TOUR OF TASSIE - SAVING THE WORLD - DAY 2 - GATHERING THE ANTI OXIDANTS

[baysidebandidos] TOUR OF TASSIE - SAVING THE WORLD - DAY 2 - GATHERING THE ANTI OXIDANTS


Tuesday, February 17, 2009 12:52 AM From: "Warren Slater"

Bridport to Gladstone Distance 79 km The day started early - very early - or - more accurately - the previous night finished late. We were subjected to the inevitable low grade entertainment that results from finding accomodation above a pub. The poor level of muddled humour slowly and agonisingly deteriorated to confused swearing and then, of course the breaking of glass. Luckily it wasnt too loud and one had to listen carefully to sift thru the mental garbage for smidgins of native intellligence. So it was a slow start trying to catch up from the fitful sleep. It was Sunday and no brekky at the hotel so we had to wait until 9 for a cafe. We went for a walk and visited their docklands. Some interesting craft and the discovery that Bridtown is the launching point for trips to King Island and Flinders Island. That may be a handy trip one day. A full on brek with superb fresh squeezed celery carrot ginger and orange juice, full on works brekky and a mug of coff. Then onto the bikes and off to Tomahawk for lunch. Scenic of course. We met a very interpid Californian who has clocked up about 20,000 kms touring on his tred. So many discussions and comparisons. He was pretty low tech (didnt even have gloves) except for a fancy EPERB emergency beacon type device. He had a touring steel TREK with full 4 pannier bags (weighed about 45 kg of bags and 15 kg bike - so it felt pretty heavy) and size 35 tyres. We had sandwitches and lemon juice at the Tomahawk store. Then off onto the 20km of GRAVEL. The bikes felt good and the roadbase had sand free patches and minimal corregations, so i think we got off pretty lightly. Didnt even have to let some air out the tyres (running at 90 psi) It wasnt long before Gladstone loomed up. A one store, one pub motel town. And we are the only guests !! So we went for a walk and forraged for blackberries (now becoming a habit as we are finding regularly and stopping for some free roadside anti oxidants) They are still coming out so we should be good for the whole week. Then off to the store for fish, chips and cuppucino. Unusual dining area - slap bang amongst the fishing tackle and acessories and magazines. Good grub though. And with it being a short day, we had time to fix the world. What could we do we wondered (briefly) Ah yes - all those visiting cricket teams - they are looking far too relaxed and happy - they need to be more productive and use those strong arm muscles to clear timber - especially near power poles . That will be a big help. After dinner we went back to the hotel. However the staff had gone home and locked up. As we were the only guests we were behoven to break in. I selected a shovel from the back shed but PB beat me with a piece of zincalume flashing. We then watched the new labour force (cricket) on TV and commenced more sawing of wood zzz zzz zzz