Bicheno to St Helens 12/2/1999  78km
Overcast, sea fog, but not raining.  Gently undulating for many kilometres then struck rain after lunch, just before Scamander, 16km short of St Helens.  Hot cappuccino's at Scamander gave us the oomph to complete the last 16km which were much hillier but not too high - beautiful timbered country.  Booked into Budget motel to dry out again -used motel drier.  Some great views of the coast as we rode.  Len's chain broke so we had to stop while he mended it.  Saw quite a few surfies in their wet suits at several surfing spots.  St Helens larger than Bicheno but doesn't have the variety of eating places.  Motel room has water edge view.  Unfortunately its very grey, not the usual sparkling blue.

Rest Day 13/2/1999
Rained all night.  Still raining in the morning so decided not to head off- through the mountains.  Visited the Historical Museum (excellent) and sent Email from there too.  Rain cleared after lunch but very humid.  Watched one day cricket final - Australia thrashed the Poms.  Takeaway tea shared with seagulls on the foreshore.

St Helens to Weldborough 14/21999  45km
Sea fog but sun threatening to appear.  Len had to fix part of his bike before we left but we were underway just after 8:00am.  Sky cleared of fog and clouds.  Steady climbing, down into Pyengena, then the BIG climb 600m to Weldborough Pass.  Stopped several times in the 7km climb but didn't walk.  Having lunch before top of climb a young couple came along - had stopped in the same motel last night.  Chatted and Len able to provide tools to mend Carl's bike.  Met them again on the magnificent walk in the rainforest.  Magical country and beautiful the entire route.  Met Carl and Kaye again at Weldborough pub and had a drink together in the "Worst Pub in Tassie" Riders from Melb. arrived from the other direction.  The pub was buzzing.  Publican had a room for us, a double room with tartan bedcover and red curtains.  Had a great evening yarning to the other riders, breakfast too.  Carl and Kaye continued on to Derby that afternoon.

Weldborough to Scotsdale 15/21999  56km
Breakfast in "worst pub", bacon and eggs for Len.  Left at 8:30 am.  Brilliant ride down through forest (Weldborough) with tall trees, treeferns, and trickling creeks.  Showers before Derby (the all wooden town).  Saw Carl and Kaye in Derby, still hadn't left for Lilydale Falls.  Arrived at Scottsdale at 2 45pm.  "Surprisingly hilly ride" was definitely right!  Couldn't have done many more hills if any.  Arrived fairly exhausted.  Scottsdale is built right on top of a massive hill!  Without panniers it was low gear and very hard work - How will I get up it tomorrow?  Camping ground is magnificent beside lake, creek, gardens, and bird life sanctuary.  Local groups have set up a rainforest walk.  It is meant to represent the natural bushland of Tasmania - breathtakingly lovely.  Also educational with trees named.  A huge shelter with fire places, BBQ's, children's play equipment are also provided.  Would be an excellent outing for a family.  A young German couple riding a tandem also set up camp here.  The chap brought over some of the blackberries that they had picked.

Scotsdale to Lilydale Fails 16/21999  41km
Walked bikes up hill! (very steep) into Scottsdale.  Wherever there's forest the sound of superb fairy wrens can be heard.  Hilly was right!!  Almost exhausted by the time we got to the Cloverdale Winery (champagne).  Sampled some champers, bought one bottle, then battled gale force head winds, showers, log trucks, to Lilydale Fails camping ground.  Rae had to walk the last part of a major hill as the legs just wouldn't go.  Didn't have the energy to ride 2 more km into Lilydale to get a key from the caretaker!  Walked to the falls after setting up camp - beautiful.  Cooked in hut out of the wind - emergency supplies plus cool bottle of champagne.  Managed to get a shower because another couple had a "key" to the men's showers.