4 November 2016
Rosny to Dover (145 kms)
Click on the image for a detailed map
First item on the agenda: buy a new helmet and leave the old broken one in the shop.
It was a lovely day and we set off for a leisurely ride. First stop was at the house of the friends with whom we had had dinner the previous evening. They’ve just bought a new house and it was in the throes of being renovated.
From there it was to Kettering where my parents are buried. It was warm in the sun and, after the dinner the previous night, we were weary and grabbed a rest.
Then it was on to Pepperberries Garden Café — discovered with the help of Google — where we stopped for a light lunch. The highlight for me was watching the chef wander out into the garden to pick fresh leaves for our salad. It was a beautiful setting with a view north-east up the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Kunyani/Mt Wellington and the Derwent River.
Pepperberries Café
We met this chap during a gentle stroll in the garden after lunch
Proceeding south, we followed the Channel and then turned north west to run alongside the Huon River. I’ve sailed a lot in these waters but seldom driven, and I’ve never ridden a motorbike along this road. It was really pleasant and would make an excellent morning or afternoon run for a Hobart-based biker.
The D’Entrecasteaux Chanel at the mouth of the Huon River. The tallest peak in the distance in the centre of the picture was to have a good smattering of snow the following morning
At Huonville we turned south and made our way along the western bank of the river for the pretty ride to Dover where we were to stay with our friends Jeremy and Penny. They took us across the road to the local yacht club for Friday drinks. We were made very welcome and introduced to some locally-brewed hooch, some of which was very good and put us in the mood for pizza. We had two: one was good (and I forget now what it was) and the second — a scallop pizza — was truly excellent. Washed down with some red wine, it led to some exuberant debate before we all retired.
