Tuesday,July 30.

Day3.  Meredin to Southern Cross.

108 km in 4 hr 40 min @ 22.5 km/ hr.

Climbed 1214 ft.

AHR : 108 bpm

Distance so far:  374 km.

Punctures so far: 0

Out at 8 am.  In at 1.30 pm.

In spite of the comparative comfort of the cabin I failed to sleep for no apparent reason- wasn't tired, wasn't sore, bed was comfortable, no cold, no noise apart from the trains passing all night which didn't bother me. Couldn't nod off but felt relaxed and not fretting about it. Alarm called at 6.30 and I felt as fresh as a daisy......and no I'll effects during the day

We left in pleasant brightness unlike yesterday morning ( 8 deg) but as the day went on it rose to 19 deg. Pretty soon I had the armlets off ( didn't even put on the leggings today). What I consider a lovely summer's day for cycling. Wind was non- existent till a gentle tailwind aided us along towards the end of the spin.

Just as we left the Caravan Park we viewed a part of the original Water Pipeline .... made of timber staves like a barrel and wound with steel cable. We had the Pipeline with us all day again and passed working crews renewing various parts.

As we moved out on the road in the early morning the trees were alive with birds. It was difficult to pick out the colours in the weak light or to capture them on film. Only get silhouettes. There were cockatoos there and later galahs  appeared across our path with flashes of white and pink. As the day warmed up bird-sounds fell off.

Road signs are telling us that we are getting closer and closer to Kalgoorlie where we have our first rest- day. Also the road is ever becoming straighter and more even. All rises today were just 2 or3%. Any height we climbed we got it back with tonight's altitude little different from last nights.

I spotted my first kangaroo warning sign. I kept my eyes peeled but nothing spotted. I'll see plenty later on.

At 42km we pulled off at Carribin Roadhouse for morning tea.  Apart from the rest, morning tea offers tea of coffee with a range of biscuits and/ or dips and some fruit. It's location is announced at the previous night's route-rap but is usually at the 40 - 50 km  mark after 2 hrs cycling. Lunch is at 80- 100 km mark but afternoon tea only happens on the extra long days of 120+ km distance.

We came on Rabbit Fence No 1 today and part of the original is preserved together with information boards. The longest fence in the world ( 1837 km) from the north coast to the south coast. By the 50's rabbits were no longer the threat but emus were being driven westward by extreme drought and devouring crops. Even today the Rabbit Fence ( now called the State Barrier Fence) still plays an important role in preserving farmers' livelihoods.

For the last 20 km of today's distance we had a group of 5 and we moved along at a brisk pace. I kept an eye on my team in my rear- view mirror and we kept together right into Southern Cross.  The strategy that Paul and I operate is to stop every 20 km on the button for a short rest. It works.

In town I sought someplace with wi-fi. I was directed to Southern Cross Community Resource Centre. My quest was in vain but the kind lady asked where I came from. I told her that we sing a song about how long it is to my place. Immediately she pipes up ' You come from Tipperary?' I made a second attempt in the Club Hotel but with no luck either. The girl in the bar definitely wasn't local...she was from Bantry. I congratulated her on their great win over Kilkenny and she gave me a low- down on the match. She had watched it on Setanta. So no luck with wi- fi but I succeeded in uploading Day 1 and 2. Took a while.

Tonight 3 of us have gone posh again ( though not as salubrious as last night) in a caravan...it' all that was available. It's grand but we'll be in the tents tomorrow night.

An early finish today and a bit of R&R before the sun set on another enjoyable trip.

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