Distance: 145 km in 6 hrs at. 24.1 km / hr.
Distance so far: 1744 km.
''Climbed': 1657 ft.
Elevation tonight: 58 ft ASL.
AHR: 101 bpm.
Punctures so far: 0
Out at 7.15 am. In at 2 30 pm.
Let today be for those friends, relations and mates at home (and abroad) who wished me well ( and sang for me) on this adventure and for those legions who said 'For God's sake, look after yourself'. It was appreciated and I am. Thank you all.
Alarm sounded at 6.15 in order to start early on this 145 km. It was colder outside than usual...around 6 deg and I donned the heavy jacket and leggings. I had a good night's sleep till a few refrigerated units pulled into the car park and droned on from about 4.30. Dawn was breaking in the east as Team Ireland pulled out onto the road. At first it was just a band of brightness across the horizon. Then the sun peeped and as minutes passed it rose and rose flooding the Nullarbor Plain in daylight. It was magical to track its progress as we moved closer and closer. ( It wasn't as dark as the photos suggest. The bright sun foxed the exposure meter.)
Within 15 km we reached the turn off for the Head of Bight where there would be a good chance of spotting whales especially at this time ( May till October) It is situated on Aboriginal land and is one of the best viewing places in the world with up to 100 whales including calves congregating in the sea by the Bunda Cliffs. But it was 12 km there and 12 km back and we decided to give it a skip - it would have added an hour to our cycling time plus whatever time we would spend there. In fact 4 cyclists ( of the younger type) did go there and reported that plenty of whales were present and visible.The Head of Bight marks the eastern end of the Bunda Cliffs.
Both stops today were just on the side of the road. By morning tea temperatures had risen and the extra clothing was off and packed away. Coffee and biscuits raised the energy level and we pushed on aided by a fresh tailwind for the rest of the journey. And temperatures were into the 20's.
At one point, a Control Van stopped and asked us to pull off the road as a 5.5 metre wide load was approaching....a giant dumper. We have come into an area of some mining again towards the end of the day.
Just after leaving Nullarbor Roadhouse, we cycled through the area that prompted Delisser to name the place as 'The Treeless Plain' ....Nullarbor. Not a tree of any description in sight as far as the eye could see in all directions. In time the much larger area was included under the name.
As the day moved on, the trees began to return to the landscape and the soil now isn't red but of a sandy type. Also, the road has become more undulating.....we climbed 1657 ft today. It's a break from the billiard table of the last few days. One hill of 3 km had a 5% gradient for part. It's a while since we had that. The legs are stronger now and we're well able for them.
At 91 km we passed Yalata Roadhouse which has been closed for the last 7 years. It belongs to the Aboriginal community but wasn't doing the business. It still looks in good shape and could be reopened.
Along by the roadside for a short time we had the Dingo Fence (Dog Fence) which stretches 5614 km from the coast here up to Queensland as a control over the spread eastwards of dingos..... much like the Rabbit Proof Fence. As the fence moved away from the road one could see the dirt road used to patrol the fence. Where it crosses the road there is a grid.
Coming near journey's end we had a rush of excitement......fields. We haven't seen them since last Sunday week i.e. 1000 km back. It merited a stop and a photo. First some appeared in the distance to right and left, but then they were out to the roadside. And sheep...wow. Nundroo is the westerly extremity of the agricultural land of South Australia.
What might interest some people, there is a large farm for sale just here and was advertised along the road...Nundroo Station. I will act as the agent. It's a mere 53,000 acre spread in one or two lots; has water and a desalination plant. I am open to accept expressions of interest.
Facilities here at Nundroo Roadhouse are much like the last one. Very basic but the room we are in is grand. The camping area is bare with a shop that doesn't carry much. This morning in Nullarbor Roadhouse I spotted a notice that illustrated their remoteness....'The mail is collected every Saturday'
We are gently being weaned off the Nullarbor and its expanse. And still no wildlife. One one sign I noticed that the camel has been dropped but the kangaroo and wombat retained.
A great day's cycling that everybody enjoyed. The tailwind was a factor. Long may it last.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
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