Day 20 Melbourne to Warrnambool

We arrived in Melbourne at 7.40am. Most of us had not the good nights sleep we had hoped for. The passage was pretty rough. We came off the boat and turned left much to the annoyance of the bloke directing traffic. We then got caught briefly in the traffic getting on the boat. We parked up and in not time Aunty Thalia and Georgie arrived for breakfast. Warren and Kerry left early and headed to a tyre shop to replace the rear tyre on Kerry's bike. It was great to catch with Thalia and Georgie. Thalia had just been to see Leonore and she had all her news too. We heard about their holiday to Alice Springs and yarned until the parking meter ran out. The next step was to drop the car at Adam and Bec's and then we when to a near by servo and waited for Warren and Kerry. It was a great stop we all wish we could have had breakfast here. the food was better although we would not have had the company. We were all a bit tried so we took the trip to Warrnambool in small steps and again detoured off the main road to avoid the cars. Stopped for lunch in Colac. It was clear we were now in Victoria the places are much bigger. It was great riding though the countryside at milking time. We pulled into our motel about 4.30 and were please to stop for today. We went for a hunting and gathering and found a hamburger shop that claimed to be one of the top 50 in the world and 46 on the RACV list of tourist attractions. The burgers were good but who really knows. It was off to bed for an early night. Great Ocean Road tomorrow. That should be another highlight.

Day 19 Launceston to Devonport - last day in Tassie

I did not sleep that well although I did dream that Logan found it. Anna and I had agreed to get up early as soon as the sun was up and start what we thought was a hopeless search. Dressed and heading out the door here on the hand rail was part of the fob and a note give me until 7 and we go and have a better look. At 2.30am they had found the bit that had the top box key and the battery in it but the rest was still missing. Where our prayers being answered? It had hit the road and busted into 5 separate parts. Logan and I when to the spot where they had found it on a bridge about 8k from the home end. They had search 40 odd kilometres in vain. We walked down under the bridge. Straight away on the short grass eaten down by the sheep I found the other half and the rubber mount. But the critical circuit board and the fuel tank key were still missing. In about 15 minutes found the circuit board in the long grass. We could not believe it. I rang Robyn. Praise God! We keep looking for the key. It was 8.10 and we agreed to look for 10 more minutes. I had a spare key for this so it was not critical. We had a CSI discussion and decided to look in a different spot. Almost straight away Logan spotted it. We were over joyed. We went home put it all back together. And the bike started. Halalulla. Today is my birthday. This was the best present every. It went from what could have been a very hard day to a great day. I was going to have a happy birthday. Thank you Lord.

The rest to the day was pretty simple besides we packed up and then when for a look around Launceston. First to the gorge and beautiful park land in a gorge that runs into town. Warren shout me a ride on the chair lift which has the longest single span of any in the world. At the other end we had morning tea and were entertained by the peacocks and their chicks. Robyn and Anna rode back and we when to the city park. A place with beautiful big shade trees and great grass. We sat around and yarned. Our trip was about to change. Shelby is going to Cambodia with a Uni trip in another week so Deanne, Joel and Shelby were flying home today to get ready.

Warren and Kerry left after lunch to here for Devonport and see the Sargisson's, a couple we used to work with at MCC. At about 3.30 Logan took the Deanne and crew to the airport. On his returned we all headed for Devonport. We followed the highway for about 20 mins and we were sick of the cars so we turned north at Westbury and head for Devonport via Port Sorell. There were almost no cars but we did meet a few milk tankers. In Devonport we returned to the cafe we started our Tassie visit in. Robyn and I shot off for a cuppa with the Sargisson's too. The fairy was running late so we had tea at the cafe and then when down to board. It was after 10 before we pulled out. We were looking for a good sleep after little last night.

