We woke to noisy, inquisitive ducks, playful platypus and a heavy dew. It was only 4 degrees in Deloraine this morning, however clear skies an fair winds were a good omen.

As much as possible we took back roads, they tend to be more interesting and have far less traffic. We followed the road to Exton, noteable for its pig farm, on to Westbury which proudly proclaimed its status as “Tasmania’s Tidy Town winner 2015”. Westbury’s oval boasted the largest set of cricket stumps I have ever seen, in honour of a local boy made good, Jack Badcock who as a champion cricketer. He made his debut for Tasmania at age 15, and went on to play with Sir Donald Bradman’s invincibles.

Hayley was once a coach stop on the way to Launceston, nice enough with great colonial architecture to entice us to stop ourselves for morning tea. Just past Carrick, we had to venture onto the Midland highway for a few kilometres to Perth so we could then make a detour to Evandale, a beautiful Georgian village famous for the annual Penny Farthing race.

With the weather conditions fine and warm we made good going with the assistance of a nice tail wind. At the Evandale information centre we were told of Clarendon a classic intact colonial era farm complete with grand mansion laid out gardens and original farm buildings set on the banks of the Esk river. It’s now run by the National Trust. The grounds also house the Tasmania Trout Museum.

We rode the 12 kilometres from Evandale to Clarendon, passing a dozing tiger snake along the way, where for the price on entry $15.00. Not only were we able to tour the property we are able to stay the night, camping on the grounds.

They closed the gates at 4 pm, with no other visitors, Therese and I have the grounds of Clarendon to ourselves tonight. Lord and Lady of the manner if you please, just us and the ghosts of convicts past.

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