Over the top and down to the sea - Bright to Metung

Five of our strong brave riders rode to the top of Hotham and then onto Dinner Plain. I congratulate them! Des, Sally, Al and I  rode in comfort instead, able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the way up. We were able to dispense water and mini Mars bars as required.

Paul enjoys dessert

And uses a shopping trolley as a clothes line.

Our night in the Hotel High Plains at Dinner Plain was such a joy – no tent putting up, crisp clean sheets, standing and moving room. Dinner was also yummy, cooked not by us on BBQs and gas rings, but instead by a very good chef.

Karen and I drove off the mountain and into Swifts Creek, Des’s home for may years. We set up camp and waited for the others to arrive. Although nominally a downhill ride off the mountain, there was 1000 metres of climbing involved as well. A highlight was the 303 cows and 302 calves being driven along the road up to the high county from Carbungra Station by six horsewomen and men, six dogs and two staff on walkie talkies. We were pulled off the road and so were able to enjoy the sight. We pitied the riders who had to traverse the road covered n cow shit, though.

Droving the cattle

Camped by the Tambo River we set up our seats and enjoyed the concert. The highlight for me was the poem told by Karen, Sally and Brenda, based on a well-known Canadian poem, The Cremation Of Sam Mcgee, by Robert Service. Unfortunately, in the version we were entertained by, Lady Al who enjoyed her chardonnay found cremation in the stick shed in Murtoa. Brilliant parody. Des told stories about Steelo, I sang some name songs as did Al, Michael read Maria’s poem, Garis gave a dissertation, and Bruce was a brilliant MC.

From the Swifts Creek back road to Ensay.

Sally, Des and Garis climb.

From the Swifts Creek back road to Ensay.

The next morning under grey clouds threatening rain five of us set off for Metung. Our first 20kms or so were on a beautiful back road, coursing by the Tambo River. What a landscape. Rural bliss, as the rains have made the grass grow green and thick. The next 50 were on the main road. Lots of trucks as there is extensive work going on the repair the damage done to the area by the recent fires. At times the Tambo was no more than a moving brown sludge due to the run-off from the rains on burnt land. Amazingly, there is growth everywhere in the bush, trees shooting bunches of new leaves from the base of their trunks to the tops.

We farewelled Michael in Metung, as he returns to Germany for his father’s 90^th birthday! From Metung we ride to Cowes, five days on the road, which completes our circumnavigation of Victoria. 

Statistics

Wednesday 4 March Swifts Creek to Metung. A distance of 98kms for me with an average of more then 16kmh, surprising given the climbing involved. It rained from Bruthen to Metung, but not very hard, fortunately.