Day 18 Launceston - Scotsdale - St. Helens - St Marys

After a late night yesterday we were always going to make a slow start today. It was about 11 before we got going. Today's ride was going to be twisty and Deanne and Shelby decided not to make the trip give they had been prone to travel sickness and Shelby was not feeling that great anyway. Kate was feeling a bit worn and well Joel had to go with the car. They put the day in exploring Launceston. So the rest of us headed off on what would be the best day of winded riding in the hole trip. The ride into Scotdale wound through forest and farmland with a couple of range climbs and descents. In fact there was so many of those today that I don't really remember where they all are. Warren had got the wrap from a bloke in Oatland on they way to Launceston that we should visit the Pub in the Paddock on the road to St Columbus falls. Warren made a friend of and old farmer in Scotdale while I fuelled up. The old fella told Warren it was a slow road and about 50 minutes to the pub. Being 12.30 cause we had a Dee tour get through Launceston. We decide to push on to the Pub for lunch. This old fella may have looked steady but he must rally driver. We got to the Pub about 10 to 2. It was worth it lunch was great. Anna reckoned the best steak of the trip. Great old building with heaps of memorabilia and a wall of photos of motorcyclist that have visited the pub over the years. Reminded me of the Lion's Den outside Cooktown. We when for a look at the falls to wall off our lunch and about 4 we headed on the St Helen's. I was keen to have a pancake at Elephant's Pass near St Mary's. It was late and I had given up until a biker at the servo told us they do tea. He also told us to do St. Mary's pass as elephant pass was pretty rough at present. We followed the coast then turned up to St. Mary's the road was as our biker mate had said. Warren and Kerry got out in front. It really looked like rain but we were just climbing into light cloud. We turned down the hill toward Elephant Pass in St. Mary's and yes they were open. This is one of those must visits in Tassie. The run home was open and free flowing ride. A very satisfying day but he drama saw still to come. As Robyn and stopped to make the last right for home the dash in the GTR started to flash "No Transponder". I had had the fob in my bike jacket pocket and it forgot to zip it and it had fallen out. It bike system only checks for the transponder when you go through 20 km/h the last time we had slowed below 20 was about 60 kilometres back. We had a bit of a look. It seemed hopeless. So soon as we turned the bike off it could not be started again until the fob was near by. I thought our trip was over my heart sank. We looked until dark with no luck. Logan wasn't going to be beat. He and Andrew went out in the car. The rest of us went to bed to have another look tomorrow and work out what to do on a fresh head.

Day 17 Launceston -Day 1 - Highland lakes

There were two things most of us wanted to achieve today some of us wanted to achieve 3. Anna and Kate did. First was to ride the Highland Lakes ride (ride 65) seconded was the Sea Horse Farm at Beauty Point and third "The Hobbit" or see Fairy Penguins.

All the motorcyclist headed out about 10 for the Highland Lakes ride. Because we knew it would be high and she was still not really well, Kerry pillioned with Warren on the Buell. Because we knew there was gravel Andrew headed for Deloraine to meet us at that end while the rest of us headed up from the Poatina end. The ride heads through Longford again were we rode past Brett's mum's place again to show Kate, and then into rolling farmland. They had the largest pivot irrigation units I have ever seen there was one that would have been at least 500m long. Poatina was of the road a bit and was based of the production on hydro power. From here we started to climb. Amazingly we climbed through the cloud. At the top we came to the community of Cramps. It reminded me for all the world on Grumpy Old Men when they go fishing on the lake. It was a number of fishing huts of varying conditions scattered around a boat ramp. There was a gravel road in and from there people seem to have made there own. This was the nature of housing all the way around the lake. Although the quality and permanency of house was much higher in Miena which also have a shop servo and a hotel. We stopped here and had a hot chocolate. The best we had had with the exception on Cadbury.

The next part of the trip included the gravel so we took time to relax before we took it on. We meet a bloke of a Bandit the same as our old one in much better nick. We swap stories. His story was a bit the same as ours about returning to motorcycling after a long time. I think he was encouraged that he was not the only crazy old bloke. The gravel was in good condition and not the same as the map or the signs. There was 9k then about 1k of bitumen and then another 10k followed by 7 of bitumen and finally 2 more of gravel. I was surprised by the amount of traffic we met. The 7k in the middle was new so maybe by next visit it will be all bitumen. Andrew was at the end to met us and he had had plenty of time to scope this end out. He lead us to scope out all the good photo spots and lookouts.

When we got to Deloraine we split up. It was nearly 2pm Warren and Kerry were keen to make the seahorse ranch so were Anna and Kate. So they headed for Beaconsfield and then on to Beauty Point. Andrew followed. Logan, Robyn and I fuelled thinking we may squeeze in another ride maybe to Port Sorell. I was to tried. I still struggle in the afternoon. So we ended up in a cafe in Beasonsfield. Andrew not that keen on seahorses return to join us. All the others did the ranch tour. It sound well worth the effort. They had stories of their unusual life cycle and picture of their vivid colours. We wander around the Beaconsfield Mine museum (did not pay and go in) and found the monument to the mine disaster that stopped the world as they rescued two trapped survivors.

Logan and Andrew when of to join their family in search of Fairy Penguins (to no avail) the rest Hoppers and Tysoes when back to Launceston in search of Hobbit tickets. 6 o'clock was sold out. Hopper came back to the 9 session and Tysoe's wisely went home to bed.

