I had a wonderful bike ride last week which involved various aspects of nature!
I drove to Nowa Nowa from Metung so that I could ride part of the East Gippsland Rail Trail from Nowa Nowa to Tostaree. I am gradually working my way along the rail trail and my next ride will be Nowa Nowa to the historic trestle bridge – then I will have completed Bairnsdale to Tostaree. There is still some way to go to do all of the rail trail but I am slowly getting it done.
I set out on a beautiful day but I had forgotten the sunscreen and as I burn so easily I had to stop at the General Store to buy some.
The plaque tells some of the history of the general store, no longer owned by “Two Foot Rule”!
I set off across Boggy Creek and was on my way.
This particular section of the bike path is generous in width and makes for very easy riding.
This is one of the trestle bridges that the trains used but now the bike path goes below the bridges as the cost of maintaining the bridges is prohibitive.
There used to be three trestle bridges on this section of the rail trail but unfortunately in 2011 there was a bushfire which destroyed the bridge at Hospital Creek.
This is the bridge before it was destroyed.
In the undergrowth you can still see some of the metal parts left after the fire.
I mentioned that this bike ride involved aspects of nature. One of the lovely parts was the sighting of orchids along the way.
A lyre bird ran across the bike path at one stage and I ran across a black snake! I had no idea it was a snake until I was right on top of it. I thought it was just a strip of bark or the shadow of one of the tree trunks. I got such a shock I wobbled off the bike path but didn’t injure myself! I didn’t stop to see if the snake had a red belly, it had slithered off into the bush.
I wish I had been able to get a closer look at the lyre bird but unfortunately it was moving too fast so no photos to show.
On the return to Nowa Nowa I spotted a several ducks on Boggy Creek.
Before heading back to the car I made a quick diversion to the second-hand shop and it was there I spotted this sign on the house next door.
It gave me a bit of a giggle so I took a photo of the house.
On arrival in Nowa Nowa there was a car club meeting at the Nowa Nowa Hotel so I was able to get a few shots of some stunning looking vehicles.
I particularly liked this pink one as it reminded me of the movie Grease.
I intend to make another trip to Nowa Nowa next week as there are some interesting walks to explore.
Gippsland Granny 
Wow sounds like a great time. I always loved going for bike rambles when we were kids.Great to get close to and observe nature.Did you go by yourself, or did you leave the grumpy old man at home? (just kidding) I need one of those signs!
I went by myself. Swampy hasn’t been for a bike ride in a long while but he said he would join me on the next one.
I feel refreshed! What beautiful countryside, I felt I was soaking up the warmth in your pictures. Is there still a cafe at Nowa Nowa, as mentioned on the information board? I love those trestle bridges you have, but such a pity about the fire. The cars are beautiful, too, I almost want to eat that pink one. I’m going to go back and look at all your pictures again now, this was such a delightful outing, thank you.
There are a couple of places where you can get a bite to eat but only one place where you can get a proper coffee. The place is called The Depot and it is a spot where local artisans can display there wares for sale. The electricity was off the day I was there as they were doing repairs on the main line. The Depot was still operating but they were using a generator to power the coffee machine.
We saw that sign on the way home last time we were visiting. The second hand shop was a bit strange and nobody was about, but they had a few things I wouldn’t mind buying!
You will need to call in again next time you are down this way.
Hi,
I was wondering if you would be kind enough to grant me permission to use your photo of the “two foot Rule” plaque outside the Nowa Nowa General Store for a flyer that I am producing for a genealogy talk on how family history and local history interconnect with one another. Thanks. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sue
Hi Sue,
I would be delighted to let you use the photo.
Where are you giving your genealogy talk?
Heather.
Hi Heather,
I’m not actually giving the talk. I am a member of Family History Connections. The organisation holds monthly talks on various topics related to genealogy and I produce the flyers. They usually contain an image and the photo you have taken would be ideal. I am related to the John Rule mentioned on the plaque. Thank you very much for allowing me to use this image. By the way, I love your posts. They are interesting, informative and easy to read.
Sue
Thank you so much for the compliment on my posts. I don’t post as regularly as I used to when I first started my blog.
How lovely to find some information on a person to whom you are related.
Heather