Back to Liffey Falls

We plan to ride to Hobart in a couple of weeks and it was necessary to do an overnighter to test Colin’s new ideas for carrying gear. Well, that and do a decent ride to build some stamina after a lazy few weeks.

Monday was a day of cloud and wind. There was a forecast of 50% chance of rain but that didn’t happen. We started by riding to Bishopsbourne, a ride we have often done. My Dentist told me that there used to be a College in Bishopsbourne but, seeing as there is now only a few people living there, it seemed a bit unlikely. So I Googled it and found pages of information. Back in the 1840s there were a lot more people around. Farming involved a lot of farm hands (and convicts) to do the work. Since then the onward march of automation have meant people are not needed in such quantities.

I then checked Google Maps and found the site of the farm that now exists on the site. The trees are European deciduous curtesy of the 1840s College.

The place was born out of the desire for an Oxbridge style college using Launceston Grammar and Hutchins School in Hobart to feed it with students. Some details and pictures can be found HERE. So, the College lasted 10 years give or take a month or two and now the only sign of it is the farm name.

After we looked around and located the College site we continued on to Bracknell. There we pulled in and had lunch. The wind had been a side to 10.00 o’clock and had slowed us down. It also pulled a surprising amount of power out of my battery. I realised I would have to run on really low pedal assist in order to climb the hills up from Bracknell and get home tomorrow.

The climb begins gently but always there.

It was with some relief all round that we got to the top and the downhill to the campgrounds began.

We bagged a nice spot by the river, set up the tents and began drinking coffee, tea and eating! Then we sat around and discussed the fact that when we get back tomorrow we will know who the new Tasmanian Premier will be – the current guy having recently resigned.

Later we spotted a platypus. The family next door came and watched the plattie head downstream – quite quickly.

Then the mosquitoes came out so it was time to turn in. I am using my phone a bit more for entertainment while on trips. I recently junked my old Podcast software that didn’t want to download a podcast. It’s replacement works well and I had noise to cover the sound of tinnitus when trying to get to sleep. I also had a few books loaded – so all was well. Except it’s really annoying when an e-book labelled as Sci Fi turns out to be sword and spells fantasy!

My shoulder is gradually getting better with the exercise regime and the camp proved it. Last time up at the Falls it was sore all night. This time it was no worse than it is at home. A good sign.

The next morning we had an early breakfast, packed up and headed home. The climb out was taken slowly to warm up the legs. The day was sunny and the bush all around looked sparkling. Once up the hill it was a great downhill run to within a couple of ks of Bracknell. Not a cloud in the sky, countryside easily cruising past, no big hit on the battery – terrific.

After Bracknell I began to feel really tired. The previous day I had to put in more effort than normal and it as showing. Also, although the shoulder was OK I didn’t get much good sleep. Not used to the sleeping mat / pillow as yet. Need more practice.

Colin and I amicably parted company at the Wilmore’s Lane junction. He went into Longford the less hilly way – and I would have too if I had had to pedal all the way without a motor to assist. I rode Wilmore’s Lane and was pleased there was enough juice left to hit up the PA when climbing the hills.

So, another S36O completed. HERE is the video. The noises are all from the chain and motor – plus a squeak that I haven’t traced yet. The camera is mounted very close – I will find an extension “pole” to move the camera further away – hopefully to get rid of feet too.

Til next time ……