Day 16 Launceston -Christmas Day

Christmas morning arrived and it was a pretty quiet start. Warren and Kerry turned out to be the closest people we had to little kids. We had Skype call with Ben and Nay who sent some Christmas presents ahead of us to Adam and Bec Carey's place and we picked them up from there in the car. They want to be here on Skype when we opened them. So what did we get? I got a shirt with a picture of Ben and Nay on it saying Merry Christmas. Robyn got a coffee mug with a picture of Ben and Nay on it saying I am holding three mugs in my hand. Anna got a snow dome with a picture of Ben and Nay saying shaken not stirred and Kate got a Ben and Nay jigsaw.
We all got ready and made it on time for the Christmas Day service at Gateway Baptist Church where an old friend of other Steve Nicholson is the Pastor. It is a very old church but well adapted with modern technologies. The service was very enjoyable. We returned home to open our secret Santa presents. Kate had set this up before we left. Everyone had some one to buy for . They could not spend more than $20 and they had to make their purchase on the trip. It was great fun and every one agree that Santa had very good elves to do his spying out.
Preparation for Christmas lunch began and by 2 pm we were all sitting down to roast honey ham, roast veges, seasoned chicken and all the trimmings. In true Christmas tradition we all ate to much and and then went for a lie down.
At 4 Anna, warren and Kerry, and Robyn and I went for afternoon tea with Brett one of Anna's WIN work colleagues and his Mum and her partner. Brett's mum owns a heritage list cottage in Longford. It is an amazing little place with a fantastic garden. It was 7 by the time we left. We came home and had desert and a cuppa and a chat content that we had had a great Christmas Day.

Day 15 Hobart to Launceston

Today we split up and went different ways Warren and Kerry went to do the bike shops over in an attempt buy a set of tyre for the Buell. Deanne, Shelby and Joel took the the shortest route to Launceston. The rest of us planned to go to via the east coast's Swansea and complete ride 167 from the Australian Motorcycle Atlas.
Warren was successful to his tyre purchase. A set of Michelin pilot 2 supplied and fitted by 11.30. They were on the road by the shortest route up the Midland highway. Other than taking what is being referred to as a Dee tour (name after Deanne and the in direct paths she takes to get to places) as they got close to the accommodation in Hadspan near Launceston.
Joel had an eventful drive up to . He was pulled over by the police to tell him that he was doing nothing wrong. He was doing 50 km/h in town as he should. The police want to remind him that as a learner he was only allowed to do 80 km /h in Tasmania. Of course this is different to what we were told in NSW. He reckons that they switch board jambs up with calls when a learner is doing more than 80km/h on the open road. Clearly people don't have enough to do.
The rest of us took in the scenic route heading for Sorell and then North toward Swansea. Other than a little drama trying to find premium unleaded petrol, it all when very smooth. I continue to be amazed at the complete lack of pot holes down here. The road winds out to the coast. This is one of those places were the grazing land extends to the beach. We had a great lunch at the bakery in Swansea and then headed up the range toward the tableland and Campbell Town. A place that deserves a much longer visit with another convict built bridge and lists of historical buildings. It was the warmest we have been in Tassie to with the temp being in the high 20's. the wind got up again to and made the last part of the journey to Launceston a little interesting. We rode straight into it most of the way.
On arrival Deane had staked out the place again and found that the IGA next to the units we were staying in was having a free Christmas BBQ. A local tradition for the last 15 - 20 years. The girls (except Kerry who when to lay down in an attempt to throw her flu) went and did the Christmas shopping very excited because our units have full size stoves with ovens so they can cook up a Christmas lunch storm. By the time they returned we were enjoying the local hospitality. We even got a visit from Santa in the fire truck. He has been busy in a lot of the Tassie towns we have been in. They must have a massive Santa budget in the Tassie fire department. It has been great to see them everywhere sharing the Christmas spirit.
With dinner done the rest of the evening was devoted to yarning and wrapping Christmas presents cause tomorrow is Christmas!

Day 14 Hobart Richmond and Huon valley

Our last full day in Hobart and still so much to do. We had to visit Richmond and the Huon Valley. But first it was Sunday and we wanted to go to church. Robyn and I had done some research and we decided the Presbyterian Church at Mt Smart was the go. This is a church plant in similar circumstances to the work the Mackay church in doing in the northern beaches in Mackay. They too meet in a school hall built with the federal governments BER funding. David Jones a former Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia is the minister here. He thought he recognised me but it was David (my brother) he knew. It was great to be in church to enjoy the ministry and fellowship without any concern for how other people were perceiving it. Warren and Kerry had a similar experience the pastor at the AOG church they attend when to college with their pastor in Townsville.

After church we came home changed and went to Richmond for lunch. Most of the crew went to a maze and had some fun trying to find their way out. Anna and I when for a walk to the lolly shop and tried to get a perfect bridge picture. Warren Kennedy a friend of ours from years back met us with his family for afternoon. We had never met his wife and kids so it was a just great. One of those continuing the conversation we had last time we meet. We had stayed with Warren last time we were here. By the time we said goodbye it was about 5.

Time to use some of that daylight we had been saving. It is not dark till 9 - let's do the Huon valley ride. Kate and the people in the car went home to rest and sort tea. (Kerry is battling the flu now so she did not ride today). The Huon Valley was specular as I remember. We followed the coast down through Snug around the bottom to Cygnet and then to Huonville. We stopped for photos of the Shot Tower and coast at the southern part of the ride and the Huon pine tree sculptures along the river bank in Huonville. The highway back to Hobart was mostly two lanes with heaps of wide sweeping corners and great views. The whole ride was really good fun and we were home before 9.

