With weather forecasts predicting storms and flooding for eastern Victoria, but not yet ready to return to reality, we decided to take a change of course – to transfer from tent to cabin and pick up our car so we can still continue exploring the local area without the combined risks of rain/traffic/roads. So a little sheepishly we set off for Fish Creek in driving rain, leaving all our panniers warm and dry in our tent.

Fortunately it was rail trail all the way, so we didn’t need to worry about visibility. However… we did need to negotiate the wet farm crossings where farmers move their cattle from one side of the trail to the other. Definitely the downside of being the stoker

Arrived in Fish Creek with the bike and us literally caked in mud. And starving, but too filthy and wet to show our faces in the local pub, so we picked up our car, turned the seat warmers on full and hot tailed it back to Toora. Now happily washed and nested in our cabin with the heating cranked up full, feeling only slightly guilty that we’ve ditched the tent.

Today we rode the remains of the Great Southern rail trail from Toora to Port Welshpool. Again the weather gods were kind to us, with blue skies, mild temperatures and little wind. The quality of the trail is fab- well packed surface and not too many bumps. It was mostly flat with some minor rolling hills, so all in all an easy 40k ride.

The country side is beautiful round here. Lots of dairy and beef farms – very green and lots of water lying around.

once we got closer to the coast the flora became much more ‘bushy’.

Port Welshpool itself was beautiful – although surprisingly nothing there in terms of township. Loads of cars with boat trailers parked along the boat ramp so obviously a favourite with anglers. Main feature is the Long Jetty, which is indeed long – we rode out to the end – a 1.8km round trip! The pier was recently re-built after someone dropped a cigarette and burnt the old one down. The new one is set up beautifully for fishing with lots of rod holders, little fishing cabins and two massive cleaning benches. A fisherman’s heaven no doubt.

Now back at our little home away from home contemplating the return to the real world tomorrow

Today’s ride: 42.6km – felt like 60.

Woke up this morning, sun was shining and tent was dry and we decided that rather than tempt fate by staying another day, we would pack up while the weather holds and move to our next destination.

This is the first dissemble of the tent and we managed it in a record 40 minutes – including packing panniers! Note for brother AJH – as I recall this was somewhat quicker than the first tvan pack up!

Destination today was Toora Caravan Park – ranked highly on Wiki camps and guaranteed powered sites. Only downside – lots of hill climbing required to get there. Started off by back tracking out of the prom towards Foster – only had to walk up two hills but plenty of huffing and puffing. Much of the highway has double lines- no overtake, so I’m sure there are a few folks who took a bit longer on their journeys for having to wait for us. They were all pretty patient though.

Once in Foster we linked up with the South Gippsland Rail Trail, so it was relatively flat and smooth surface from there on. Lunched on nuts and bananas in someone’s driveway and kept moving to try to get to Toora early. Toora is such a pretty town – lots of original buildings. A couple are boarded up and dilapidated – I imagine the heritage listing would make restoring them difficult (aka expensive).

Tent was set up and lilos inflated in less than 10 minutes – gotta love these hiking tents. A quick walk to town for supplies and we had the makings of another hearty meal. The camp kitchens have been fab in the caravan parks and we haven’t had to use our little camp stove yet.

it’s 8.15 and we are about to take our weary legs to bed. The caravan park is pretty crowded so I imagine we will be woken early – if not by the campers, by the birds.

Distance travelled; 32km (big climbs and big descents).

Well we survived a night of thunderstorms and torrential rain without event. We held onto our hats a couple of times, but pegs and poles held and the tent remained water tight – phew! We were woken round 5.30 by a cacophony of frogs, parrots, kookaburras and every other bird species imaginable – while raucous, fortunately none of them have left deposits on our tent……yet.

Started the day with the Duck Point coastal walk, winding through gnarled bush paths to the beach. Tide was out revealing weed/shells/jelly fish and all those things we used to see on the beach that are much less common now.

After our walk we headed for a day ride to Shallow Inlet – really an excuse to ride the 7km to the nearest coffee. The inlet was a pretty picnic spot, and supposedly a great place for fishing. Was lovely to ride unencumbered with panniers/trailers etc. We made it up the 1km, 13 degree hill out of here without having to get off – will definitely be a walker when we have the full load on board.

Stopped off at the general store on our way back and stocked up on some fresh produce – so a hearty meal of BBQ steak, mash and beans – not too shabby!

We had planned to leave here tomorrow but are absolutely loving our camping spot here at Yanakie, so have decided to stay one more day. Currently our biggest decision before the morning is whether to ride in to Tidal Rover or to head back through Waratah Bay.

We set off with as little luggage as we could wrangle, but still ended up with 30kg of ballast by the time we had tools, spares, clothes (very few), tents, sleeping bags, lilos, cooking gear and the bare basics of food. Add 2 humans and one big bike with trailer and we were pushing the equivalent of a small car up hill.

Set off on our first bike and tent adventure today. With a week up our sleeves we decided to free-flow it. Have booked a tent site for the first two nights (to avoid getting caught out by post-lockdown weekend tourers) and from here will go whoever our whim takes us – and as far as our unfit legs can carry us.

Left the car in Fish Creek and headed south towards Wilson’s Promentary. Short ride but huge hills (or they felt huge to us with a trailer on the back). The landscape was spectacular – lush rolling hills with loads of dairy farms. Cows gazed at us without turning a hair – they must see tandems all the time! Heading into the prom reminded us of Southern Tas.

Weather was a humid 28 degrees by the time we arrived in Yanakie – the Yanakie General store with its supply of ice creams and ham and pickle sandwiches (eaten in that order) gave us the energy to ride the last 7km to the caravan park, arriving around 2.

First set up of the tent took almost an hour and several consultations with the instructions. I think it has shrunk since the last time we set it up- lilos take up most of it with much of our staff remaining outside under the fly. Managed a quick swim and shower before the weather set in – huge thunderstorm and waves of torrential rain. There’s nothing quite like the sound of rain on a tent – so far the tent has stood up to it. The site is grassy and seems to be draining ok – but stay tuned….

Currently holed up in the camp kitchen. David cooked up a storm – instant carbonara never tasted so good. About to break out the pack of cards and hide away from the dampness for a bit longer.