The Bicyclists
Sunday 19th March 2017. Larks, Fitzs, Porter (who should be portering our bikes) and El Kimbros - RYCT 9am. Fivecast: 30 degrees. Blue sunny sky. Windy as the gates of hell.
Initial plan was conquer the Tasman Bridge - over the Lake Illawarra - establish whether Captain Pelk was pissed. But the wind was deemed too strong.
Group decision making: democracy: but laced with courtesy: Porter recommends the Queens Domain. Very fitting. So we aim for the start of the bike track then to divert past the Tattersalls or some bloody marketing story Swimming Pool. When we get there, more democratic last minute adjustments to the agenda, and instead, take to the right, and ride the lower grade (in once sense) path past Government House.
The gates we shut, to give Her Majesty some peace on Sunday morning (all those canapes, all those gins and tonix). Past also, unnoticed almost, the Beaumaris Zoo. Where the last Tasmanian Tiger in captivity resided. If an animal in a zoo resides anywhere.
Up the hill. Quite steep. The sensible King Islanders stood strongly beside their bikes and let them carry them up the hill to the grasslands of the middle height. From their, off the road past the Hobart water reservoir tanks, and across bush to the very top - where the old hut for the Tascoast Maritime Radio is housed. Entertaining views of the northern suburbs, then down. A rotation on the reservior tanks, and view all the way past Mt Nelson to Betsy Island (as mapping later proved).
Besty Island
Plan: down and to Federal Street, and join the Estia Festival - a snake of a ride down the Brooker Highway, Letitia St to the Black Buff, and up Federal to see them setting up but not really in gear. So around the corner to Rain Check Lounge: packed out, and back to "Born In Brunswick" (opposite the State Cinema).
Breakfast environment lovely and light, sunny, warm and not too hot, a shady spot in the room, bass reverberating sounds from excellent Bose speakers somewhat too distorted and loud, but personal attention from staff and excellent presentation of cafe and food left us all with a pleasant taste in the mouth (said the actress to the Bishop).
The 9am start, 'saw us' returning via Campbell St, Salamanca, Authur Circus, Marieville Esplanade to home by 1145hrs.
The day is heating up. Although 22 degrees at noon, the intention of the sun and moon and the earth is to ladle 30 degrees on this part of the planet for the rest of the day. I've drawn the curtains and having a hot tea, contemplate the enjoyment of fellowship, discussion, a bit of exercise I wouldn't otherwise have, and the spirit of the day and people out and about. Light, lively and enthusiastic.
So, next week, all things aligned, we shall attack the Bridge.
El Kimbros.
Initial plan was conquer the Tasman Bridge - over the Lake Illawarra - establish whether Captain Pelk was pissed. But the wind was deemed too strong.
Group decision making: democracy: but laced with courtesy: Porter recommends the Queens Domain. Very fitting. So we aim for the start of the bike track then to divert past the Tattersalls or some bloody marketing story Swimming Pool. When we get there, more democratic last minute adjustments to the agenda, and instead, take to the right, and ride the lower grade (in once sense) path past Government House.
The gates we shut, to give Her Majesty some peace on Sunday morning (all those canapes, all those gins and tonix). Past also, unnoticed almost, the Beaumaris Zoo. Where the last Tasmanian Tiger in captivity resided. If an animal in a zoo resides anywhere.
Up the hill. Quite steep. The sensible King Islanders stood strongly beside their bikes and let them carry them up the hill to the grasslands of the middle height. From their, off the road past the Hobart water reservoir tanks, and across bush to the very top - where the old hut for the Tascoast Maritime Radio is housed. Entertaining views of the northern suburbs, then down. A rotation on the reservior tanks, and view all the way past Mt Nelson to Betsy Island (as mapping later proved).
Besty IslandBreakfast environment lovely and light, sunny, warm and not too hot, a shady spot in the room, bass reverberating sounds from excellent Bose speakers somewhat too distorted and loud, but personal attention from staff and excellent presentation of cafe and food left us all with a pleasant taste in the mouth (said the actress to the Bishop).
The 9am start, 'saw us' returning via Campbell St, Salamanca, Authur Circus, Marieville Esplanade to home by 1145hrs.
The day is heating up. Although 22 degrees at noon, the intention of the sun and moon and the earth is to ladle 30 degrees on this part of the planet for the rest of the day. I've drawn the curtains and having a hot tea, contemplate the enjoyment of fellowship, discussion, a bit of exercise I wouldn't otherwise have, and the spirit of the day and people out and about. Light, lively and enthusiastic.
So, next week, all things aligned, we shall attack the Bridge.
El Kimbros.
PS: on Betsy:
On 30 March 1825 the Colonial Office wrote to Governor Arthur stating that a James King had written enquiring about the possibility of obtaining the use of an island on which to breed silver grey rabbits for the China fur trade. Governor Arthur replied suggesting that Betsey Island would be very suitable although he claimed that there was no fresh water on the island. (HRA, 3, IV, pp.244-5, 384)
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