The other did not let us down on the tea front with a great meal ready on our arrival home. The day was no quite complete. Friends from Mackay Glen and Penny Hodges came over then for a cuppa. It was great to catch up and share stories of home and our lives and families. I think they really enjoy talk to people they had some history with. It is something you miss when you move to a new place. Bed after midnight. Tomorrow we move camp.

Day 13 Hobart Gordon River Dam Road and Salamanca Markets

I really wanted to do the Gordon river dam road. It appeared that to fit it in the only time was to get up and leave early. Warren and Logan were committed to coming with me so" I will wake you at 5.30" I told them. New ground I slept in. Warren woke Anna who woke me at 6. We were still away at 6.20 and it was cold enough not to be too upset at being a little late. The forecast said this was to be the only day so far that Tassie was in full sun. They lied. While it was not raining we did not see any sun until the second half of the return journey. We fuelled at New Norfolk and headed west.
This is an amazing place. The contrast in the country always takes your breath. The road was in excellent condition and great fun to ride. Because we had left so early we had it to ourselves. We made a couple of stops to get photos. Nothing prepared us for what we were to see at the end of the road. The dam is simple amazing. There was, what on the way back up felt like, a thousand steps down to the dam wall. Once you were down there you could walk across the wall. The workers have this frightening cable car system that transports them to the bottom of the wall with a number of stations on the way. We rode back to a photo shoot at the highest point in the road sign that told us it was 651m and the annual rainfall was 190 cm. My motorcycle map book said "come to Tassie and don't ride this road is like going to Disneyland and not having a photo with Goofy." They are right.
We stopped for some breakfast at Maydena about 11 and then meet the girls at the Salamanca markets. Here we caught up with another ex student Arunua. She was working in a coffee shop there and loving life.
By the time we got back our day was done. The girls went to the movies while us bloke made leftovers into tea and watched Evan Almighty on TV.

Day 12 Hobart -Port Arthur

Made an early start, well early for us. Because we have the hire car for another day only Warren, Andrew and I rode today. Our destination was Port Arthur. We arrived and worked out the best way to get in was to be a large group and get a 10% discount.
Our walking tour was to start a 11.30. After the guides we had had on Sarah Island this bloke was very disappointing. To make it worst his mic stopped working and he had no idea how to use a teacher voice. We persevered although it was all Robyn and Deanne could do not to walk away. Shelby brightened it up by making daisy rings for every one.
Port Arthur is part of our past and helps me, at least to understand who we are as Australians. What is interesting is how many overseas tourists visit. I am not sure what they get out of it by the operators get they money out of them. This is the only place I have visited that I don't feel rip when I pay to getting. I view it like a tax to cove the cost of protecting this piece of history. As a builder I am amazed at the structures in particular the church. It would have been great to see it complete before the fire in 1893 that burn out all the timber. There is a lot more to say about this place but it is best it you visit it.
On the way home Logan insisted that we see the Blow Hole, Devil's Kitchen and the Tessellated Tiles. These are features on the Tassie coast caused by the impact of the sea on the coast line. He was right, they were will worth the look. Amazing examples of God's handiwork.
We meet everyone at Constitution Dock back in Hobart and finished our day will fish and chips from one of the floating takeaway shops there. Another good day.

Day 11 Hobart day 1

Logan establish a theory that it is always bin day in Tassie. Our first night in Somerset the morning was broken by the garbage collection. In Strahan the same and today in Hobart the first morning sound was - you guess it - rubbish collection.
Today was to be a quiet day for everyone but Warren and Kerry who had to go and retrieve the Buell. After some to and fro with RACQ they managed to secure a car for a couple of days. Logan, Deanne and Shelby took them into the Harley shop where they collected a new belt and then took them down the road to the car hire place where they picked up their Mazda 2. The rest of their day was pretty much going to Queenstown, fixing the bike (a pretty simple task compared to last breakdown) and returning to Hobart.
As for us we headed of to the Cadbury Factory. It was closed on our last visit to Tassie and research showed that today was their last day this season. Logan, Deanne and Shelby met us there. The boys took the morning off.
On our arrival with our $7.50 entry fee in hand, the smiling lady behind the counter announces"Did you know today is community day? Entry today is a gold coin donation." We were already feeling great about our visit then as we walked in they gave each of us two family blocks of chocolate each. Wow this made up for missing it last time. Sorry Ben and Nay weren't here too. The downer was that four years ago the fun police stop them running actual factory tours. They have been replaced with a presentation which was still very good. After the presentation you were encouraged to try one of their hot chocolates which they claimed to be the best on the world. They are. Why because they take three scope of crumbly chocolate and add hot milk. You can only have one and it does not need any sugar. Logan, Deanne and Shelby followed and did the same when they arrived.
We came home and had a light lunch, some washing and nap.
Today was a special day in Hobart you could see the top of Mount Wellington. We decided to visit. Beside Kerry struggles with heights so it might be good to visit when she is not with us. I remember that it was very cold up there last visit and this time was the same. My bike said it was 9 but it was much colder with the wind chill. The view of Hobart and the coast was worth it.
Warren and Kerry got back about 8.30pm.

