Tuesday, August 27

Day 31.           Robe to Mount Gambier.

Distance 135 km in 5 hrs 43 min at 24.2 km/ hr.

Distance so far:  3154 km.

Climbed: 1400 ft

Elevation tonight: 318 ft ASL.

AHR: 107 bpm

Punctures so far:   0

Out at 7.25 am.           In at 2.00 pm.

Our Crew

Collis: Makes the organisation of the ride look simple. Sometimes mixes up numbers and distances....sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.

Cathy: Looks after our nourishment at all stops. Put up great meals at bush camps

Back on the road again today after our relaxing Rest Day.

Last night, we hoped for an improvement in the weather and first light this morning showed a break in the clouds and the promise of a good day. It turned out well. For the first time since Port Augusta (9 days ago) I rode with bare arms and bare legs for part of the day.  As usual, I started out with leggings and heavy jacket and indeed needed them. But after morning tea they were off and I felt free. 

The cycling becomes so much more enjoyable and the kilometres seem shorter. I cycled right into Mount Gambier in my Providence shirt. It was the most comfortable 135 km ride that I have done in a long while.

Also, a light north-east wind blew and came in on my left hand side, but occasionally it caught me just behind the shoulder. For the last 50 km it was a light tailwind that swept us along. I noticed it when I had to cycle back a kilometre to caves that I had missed. I was glad that I hadn't been cycling in that direction all day.

For the first 10 km we were on a much smaller road than previously...surface was rougher and no shoulder, but things improved after that and it was back to the usual conditions.

During those early kms we shared the road with school buses as they picked up students.

Looking at the map last night, I knew that a few familiar place-names would crop up, but I got more than I expected. Just outside Robe, I passed Powerscourt farm; later on I passed Bray Cottage and after 100 km we passed into the district of Grant.  Surely, there must be a ...town there somewhere.

Coming out of the Robe area, we still had lakes and wetlands nearby with sand-dunes in the distance. These are large conservation areas and some swamps are supported and funded by concerned families.

I noticed how many houses and businesses were for sale. Signs up everywhere, town and country, not only today but all along this trip. It reminded me of the same thing as I cycled around Ireland in 2006. Is Australia heading in same direction as we were then? It’s the nature of bubbles to burst at some stage.

Not only are the fields very green after the winter rains, but some fields are waterlogged at this stage.....familiar? No expanses of wheat or canola today but plenty of sheep and stock. And they weren't stuck for space...plenty of elbow room.

In spite of winter, one house had a great floral display at the gateway.

As we came close to Mount Gambier, forestry took over. We had some as we approached Robe on Sunday, but today we had it for miles and miles. It stretched up the hill slopes in the distance. And in Mount Gambier as we cycled in, I noticed a large wood-chip plant. Also many trucks passed us loaded with freshly cut logs giving off that lovely pine resin aroma.

Mount Gambier is a large city and famous for its craters, limestone caves and lakes. It's most famous attraction is the Blue Lake. This is a lake 3.5 km in circumference in an extinct volcanic crater. In winter the water is slate grey but in Summer (Nov to  March) it turns to a brilliant turquoise drawing droves of tourists. When I called today, it was closed to guided tours but got a good view as I rounded it to our caravan park, Blue Lake Holiday Park. 

Picture of a picture.

Looking at my photos afterwards, I thought that I had captured that turquoise colouring on the lake. Only later did I realise that I had just taken a photo of a picture down at the Visitors Centre. Still, nice to compare how it looked today with that picture.

There is a whole series of caves under the city (Engelbrecht Caves) and it was to visit these that I had to retrace my steps, as already mentioned. Again, closed on Mon, Tue, Wed during the winter. Not my lucky day.

Tomorrow morning as we leave, we’ll pass another feature, the Umpherston Sinkhole. It won’t be open but I hope we can view it.

Got into the caravan park early afternoon and into Cabin 9. My turn to have the bed. Another hearty meal cooked in. Tomorrow we cross onto Victoria.

A most comfortable day in the saddle. Hope tomorrow is as good.

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