Rising  early in Ross, I was greeted with chilly overcast conditions. The wind had swung around to the southwest. After breaking camp I headed to the local cafe where I enjoyed excellent tea and raisin toast in front of a warm open fire. The cafe was in a converted convict built residence circa 1823. The old glass had a rippled effect and slightly green tinge that distorted the features of those early morning walkers as they ambled past.

Rugged up, I peddled off for Oatlands, however, the secondary road I took which ran paralel with the highway gave out after a few kilometres so I had to double back then take the main road.

Lots of climbing into a blustery but clearing south westerly wind. I rode up through St Peters pass (460 metres) followed by a gentle descent into the perfectly preserved Georgian town of Oatlands, where I was rewarded with more tea served in a china cup and saucer, along with a fresh banana and chocolate chip muffin!

Cycling out of town , I ran into Pam a 65 year old women who is also cycle touring. We stopped and chatted for a while. Pam had cycled to visit her son in Queensland, through England and  plenty of other places besides. Its great to meet an older women who defies the stereotype. As Pam said “I love cycling”.

Steady climbing out of Oatlands in bright sunshine, the wind was across me now or at times actually with me. I reached the top of Spring Hill (480metres) the view across the hills was rather breathtaking as was the descent down into the valley below, for 7 kms I didn’t peddle at all, just feathered the breaks on occasion. Wow!

Rolling into Kempton, another Historic Town circa 1823, I found nothing was open, evidently it’s a public holiday in Hobart today (show day).  The Lions run a free camp on the edge of town that provides showers and toilet for a $10 donation, which is where I will camp tonight before heading to Hobart tomorrow.

Another cracker day in Tasmania!