Day 10 Strahan to Hobart

It was driving to Queenstown on my last visit to Tassie that inspired me to return on a motorcycle. We got away well fuelled and on the road about 10. We were reluctant to leave Strahan as the accommodation was great and we did not expected it to be repeated else where. The weather was a bit like to trip down to Strahan. It looked threatening the road was wet but we experienced little more than a light shower once or twice all day. It seemed like no time and we were in Queenstown. Deanne arrived first (we had stopped at the look out) and scouted out a bakery. It was not a great example but it did provide morning tea. As we ate it while Queenstown had a thunderstorm. Pleased we weren't riding in it. Ashley a girl Warren and I taught at school two years ago and now lives in here came to visit us. It was nice to see her and her boyfriend. After a couple of showers of rain we decided it was clear enough to leave. We mounted up and looked to Warren to lead us out. His bike would not go. Kate beside him looked down to see the Buell had spat it belt out on the ground. Warren was very controlled. After exploring many options Warren ask the police if he could leave his bike with them. Kerry had been on the phone to the Harley dealership in Hobart and they would have a new one by 11am tomorrow. We loaded Warren's panniers into the car and Kerry pillioned with Warren on her bike. They would return to Queenstown tomorrow with the part and repair and retrieve the bike.

I had forgotten had windy the road was up out of Queenstown. Our next stop was Derwent Bridge. We were now a bit later than we had hoped to be. This section of the ride provided a new and frightening experience for me. The wind we came along Lake Burbury was unbelievable we were doing about 80 km/h and there was almost not wind pressure on us. We were traveling with the wind at almost the same speed. I had experience this once before in a storm at Coober Pedy in the '80s. That time we stopped in a cutting until it blew over. This wind was probably going to blow all day. It is fine travelling with the wind but at some point the road will change direction and we will have to cross it. Today this point came as we crossed the lake at a bridge. The wind blew across the lake with not resistance and applied its full force at the bridge perpendicular to its path. Crossing this bridge has been my scariest motorcycling experience to date. All the riders even the car had tales of being blown across the road. By the grace of God all survived all with a story to tell.

The rest of the trip was pretty mild beside this. Lunch at the Hungry Wombat was substantial. It rained again while we ate. We past in The Wall (an amazing wood craving 100m long about the local timber industry we are told) time and price put us off. We need somethings to come back to. We arrived in Hobart about 6. The only thing Warren is happy about his bike breaking down is that he gets to ride this road again tomorrow.

Day 9 Strahan and Gordon river - no ride day

We had booked a when we were in Albury for us all to do the Gordon River cruise. It left a 8.30 and we were on the wharf at 8.15. It was in walking distance 10 mins from our accommodation it cost us $96.50 each but we all agreed that it was worth it. The trip took us out to the entrance to Macquarie harbour a place called Hell's Gates. It was a very narrow entry. The wind was howling in from the southern ocean so on the way out you could hardly stand on the top deck outside. On the way back with the wind it was like a gently breeze. Got some great shots on Joel leaning into the wind on the top deck his body at about a 60 degree angle to the deck.
The commentary had some stories of the horror of this entry. It could take 9 days to go to Hobart with the wind and up to 11weeks to get back. The early settlers built a break water by dumping rocks into the ocean from a rail line they built on top as they went. It would have been about 500 metres long. You can still see the tracks. From there we headed back to the Gordon river past the salmon and trout farms that produce an amazing amount of fish. Fingerlings grow to 10kg in 12-18 months. As we entered the world heritage area the boat slowed to 4knots. The rainforest and again the contrast of water to trees in such rugged country was amazing. It is sad that the commentary highlight the great work of men to preserve it with no acknowledgement of the great God that created it. We got off at the furtherest point for a walk through the rainforest on a boardwalk. It was good to get walk in amongst it. The trip included lunch which was plentiful and very nice. After lunch we stopped a Sarah Island. A forerunner to Port Arthur. It only operated for 12 years and became the most productive ship yard in the colonies. So of course the government shut it down. It seems some things don't change. The presenters told the story very well. I really enjoyed this part of the trip.
We arrived back about 2.30pm watched the local timber mill demonstration and went home for a nanna nap. We had make your own mini pizzas for tea, watch a movie from the free collection on site and went to bed. Another good day full of stories to tell.

