Saturday, August 24.

Day 28.          Wellington to Salt Creek Roadhouse.

Distance:  106 km in 4 hrs 09 min  at 26.1 km/ hr.

Distance so far: 2886 km.

Climbed: 972 ft.

Elevation tonight:  40 ft ASL.

AHR:  123 bpm.

Punctures so far:  0

Out at 7.30 am.            In at 12.45 pm

Cyclist 9 (of 15).    Mark (Tasmania) Strong young cyclist capable of going on side trips. Celebrated his birthday on this trip.

Cyclist 10 (of 15).  Kristin (Tasmania) Moves quickly along, always with a high cadence.

A nice change from yesterday. Dry as we left and it stayed dry all day.

The sky, shortly after 7 am was broken with glimpses of blue visible. At least no rain at that time, although it had rained during the night.

Wellington is on the banks of the Murray River (where the river meets the sea) and with no bridge, a ferry was the only way across the ferry is part of the road network and no charge. It just keeps going all day; a distance of only about 400 metres. It is cable operated from bank to bank. Four of us and one car on our particular trip. 

Pelicans landed and swam about as we crossed.

 The Murray is a river of over 2500 km with just 640 km in South Australia. In that 640 km it only drops 20 metres till it enters Lake Alexandrina. Thousands of years of Aboriginal habitation occurred along the course of the river and it was Captain Sturt that named it after a friend, Sir George Murray. 

Lake Alexandrina is a freshwater lake approx 40 km long and very shallow (2 to 4 metres) so becomes very choppy in windy weather for sailing enthusiasts. Also, being shallow during the very hot summers the high concentration of minerals causes it to turn pink.

Once across the ferry, we turned south heading for Meningie (47 km) for morning tea. The road was very flat and the side wind didn't hamper progress. We were entering the Coorong, an area well known for wild fowl, fishing and agriculture. 

The road was at water level and at times I cycled across causeways or with rushes came right up to the margin. Intensive agriculture was carried on here and the soil became very salty, with salt bush appearing in lots of places. Those large fields looked like reclaimed slobland.

There were a few occasions that I actually saw my shadow across the road. I haven’t seen that for a few days. Forgotten what I looked like in full flight!

After morning tea, the road swung a bit to the left and I cycled along with the Coorong lagoon on my right and the long spit of sand- dunes outside that again. This feature is quite plain to be seen in any map of Australia. Tonight we reside along this road (Old Princes Highway) and tomorrow we continue along with one eye on the wild- fowl. It’s so pleasant to cycle with the sight of water continuously on one side. I cycled on my own for almost all the day and stopped frequently to capture an image.

For a period I fell in with a group and pedalled along in the draft. I did make progress, but then I copped on and decided I wanted more from the day than the lasting memory of a back wheel.

We had lunch (85 km) by the side of the Coorong towards the end of the day. The food boxes are emptying now as we are in towns or near shops at all stops. Just need enough for breakfast each morning.

In fact, during the later part of today’s trip along the water’s edge as I approached Salt Creek, I cycled faster than when I was in the group, and I still had my independence. I suppose that the assistance of a gentle tailwind helped also.

I arrived at Salt Creek Roadhouse (our last roadhouse) at 12.45 and checked into the cabin that we booked last night. It looks pretty spartan from the outside, but inside it’s a bit better, has cooking facilities, TV and DVD player but no heating. Woody won’t like that. 5 of us here to share the $100 tarrif.

Fishing is big in these parts and the roadhouse carried all the equipment (long rods for surf fishing) and gear that one would require including deep- frozen bait. 

While having a bite to eat in the restaurant shortly after arriving, one of the cyclists drew my attention to a magazine for farm machinery. In it a full page of ads by Templetuohy Farm Machinery with all machines priced in Euro. Wonder do they do much business out here?

Went for a bit of a walk (marked walk) through the bush across the road. It claimed to be a wild- fowl walk, but I just saw a few coots on the water.   Still, nice to walk a bit after the hours in the saddle.

Tonight we all had Coorong Mullet for dinner in the Roadhouse. Didn't know what to expect but it was light, tasty and delicious. Plate was cleaned.

Postscript to yesterday: After Jervois as I battled with the headwind, I passed dairy land (reclaimed swamps) and the United Dairy creamery. I am told now that United Dairy (Jervois and Murray Bridge) have the largest and most modern cheese factory in the southern hemisphere.

Enjoyed the cycle and pleased that weather has improved.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.