Friday, Sept 6.

Day 39. (of cycling).    Kyneton to Bendigo.

Distance: 88 km in 3 hrs 59 min at 22 km/hr.

Distance so far: 3926 km.

Climbed: 1748 ft.

Elevation tonight: 804 ft ASL.

AHR:  102 m.

Punctures so far: 0

Out at 8.15am.         In Bendigo at: 1.10pm.

No rain today but it didn’t seem far away at any stage. Overcast and cool, even chilly throughout. 10 deg as i set out and sun never broke through. At least, I didn’t have to put on the wet gear.

Kyneton was coming to life as I passed along Mollisons St this morning. At present, it is celebrating its Daffodil Festival for 11 days. It has the usual parade, festival queen, art shows etc and ferret racing and a scarecrow competition. Many buildings in the town  (including the Shamrock Hotel) have the grandeur of 19th century as this area grew on the tide of the Victorian gold rush. 

The landscape was rolling and no sharp hills to climb although I was at 1550 ft elevation at one stage. From here I had a good view ahead towards Bendigo. I spent the first 35 km on the Calder Freeway and made good progress. The trucks going my way gave me a helpful tow as they passed while those going the opposite were too far away to hinder me with their whoosh. A benefit of the freeway with a median.

I pulled off at Harcourt, the apple centre of Victoria. The soil here is very suitable for the cultivation of apples and so e very large areas were covered to protect blossoms and early fruit. Cider was on offer at the various cideries as I passed. 

The roads along here were so quiet and felt just like home. I got some interested glances from animals along the way. I must ask around about the hollow gum tree just outside Bendigo. And the construction of sheds could possibly be a little sturdier if the consulted with the experts...ODS.!

Roads stretched off to homesteads on the right and left and each had an individual postbox. Many other people have a post box in the post office and come to collect when it suits.

Shortly after noon, I approached the beginnings of Bendigo. It’s a busy city and again many buildings show the opulence connected with the wealth of the gold rush. Again it has a Shamrock Hotel,and a Brian Boru Hotel. I called into Moronis Bikeshop, but they didn’t know anyone from the Glen!

One of my first calls in the city was to the Tourist Information Centre, (Australia’s Grandest Visitor Centre) and collected some maps and brochures.

Around 4pm I arrived out at Nicholas’s place and we met up after a long long time. At such a time it’s hard to know where to begin, but we have a few days to catch up. When he came here to Junortoun (6 km out from centre of the city) some 20 years ago, it totally rural. Now, developments are slowly surrounding him with the harness track and greyhound track just across the road. 

After dinner, it was time to set ourselves down for the Footy Qualifying Final between Sydney Swans and Hawthorne. (All of Nicholas’s gang are avid Swans people so I was sworn in to barrack for them. My support didn’t help...they were thrashed.

So, today was a special day on this adventure one that I looked forward to. I’m here till next Tuesday before continuing my trek to Sydney. I’ll just one blog posting next Monday to cover these three days.

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