Day 8 Somerset to Strahan

We got up to a nice morning the sun was out it was cool and at first there was little wind. The plan was to get away about 9.30. Deanne was unwell and ticked off. She never gets sick but here she was on holiday and sick. She was ready to resort to cold and flu tablets. By about 8 we had everyone awake, Logan and Warren were cooking bacon and eggs in the park. It was much more sheltered in the motel complex so we group some of the little tables and had breakfast. Our bags were a bit lighter as we put on most of the clothes and our wet weathers again. Some of the forecasts were mentioning snow. We left closer to 10.30. It is a challenge to have so many people ready at the same time.

Logan, Deanne, Shelby and Joel were headed into Cradle mountain as they missed it yesterday. It did not disappoint. In was cold, wet and spectacular for them too. The rest of us went on to Tullah for lunch. We managed to ride behind the rain. Only once did it shower on us although the road was wet most of the way. The road was great. Tight, smooth and even bends in good condition, almost no potholes. It rises up to the Cradle Mountain turnoff and then from there it was mostly down hill long sweeping bends with some tight stuff. We were reminded that it is really is slippery when wet. Kerry put her bike down too making a U turn before Cradle mountain when her tyre slipped on the white line. No damage. Again Just before Tullah a car going our direction had not made a turn and slid off into the trees.

Lunch in Tullah was entertaining. The people who ran it did a good job but they did not dress anything up. It was the tucker you make for yourself at home. Except the plates of chips. They were huge. From here we when to the museum in Zeehan. Robyn and I (and the girls of course) had been here 10 years earlier it was great then and they have done some major work since to include the adjacent buildings. The Masonic lodge, the police station and court house and the Gallic theatre. As well as building a blacksmiths shop and a motor display, a timber getters hut and a complete underground mine display. Logan and Deanne catch us up here and we spent a good two hours wandering around learning about the timber and mining industries that opened this area up. All the time thinking how cold life must have been.

The ride to Strahan was different to any thing in Tassie to date. There were big long undulating straights with some 60km/h bends in between. The most spectacular was coming over a peak to have our first full view of the west coast and the southern ocean. The greatest surprise was still to come. Castaway Cabins in Strahan is a great place to stay. We had little houses to stay in with two bedrooms a full kitchen and a large dining lounge, heating, an everything provided (for a gold coin donation) laundry and they provided undercover accommodation for our bikes. Kerry and I are now worried that Hobart and Launceston may not be its equal. We had tea some watch a movie while other went to bed. One more point of interest. Their is no Optus reception in Strahan. Again the accommodation came up trumps - $5 for wifi for the length of your stay.

Day 7 Devonport to Somerset

The boat arrived in Devonport on time at 6.30. We rode out of the harbour enclosure and around the corner. There is an enterprising business offering all you can eat breakfast. A large group of bikes were already pulled up so we joined them. Logan had to go back to Launceston to collect Deanne, Shelby and Joel. I was pretty keen to do what we had come to Tassie for - to ride. My motorcycle atlas showed two rides we could do on our way to Somerset where we had booked for the night. The skies looked threatening so we dooned our wet weather gear and headed south toward Cradle Mountain. The country was so dramatic and the roads were great. Our enjoyment was tainted a little by the threat of rain and how cold it was. We headed for the coffee shop at Cradle Mountain. It took some time to warm up and dry out. Andrew was not so well prepared for the wet -he was only wearing his jeans. He had to be careful he did jump too much in case his frozen knees shattered. Kate had a bit of a melt down or a freeze up might be closer the truth. To be fair my bike was telling me it was 5 degrees outside. With a couple of stops we made it.
We meet Deanne Shelby and Joel at Somerset. They had found the place we were booked into. Unfortunately I have miscommunication to Logan. He thought we were staying at Smithton. So he had ridden through Somerset and on to Stanley. I had planned to ride out to the west coast that afternoon so he decided to wait in Stanley for us and we would met him after lunch.
The ride to Stanley was a challenge for me. Rides after lunch have been proving to be so. Stanley was worth it. The Nut was in contrast to the farmland around it. The wind was unreal. Kerry and Deanne fell in love with Stanley and were already planning their return holidays. This visit the chair lift was operating. We paid the $12 return and Anna and Kate, Robyn and I and Deanne and Shelby went up. Logan walk up to get some footage later. We decided to give the west coast a miss this time and returned to Somerset. Logan scrubbed up the BBQ in the park across the road and cooked up the steak and onions which we ate in our motel room in shifts. The wind was blowing way to strong and it was way to cold to eat in the park. All in all our first day in Tassie was a good one but tomorrow we would be better prepared for the cold.

Day 6 Albury to Melbourne

Got up this morning to the sound of rain on the roof. It appeared to easy through the morning and when we left it was heavy looking but not raining. Robyn and I had not brought our wet weather liners because we had left them with Ben by mistake on our last visit to Brisbane. He mailed them to Jeff in Albury so the first day we had them we needed them. The rain started about 10 minutes out of Albury. It drizzled most of the way but then it got really heavy fortunately a service station with a Maccas attached appeared. We wheeled in fuelled the bike only then did I realised it was a storm with lighting and all. We all agreed that hot chocolate would be a good idea. Looking like drowned rats Kerry and Robyn ordered. "Would you have that here or take away?" Kerry and Robyn lost it. We hung all our wet gear all over the play ground.

