29/01/13

The first 15km bend for the trip

No Rain :-) a lazy start to St Helens via Scottsdale and Derby. The roads were fantastic (obviously designed by motorcyclists :-)) particularly the stretch from Derby to St Helens. My first 15km posted corner for the trip.

Monument to chinese miners

Stopped at a monument to the chinese tin miners near Derby. They weren't well liked but wherever they were prominent law and order was not an issue "-) Something new I learnt today. European grave headstones face East. Chinese face West. Most chinese were buried twice. Once to get  rid of the flesh. Then the bones are cleaned and reburied. Interesting!

Near the Bay of Fires

 Refuelled and did a run up to the Bay of Fires. I stopped at a beach for a bite to eat and then headed back to St Helens and set myself up in another Big 4 van park.  (These parks leave all the others for dead with their cleanliness and up to date facilities).


The yardman came over for a chat whilst I was putting up the tent, man he could talk! . A motorcyclist himself. he works 3 weeks straight for the Big 4 park then rides home to Strahan for the week off. He's all excited because mutton bird season starts in March. It runs for  15 days and the limit is 25 birds a day! 25!! He only goes out for 3 days and cleans and freezes them for later consumption. Apparently you catch them by sticking your arm down the burrow and pulling them out!! Don't know about that myself


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Damn cold night !! Frozzling!! Stayed in bed until 0630 then got up and made up some hot museli and a cup of rooibos tea to warm up. First morning with no clouds about. Turns out that it will be a warm day today. 24c :-)

Headed for St Mary's on a road that went up the hills and had switchbacks and blind corners galore. Was careful as signs were up indicating logging trucks were active. Didn't see one !! What a pump up of a ride that was. Had the obligitory hot coffee and a bite to eat at a small bakery then off to Bicheno via the Elephant  Pass. Had I remembered I would not have eaten as I was still full when I passed the Elephant Pass Pancake House. Well, an excuse to travel that road in the future :-).

The lobster boats at Bicheno

 Stopped at Bicheno at the bakery. Their pasties are magnificant. La and I stopped there last year. (I'm going to have to stay away from bakeries!!)  The water was clear as glass. Nothing like our Territory waters! There were a few cray boats in the bay and I sat in the sun, which was FINALLY warming the place up, for a while.  I headed off for Triabunna via Swansea. The coastal road followed the foothills and whilst not as exuberant as the roads in the hills/mountains are still a smile widening ride.

Fishing port of Triabunna

I arrived at Triabunna early,about 1430, and decided to call it a day. Cleaned and oiled the chain, checked for loose bolts, set up camp etc. By the time I was ready the sack it was blowing a gale !!! The tent was leaning sideways!! More pegs. more guy rope !!