After a glorious two nights rest at the Weldborough Hotel 🏨 (camping though!), I’m pointed in the direction of a track that circumnavigates a lot of unnecessary road to Legerwood. It’s the most direct route I’m told. As before, I’m a tad weary of dirt tracks! Will the rear rack handle any more corrugations? But, as before, the adventurer in me sets off up the track …hmmmm!

It starts with a salutary climb. I’m already off the bike and pushing in the first kilometre. OH dear! I push on as there’s no-one else around by the sheep, cattle and undulating hills. So all good.

As I’m slowly grinding up the gravel track 🚵‍♂️ a guy in a car stops to say hello. He’s promptly exhibiting his collection of gems 💎 harvested from the hills. Paul’s a rare gem hunter. Going by his collection, he’s reasonably good. Spending weeks on-end embedded in the hills panning. Vigorous work, but as he says, wouldn’t wish to be anyplace else. Amen to that!

After 15 km’s of not so bad corrugations, I pop out of the Cascade State Forest 🌲

Joining the Tasman Highway once again enroute to a prominent memorial site at Legerwood.

Legerwood Memorial Trees were planted in 1918 to honour soldiers killed in World War I. In 2001 a report on the condition of the trees showed that they were no longer safe, and the community were devastated that their memorials would be lost. In 2004 it was suggested that the stumps be carved into a likeness of each soldier. Eddie Freeman a chainsaw carver, from Ross, was employed by the Legerwood Hall and Reserves Committee to sculpt the masterpieces we see today. I found this site moving and peaceful.

I made myself comfortable in the converted railway station BBQ area. It was from here that I made the decision to book my flight ✈️ back to the UK. China Air offered the best fare at £600 back to the UK via the world! It’s all very easy with technology today, just use a cellphone 📱 as the medium, tethered to a netbook, to the internet and the world.

The night is spent on the old Legerwood railway line. All very peaceful next to the fallen souls.

En route from Legerwood to Scottsdale I find another old railway track 🛤️ It’s not on the map. I’m not sure where it leads, but I’m hedging my bets to goes to Scottsdale as it’s running north’ish.

The trail under rubber is embedded gravel, rattling me all the way to Scottsdale. But it was very beautiful, so well worth the bone shaking ride.

While in Scottsdale I used the services of the tourist office to recharge devices and book my JetStar flight to Melbourne for my connecting flight with China Air. They were very helpful and even made me a coffee ☕

Filled up with my customary stores in town and water vesicles. Then head north on the main drag to Bridport.

The days are getting shorter, with sunrise about 0700 🌅 and setting about 1900 🌇 So as I leave Scottsdale, I’m on the look out for a camp spot again. I soon notice a rise of ground. I scurry up through a hedge and find what looks like an old council yard. That’ll do nicely for the night. I listen in the distance to a gig in the park. Nice sounds to fall asleep to as humanity rocks the night away.

Bridport is a small fishing town on the north coast and a very popular camping resort for Tassies. I visit the tourism office first to see If I can top-up my cellphone. I leave it there a while and go for a look around.

The weather is drizzly, so I en-camp under this little shelter for part of the afternoon and lunch 🥪

On my return I find a new book to read on their second-hand shelf. Lance Armstrong Every Second Counts. Should be an interesting read now!

There is the council camp ground near the beach. Not sure whether I should be charged, but pitch up and left it at that!

The weather clears up and a pleasant evening spent watching the sun subside as I stroll the beach.