Day 47 15th August Port Augusta to Port Pirie

Shorter day today.  Only 92km.  In by lunch.  Mostly flat as we rode along between the Spencers Gulf and the Flinders Ranges.

  Flinders Ranges

Slower pace

Now done 5538km, average speed since Broome 28.6km/hr.   Burnt 149,756 calories.  Off to find a cake shop.

Day 46 14th August Kimba to Port Augusta

Awesome ride today.   Woke up to rain on the roof and feared the worst but God is good to us and the rain cleared before we set off.  Only the wet road to contend with.  By morning tea the sun was breaking through and tailwinds were picking up which continued to strengthen for the rest of the ride.  Average speed 37plus km/hr. for the entire 156km ride.  Some of the last 20km at better than 50km/hr.  Fantastic.

 50km/hr into Port Augusta

 

Found a lovely bakery with all slices etc $2 each.  Decisions, decisions, only solution eat both the 'Granny slice (Yummy) and the 'Apple strudel'.   Then another lovely dinner provided by the Port Augusta Anglican church.

 

 

 Rode past Iron Knob

 

Day 45 13th August Wudinna to Kimba

The shorter days are often the more difficult.  I think it is mostly all in the mind.  Thinking it will be easy, because of the short distance, leads to a fault expectation.  Today, though not overly taxing in terrain or wind, seemed to be harder than many of the much longer days.  Never-the-less we made it into Kimba in good time and were able to spend some much needed down time around a cup of coffee.

 

Kimba (for better or worse) is the home of the 'Big Galah'.  It is in the middle of the farming country on the Eire Peninsular.   Farmers around here are feeling positive for a good year.  Things are definitely looking good at the moment.

It was in Kimba the Robyn celebrated a significant birthday when we rode through here four years ago. (Though this year we are a couple of weeks earlier).  Happy memories.

Found a good way to get nice photo's.  Give the camera to the children and let them take candid snaps.  Seems too work well.

  Jim.

Sarah

 

Toays team name was ' Hakuna Matata'  due to travelling to Kimba (Lion King the movie).  Jim, our 'beep beep' roadie couldn't say it.  So from Jim came all sorts of words including Comatose, Comancheros darda dar dar.  Finally found something Jim can not do. 

 

All is still going well.  Would love to be with Jo and Ruth and missing Robyn.  Better news about Ruth today though the out look is still serious and we would appreciate your prayers for little Ruth and her mum and dad.

 

Longer day tomorrow so it should be OK.  It's all mind game really.



 

Day 44 12th August Streaky Bay to Wudinna

Sad to leave Streaky Bay.  It is such a beautiful place (at least when the weather is fine and calm).  Set off in still, cool conditions.  Easy ride out of town and no hurry.

 

Streaky Bay jetty as we headed off.

 

 

Morning tea at a small locality whose claim to fame is the 'Big Stump'.  Probably why the stump jump plough was invented in SA.

 

 The Big Stump

 

 

Arrived in Wudinna (pronounced Wood-na) early due to favourable winds.  Enabled early showers and plenty of time in the bakery.   Now in SA so Cornish pasties available.  Yum.  So good I had two for afternoon tea (and a coffee of course).

 

Wudinna is the home of a monument to 'The Australian Farmer'.  Very impressive.

 

 

Today our tam was called "Woodies" due to name of destination.





Day 43 11th August Rest Day at Streaky Bay

If you have just looked up this blog I have entered the our previous days blog today so please check them out as well.

Rest Day today so not much has happened.

The group went to three different churches in town this morning.  I went along to the Catholic service.  Found it interesting though different to home.  The folk there were kind and made some considerable donations to the B4B fund raising.  Thankyou to these folk.

Lunch was provided by the Anglican Church,  left over from last nights tea. Just as nice the second time.

Simone left for home in NZ this afternoon, so one more roadie down.  Her husband Mike will continue through to Sydney.  Thanks for your time with us, Simone.

Lazy afternoon.  Blogging, bike care, fuelled the Navara and about to go off and find some tea.

Once again I apologies for the grama, spelllling  etc of this blog.  No time to proof read.

Have fun.

 

Day 42 10th August Ceduna to Streaky Bay

Said good-bye to Robyn after breakfast as she drove of to the airport.  Sad that she couldn't stay but family is more important than the ride at the moment.

Ride down to Streaky Bay was pleasant and not too fast.  More of a celebration ride after crossing the Nullarbor and relief that we have a day off tomorrow.  The 'A team' (slower group) managed to stay on our wheel from morning tea till lunch so we rode this stretch as one bunch. (I think they feel they can do this all the time now.  We will see.)

Morning tea.  Thought it must have been "Funny Hat Day" or something.

Staying in the school hall here in Streaky Bay.  Weather is mild, still and very pleasant.  Dinner tonight was provided by the churches of Streaky Bay in the shore of the Bay.  A very enjoyable evening indeed.

 

Manager to get the washing done this arvo so have all of tomorrow to rest.
 

Day 41 9th August Nundroo to Ceduna

Last day of the Nullarbor crossing today.   Reasonable riding was spoilt by the news of Ruth's (grand-daughter) health.  Now in Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney.  Couldn't stop thinking about her.

It was good to get the Nullarbor behind us and to be back in some sort of civilisation again (coffee shops and all).  Ride was OK today. Nothing too difficult except for the last few Km into Ceduna as the road swung around to the south and into the wind.  Back to sleeping on airbeds again in halls etc.  Will miss the 'motel style' accommodation.  Also last night for Robyn before see flies back to Sydney to be with Joanne and Ruth.  I will miss her more. (Everyone here will miss her.  She has been an excellent 'beep-beep roadie'.  Though I might be biased).

Dinner tonight provided by the churches of Ceduna and after the meal we enjoyed a sing-along and meeting with some of the locals.  Robyn played the piano.  Considerable prayer was offered for Ruth's health which was very touching.

Dinner at Ceduna  (new camera panorama shot.  Snazzy ahh!!!)

Purchased a new camera here in Ceduna.  The display looks a bit like the flight deck of a jet fighter plane so I hope I can learn how to use it.  Might be a few more pictures from here on.