Day 56 24th August Boort to Echuca

Easy ride along flat, quiet country roads today.  Only two groups again so there were 14 riders in my group.  Overcast but no rain though cold.

Staying tonight in the Echuca Community Church buildings.  Was once a drive in theatre complex.  We are staying in what was once the cafeteria of the drive in.  There is currently a wood fire burning in the fire pace behind me as a type this blog. All very cosy.

Sorry it has been a few days since the last entry so look back a few days and catch up with the ride.

Took a walk down to the old wharf on the Murray River for a look around this afternoon.  May go for a ride on a paddle streamer tomorrow.

The V8 Jesus Ute arrived today. It will be travelling back Sydney with us.

 

Day 55 23rd August Donald to Boort

Another cool day as we left Donald.  Sad news for the Halletts has meant we lost another 'beep beep, roadie so we are back to two groups for a couple of days.  Suits me as it slows things up for a while.  It has been good fun riding in a small and fast group but hard work.  Could do with the rest.

Morning tea on top of the world's smallest gazetted mountain.  Mt Wycheproof.  Just a little smaller than Mt Everest I believe.

  Metal Sculpture on top of Mt Wycheproof

 Morning tea on Mt Wycheproof.

Staying tonight in Boort. Boort is the home of my older sister Judy and her husband Kevin.  Great thrill to stay in their home town.  Judy and friend catered for dinner and did a magnificent job.  More than plenty of delicious food,  the apple crumble being a favourite of all.  Enough left over for lunch tomorrow.  Well done Boort and thank you very much for your hospitality.

 Dinner at Boort

Sister and Brother-in-Law,  Judy and Kevin

 

 

Tomorrow we are off to Echuca for a day off.

 

Day 54 22nd August Nhill to Donald

Wow.   What a ride.  Fast, flat, narrow roads with very little traffic.  Better than 35km/hr.  Little bit of rain and cold.

 

 

Comfy night in Donald.  Yet another coffee shop to spend the afternoon in.

 

 

Good company and lots of fun.  Every day has been a new adventure.

 

 

Missing Robyn and though she is not still on the ride I thought I would include a photo of her just to cheer me up a bit.  Bye-the-way, Ruth is improving every day.

 

  Miss you

 

 



Day 53 21st August Keith to Nhill

Crossed another State border today.  Finally in Vic.  Only two states left to cross.  On our way to Nhill today with stiff tailwinds to push us along.  Averaged better than 33km/hr for the day.  Able to ride with the faster group of only four.  Good fun.

Staying and fed tonight in the Nhill UC hall.  Terrific meal and warm hall.  Very comfy.

Morning tea at Kaniva on the Vic side of the border, the only place with garbage bins covered with knitted tea cosies.  Very well looked after town.

  Sheep of Kaniva ?????

Warm Garbage!!!!

Days 51 and 52 19th and 20th August Anguston to Tailem Bend to Keith

Cold getting worse but still able to ride with the faster team (who only number 4 now).  Again cold and showers both days.  Yesterday was tough riding down to Tailem Bend despite some incredible down hill sections.  Wind was so strong (cross wind ) that one dared not to ride fast in fear of being blown off the road.  Some showers also made it very cold.

  Old farm House

Managed to drive the Navara 50km to Peake were I grew up till the family moved to NSW some 48 years ago.  Able to catch us with a cousin still in Peake and to see the farm house we lived in.

 

Cousin Merrill and her husband Terry

Got back a bit late and almost missed dinner that was provided by the local churches.

Today was mostly a flat ride with slight tailwind which allowed us to average almost 30km/hr average again.  Showers again made the ride cold.  Heavy rain coat on all day which keeps the rain out and the swet it so clothing got wet any way.  Still waiting for a warm shower to warm up.

 'A' Team coming in for morning tea.

Dinner again provided by locals.  All very generous and welcome.  Looking forward to a good sleep.

Heading towards the SA/Vic border tomorrow so that will be two state crossed.

Day 50 18th August Rest Day in Angaston

The folk of the Barossa Valley have done a superb job of looking after us during our two night stay.  Each of us were billeted out to various home for the two nights.  Wonderful food, showers, washing done and transport too and from organised events. 

Yesterday evening Chris and my hosts (John and Neadra) who are semi-retired dairy farmers and grape growers took us to Penfold's winery and then out to the farm to watch the cows being milked.  In the evening we were taken to another farm where we were provided with a bounteous meal with all the team and other hosts.
  John, Neadra (our hosts) and Chris

                Dinner with team and  hosts.


Today it was off to church in the morning (divided up between about six local churches).  Most had an opportunity to speak to the congregations about B4B.

The afternoon was spent on a bus tour around the district and another wonderful afternoon tea at an UC building that is now used as a place for local to come and 'connect' with others.  Followed by dinner at our hosts home then off to bed.

My sister, Yvonne, drove over from Mt Barker to see me.  This was very kind of her and it was great to catch up with her for a couple of hours.

      My sister Yvonne and I enjoying coffee and scones in the 'Conections' Church coffee shop.

Weather was cold and showering on and off all day.   I now have a cold so hope I can continue riding tomorrow.

 

 

 

Days 41 & 42 16th and 17th August Port Pirie to Clare to Angaston

Two days of riding through some magnificent country.  The crops through this area are looking terrific.  The riding though has been a bit mixed.  Strong cross winds on the way to Clare made it difficult to stay on the road.  Was wonderful during the brief times that the wind was behind us.  Some showers as well and cold.

The ride to Angaston was much the same.   Cold with some wind.  Beautiful scenery and quite undulating.