The diversion away from the Great Alpine Road has actually given me an extra day, so I’m just taking my time now. As usual, it was wet overnight but now it cleared in the morning – kinda. I packed everything away except the tent to give it every chance to dry out before stuffing it into the trailer. While it was drying, I was looking at Google Maps to see what my day would bring.
I’d planned a tour of the Dandenong Ranges, with a stop somewhere to get some new gloves – my winter gloves had lost their waterproof-ness and weren’t going to work in Tassie. Furk me, while I was busy planning the day out, the furking rain hit again… completely saturating the tent. Had I been paying attention it would have gone in dry, now it’s sodden. Anyway, I packed and took off – I couldn’t wait too long.
Another little tour around the island first. I must admit, I was surprised at how big Phillip Island is – I shouldn’t have been: I can see it on the map.
First stop was MCA Motorcycle Accories Supermarked in Dandenong (south of the ranges). Firstly, I can’t believe how big this shop is, and it’s not even their main store! Anyway, the guy tried to sell me a $200 pair with Gortex. Nice gloves and I know you get what you pay for, but not much of a need when I eventually return back home. I did buy a pair that have proven every cent of the $69. They’re warm, waterproof, and have so far prevented rain from falling when I’m wearing them. I’ll keep them on for the rest of the trip.
There are a few roads both in, over, and out of the Dandenong Ranges and I tried to find most of them (cos I had plenty of time). It was the usual twisties, ascents/descents, etc.
Up to now I’d been having trouble with my Garmin GPS (old maps), so I relied on my phone. However, it was Ms Google’s sultry voice that did me in today. “Navigate to Mount Dandenong” I said, “Turn left here” she said in that sexy tone – so I obeyed. Furk me – I’m now travelling on 5 km of mud barely wide enough for a car. So, a U-turn wasn’t happening… I just had to ride on and hope all would be OK.
I headed south again (trying to stay away from the Melbourne CBD). For the first time I felt I’d been well-and-truly ripped off. The cost of the park was only $25, but the “kitchen” had some work outstanding:
