Wednesday 11th February Day 4 20150211

Another day dawned – Day 4. Light seeping in from outside woke me at about 6:30, but I resisted temptation and instead rose at just before 7. I had to wait a few minutes for the shower, but it was worth the wait – hot, soft water. Then dressed, I had a cup of tea and some noodles for breakfast – lightening the load on SUZI and making sure I used up what I had brought with me. I sat outside and slowly drank and ate, as well as write up my diary and speak briefly to the others staying here. The other group were preparing to go, so I offered to take a group photo. After the usual shenanigans, I took one and took one for them on Jenny’s camera. They started to drift off, so I pushed SUZI over so it would be quicker to load her. I chatted with the barmaid (Rowena) and her three-year-old (“three” is only three on fingers if you use the thumb and two fingers). Finally I was loaded, checked everything and then headed off at about 8:45 with Spotty working away. I passed the others stopped at the dairy / cheesemaker just down the road. Within a few minutes I was on the Tasman Highway again and heading off towards St Helens. When I got there I passed the Tourist Information Centre before I realised, so I ended up taking a scenic route out of town. As luck would have it, it took me along to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires. I stopped there to take some photos and asked some tourist, “If it’s been a long bay, is it short now?” He retorted that he wondered what upset the children in the area as he had seen, “Children Cross Here” on a sign. We called it quits then. I posted a card to Marilla from here, so I wonder if it will get a “Binalong” postmark. Back in St Helens I called into the Tourist Bureau and got a pamphlet on a backpackers in Bicheno. I decided I would stay two nights in Bicheno and ride down to Coles Bay and walk the track to the top, to see Wineglass Bay, on the second day. The first day I would just walk around the town and see what was on offer. I rang and secured a booking for tonight and tomorrow night. Then I texted the family, got a drink and the papers, sat down and read a little, took some photos and headed off. The road from St Helens to Bicheno passes generally along the coast and there are some very pleasant little settlements along the way. I called in to a scenic lookout to take some photos and nearly got stuck as SUZI slowly went into the uncompacted gravel. As I was leaving, two other motorcyclists (also from Melbourne) stopped and apparently they are planning to spend the evening at Bicheno. I also called into some settlements and one had a house with a grass roof under construction. I arrived at Bicheno and quickly found the hostel. Getting SUZI in was interesting as the driveway is canted with the land, not horizontal. However I got in and booked in (the girl on reception recognised me from the motorcycle), then unloaded in an eight-bed dorm (at the moment, only one other male, a guy from Denmark (near Koge and near Herning) is in there. I changed and then wandered out and found the takeaway at the caravan park had pies (they also list potato cakes on the menu, so I’ll try some tonight). I wandered around the town, got a cold drink and sat in the park to read a little while drinking it. Then I visited the Tourist Bureau (found out there’s a little motorcycle museum in town), walked down to the beach and along the beach while taking photos and back up the main street. I called in to look at a little gallery and there were some excellent art works on show. At Pork’s Place café I had an ice cream and then strolled along to the museum. Although it’s quite small (I would have missed it unless I had known of its presence) there were quite a few bikes in there and most were immaculately restored. The owner does the restorations at home, but does motorcycle work at the same site as the museum. Good to know if I need something. I went back to the hostel, changed bunks (I now picked one with power points next to it), sat in the lounge and wrote up part of my diary for today. A group of young blokes on bikes came in, so I chatted with them a little, but we knew no-one or anything in common. The camera batteries are on charge and I’m just about to read the newspapers. After trying to do the Sudoku, I gave up and went out to get some potato cakes for tea. They were the reconstituted type, so I’ll give them a miss tomorrow night. I walked down to the blowhole and got some good photos there, walked back … and found the hostel full of backpackers on a tour. From only two in the room, it’s now full! Plus they’re all chatting away while lil’ ol’ me is just trying to get some Internet stuff done and then get to bed early. iPod earphones on tonight to drown out the noise. Well, the Danish chap and myself went to bed early. I’ve no idea of what time most of the tour group went to bed or got up, but when I dropped off to sleep no-one else had.