Logan and Andrew dropped Deanne, Shelby and Joel at the airport and were at Adam and Bec Carey's by the time we arrived. We had a cuppa and a yarn. Headed for the harbour about 4.45. After a small detour we found the harbour and joined the queue for the ferry. Loading went very smoothly. They have a tie down system that is a continuous strap with loops that secure over the handle bars ends and a ratchet strap type tie down each side that hooks to tie down points on the deck. You just need to park with your handle bar ends over these points. On Warren's the strap rubbed on his paint work so their blokes tying it down asked for a glove which they put between the strap and the bike. Robyn in the car joined us on board a short while later as the car did not get to jump the queue like we on the bikes did.

The cabins are snug four of us in each we had a girl cabin and a boys cabin. The boys went in took off their boots and start to settle in. Soon there was a knock on the door. It was a crew member. "Is everything OK here. Just that the fire alarm went off in this room." Other than that it we a nice evening with friends. As we came out of the harbour it got a little rough causing us to stager a little. It was nice to be rocked to sleep.

Day 5 Albury

Today was our planned rest day and it was well planned. No one got up too early. I when down to Maccas - you guess it free wifi- and update this log there was lots to tell. Quite day did the washing, went to the bike shop and brought mirrors for Kate's bike. Jeff had a good ride planned but he scaled it back to a ride along the Lake Wyoma across the Wyoma ferry into to Victoria. With our eight bikes it was full and free. Thanks Main Roads. We wound our way aback along the south side of the lake then across a long truss bridge to the wall of the Hume Dam. The ice cream shop is very generous with their serves so we had to sit on the veranda for some time yarning while we finished them. Came back showered and then went to Springvale Heights Tavern for tea. Great day great night. Thanks Jeff and Ailsa for your hospitality. Tomorrow Port of Melbourne and Spirit of Tassie.

Day 4 Dubbo to Albury

Today was meant to be the day that we would all start together. But with the events of yesterday Warren and Kerry were starting well back with a 400 k handicap and still had no bike. But more of that later. The Hoppers keen to make the most of the day were ready to go early wanting to put some time at Parkes telescope. Battaglenes were a bit slower still recovering from their big day from Toowoomba. Lets get the Hopper drama for today over now. As we pulled out of the fuel stop I did not have a clear view. I went to leave and had seconded thoughts and stopped for another look. Kate was behind me and she was on her way. Saw I stopped and thought she had missed something stopped but as she put her foot down it slipped in the loose gravel. With a full tank the bike over balanced and again in slow motion it came down breaking the right-hand mirror off.

The telescope was great. The last time we had been there the visitors centre was closed. The great bit was they moved the dish while we were watching. Logan rings while we are there. "Do you have a shifter?" Was this going to be today's drama. We prayed. Logan and Robyn had a bit of a breakdown in communication explain where we were and we thought that Battaglenes had gone past us. But as we pulled out they rolled up. There was grease leaking out of the LH wheel bearing and was a little loose. The shifter was the right size so we lifted it up and Kate tightened it and it was all good. It was not hot so we agreed that it was over filled and ok.
We traveled all day with the Battaglenes although not together.. We had lunch at the Foster RSL because they had been advertising on bill boards on the way in that they had free wifi. Something we desired as our data plans started to get used up. Warren and Kerry were catching us. They were in Coonabarabran. We meet up with the Battaglenes again at West Wylong. They arrived before us and had their lunch there. We left together. We went ahead following a speed limited ??? semi all the way to Temora where we fueled up. Battaglenes when past. Warren and Kerry were in Parkes. We caught Battaglenes again before Wagga Wagga. Plan was to stop there but we followed the signs to Albury and basically bypassed the place. What we did find was a great bakery in Uranquinty. This was the first time we had been caught out with daylight saving. We were just settling in went they shut the doors for the day. Warren and Kerry were in West Wylong.

We rang Jeff -Kerry's Dad - he wanted to ride out to Culcairn about 50 k and ride with us into Albury. He guided us to our accommodation The Albury Motor Inn which was great. We went to Jeff and Ailsa's for tea about 7.30. Warren and Kerry were there before us. The complete Tassie team was together at last. Jeff and Ailsa provided us with pies, peas and mashed potato. The perfect meal after what was our hottest day yet. (38 in Wagga)

