Day 8 - Nubeena Free Day

Today was another free day for the tour after yesterday's ride from New Norfolk to Nubeena on the Tasman Peninsula.

gracious recipient

Leaving New Norfolk at about 10.30 after handing the Tosser Award to Roger McGregor, our journey yesterday took us over the Tasman Bridge, through historic Richmond where we communed with an international Hash House Harriers convention of 1000 runners and walkers who were raising funds for research into the facial cancer disease that effects the Tassie Devils.

Peter and Toni fed and happy


Lunch was taken as needed with many having a bar meal at the Dunalley Hotel. As we crossed from the Forestier Peninsula to the Tasman Peninsula the riding groups again took different routes to our destination - the Parsons Retreat Resort at Nubeena.
A quick visit to Port Arthur for the Parker team spending 2 or so hours mooching around while Don headed straight for the accom taking a spa and swim on arrival. 

convicts or escapees??


With a free day ahead of everyone there were lots of Indians on the road again.
Port Arthur was the destination for the day for many - Murphy's, Frank Hutch, Rod B, Wanda and Lamont, Gary and Jenny were some of the visitors to the site; Darryl and Bronwyn went with Mick and Sue on a cruise that started at EagleHawk Neck and took them all the way around the peninsula through the Tasman Sea and into the Southern Ocean. 

Murphy's on cruise at Port Arthur




Jenny Maskell enjoying Port Arthur



The Whites and Morgans showed once again they can do 2 things at one time - treck the tourist trail and cook a roast lamb dinner. What the 2 Whites couldn't do however was find the Coal Mines historical site - Australia's first coal mine. Convicts from Port Arthur, when they had been really naughty, were sent to the mines shackled and chained in a gang to work underground for weeks at a time. The site impressed Jim P so much he spent the evening waxing lyrical to the tourers about what he saw. Mind you, he was more taken by the reasons for the closing of the site in the 1870's - something to do with immoral behaviours amongst the convicts.. 

the View from EagleHawk Neck


Lindsey Jennings went to Remarkable Cave after Port Arthur and says it is remarkable - the opening is a map of Tassie (read into that what you will).
The Kavs, Harry, Peter Van, Sharon and the Birthisels cracked oysters off the Tesselated rocks at EagleHawk Neck as well as eating Crayfish and Oysters from the Fish Van at the Blow Hole.  

Oysters a la Kav


The highlight for most tourers today was our visit to the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park - these little critters kept us entertained for ages. They have really bad breath and make the loudest of growls but they are engaging and dead set ugly.  

new club member Fred the Devil


No Tassie Tosser was awarded today - this will be on the agenda for tomorrow we hope!

Day 6 - New Norfolk

 FREE DAY Today everyone was up early and ready to explore the area. Everyone left in groups and spread out north, south and east. Christine and Chris Knoop were up early to farewell her brother, Karl as he was heading back to Melbourne for work. He had a great time and enjoyed his first tour with the IMCA and on an Indian. Christine thinks he did well in that he didnt get the "tosser award" at all.

Most people have opted to go into Hobart and visit the Salamanca Markets. A must see place on a Saturday in Hobart. Lots of arts, crafts, jewellery and leathergoods, all sold by the craftspeople themselves. Lunch was near the markets for some of these people in the Irish Pub or around the town. 

Some others opted to ride further down the coast as far as Southport. Darren, Kylie and their four little ones headed off to the Tahune Airwalk.

Mick amazed at how many varieties of apples



Mick and Sue headed off to Huonville and found an Apple Museum. Thought it was worth a look considering we were in the Apple Isle. Found it interesting and full of history. Still had the old sorting machines they used to sort and grade the apples as well as an old peeling and coring machine. The owner even gave us a demo and offered apples, juice and many other treats. Didnt realize there were so many varieties of apples in Tassie.                   

We then headed back to Hobart where we hung around the Harbour and watched the Lady Nelson, a replica of one of the old boats that sailed into the Harbour in 1890. We then headed to Joes' Garage where we caught up with Chris and Christine. This is a great little pub which is a treasure to all the motorbike and car enthusiasts. Its looks like the ideal blokes garage with tables made of engines and lots of car parts laying around.

Mick, Chris and Christine



Mick in shed heaven



  Other members of the tour savoured the many and varied activities the South of the Apple Isle had to offer.




enough shopping alright!!!!

  Dave, Debbie, Phil and Darryl (aka QLD crew) went to the Air Walk with Sloth, Darren and families. Wanda and Lamont from Iowa took the bus to Salamanca Market with Ian, Alina and the Sundbergs from Sweden. 

parking at Salamanca Market - Jim  and Lyndel



this was the coffee stop believe it or not



After coffee and beers at the Market, the Huonvale Peninsula and Eggs and Bacon Bay was the destination for Lyndel, Jim, Peter P, Stan, Rod L and the Sydney gang - each group going around in different clockwise directions. Garth and Janet spent the day in New Norfolk and environs - the highlight being Salmon Ponds and lunch at the lunatic asylum (now defunct). Rod rode on the back with Jim and there is now great deliberation as to whether the pillion seat on the BlackHawk has always been bent back as it is now!!!



