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I rode south with Nigel and Mick up into the mountains. They didn't seem to mind waiting for my slower bike, and it was opportune to have people to ride with who know the best roads in the state. We arrived at Nigel's place, where I'd been invited to stay with him and his two young boys, and played around with my bike a bit (I certainly learned a few things from the veterans...).

After a great homecooked meal we headed to "The Shed" where we met up with Mick and his wife Maria. This clubhouse is literally a shed, but with a gorgeous bar built in, a pool table, a kitchen area with a BBQ, and most importantly a fridge full of Cascade. Heaps of pictures showing bikes, friends, and friends on bikes decorate the wall around the wood stove and anything from Wolfmother to the Credence Clearwater Revival to John Butler blasts on the stereo.

A large part of the group, with myself tagging along, have driven down to camp at Cockle Creek, a prime fishing spot on the southern tip of Tassie. These folks are quality, despite copious amounts of alcohol and a bit of crudity, and seem to really care about each other. That said there has been no shortage of hard times given out! I suppose I get a bit myself for being the token foreinger. Fortunately, all in good fun... I'm reminded of fond memories of drinking with friends on Canada Day Weekend!

Aside from the rain, I've had a great time so far, drinking local beer and standing around the fire, eating freshly caught fish, abalone, and wallaby. Enjoying a great Tasmanian experience!

I felt like a kid again, with the excitement of driving onto such a huge boat. The overnight ferry from Melbourne to Devonport, called the Spirit of Tasmania, isn't large compared to some of the cruise ships I've seen, but it's the biggest boat I've ever been on.

I parked my bike beside a couple of men on Harleys from the Hobart region. Nigel and Mick seem like great guys, and we're currently sitting back with a Cascade (great Tassie beer!) watching the lights of busy Melbourne fade into the distance. Tommorow morning we'll arrive in Devonport!

Alright, so I must admit that by the time I reached Adelaide I lost much of the motivation I had to sit in front of a computer for any length of time.

As my trip is now coming to a close, I was considering just not bothering to complete this little log-book. BUT after a suprising number of e-mails harrassing me for updates, I've decided to work over the next week to fill in at least parts of the remaining trip. I guess it will also allow me to reminisce in the past before returning to "real life" early next week...

Hope you enjoy it...

I should apologize: i'm awful at keeping this up to date.

But in my defense, there aren't many internet places readily avaliable... (or else i'm too cheap to pay $2 for 10 min of slow access)

In any case, there ARE pictures coming for most of the entries i've already written, and i'll eventually catch up on my writting as well.

On the ferry ride across to Kangaroo Island I met an interesting local woman named Maggie. We shared stories: I told her about my travels and she told me about life on Kangaroo Island, and her two children who seem just as fascinating as she! If all goes to plan tomorrow I'll meet her for tea.

Maggie did bring up an interesting point of view though. When I mentioned how lucky I was to travel like this, she said, "You're not lucky; you've worked very hard to be able to do this." Which is true; but at the same time there are many who work hard and either because of their situation, or just because they don't have the motivation to leave their hard-working, "safe" lifestyles never get a chance to just explore the world...

On my walk from Snake Lagoon campsite to the ocean, I strayed off the path to explore some caves on the cliffside (from a distance, of course... many caves are sacred Aboriginal sites...). When I arrived about 500m up from the path I was so fascinated by the fact that there were so mean shells and fossils up on the cliffs, that I didn't notive the beehive until I looked up to see the source of a strange buzzing. A massive beehive was built, about 50cm x 30cm, onto the roof of the cave. It was so beautiful, with honeycombs exposed right on the outside where hundreds of bees were busy at work!

As I was climbing up further along the path, being very quite and careful in case of wildlife that may be around, I was rewarded as I pulled myself up a rockface to see a huge, black mountaingoat. Slowly reaching for my camera I saw 2 more white ones join him!!! We stood there forever, just staring at each other, both extremely curious, both slightly cautious. It was an intense experience!

I stayed at the beach until the sun began to set, and then hiked back to camp. I walked the 2 km slowly and quitely as possible, at first with the hopes of seeing more wildlife, but then just enjoying and being a part of the forest's silence. I barely breathed as I soaked up the creaking of trees and the whisper of the insects.

Just now I poked my head out of the tent to peak at the possums and wallabies making a ruckus in the dark... and... WOW the stars out here are phenomenal!!!

I truly am lucky.