Sunday Sept 15.

Day 46.      Cootamundra to Cowra.

Distance: 124 km in 5hrs 43 min at 21.7 km/hr.

Distance so far: 4582 km.

Climbed: 2364 ft.

Elevation tonight: 1045ft ASL.

Punctures so far: 4.

Out at 7.15am.         In at 2.30m.

 I left this morning earlier than usual with over 120 km before me and a forecast promising a NE wind as the day progressed......and I was heading NE. Even at that hour some people were making their way to the bakery in Cootamundra for the breakfast.

No rain during the day. That headwind didn’t actually materialise. Occasionally there was a  last of air from the NE but it didn't last. Plenty of sunshine and the coat and leggings were off befor morning coffee.

Just outside Cootamundra the road began to rise and fall more seriously than yesterday. At one point I was at 1500 ft. The same thing happened after Young(50km) but I was given all those feet back before the day was out.

Cootamundra is the home of Plough and Be Counted. They are in the Guinness Book of Records (2004) when they had 1901 tractors ploughing one paddock simultaneously. And at the Saleyards, they have a replica plough to celebrate the event.

All along the route today I met I with umpteen bikers in droves returning from some gathering or other up country. Last Friday they were all going in the opposite direction. Also, some MG owners passed me returning home after the Gathering of the Faithful in Wagga Wagga. I was also stared at by livestock in their paddocks this Sunday morning although some of them were more intent on keeping a cool head.

Young (pop 9,000), where I stopped for morning coffee, is regarded as the Cherry capital of Australia. The district produces about 60% of Australia’s cherries. Peaches, plums, prunes (dehydrated plums) and nectarines are also grown here supplying 20% of Australia’s prune market. Located next to the Visitor Information Centre is the Big Cherry. The cherry harvest goes from mid Nov to late Dec.

Young was also the most extensive area involved in the NSW gold rush in 1860. Originally a well sheltered valley devoted to sheep, within 12 months of gold being discovered, 20,000 converged on the area. Many of them were Chinese and racial strife erupted many times.

I paid a visit to Blackguard Gully, the site of the strife between Chinese and Europeans in 1861 as the Europeans resented the presence of the Chinese. It is now a designated fossiking area and equipment may be hired in the Folk Museum.

I passed through Wallendbeen which claims to be the Best Dryland Wheat Growing area in NSW and shortly afterwards came across more of the Wheat Milestones in Wombat, as the Sunday morning car-booth sal was commencing.

After Young (still 74 km to go) I encountered more hilly parts but also hills appeared on the horizon to the left and right.....thankfully nothing on front. The rises were sharp but the descents just kept going on and on.

At one stage today 3 kangaroos accompanied me (at a safe distance). They moved faster than me and skipped over fences ahead of them.

The road approaching Cowra apparently went through the agricultural machinery precinct. Machineyards on both sides for ages before I came to the residential part.

Cowra is noted for the Breakout  of 1944. In WW2, Australia established a Prisoner of War camp in Cowra for Japanese, Italian and Korean prisoners. On Aug 5, 1944 the Japanese after a number of problems decided to storm the perimeter..... a suicidal  mission but it would save their honour. 1104 Japanese prisoners launched at the perimeter, 334 prisoners escaped into the Cowra countryside but were rounded up within 9 days and 230 were killed.

Very little remains of the camp but the story is told in a brilliant hologram presentation by Clare (actually an actress from Home and Away)in the Visitor Centre. 

The town made remarkable efforts since, to promote reconciliation. The local branch of the RSL maintained the graves of the Japenese soldiers as a mark of respect. This Japanese War Cemetery is the only official Japanese War Cemetery in the world. The town developed a Japanese Garden, celebrates a Cherry Festival (Sakura Matsuri). 

The Australian World Peace Bell was awarded to Cowra in recognition for their long standing contribution to world peace and international understanding. These Bells are generally located in capital cities over the world but this one hangs just beside the main street (Kendall St).

While in the Visitor Centre, I spied some interesting fare....Walsh's Chutney. It was out for tasting (tasted good too) and they had a few more products on show. If I weren't cycling I'd have taken a jar.

I checked into Alabaster Motel at 2.30 and welcomed the coffee and the hot shower.

An interesting route today and pleasant weather.

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