Betten On Bike: DAY 5 - 23/0215 TARRANA TO RICHMOND

Day 5 – 23/02/15 - Tarrana to Richmond

Cycling Stats: 75 kms

Average speed: 25.2 kms per hour

Walter & Steve left at 7am with smiles even though it was overcast and a few rain drops were falling. I think they were glad to be back on their bikes.

Walter told me that it was very hilly and quite windy – lots of big climbs but of course that also means lots of lovely big descents too. The last climb was a startling 12% - so quite steep.

Seeing the aftermath of the devastation of the Dunalley fires of 2 years ago Walter said was quite remarkable. The charred trees were ever present for many many kilometres so the scale of the fires must have been enormous. We were told that the temperatures hovered around 50 degrees when they roared through the region. Unimaginable how very frightening that must have been.

Gill & I met the guys at Sorell for coffee at the local bakery. Then a bit of shopping for us for groceries and then on to Richmond. Lots of famous wineries in this part of Tasmania – Puddleduck, Frogmouth and a cheese maker with a wonderful name ‘Wicked Cheese’ which we found in a local gourmet shop in Richmond and yes it was rather tasty. We saw vegetable crops such as spinach and also some sheep farms – so lots of rural landscapes.

We arrived at Richmond Camping ground and very soon after the predicted thunderstorm hit, lightening and heavy rain which poured down for around an hour. After the storm the temperature dropped significantly from 27 to under 20 degrees. Tomorrow the forecast is for 11 to 18 degrees so considerably colder that what we have experienced in the past few days. We had a nice brisk walk in Richmond exploring the old buildings and shops. It is such a historic town with so many of its original buildings that you almost feel you are in the 19^th century as you amble through the streets – lots of local arts & crafts.

This also means arm & leg warmers to be unpacked for the big ride tomorrow.

Steve & Gill cooked tonight – a very tasty and hearty roast pork & heaps of roasted vegetables all cooked in their big electric frypan. They really are very experienced campers. Thank you - yum