Day 4. Strahan to Strathgordon
Todays word is Rain.

It has rained virtually all day most of it prettty perisistant
We have had a really good day despite that.
We left Strahan in drizzle and then ascended a winding road up, up and over the Lyell highway to Queenstown where we stopped for breakfast. A pretty little old mining town nestled in the hills and with the surrounding mist it had a distinctly NZ west coast feel about it.
We visited the local museum which is extensive to say the least, room after room of exhibits, there was even one dedicated to electricity. I have to admit to working with some of the equipment on display, I guess I belong in a museum too.
So on we went, I have to say we are a bit over feeling damp and totally layered up as all day the temperature has struggled to reach double figures.
I did see a t shirt which I might buy that said “Its a rainforest so don’t moan about the rain”
Fair enough
We have spent most of the day riding through rainforest on really good motorcycle roads and I think my rain riding has improved especially my confidence in the bike and its tyres. But as I’ve got faster I can’t shake the thought that at any moment a kangaroo or a wallaby might jump out and say Boo!
We stopped at one point to check out a waterfall which was very nice and it was good to stretch our legs with a 30 minute walk.
After a quick stop for a bite and hot coffee we turned off to our destination Strathgordon. The road is a motorcyclists dream with bugger all traffic. Once again mostly rainforest but we climbed over a couple of ranges and the scenery changed to dramatic tussock lands and bare rock cliffs, very nice but we only stopped a couple of times for a quick pic.
Strathgordon is at the site of a large hydro dam which we will view in the morning. The accommodation is converted worker’s accommodation and is very nice.
The hotel staff had pre warmed our room- awesome.
I am sitting in probably the best stocked bar I have ever seen so there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
We’ve just had a count up of how many layers we had on today from the waist up Robyn had six layers on and I had 7! Yikes!
I have a funny story for the boys. Our waiter who is american has just brought me a pint, literally full to the brim, he said he brought the same beer to a customer last week with the usual head on it, the customer said “ this isn’t fuckin Germany mate, in Straya you pour the beer all the way to the top.” So I’ve got a full pint of beer.




Great that you both stayed upright and warmish. Golly. Who knew Tasmania was so bloody cold and wet in the autumn?! 😮😬 What a relief to arrive to a warm room. Beautiful waterfall snaps. Thanks for sharing your ride with us. 😉🥰
ReplyDeleteNo cosseted armchair travellers here! Teeth set and faces like flint (and some hands like iceblocks) they daily venture forth into the eye of the storm. No turning back, more speed, more beer, more layers! Ahh motorcycling; the way memories are made ;-) Keep on going you guys..
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the really informative blog and great photos. You look like you are enjoying yourselves, even though it is tad wet! Hope it improves so you can experience some dry rides. Just off for normal Saturday morning coffee. Will miss you Robyn.
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