Day Twenty-two: Milang to Goolwa 44 kms

Collis woke in the early hours of the morning worrying about the car troubles and how we were going to get the riders to the airport on Sunday (as promised). Nothing he could do about it during the night so he eventually went back to sleep. Up early so he could ring roadside assist at 7 am. The guy was there by 8 am and we got some bad news. The advise was to have it towed immediately but we decided to try driving it to Goolwa and then towed next week. The riders headed off around 8.30 am for a leisurely 35 km ride into Goolwa for morning tea at the bakery.
We arrived there around 11 am and everyone had morning tea and a congratulatory group hug. We had been told that they could ride a short distance across Hindmarsh Island to the Mouth of the Murray. We led them across the bridge with lights flashing and cow bell ringing to find that it was actually 11 kms to the mouth. The group decided to forgo the extra 22 kms and head back into town for a look around. Collis and I headed out to the house booked for the night and unloaded all the luggage before heading back into town to join the group for a celebratory lunch.
After lunch everyone who needed to, spent most of the afternoon pulling their bikes apart and packing them into boxes for their flights home.
A bus was organised to pick them up the next morning to take them into Adelaide & the airport. This was actually our original plan so we knew we could get them to their destinations as planned. It was a lovely trip and a great group of people to share it with.

Day Twenty-One: Mannum to Milang 120 kms

Pink sky in the morning is a shepherd's warning- beautiful sunrise but it is a bit ominous. The camp last night was reasonably quiet even though it was pretty busy with caravans. Robbo survived the night without being asked to move his tent- lucky boy. The camp kitchen is really good here so we had a comfortable breakfast today before our biggest day on the trip (especially if they have a headwind as forecast).
The group rode off around 8 am this morning. The plan is morning tea at 35 kms, lunch at another 35 kms and afternoon tea at another 25 kms. Mark left us this morning so he could ride to Adelaide to meet his wife who was coming to Adelaide for the weekend.
The wind was definitely a headwind before morning tea. The scenery changed totally with us leaving the Murray cliffs behind and entering into dairy country and some arid salt bush areas. Morning tea at Murray Bridge in the park (no magpies swooping this time round but one did pee on Robbo).
Lunch was at the courthouse in Wellington. I got to sit and watch the ferry go back and forth- it is amazing how many trucks and cars can be placed on the one ferry. We came across a group of cyclists who are cycling Adelaide to Melbourne in 7 days with one rest day. They were a young group who were raising money for a burns unit and today was their first day on the road.
Afternoon tea was on the side of the road. Bill stated he had a tailwind after lunch but no-one else actually noticed it. Collis and I went to a winery and bought 1 kg of horseradish and two different sauces. The girls were drafting on the way in but Jen took off after tea and nearly beat everyone into town. A light came on the dashboard of the car after tea- something called the catalytic converter and the book tells us to slow down and speak to a mechanic. I don't think we can slow down any further than Collis' slow pace.
All in at Milang by 4 pm and everyone was pretty exhausted but pleased with their efforts. We all went to the pub for dinner and then an early night.

Day Twenty: Swan Reach to Mannum 60 kms

Very relaxed start to the morning. This is good as I had a terrible hour or maybe two overnight due to very itchy mozzie bites. Collis woke me early hours of the morning as he was climbing out of the truck and when he climbed back in he pointed out the snoring that was happening in camp. I thought the really loud snoring was Rob but Collis insists that it was one of the canoeists that were next to us. It was extremely loud and in the background was the gentle snoring of everyone else. So I laid there trying to ignore the snoring, when I focused in on my mozzie bites and started to scratch. I am surprised I have any skin left on my feet, I was viscous! Collis kindly climbed out of the truck again to find my stop itch cream which sort of helped ease the craving to scratch. Sticking my feet out in the cold made some difference as well. I eventually went back to sleep and we got up around 7 am.

Everyone was on the road by 8.45 am. The wind was not their friend again today but there was some relief with the bushes on the side of the road. The views were again spectacular and very difficult to get the full effect on film. Leisurely ride to Walker Flats for morning tea- 32 kms. Great coffee stop and we had some donated hot cross buns from Waikerrie Bakery. Lots of fruit from the shops but also from spoils along the road. Jacquei has managed to get pears and apples yesterday. We sat around at morning tea waiting for a paddle steamer to come up past us. Collis, Jim and I boarded a huge houseboat that moored while we were waiting. It was very impressive and worth checking out (how the other half live).
All into camp here at Mannum by 1.45 pm. Issue with Robbo wanting to camp away from the camping area that we have been allocated- he may be asked to move his tent if management catch up with him. The girls went for a walk across the road into town and had a nice time checking out the antique shops. The boys rode around checking the layout of everything.

