The grass cracked under my feet this morning. Jack Frost had visited overnight and it was cold by the banks of the creek out back of the old Railton Hotel. Bruce the owner had a run pubs in the Northern Territory at Daly Waters and Wachope. I asked Bruce how he was finding Tasmania: “Takes a couple of years to get used to the people” he said.

Today’s ride was a bit of a procession really a short 15 kms to Latrobe for breakfast at a great cafe. The owner advised us to take the road that runs along the Mersey to Devonport. it was a great run out along the river. We stopped in at the Australian Axe-mans Hall of fame. We both liked the wood chop, I used to watch it on World of Sport as a kid and would see  the wood chop at the Royal Show. There is something about larger men and sharp axes that’s compelling.

I snapped the giant platypus; another entry into my Australian list of Big things.

In Devonport I walked up the street my Dad grew up in and took a picture of the giant pine my grandfather planted at the turn of last century. Had a great day.

We catch the day ferry back to Melbourne tomorrow and have a week to get ready before we head off overseas on the next leg of our cycling adventure.