The Odd Couple





beer at Cygnet





The Bonner's went to Mount Wellington and visited friends whilst Frank H and Chris and Lindsey went deep south to the end of the bitumen at Southport. Kim LeBrun and Noel had a detour due to broken spokes and were ably helped out by Tim the Pom.

Roger and Deb received a round of applause from the crowd at Salamanca Markets when Rog stalled the outfit on takeoff but he made up for it by climbing to the top of the Shot Tower in Hobart - and has a certificate and sticker to prove it.



proof Roger climbed



Bronwyn and Darryl Jenkins made a day of it at the market while the 2 Amigos took a roadtrip to Franklin.

The quietest of us all, however, was Don McGilivray who walked the length and breadth of New Norfolk and had a quiet meal of salmon on a roll in his room while we all had Chinese or a countery at the Bush Hotel.



Fantastic rest day - so much to see and do and we did it!

The Tosser Award was not given out today so we wait with bated breath for the handover tomorrow - and that will be anyones' guess.









Day 5 - Bronte Park to New Norfolk

It was good to see everyone up for breakfast at the appointed hour after the 8 Ball Calucutta and Sharpie Dancing last night - and the thrills and spillsof our previous day (and blowing up chase vehicles etc etc)


Bronte Park Chalet lineup



We woke to brilliant sunshine and knew we were in for yet another brilliant day's riding in paradise. Assembling the bikes for a group shot in front of the Chalet and then off - Peter and Toni off to Hobart to get parts for the backup which will be on the road Tuesday. Everyone else found their travelling buddies for the day and off via the Lyell Highway southwards. Peter Parsnip had to double back to pick up his backpack - which no-one thought much of as he is often found going his own way on runs.



Teez Cafe Tarraleah



We caught up at Tarraleah for morning coffee, chai latte and hot chocolate. The Queensland group (aka the Whites and Morgans) had a look at the Visitors' Centre for the Hydro while others, like Don, rode straight through. Don had left the ignition on just a bit overnight and was concerned about the flatness of the battery so he rode to New Norfolk and put the bike on charge. 

Gretna Green Hotel - "licenced as an hotel"



After a stop at Hamilton for fuel and the chance of a beer dashed because the pub wasn't open until 4pm, the Gretna Green Hotel was the venue for lunch for most people and brought back memories and nostalgic discussion about the last time the club ate there and Phil White's 4 caught on fire. Ian Pryde gave a demo as to how to put out a fire with a pot of beer and Jim  practiced his "OMG not another Indian afire" look...



Roger at Russell Falls or is that Russell at Roger Falls



The waterwheel was used to turn the floor of the hop drying shed
 - Deb McGregor in sidecar



 Variations on the riding routes - Roger and Deb went to Russell Falls and then on to Bushy Park and the hop drying historical buildings, Lamont went a little further along the Gordon River Road to another waterfall, the 3 Amigos (only 2 at the time as Charlie had already gone to Hobart) travelling south via another minor road. Steve K and Peter Van S stopped at intervals to cast their new fishing lines into some of the many lakes and billabongs. No luck with the fish however.



Harry, Steve and Ian relaxing with
34 Standard Scout



After lunch and beers Jim, Lyndel, Jorgen and Stan doubled back to the minor road the others had taken and came into New Norfolk alongside the Derwent River. The accommodation at the Junction Hotel was organised, and some went into town for supplies of more beer and nibbles.  The esky was filled with ice and beverages and we settled in for some conversation waiting for the 7pm dinner bell. Jim found a need for more Baileys so he took Rod L's outfit into town with Steve and Lyndel jammed in the boat. coming home from the BWS store Jim needed to take evasive action not to draw attention to himself as the police cruised past - we think we got away with it...



The Baileys' Runners



Today's Tassie Tosser award went to Don McGilivray for his "failure to start" this morning.  He accepted the award with grace and is keen to pass it on to the next recipient tomorrow.



Peter handing the mantle to Don







Day 4 - Queenstown to Bronte Park

Everyone left at their own pace today as usual. Conor & Eamon Murphy, Rod & Rachel Barker decided on a plane trip around the Heritage area. Some others went for a boat ride around Lake St Clair.
The rest of us rode on up the winding roads of the mountains and stopped for lunch at the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel. Waited for a while to catch up with others and then off the The Wall in the Wilderness. A fantastic wall of carved Huon timber by artist Greg Duncan.
However, the highlight of the day was watching Toni Birthisel being towed into the Bronte Park Village at about 4pm by a police car. It seems she earned the "tassie tosser" day 4 award for breaking the timing chain on her husbands work van and our backup van. The police man just happened to be driving behind her at the time of the breakdown but thought being blonde that she was just taking some pictures on the side of the road. There were a few contenders today and it was hard to decide who should get it. We actually voted. Peter Birthisel was a contender as well as he bike broke down again. Conor Murphy was in the running for it after he came off his bike on the way home from the plane trip while getting carried away with more sight seeing. Don't worry Kaye, they are fine.
We all settled into a great night at the Bronte Park Village. There was a great pool comp with the locals and us but seems they won.
Steve and Lyndel got into the swing of some old songs on the jukebox.