Day Nineteen: Waikerie to Swan Reach (change of itinerary) 104 kms

The cool change came through in the early hours of the morning and the temperature has dropped dramatically- supposed to only get to 24 degrees today. A little bit of rain overnight but not enough to really talk about. Cloudy all day which kept the temperature right down. The wind was blowing in the wrong direction most of the day.

Difficult ride to Morgan for morning tea but worth the effort. Difficult because of the wind. Morgan is a lovely little town and the boys were able to get their morning fix of coffee as they waited for us to come across on the ferry. We had to wait for the ferry to fill up on petrol- this took 20 minutes.
We were going to have lunch at Blanchetown but we changed the plan as everyone seemed to be really struggling in the wind. We stopped at 80 km mark- on the cliffs again. Everyone seemed to appreciate it and no-one bothered to go into Blanchetown.
Another 24 kms then till finish for the day. Mark said it was the worst road he had ever travelled around Australia. Everyone came in pretty exhausted but they soon rejuvenated after the shower and a few nibbles.

Day Eighteen: Renmark to Waikerie 92 kms

It is April Fools Day and Jacquei is in full swing. Everyone watch out.
The day started with a high temperature. It eventually reached 36 degrees but apparently 42 degrees on the road. The briefing was held in the morning before they all rode off together.
Morning tea was at the Overland Corner Hotel. The Hotel was not quite open by the time the riders got there but they did open up just before we left. Opening time was 11 am. Collis gave more directions at morning tea but forgot to mention one important turn (although the turn WAS mentioned a number of times at the morning briefing). I walked past the car before we headed off and found someone had been busy creating a personality for the car. Bill went to ride off and found his bike taped to the "Cyclists" sign and Robbo found his water bottle had been taped to his carrier. Jacquei!!!!!

They head off eventually and Collis suddenly realises he has forgotten to mention a turn so we put the sign on the corner and then we go to head down the other road to make sure everyone has turned. The girls came up behind us and then turned. I rang Jim and find him 4 kms down the wrong road and he did not know where Bill was. I ring Bill but he has turned his phone off. We go 15 kms down the wrong road looking for him before a phone call comes through from Bill asking us where we had got to- he was waiting at the lunch spot. Back we go to the turnoff to pick up our sign and check Jim has made the correct turn. No sign. Robbo had picked it up (he thought we had forgotten it) and carried it on his bike for 10 kms down the road. Jim was OK and found the turn. Everyone was pretty hot and thirsty by lunchtime. Lunch was on the cliffs overlooking Waikerie.
After lunch it was a short downhill ride to the ferry, across the river and up into the town. Caravan park was nice with a well equipped camp kitchen and a refreshing swimming pool. Most riders went for a swim then out to dinner at the pub. Hot night with very little breeze.

Day Seventeen: Renmark Rest Day 0 Kms

Had a lovely breakfast bought by Kathy, provided by Cycle Across Oz and cooked by Mark, Jim and Collis.  Everyone enjoyed the luxury of lazing around over breakfast before heading off to do their own thing for the day.

Collis and I went into town to do some more shopping, some snooping around the opp shops, a go on the pokies and then decided to go for a drive around the area. We went to the Almond Factory (bought lots), then along to Lyrup Forest (no trees) and then onto Berri. 

Nice day.

Day Sixteen: Werrimull to Renmark SA. 100 kms

A few grumpy faces this morning. Not sure why this is so but probably to do with the one early rise on the trip. It has been such a relaxed trip so far but there was talk and predictions of heat and head winds so everyone wanted to get on the road early. My weather guru had said little to no winds but this was ignored- as usual I was correct, I think I need to pass on the app I use. Most of us had a lovely evening last night and should have had a good sleep but not everyone.
Robbo was the first up as usual and I was greeted by him at the tea making table at 6.15 am on my way to the bathroom. He was then complaining of nowhere to sit and eat his breakfast because it was dark- Robbo it is dark every morning if you get up before sunrise and you have never complained before, why was this morning any different. I went around reminding everyone they had to finish off all their fruit and vegies this morning before we get to the border. Got snapped at rudely by Mark when I reminded him of his cantelope- I was taken back by the tone but didn't say anything (until later after stewing on it all day). We had a beautiful bag of roma tomatoes which we have to use up for morning tea and probably lunch. Jacquei had a lovely bag of organic carrots which she decided to donate to the pub. Carmen had a bag of fruit which I will cut up at morning tea as well.

