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Hobart to Richmond 6/2/1999
30km
Left Sandy Bay Caravan Park at 9.30 am. Rode along Sandy Bay road
in traffic, past wharf, to start of the bicycle track. Went to end
of wonderful concrete track and found we'd gone too far!
Backtracked a little and crossed the Bowen bridge. Rode in drizzle
all the way. In lowest gear for 4km up Grasstree Hill -had 2 walks
- then down. Into Richmond and tent up by 2:00 pm. Looked over
Richmond, had a drink in the pub, saw the renowned bridge. Cooked
BBQ tea in camp kitchen. |
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Richmond to Orford 7/2/1999
57km
Rain Overnight. Rain stopped and clouds lifted in Richmond so set
off for Orford at 8:30 am. Rain started soon after then. After 8km
started Climbing - wind and rain strengthened. By the time we were
on the A3 it was gale force. Had to walk up parts of 3 hills -
Break-me-Neck 200m, Black Charlie's Opening 296m, and Bust Me Gall
Hill 336m. Arrived at Buckland 12:30pm completely wet through
(40km). Motorists and locals thought we were mad. Beautiful roast
dinner at Buckland, sitting in cold wet clothes, then set off for
Orford with gale at full strength (no accom. at Buckland) Heard
later that the storms did a lot of damage in Hobart! Fortunately
wind was in our tails and we flew. Climbed one major hill - hard
work walking with bike up steep rises. Going down even harder -
fingers frozen and numb holding brakes full on just to travel
downhill at a safe speed. Found motel (great view) with drier at
Orford and stopped. Had to empty out all the bags to dry things out
including clothes. Got local fish takeaway - very tasty. Motel has
magnificent view to Maria Island. Motelier advised us to take our
bikes inside at night. Best outlook of any motel I've seen and it
was a Budget Motel and quite cheap. Used the drier for 2 hours.
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Orford to Swansea 8/2/1999
58km
Left motel at 8:30am. No charge for
use of drier. Gentle undulating farmland with a few reasonably long
climbs but tremendous downhills. Beautiful country - tall trees,
bays, with Freycinet Peninsula across the water. Lunched by a
little creek. Swansea is a small place but still larger than quite
a few we've been through. Library not open on Mondays so unable to
check or send Email. Caravan park on water's edge so we'll have to
go to sleep with roar of waves. Heard frogs all along the way and I
saw a large black snake with its front half in a culvert no doubt
trying to catch one of the frogs!
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Road to Swansea |
Spiky Bridge |
Camp at Swansea |
Swansea to Bicheno 9/2/1999
44km
Lovely undulating easy start then
struck a range - quite a climb. Overcast. Stopped at Freycinet
winery for a tasting. Bought a bottle of dry Riesling. More hills
and head wind to Bicheno - hard work! Lunched at Mary Harvey's as
recommended by lady at winery - superb food and great assistance re
visiting Freycinet NP. and Coles Bay. Bicheno Caravan park provided
us with a caravan site so we had a tree to chain our bikes to while
visiting Freycinet.
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Freycinet NP 10/2/1999
Drizzle. Glad we're not riding.
Caught small coach to Freycinet NP through Coles Bay. Walked to
Wineglass Bay lookout. In the clouds so only a few glimpses of the
bay through cloud. Started walking back to Coles Bay and got a lift
in our coach to Freycinet Lodge (posh) where we lunched. Dined at a
French restaurant (B.Y.O.) Had grilled local fish which was
delicious -boar fish. Enjoyed the lovely chardonnay we had bought
at the pub. Rossetta's Silky Oak. Sent Email from library.
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Camp at Bicheno |
Walk to Wineglass Bay
lookout |
Wineglass Bay lookout |
Rest Day 11/2/1999
Drizzle and rain throughout night,
strong North wind so decided against heading N to St. Helens and
booked another night at Bicheno. Asked locals what to do to fill in
a day - suggested aquarium, blowhole, Art gallery, beachfront walk.
Did the 3 latter first and had a great time. Gallery had a 3D model
of Bicheno in 1930 and local history around wall
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