ALBANY VINTAGE &
CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB
Bonds' Trip to Tasmania
WE set off early to catch the Spirit of
Tasmania. The sun was shining right into our eyes and we
missed the ferry exit off the Gateway Bridge. Panic
stations! We kept bearing right because we could see the
ferry and made it in time.
The outfit attracted a lot of attention.
People were amazed at the sight of a motorbike pulling a
sidecar and a large trailer. The trip was great. The sea
was calm and the meals were really good. In the bar we
met several other biker couples, one of whom John had met
before on his way to Philip Island last year. He was from
Queensland and they'd met at Norseman. Needless to say we
bumped into them several times in the next few days and
camped right next to them at Strahan a week later.
Monday we went to Stanley and The Nut and
we got our first wetting on the way back. Tuesday the sun
shone again and we went to meet up with the Tassie Tour
2002. There were 177 vintage bikes and one "road
train" (John and I). There were bikes from N.Z.,
U.K. and everywhere else in Australia.
They set off and we began to sample the
Tassie hills and hairy bends, but spectacular scenery
always. Queenstown was a depressing place - like a lot of
old mining towns anywhere I suspect, but a ride on the
ABT Railway was a joy, hopefully that will help restore
the place soon. Bronte Park in the Central Highlands had
no lawnmowers, only horses mowing the grass, but it
worked OK.
It was cold on the bike from there to
Hobart. Cadbury's factory was great - plenty of freebies!
Enjoyed the museum in Hobart. Port Arthur's historic site
was worth seeing for sure. Launceston - some lovely old
buildings. Campbell Town everyone wanted to tell you of
their history. Elephant Pass I couldn't look, so sheer
the drop. St Helen's on Palm Sunday, a beautiful morning
with Christians marching, waving palm fronds and singing
hymns which I enjoyed very much.
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