The flight was uneventful 🛫 As we like it!

Jetstar was pleasant enough to fly with, considering all the horror stories one here’s about no-frills airlines.No complaints from me.

I had seven hours to kill at Melbourne Tullamarine airport during the night. Cash acquired from an ATM and found a quiet corner in a closed Nando’s (Mexican restaurant) to rest my head on a padded bench 🪑

Flight landed in Hobart at 0710 hrs on an overcast Friday morning ☁️ Bike box collected. No outside damage to box. A good sign.

Next, sort out where I was going to stay. Got chatting to a Canadian/Englishman named Pat. We decided we’d head to a campsite near the airport (Seven Mile Beach) as we could share a plot with both tents, so halving the cost down to AUS$12.5o each.

While asking a cabbie 🚕 for a fair price, and bartering, which was not to their pleasure, one guy of middle eastern appearance slammed his door saying we were wasting his time! We laughed! 🤣 Pat knew Hobart well and was perfectly aware that the cabs were charging extortionate fares for the newly arrived (mugs) at the airport.

While waiting for another dowdy cab driver, I briefly let go of the trolley holding our luggage. This had no brakes, and with the gradient of the pavement, it then wheeled off the high curb into the side of a cabbies vehicle.

What could I do? It was an accident. He was in a right rage and wanted to take my name, address so as to forward the bill 💸 Well, that was not going to happen! We then trawled our stuff over to the information desk to garner a bit of advice, while our ranting cab driver went to find the Federal Police 👮

The Feds found us! I informed them what happened. They advised the cabbie that he’d enjoy no luck acquiring anything out of us, and he’s to use his insurance and leave us alone. Personally, I don’t think the police particularly liked the cabbies anyhow!! They took my name and driving licence details. This was all I could offer as I had no aussie mobile number as yet, and I’m of no fixed abode … good thing that!

Pat eventually gets a cab (non-middle eastern appearance), plus most of my kit (I’m trusting!!). I roughly assemble my bike and make the nine kilometre cycle to the campsite. It’s now midday!

We decide, the best way to subsequently spend the rest of the day is in the sunshine outside a pub 🍻 So an AUS$5 return bus ticket is purchased to Hobart city centre.

A pleasant way to see in Hobart after the mornings run-in with the law!