Saturday 19th January a day out on Mountain bikes

Last night Britt did us a fantastic tea once again with strawberry and ice cream for desert. The strawberries were home grown fresh from Britts garden.
Today Britt lent us her mountain bike and her friend Ken did the same, which enabled us to tackle a rail trail that they deemed (quite rightly) too bumpy for our little Bromptons.
The North East rail trail between Tonaganah and Ledgerwood lasted for 22km and had a good bit of climbing in it. We encountered many Wallaby and were, just as last week, we thought that was mind blowing, we had now got quite used to them hoping about around us. We had our first snake encounter of our trip on the trail, when I spotted a snake basking in the sun right across the trail. We were told that if you make a noise the snakes will wonder off, but this guy was going nowhere. We put the bike between us and the snake and walked around him.This is actually our second encounter to be honest as we came across a snake in the road some days ago.When we looked closer however we realised that it had a head the shape of a shraeder valve and then worked out it was a discarded cycle innertube.Today's was for real however.
We were running short of water so we deviated of the trail and went to Branxholm where we got a drink and sat in the park opposite the shop. Britt had made us a lovely lunch, she can really make a mean sandwich. In fact it was so good that I needed a snooze afterwards. We are being so well looked after. It is back to cycle camping next week and when we finally start doing our own cooking it will come as a real shock.
We were just about to set off on our return trip when Catherine spotted that her front tyre was fully down.Britt had equipped us with a spare innertube for the borrowed bikes however, which we soon sorted.
It had been recommended that we see the wood carvings at the end of the bike trail at Ledgerwood, so we diverted off the main road to see them.
What had been an old station had been turned it to a fantastic picnic area.It had old railway carriages turned into little rooms and even had free electric hot plates for a barbecue.Some trees had been planted many years ago in memory of the village inhabitants. The trees had to be cut down when they became dangerous and so they had turned them into fantastic carvings which depicted the fallen inhabitants.It was really well done so "good on ya" local community in Ledgerwood, you did a real good job.
After that it was back to Scottsdale for tea and 68 Kms done, but not on the Bromptons for once.A good inch of snow back home but sunny all day here with a manageable high of 23 C

Friday 18th January a gentle cycle around Scottsdale

Today began with a little ride into just outside the chinese takeaway in Scottsdale as the have free wifi and we were able to sit outside and phone UK to get an update on family and weather. We then joined Britt and Ken on their local training ride on the lanes and tracks around the town. The weather was cloudy and windy with a few drops of rain in the morning. After a brief stop at the top of a hill we had a break for cake that Britt had the forethought to pack for us all. Wonderful views across to the mountains and into the valleys with small lakes and farm land. We had a late lunch after returning to Scottsdale and then spent a companionable few hours putting the world to rights. We cycled through fields of poppy bulbs which are grown under licence for glaxo and not surprisingly, harvested under strict security.Steve, one of our hosts in Melbourne sent us a photo of our meal which we thank him for and are happy to post this with today's blog.

Thursday 17th with Britt on our first day inTas

We were picked up at the airport yesterday after our delayed flight and soon in Scottsdale.Once again the fact that the Bromptons can easily be transported proves useful.We met up with our good friend Britt.
Tas looks wonderful.We joined Britt with her local walking group today. The Dorset Walkers were doing a walk from Bridport, so within hours of arriving in Tas we were walking with a local group. They were a great bunch of people and we enjoyed the walk greatly.

Waiting at the airport

On our way to Tas but the flight was delayed three hours, but we were not told this until we had for right to the departure gate. So the journey will take up all of the day. At least I found some wifi however so I can catch up on everything.No photos today so I will pick one from the last ten days that deserves a view.

Back to Melbourne Airport 15th Jan

We had a great evening with our warmshowers host Steven and his house mates. Plenty of wifi so we could catch up on everything and he even oiled our chain for us.After lots of dirt roads they really needed a quick clean up and they felt so much better on the road.
All we had to do today was get back to the airport for our trip to Tasmania tomorrow.We said our thanks to Steve and decided we would take a detour along the Capital City Trail to Abbotford
Convent so that we could have a coffee there. It was just a week ago that we were doing this route and now we were dashing along the track without a map just like the locals.Then it was back along the Capital Trail and then along Moonee Pooles Creek up to the airport.
Hotter today must be peaking at about 25 or 26. Staying at a hotel very near the airport but the room has air conditioning which is useful.You really want to be out of the heat between 2 and 4PM if you can.We have missed the really hot weather so far as it cooled as we got to Aus .Forecasts are for temperatures to increase although usually Tas is a bit cooler than the rest of Aus or at least that is the theory.

Back to Melbourne

We left Phillip Island by ferry to the mainland and then got a train into Flinders Station which was a lovely old building right in the city centre. Hectic in the centre but really different with trams going to and fro all the time.
Easy day tomorrow going back towards the airport ready for the Tas flight on Wednesday.
We have been here a week now with 135 miles covered on the bikes mainly on trails rather than roads.

The Nobbies

Cycled across Phillip Island to the far west peninsula called the Nobbies. Fantastic scenery just like the West of Ireland with seal island just off the coastline.
A high of only 19 degrees today and cool in the wind, needed few layers on which was a surprise. The forecast indicates it should warm up a little next week, thank goodness for that! We had a lovely meal with our hosts and their extended family before retiring ready for an early start tomorrow as we are travelling back into Melbourne via jeep, ferry, diesel train, electric train and finally a bit of cycling to our next host, Stephen.