Route C105
Sydney to Melbourne Stage 15 – Tue 21st March 2017 – Maffra to Traralgon (64 Km)
Weather: 17⁰C min – 22⁰C max, light rain
“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds” ~ Gordon B. Hinckley
Leaving the Macalister Hotel at Maffra just after 9 am we picked up the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail just across the road and headed off like a steam train along the well-compacted fine gravel trail towards Traralgon.
Regrettably, steady soaking rain was falling for the first 18 Km to Heyfield, so we were denied the opportunity of taking photographs of some of the most picturesque countryside we have seen yet. Massive herds of Friesian dairy cows were grazing contentedly on rich green pastures on both sides of the trail as we rode through avenues of trees, including wattles which will look spectacular in a few months time when they turn to yellow.
As we steamed along the long straight stretches we couldn’t help thinking of the trains that passed along this same route in a bygone era, no doubt travelling at more than six times the speed we were. What a pity train tracks are being pulled up all around the world, but good to see that Victoria is turning them into wonderful rail trails for cyclists, walkers and riders.
We were expecting that the little town of Hayfield might be in a sombre mood because of the threatened closure of the Hayfield Timber Mill (a man told us at the hotel last night that he was going to Melbourne today to protest to the Victorian Government). However, our experience with Hayfield was very enjoyable. First we found a nice café that served beverages that were to our satisfaction, then when we asked the friendly barista where we could hose the muddy grit off our bikes and panniers he directed us across the road to the Resource Centre. There we met a fantastic couple, Ben and Caroline, both keen cyclists themselves. They were amazingly helpful, not only letting us use their hose but also steering us on a course along quiet roads that avoided the worst section of the rail trail between Hayfield and Cowwarr. Ben even jumped on a bike and showed us the way out of town.
As delightful as the trail had been up to that point, the rain was becoming quite heavy so when we reached Cowwarr we decided to continue along Route C105 all the way into Traralgon, rather than mess our bikes up again. The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail will have to wait for another day when the weather is a bit kinder.
We have stayed at several excellent AirBNB’s along the way, but none better than Trish’s lovely place where we are staying tonight. After chatting for ages on the back patio with Trish and her friend Helen they treated us to a fabulous meal of home cooked cauliflower soup, zucchini slice, and home grown stewed apricots served with fresh, warm custard made in Trish’s Vorwerk Thermomix
It doesn’t get much better than this!
You are very welcome and I was happy to share my home grown vegetables with you. i appreciate any one who enjoys my cooking! After the awesome effort both of you put in every day on this trip, you deserve a home style meal. Good luck with the rest of the journey and the future journeys planned. What a fabulous way to see the world. Trish.
Thanks again Trish for everything you did to make our stay so memorable. And the food was simply amazing. I will definitely try out the zucchini slice recipe 🙂