 Overlooking the heritage listed area

 Mick Chegwidden and partner Sue Bull, who is driving his 1938 chev delivery van as second backup

 Roger and Debbie from Albury

 Toni's van being towed by the police car into Bronte Village

 Toni Birthisel thanking her rescuer

 Peter and Toni's van being towed away to be fixed

 Toni  being handed her "tosser award" for day 4

Peter giving Toni a hug and glad that he missed out on the Tosser for the day.

Day 3- Tullah to Queenstown

We awoke to the sound of a helicopter taking off near the lake. Lovely setting beside a lake surrounded by trees to the water and huge mountains covered in a mist which we were about to ride into. Steve Kavanagh was going like a bat out of hell trying to get his engine rebuild before we left. The usual Steve Kavanagh maintenance system. 1. Find a rally 2. Find a remote location. 3. Find a problem with engine. 4. Rebuild in record time and presto!! you have the day 3 "tassie tosser" award. Steve actually bonded with the jester on the sash and renamed him Bob.
Anyway the rest of the day went smoothly. After Steve caught up to most of us in the tiny town of Zeehan about 25 kms away his wife had a flat tyre on arrival. No problem for Steve. As usual the local garage had everything he needed.
Zeehan was a quaint little town. Not much happening, lots of shops closed but Eamon found a fantastic skate park to keep him busy for a while.
Peter Parsons blew another head gasket and resorted to riding Jim's chief and Rod Leihman blew his starter motor but no problem just push starts from now on.
Next stop was a great little seaside town of Strahan. We had lunch there and spent a few more hours. Some people Ian Pride and his wife went on a seaplane for a trip around the area.

 Our morning view in Tullah (beautiful place)

 Madly fixing Steve's bike 9am at Tullah

 Show of bikes in Zeehan

 The locals enjoyed the show of bikes at Strahan

 Steve Kavanagh with day 3 "tosser"

 Garry and Jenny Maskell from Shepparton. First maiden tour for their bike

 Tim Randall came from the Uk for the tour and also the Uk & Ireland Tour

Rob and Lorraine Bonner pictured with thei sidecar that Rob lovingly made for Lorraine and just finished in time for the tour.
Strahan Woodworks was another favourite for many of us. Then it was off to our motel  for the night at Queenstown. Had a good meal and another nights sleep for the next day.

Day 2 - We arrived

We arrived safely at Devonport although the sea was a bit choppy through the night. Everyone gathered outside the port to unload bikes from trailers and vans. About an hour until everyone was sorted then after some wise words from Chief Peter B, it was off the Ulverstone for brekky. After our breakfast some decideed that we will ride on to Stanley as had plenty of time. At this stage we broke up into groups and made our way through Penguin, Burnie, Somerset and Wynyard. Some stopped at the Ford Motor Museum at Wynyard, while some stopped at Sisters Beach or strolled along some other beaches along the way. The chair lift was a favourite at the Nut in Stanley.

Peter Parsons

Three Amigos from WA

Wise words from Chief Peter

Breakfast at Ulverstone

One Indian decided to brave it alone and rode to Tullah by 11am, then decided to join his brothers in Stanley only to be stopped in his tracks by a blown head gasket. This in turn earned him, (Peter Parsons) the :"tosser" award for day 2. There were other contenders who also had a blown head gasket and a cracked sidecar frame which is being repaired at this very moment by a handy local.

Everyone eventually arrived safely at Tullah and enjoyed a hearty meal together.

Day 1 - Boarding The Boat

Everyone gathered at Port Melbourne by 5pm ready to board the boat for the Tassi tour. People came from as far away as Sweden, USA and UK. We also had interstate riders from QLD, NSW and WA.
As usual there was a prized trophy created for the end of each day, and this one in the shape of a yellow sash with a jester on it was aptly named "The Tassie Tosser". This will be awarded each night to the biggest tosser and he/she has to wear for a whole day on tour until presented to the next tosser.
The day one tosser was Jim, from WA, who also is one of the self proclaimed, "three amigos", (Chris and Charlie), who accompanied him and frieghted their Indians over to Vic. Jim became the tosser when his bike broke down within three minutes of arriving in Victoria.

Jim from WA

Getting ready to go!

Farewell to Riders

If any followers or club members would like to come and see the great bikes embarking on the tour on Monday 21st February, come on down to Station Pier, Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne.
We will be meeting at Rex Hunt fish & chip shop & car park nearby at approx. 5pm until about 7pm.
Spirit of Tasmania leaves at 9pm.

IMCA embarks on its third tour of Tassi. The "newest" Indian is 50 years old, and there will be about 40 motorcycles.
Four lady riders, and two of them are on the oldest bikes, 77 and 83 years old. - not the riders!