The wind did not pick up and it was perfect riding conditions this morning. The group stopped at the pioneer village on the way to Renmark, $2 entry and well worth the effort- "very interesting"said Carmen. Morning tea and lunch were both on the side of the road and the flies were horrendous. Ants were numerous, march flies were biting and the little pesky flies were in their thousands. I ended up in the car as I couldn't tolerate them for long. I used a t-towel and put tissues in my ears but still got attacked. I made tomato sandwiches and tomato wedges with lots of salt for morning tea.
We were in at camp by 2.30 pm and all pretty hot by this time. The Stuart Hwy wasn't as bad for traffic today so the riders weren't shook up like they were the other day. The caravan park is very green and we have been put near the river down the back away from all the families- very peaceful.
Collis has realised he has made a mistake with his mileage in a couple of days so we will have to rejig the accommodation etc tomorrow. I snapped at Mark but we made up and I will have to learn to talk things out with him at the time rather than stewing on it all day.

Day Fifteen: Mildura to Werrimul 70 kms.

We sat around this morning as we only had 70 kms today. It was a beautiful sunrise with a hot air balloon flying overhead for a short period. It has been predicted to be a warm day today.

Mark left about the same time as everyone else with Robbo coming up the rear. He was going for his seniors meal at Maccas again so he will probably be late. The road was pretty quiet today and they had a tailwind for most of the day. First stop was Redcliffe. They had a market starting later in the morning so we sort of missed out and then there was going to be a parade in the afternoon. Shopping at the opp shops was profitable for Jacquei and everyone grabbed a coffee.
Morning tea was at the 35- 40 km mark with hot cross buns (donated by Robbo) and some more of the lemon/sour cream cake. The march flies have made themselves known, biting Jen on the behind whilst riding and then attacking all of us when we stopped. Mark had a theory that once you killed 3 march flies then the rest would leave you alone- didn't work- not even after I had killed about ten of the buggers. Glad to get back in the car and down the road.
We have entered country which is very similar to outback South Australia. Mostly scrub with wheat fields scattered around. We did not stop for lunch and we were in Werrimul by 1 pm. Collis shouted everyone a schooner and then later he paid for dinner as well. Lovely people who own the pub and they told us quite a bit about the history of the area (it was once a thriving little town). Not much here now except some limestone churches and ruins.
Bill, Jim, Collis & I all took rooms in the pub and the others camped on the green grass out the back of the pub using showers and toilets in the hotel.
Nice night.

Day Fourteen: Mildura 0 kms Rest Day

How many male cyclists required to fix a bike pump? Not sure yet because they are still trying. Robbo, Collis and Mark have all had a go at it so far. I will keep you informed. Robbo is busy eating all his oranges in between working on the pump because he has been told he can't take them out of Mildura. The blood sugars will now go through the roof. They could not fix the pump so the girls will have a go at it tomorrow. It will be fixed tomorrow!

Everyone went off in their own directions today. Jacquei walked into town and back (exhausted by the end of it with approximately 15 kms), Jen came back from her aunt's place and I think she caught up with Jacquei or Carmen. Carmen was riding around town and down to the marina. Jim went to the library and read a book from cover to cover. Robbo spent most of the morning trying to fix the pump then after lunch went shopping. Not sure how Bill spent his day. Mark shopped and then went down to one of the locks, watched a paddle steamer then came back into town looking for food. Collis and I went for brunch at the local cafe then went for a drive around the area.
Made a huge pot of pumpkin soup which everyone shared and some pesto pasta that Rob & Jim helped us to finish off. Relaxing day.

Day Thirteen: Robinvale to Mildura 95 kms

Woke to another clear, blue sky this morning. All down the east coast of Australia is having huge downpours with flash flooding but we seem to have missed the majority of it once again. The Gods seem to bless us with pretty good weather on these trips. Last nights rain only lasted for an hour or so- it was heavy but not long.

Everyone up and about when we arrived at the camp kitchen. Jim volunteered to be the leader this morning so we grabbed at the offer. They were riding all day down the Stuart Highway so nothing too complicated until we get to Mildura and then the group will probably be broken up by then. The truck traffic was pretty constant all day with the trucks loaded with the final harvests of the local fruits. Most trees and vines were looking pretty much empty as we drove past. Jacquei managed to find some huge mandarins which was enjoyed by most of us.
We only stopped for morning tea today without a lunch break. We were all, except for Robbo, in town by 2 pm. Robbo is still having trouble with his repaired tubes and had not yet purchased any new tubes. Collis ended up giving him one of his spare tubes which managed to get him back on the road so he could get into the town to buy his own. Apparently he bought 5 tubes from one bike shop and then went to the other shop for some other repairs. He came into camp exhausted and sugar depleted requiring assistance again to get his blood sugar levels back up.
Jen had 2 punctures today and she used the other spare tube that Collis had and was able to get back on the road. Jen has gone off to visit her elderly aunt for the night. Bill has once again found himself a motel room. Jim, Collis and Carmen watched the footy. I went out for dinner with a friends daughter and had a really lovely meal.

Day Twelve: Tooleybuc to Robinvale 95 kms.

