Day 178

Date:- 8 September 2010
Distance:- 187.79 Km
Distance to Date:- 10777 Km
Start:- Ravensthorpe Caravan Park
Finish:- Esperance Bay Caravan Park
Comment:- Up at 6 am, breakfast and on the road by 7.30 am. Cloudless sky, westerly wind of 5 - 10 kts and a good road. A bit fresh though. My fingers and toes feel like they are frozen. I am having a tremendous run with the tail wind.

A few pink, white and blue clumps of wildflowers along the road. Stopping on the top of a hill, I can see farming area, big mining setup and short scrubby bush country.

About 24 km out on my left was a Nickle Mining industry.

Had to give way to a couple of wide loads early in the day. A large tractor and three very large grain silos.

Stopped for a break 40 km out at 10 am at Jerdacuttup Freight Depot. The State Vermin Fence crossed near here so had a look and a read. It was designed to keep the rabbits out of the pastoral areas.

Stopped at Mungunup Roadhouse where I had lunch. There is a day rest area here with a good toilet block and hot and cold showers. (Enquire at the roadhouse) Was told there was another cyclist about 2 hours in front of me. It would have to be Lois I guess.

Still having a good ride with my tail wind and reasonably flat road. I was hoping to stay at the rest area about 55 km out from Esperance, but it was not there so I will head for Esperance and make a big day of it.

The magpies were out in full force today and they are mean bird. A number of birds attacked me but I think the flag on BOB deterred a full on attack.

I was about 20 km out of Esperance when I decided to turn my lights on as the sun had set and it was getting dark quickly. Arrived on the outskirts of Esperance and headed for the town centre looking for caravan parks or signs indicating their where abouts.

Close to town I spotted a sign indicating a park about 2 km away. That will do. Found the park and booked in. Set up my tent then down the street for some tea. Back to the park and had a shower then it was time to do my diary and Blog, etc.

Tomorrow I will go to Salmon Gums a distance of 100 km.