f04d02.jpg)
It bucketed it down for most of the wee hours of the morning with thunderstorms as well but cleared up by the time I loaded the bike at 7:30. With the kwaka loaded it was time to hit the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/6cae95c5d762b2110e5f3621b2ebab38.jpg)
Initial plan was to vegetate in my room until early afternoon. That went out the window when Gra Har suggested having coffee in Devonport.
So I head off back to Braddens Lookout where I had gone yesterday before traversing new roads through Forth, Forthside, Melrose and Eugenana before returning via the riverside road from Latrobe to Ambleside.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/e1d54e45f488eb149207a37fe7707c22.jpg)
This was at Eugenana.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/7155c3546a6df9caf15673420fd710c3.jpg)
Twin axles on the rear of this motorhome in Tarleton.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/2945ec0966d5662124a63890c13d9a9a.jpg)
After riding from Balranald to Warrnambool I said I can now say I have ridden the Pyrenees. I guess I can now also say I have sailed the Mersey.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/08f4311ab02ae334775787e44cdefcc4.jpg)
I had a look at Molly Malones that Gra Har mentioned last night.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/01ac5178e266bf317f82ad561419f46f.jpg)
The first time I have used a designated motorcycle parking spot in Tasmania. You get more width that you do in Adelaide.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/1fd0ec631c93db9a6f21fddd3bf13338.jpg)
After making contact with Gra Har whom had only joined the forum last night (but some of you know through Ulysses) I went to his house for coffee. Ironically I had ridden past it earlier in the day. He makes a great coffee. He also showed me some cool stuff like this. I want one.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/923f1a549326467ebbc74b067dfad3c7.jpg)
Finally I made my way to East Devonport and vegetated for a while.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/4391a04b175c984c4bd2a94a0533689d.jpg)
I said it when I arrived in Tassie that we needed one of these at the Melbourne end.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/e00eaa31b431dfee16f913144f6b180d.jpg)
Bikes were almost the last on.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/df47cf53e7c299a955156ba357d8d534.jpg)
Every state says this. Are they trying to imply that other states don't? One thing I can say about the Tasmanian fixed cameras it they all face the opposite way and flashing a bike from the front doesn't get you a number plate.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/af274c1a97f16610506656cdfe1b5115.jpg)
By this time I had seen Sicman and St2up roll in. They're on the ferry somewhere.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/cab1fb3f54fa73144d1bcc4fbd3adc22.jpg)
Last week I sent Spirit Of Tasmania an email requesting to get the same cabin I had on the way over as it was in the middle. I got a reply saying that they can't guarantee that but I got it. I intend to crash into bed now.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/cb71bc2328aa0b1a371b4e001fc644f5.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/d93366ef121fcc1b50941c64ab330631.jpg)
So oiverall how much of Tasmania did I see?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/26/08f3eaef22953e2a43648c88c9fa983d.jpg)
Good night.
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:thumbsup. Impressive coverage of tasmania
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Great report as usual. I owe you a box of Special K for bringing the pack back? :chocolate-box-smiley-emoticon
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Another great report :hatwave
Sleep well Bodo :runyay
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Sleep well Bodø :thumb
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I slept well, but woken before we hit the dock.
To all on the ferry, rest well, tomorrow is another day.
(https://i.ibb.co/WP9Lc54/Capture.jpg)
I put my tablet by the window so it can get GPS readings. I tried to upload my progress to imaghstr but it's not allowing me to upload any images.
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Day 27 Ride Report
Like all good things this adventure came to an end today. But I nearly didn't get on that boat. Yesterday morning after doing a bit of a ride went back to Devonport to check out the two places Gra Har had mentioned the day before. Traversing up the hill at Ashburner Street a ute and trailer came flying out of Wenvoe street ignoring the give way sign. It probably should be a stop sign given the visibilty of the intersection. I didn't even know there was street there pretty much until he popped out of nowhere. Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenZsZmDROM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenZsZmDROM)
I wonder if it was wootten or byrne?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/2b826502dd61418c27c3cc1ecb325ca8.jpg)
I probably didn't mention it in my ride report yesterday because I was already drowsy from taking sea sickness tablets and didn't have photos to jog my memory. He didn't look, didn't give way, didn't stop or anything.
There were more bikes on the ferry last night than there were on my ferry over, which consisted of just four bikes (and a fifth that went in as freight as the rider had an off and wasn't on the boat).
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/41ceb6294f154c305649c06b71ea6067.jpg)
I'd sent an email to Spirit Of Tasmania requesting the same cabin I had on the way over as it was in the middle of the ship. I got a response saying they put a note in my reservation but couldn't guarantee anything. As it turned out I got it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/e08f87b8e02cf73d96e43e547e4ff855.jpg)
I woke once just before midnight to use the bathroom and then again at about 5:00am so had a shower and then went for a walk arount the boat.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/7f82fb58c5fc41db95c1f6761e3d893d.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/16758cdd3a4d3e2300bc3087734e27ba.jpg)
I had the mobius camera running for the whole trip. It was held up by a magnetic clamp. I can tell you the window frame is very magnetic.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/63e7a5e4f2f165be6fbddd39167ec343.jpg)
I think I was the last one off the boat. On the way over the bikes were parked sideways but on the way back we were parking parallel to all the cars.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/2d5e5a3339b993fc70a037bd374eb144.jpg)
I stumbled across the big miner at Warrenheip so I bagged that.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/2aaf9aec355701494a0b65fe6f5ef8d9.jpg)
The big ned kelly was only metres away.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/942c5e2f8df63461b62f9c7edb320b38.jpg)
To be honest I didn't plan on bagging those but happened to see them. I did however know I was going through Ballarat so wanted to find this one that was posted in the big things thread.
