Day 5 Heyfield to Bairnsdale : October 19 2022

A few weird dreams had me awake long before sunrise. Turned over. The birds started moving around on the roof of the barn early. No singing - just scrabbling on the tin roof. Got me moving. I had an idea to catch the train from Stratford - 36 kms to go for 1036 train. Made an eggs and bacon breakfast - cost 15 minutes extra

Route for the day is paved roads through Heyfield and Tinamba and Maffra toward Stratford. As I ride through Maffra, a big hello from the bike shop. Stopped for a chat. Did glean some key information - stick to Princes Highway and not take the longer road through Meerlieu

Did get to Stratford in time for the train but had already decided to ride all the way on Princes Highway. Photo of Stratford station

Sign on the north side of town maps out the next 3 overnight stops - Bairnsdale, Orbost, Cann River. Just got to plug away at it

Was aware of something moving alongside me - an emu tracking just a little faster than I was riding - around 25 km/h

Lunch stop at Providence Ponds Conservation Area. Did walk down to the creek - track is overgrown which tells me not many people walk. No orchids spotted as I moved up from the creek

The route had occasional views of the Victorian Alps - guessing this is Mt Hotham as the high spot

Welcome to Bairnsdale sign was welcome.

Rode down to camp ground and showered before coming back to town to shop

St Mary's cathedral has a very tall spire

Popped into Visitor Centre to see if they had the new orchid book. No luck but they suggested a bookshop - score one there.

Shopping stop - met two French speaking cyclists, one from Orleans, France and one from Ypres, Belgium - they have just done the rail trail. Good to share experiences - some of the rail trail is fine for my bike and a lot is not

Well deserved beer - this one from Mornington Peninsula south of Mrlbourne

Walked down to Mitchell River - looking great in setting sun toward the road bridge

Dinner action: Frypan steak, bacon and chorizo plus bought salads

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

Cycling, Daily Activity, Shopping