Today was an easier ride than yesterday with fewer hills and cooler at only 35C!
Weather was cloudy but dry.
We headed north on a back road into the Victoria Gold rush area. The road was mainly flat on a high plateau. We stopped for elevenses at the old gold mining town of Clunes. This looked like an American ghost town in places but a lot was still open including great tea rooms where we settled on comfy sofas and some members of the group nodded off.
We headed on into rolling countryside a mix of parched ranchland and gum tree woodlands with signs warning of loose Kangaroos but despite keeping our eyes peeled none were spotted.
We found a wooded gateway for a picnic lunch. 2 miles down the road a sign for Tea Rooms was spotted at the side of the road so we quickly peeled off to the adjoining town of Talbot where the London House Tea Rooms was open offering Devon Cream Teas. I settled for a Hot Chocolate topped with Marshmallows and a slice of Apple Cake.
We continued to the town of Maryborough and an early 3.30 arrival at the Bristol Hill Motor Inn.
42 miles for the day and 879ft of climb.
Edwin
Posted by Edwin
at 9:36 PM EADT
