A day for ducks and kangaroos
When I got up this morning it took me a while before I decided that I was going to cycle today, wether I did the right thing I’m still not sure.
I knew today it was going to be rainy but the thought to spend it in Woodside was less than appealing and I had very many options if I wanted to bail out at any point.
I made it all the way to Seaspray for breakfast only I misjudged the capacity of the tank as I run out of energy a good ten miles short of the mark, an emergency Mars bar was deployed.
In Seaspray it started raining with some intensity and I contemplated stopping at the caravan park, only it was very uninspiring and I had just been reinvigorated by a splendid burger and chips.
I kept going and started following the coast northeast.
Another ten miles and the rain intensified and I found myself trying new and creative ways to keep visibility while not getting too wet. I will buy a new helmet when I get back to Europe but today told me that I will need one that fits under the hood.
The route was rather unexciting, a very high dune was separating me from the roaring sea and only occasionally one could walk down paths to see the rather unspoiled beach. I did so only once as the rain had magnanimously stopped for five minutes.
In another 30 minutes I got in the vicinity of Golden Beach, one of the various ghost town along the coast, empty in this season but busy in the summer.
I had all but given up in the quest to spot local wildlife when almost by chance I looked up and on the left of the road I saw these two fellas. I was just at the outskirt of town so these must be well used to live with people, so much so that I had to whistle to get the big one to look up while I was taking the picture.
So the tally now is:
- Kangaroo: 2 (+2)
- Koala Bear: 0
- Fox: 3 (+1 dead by the side of the road)
- Wombat: 4
- Snakes: 0
I stopped in Golden Beach to read the board and a little later to get a coffee. The rain looked like getting worse so I braved the elements for the last 18 miles knowing that once I got to the camp a warm shower would have cured any ill.
In the end camping was not an option tonight as the campsite was waterlogged and I got a reasonable deal on a cabin. The good thing is that the cabin has an electric heater and I managed to get all my stuff dry.
The weather will be dull but better tomorrow and then will progressively get better through the week end, if I’m lucky I might be back to camping and dry riding.
Malcolm and Irene have asked me to pass on a message – ‘ best wishes, Alex, stay safe ! ‘