Day 3 Goondiwindi to Dubbo

Set out this morning for another big day. Plan was to ride to Moree for breakfast and then to Narrabri for morning tea and then to Coonabarabran for lunch then on to Dubbo. About 500k. We left Gundi at 6 as planned and stopped for our boarder crossing photo. In Moree I was not sure where we should stop. I was thinking a Maccas for the free wifi but we were a fair way in and we had not seen one. Then I spotted a bakery and thought why not. There was a park out front. I pulled up and the others pulled in behind me. Then I learnt the short falling of panniers Warren pulled up behind me and started to roll back in as did I. I was looking to my left to see how close I was to the curb however on the other side my pannier bumped Warrens and catching him off balance. In slow motion his bike when to the ground. *#*!!! Once we recovered from being annoyed and assessed it there was a small amount of damage to Warrens right pannier and his hand guard. I went for a look and the Maccas was just round the corner so we all went on for breakfast. Breakfast was fun and if that was the only drama for the day it would have been great. No so.
We got about 20k out of Moree and Warren felt something was wrong with his bike. Kerry pulled up and they waved us on. At least I think they did. We went on anyway. We soon got a call from Kerry to say that his tyre looked like it was going flat so he was going to head back to Moree. They would catch us up. For the Hoppers the rest of the day went to plan.
Morning tea at a great bakery that had an upstairs eating area where we sat on the veranda that over looked the street. A great perspective on Narrabri. In Coonabarabran we brought pies and went to the park were we came to the attention of geese. On to Dubbo through the Goonoo state forest. We arrived in Dubbo about 5.30 local time. (Now in daylight saving). The other exciting thing was that the Battaglene's were on the road and looked like joining us about 9.30pm and they did.
Back to Warren and Kerry who were having the adventure no one wants to have. On his return toward Moree it became clear that the problem was much greater. The left hand side rear wheel bearing had clasped. He called RACQ who sent a truck to transport it back to Moree. Warren had visited the bike shop that morning before the Maccas breakfast he should have said see ya later.
Warren threw himself in with the workshop boys as they started on their new most important job. The wheel bearing turned out to be something readily available - well at least in a town that survives on keeping harvesters going. The problem was the spacer - a long tube that goes between the left and right bearings. The collapsed bearing had severely damaged one end. The young bloke in the workshop did a recon of the engineering workshop up the road and found an aluminium tube that would do the job. It just need boring out. Unfortunately it was not their most important job and they would have to wait for the morning to get it sorted.
Kerry booked them into the Motel across the road which happened to have artesian pools. They applied the therapy of sitting in the hot mineral pool before jumping into the cold one. Good prep for the big day they fronted tomorrow catching up. And so day 3 closed. Much more eventful than the spread sheet indicated.

Day 2 Mt Morgan to Goondiwindi

Got away from Mt Morgan about 6, fuelled in Banana and got to Theodore for breakfast. Warren's folks were there with breakfast set out. Warren cooked bacon, eggs and sausages on the BBQ that his dad had spent the last couple of days cleaning up. It was the first time it had been used since the flood. The early start had been great it was a very pleasant ride.

I wanted to stop at Isla Gorge. I had been there once as an apprentice. There is stuff you don't remember like there is 1.3km of gravel to get in. The view is amazing as I remembered. I am sure many people rush past and never see it. Our first trip drama happened here. As Warren put his side stand down one of the bolts holding it on broke. It took a fair while to get the other one out so we could remove the stand completely. In the meantime the girls watched the local SES boys practice mine recuse.

We decided we would see what we could get to fix it in Miles in the meantime Warren could only stop beside trees so he could lean his bike there. Made it look like a real dirt bike.
Pulled up for a short stop in Wandon where we rang Gorgon Gilmour an old friend of ours just in case he was in Miles (I thought he work at the garage in Dulaca - he doesn't he works in Miles) He was and we arranged to have lunch together and discuss the bike. And catch up.
It was great to catch up with Gordon. He sounded like he was having a pretty bad day so it made his day too. Warren and Gordon and I went back to Gordon's work and fix Warren's side stand which required removing the muffler. Fun fact - Gordon works with a lady who used to race sidecars at Bathurst.

We were back on the road about 3.30 had a short stop at Moonie for an ice cream and to reminisce about living there when I was working in the area as an apprentice. The place has chance a fair bit and now sells a full range of western wear including those short footy shorts. We got into Gundi about 6.30

Lessons for today have friends in the right place in times of need. Wide loads here can be very wide. We met 10 today 2 with police escorts

Day 1 Mackay to Mt Morgan

We left at about 9.30 and meet Warren and Kerry at Shell City Gates. Our first stop was Flaggy Rock where we had the biggest sausage rolls ever more like a meat loaf. We left there at 12 pm. Lots of road works and it was starting to get warm. I had to stop once because I was getting sleepy. Stopped again at Malbrough for fuel and a drink. Still full from morning tea and it was too hot to eat much anyway. Rode to Yamba and again had a drink and a stretch. Then on to Mt Morgan. Arrived about 4.00 pm
Lessons from today-
Get move sleep before you leave. 4.5 hrs is not enough
Avoid the middle of a hot day if possible.
Road works happen suck it up.