Sat, 21st Feb, 2015 Cooee Point, Burnie (Aust Penny Farthing Champs, Evandale)

Very windy warm night, 25 degrees. Overcast heavy sky though at 8am as we head off to Evandale along the A1 motorway. Lovely drive, though the clouds stuck with us till Launceston airport then it was clear blue sky.

Old water tank looks like a castle turret as we head into town.

Lots of people here, found a spot off the side of the road and boiled the kettle for a cuppa before going in. It was a $12 entrance collected by the Rotary Club.

The slalom races were being run. Got a video of this. It is amazing how sharply they can turn and the speed they get. We had just missed the slow race – last over the line wins!!

The Rag Dolls are here – we saw them at the Sydney to Hobart race celebrations too.

A lot of the riders have dressed accordingly. Texted Maralyn and Greg as Greg competed in the races on his penny farthing a few years ago.

A few other people were dressed up for the festival too. There is a parade later on.

Walked along a bit and found the ‘Time Traveller’ statue.

The Clarendon Arms Hotel (circa 1847) is a great spot to watch the racing from. The track was lined with hay bales that the Scouts will sell off later for $5 a bale.

Had a lovely chat with this distinguished gentleman though for once I am glad we don’t have to wear all those clothes as the sun has started to warm up a lot.

The final of the Slow Race – amazing how slow than can go – great balancing. Easy to video this.

More people in period costume.

Lovely Richmond Cottage (circa 1960).

In the beer garden behind the Hotel the bagpipes were in full swing. Got a great video of them playing some lovely Scottish songs.

Steve loved this chap with his rear-vision mirror on his glasses.

The riders get ready for the Sprint, 200 metres.

They are off and climbing onto the bikes.

Then the pedalling begins and they are off and racing.

Inside the Hotel where the walls were covered in murals.

Lovely stained glass windows etc.

There was always something happening so it was a very busy place. Another race was the Obstacle Race where they riders had to run the 200 m to their bikes then carry it back up, push it back to the other end then ride it back to the finish line. Now that was great fun to watch.

The heats for the National Penny Farthing Championships were run. They come very close to us as they round the corner so won’t lean out too far with the camera. The TV reporter was there to get all the action and interviews – we saw her at the Yacht Race too. We were beside the hay bales outside the Hotel so we reckon we might be on the news tonight as the camera swings past us when the riders go around the corner.

The kids line up for the Junior Championships which were run on a handicap. One boy, Caleb, was also competing in the main Championships and did very well in the heats.

The Professor from Back to the Future was running around yelling out that he has lost his Centurion, next he turns up on the Penny Farthing. Looks like they all have a ball.

Next was the parade with the bands and everyone who dressed up and then the vintage car club display.

This was the first time this chap in black has competed but he certainly knows how to balance on his penny farthing as he did lots of no hands etc along the way.

Not sure what the story is with the Morris Dancers but they were having fun.

The steam engine brought up the rear.

This is our Queensland entry wearing maroon so we cheered him on.

All ready for the final of the National Championships. Four laps around the 3 street circuit that to complete one mile. Boy they go fast and the race face was on. Our Queenslander was doing well, in the lead for two laps then the Victoria chap got him one lap to go. Our guy didn’t give up and it was a close finish. Very exciting really.

There was also the Village Fair to check out. Stopped first to get a Tassie ice cream. We wandered through all the stalls selling all kinds of things. Pony rides for $4.

The fair is in the Pioneer Park with lots of old tombstones to check out. They got a lot of names on this tombstone.

National Parks & Wildlife had a display so I got a photo of a Tassie Devil in case we miss out seeing a real one in the flesh.

The Cairns couple who brought their coffee sales business with them were set up and doing a roaring trade. We got a cuppa and chatted with them till the next customers arrived.

Back to the truck and we headed off to Longford to find out about the Longford Revival Festival that should be happening soon. Laughed as we drove through Perth!! Amazing how many town names are doubled up within Australia. Hay bales made into a tractor at the turn off.

Stopped at the Info Centre that was in a bakery but they didn’t know anything. She said someone came around to tell her about it but didn’t leave a brochure. I picked up a map in the info stuff which showed the old circuit so we went for a drive to try and find it. Went around a bit but we finally found the section called the Flying Mile.

Did a dash!! At 60km/h along the Flying Mile.  Will go online to find out some more information.

Headed back along the B road rather than the Motorway through the little villages. This is the biggest drive we have done since coming to Tassie, 147km one way. Passed flat farming area, called Norfolk Plains, surrounded by the mountains that are part of the Central Highlands.

Got a photo of the Big Cherry at La Trobe.

Back to the coast on the Motorway. When we first came the fields were all white with poppies etc but now they are all brown as they have been ploughed etc. Turned off to check out Braddon’s Lookout near Leith. Directional cairn at the top and lots of information about the farming in the area, water and history.

Tried to take the photos like the info board.

Looking across Leith to Ulverstone in the distance.

As we head back down I got a better photo of the Forth River mouth area.

I had leftovers ready for dinner so heated that up and chatted with the others while we had dinner. The clouds had lifted here about lunch time so they had a lovely day too.

Great day.