Well I thought the previous night was noisy- last night was worse but then the trucks stopped and it was lovely and quiet. Bill was very pleased with himself as he was once again in a motel room. Everyone was relaxed and well rested this morning. We left around 8.15 without an allocated leader as Mark has refused to take his turn.
Morning tea was at the 40 km mark with a lemon/sour cream cake bought at the general store in Tooleybuc. Lovely cake. Everyone was spread out with Jacquei arriving at morning tea with a huge bag of oranges stored in her raincoat. She had been hoping another rider would help her carry them but he just rode off. She's not wanting to share now although I did remind her of women's lib (we can do anything they can do, even carry 3 kg of oranges in our jacket for 10 kms). Carmen saw the orange stall and took off quickly as she had the pannier that had been used over the last few days of fruit picking.
Bill was the only one who stopped for a lunch break around 85 km mark and the rest rode into town. Robbo was way behind after having another 3 punctures and was keeping us informed of his progress via SMS. All except Robbo were into camp by 2 pm. Nice camp ground and Collis & I decided it was time for us to upgrade to a cabin.
Just after we get into the cabin, the heavens open with lightening and thunder and a real heavy downpour. Collis went out to see how Robbo was getting on but he hadn't been hit by the rain at all and was happy to keep going under his own steam.

Day Eleven: Lake Boga to Tooleybuc Somewhere between 67 and 75.5 kms.

Woke to rain pitter-patter on the canvas from early hours of the morning. No rush to get up when it's raining. The trucks and trains were a bit noisy for the first time last night. Eventually decided to crawl out of the truck around 7.30 to find most cyclists were still in their tents although Jacquei's was down and packed up under cover. Had a lovely hot shower and put on some warm clothing. We had planned to leave around 9 am this morning but we left around 9.30 am although Robbo was hanging around for quite awhile after the others left.
Bill was the leader today and he was looking a bit nervous about the responsibility. He wrote down the instructions and away they went. They were following a course designed by Mark, hope it goes well!
We met Robbo just as we were driving into Swan Hill and he was heading for his seniors meal in at McDonalds before hitting Subway for his lunch. Not sure what time he will get in at this rate. No sign of the others in Swan Hill so they must be on the road. We come across Mark on some road works and he was concerned that his were the only bike tyre marks in the sand. Still haven't seen the rest of them. We came to a bend in the road and we had to look at the map to make sure we were heading the right way, so there is every likelihood that today will produce some confusion.
First call came from Jen who was with Bill & Jim and were lost- Collis gave them directions to the highway. Straight away we get another call from Jacquei and Carmen who had stopped to pick some plums and they needed directions as well. As we were talking to them they spot the other three coming towards them. So they team up again and head towards the highway (we think).
We get to the town for morning tea and Mark is the first to arrive (his directions of course), Jim is next to arrive, then a huge tractor goes past and Robbo is sitting on the back of it (drafting at 36 kms/hr). Bill  comes in 4th and not looking very happy but no sign of the girls. Another phone call from them (10 minutes later)and they arrived 10 minutes after that- all girls having a great time. Everyone except the leader for today seems to be enjoying themselves. Bill didn't enjoy losing his way and all the riders- but they were not concerned.

The girls found plums, apples, pomegranates and craisons. Jacquei ended up with some stomach cramps. The plums were the best I've tasted in years.
We all went to the serviceman's club for the half way dinner. The group have ridden 710 kms on our route and more on their own (Mark from Sydney, Jim from Melbourne and the others around towns). The special for the night was roast pork and most chose this option.

Day Ten: Barham to Lake Boga 67 kms

Always plotting!

Late start again as not so far to go today. Heading to Lake Bogan (name change because Jacquei will be there), so they will ride together most of the way. Jen was the ride leader today and took her role very seriously. She did a good job and may get this position again (not like Carmen who started to head back to Melbourne when she had the responsibility- think this may have been on purpose).

Stopped at the Lodden River for morning tea. I couldn't believe it- I bought a sponge cake with jam and cream for morning tea and only 4 people had any (last time I do that). Gave the out of towners a lesson on what the holes in the mud were caused by- snakes weren't believed, fish was the second choice and finally we said big, black spiders. I don't think they believed any of it. Oh well, they will soon find out- won't they Annie.
We were into camp by lunchtime with a tailwind for the majority of the day but some tough stretches as well. Nice camp area on Lake Boga.
It's Monday night and you wouldn't believe it but the local hotel (the only place to eat) does not serve meals on a Monday night.
Collis went down and had a little word in their ear, and we ended up with hamburgers made with steak & eggs for $10.00 a head. That was 2 hamburgers each.
The bogans really went to town tonight.
Beautiful sunset when we got back to camp and the colours over the lake were superb. We really are a lucky country.