The Big Hens at Ballarat.
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/d38470eca8a44dde7a6eb5dfa2e6280c.jpg[/url])
Well guess what, once in Ballarat I googled where exactly they were and I can tell you one place they are not at - Ballarat. They're actually in Meredith miles from my course so I didn't deviate for them. Another day perhaps. I did get the giant koala for a second time.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/b34c9dc78cce72ee68c3cb3785cd6fbd.jpg)
I'd seen this camp on Dobie after the Smythesdale RTE but not bothered to stop it. Today I took some photos but still have no idea what it's all about.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/cdc162ca54951a8520119f02219ebd34.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/29dfbeb6b9dd8cbbcf1026fecfa71736.jpg)
I stopped there, not in the car park.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/4aac51acd823b903f6eae6d088db4a9f.jpg)
I told you Kev I have a funny story about Kaniva. I refuelled there and grabbed an ice coffee (I couldn't find any lime milk) and took it to a park bench and had a breather. Then I heard an almighty metallic klang as this steel contraption fell off the back of a ute as it rounded the corner. It could have been nasty if he hastly taken the corner to not give way to an oncoming vehicle because they wouldn't have seen it until the last minute.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/156d011db21128d2ba3eb43b5d146e99.jpg)
I don't know what it is but the driver attempted to drag it off the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/ca8ed1aa4df7906c1676049750311c2c.jpg)
Others came to help. There were four or five of them but even together they couldn't make it budge.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/95e8c5fff213b4ae8eb615614a66a844.jpg)
I stopped at the Bordertown Motel to put an overnight marker on my spot as I forgot to do it on the way in. I did that with a meal marker at Queestown.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/bb09f332faa1c2e4cbbd284706efc623.jpg)
I almost always stop here. Kev mentioed it in the spotwalla thread and I have on previous ride reports but maily because it's between two point to point cameras and adding some minutes in between can't hurt.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/e232695c309b3fa6f7d1e831e37a29d7.jpg)
I was curious as to whether my trip metre would go to five digits but I took a photo of 9999·9 just in case.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/07735950f8dc2339fcb37d5116d1443a.jpg)
I now know that it goes back to zero. I don't know why. There's space for an extra digit as the odometre has gone to six digits without a decimal point.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/418a7cf611f3670be50f0108295ada8c.jpg)
Back home it just read 4·6km which means for the whole trip I did 10004·6 km.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/fc6a723764a486453af7a7f1c3e7a432.jpg)
Overall I had a great time. There were highlights, lowlights, disappointments, rain, sleet, wind, more wind, even more wind. Carving it up in the mud from Cockle Creek was fun. The Tarkine road was awesome, meeting lots of Ozstocers for the first time and attending a national rally was a good memory too. Sudden sharp curves with no signs to warn you, gravel in the bends was not fun. I think my brake pads will be grateful to be back on the mainland. I hardly touched them today. The bike not starting in Corinne was probably the worst moment of the trip. All sorts of thoughts went through my head at the time.
I was a tad nervous about being on the boat for so long but it turned out to be okay. I slept on both but the tablets I took for it made me very thirsty the following day. Also that night after coming off the boat I felt my motel room rocking as it was on the seas and I am feeling it in my house right now. I'm thirsty too.
I had hoped to talk to Big Gaz at the rally but despite being registered he didn't make an appearance.
Bring on Mudgee.
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Thanks for the write up and the photos mate, that was a close one with the Wootton wetard!
Rest well, and I hope to catch up with you again soon. When do you go back to work?
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Monday.
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I enjoyed reading about your adventures, Bodø... :thumbs
Thanks muchly! :clap :beer :-++
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Well done with all the photos and comments. You have an eye for the unusual that makes for an interesting read.
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:rockon. Well done on all of your photos and reports. Always good reading
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I wonder if it was wootten or byrne?
([url]http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/11/27/2b826502dd61418c27c3cc1ecb325ca8.jpg[/url])
Or Wootton
Bring on Mudgee.
:rockon
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Or Wootton
Yeah that works. :like
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I didn't even know there was street there pretty much until he popped out of nowhere. Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenZsZmDROM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenZsZmDROM)
Looking back at it I did know there was a street there and I was slowing down to check the street name on the sign. That was probably the difference between there being a collision and there not being one.
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Day 19 Ride Report
I did stop and take a photo fo this at Mooreville.
https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs (https://youtu.be/Xg8M-8BqTGs) :grin
I've got a video of me riding through a tunnel in Japan with the Timelords' version of "Doctoring The Tardis" on it. I'll have a look for it when I get back to Adelaide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53AgCowOTg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53AgCowOTg)
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Thank you for sharing your odyssey with us Bodø :-++
It was awesome :thumbsup
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I'll be looking forward to your video reports. :thumbs
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Currently going through dashcam footage from day 6 in Bruny Island. I knew I saw a sign saying "caution trains" even though Bruny Island probably has never had trains. I didn't stop for a photo, but dashcam footage got it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2020/05/03/a3bec15d36078437cec7aa24330aea65.jpg)
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Apparently they had "tramways" which they used to transport logs to the timber Mill, Bodø... :thumbsup
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Wow. I thought someone was 'avin' a larf but research does show that tramways did exist. I didn't see any stations or leftover remnants of track.
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Looking fwd to more pics of your travels, you always have a good storyline to go with them. :thumb
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The white and blue bike sounds like Staya on the white ST1300 and his mate Mel on a blue FJR they were on the boat with us more Qeenslanders :like
This is them (yes, I have only got to that video now). First bike is definitely an Ozstoc jacket.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2020/06/06/8d81ea09d19acfd204f6287010d80ac9.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2020/06/06/06ecd1e67137ecf5a47d2f425346950d.jpg)