Day 197

Date:- 27 September 2010
Distance:- 81.32 Km
Distance to Date:- 12122 Km
Start:- Nundroo Caravan Park
Finish:- Penong Caravan Park
Comment:- Last night after I did my diary I laid down in my tent again for an hour or two. Went over to the café for tea then back to the tent and bed about 7.45 pm. Had a couple of panadol then off to sleep.

Had a good nights sleep. Up at 6.30 am, had breakfast and on the road by 7.30 am. Good road, gentle undulations as usual. Overcast sky with my old favourite the south easterly breeze. Gentle at first but increased as the day wore on. Cloud started to clear mid morning and periods of sunshine were experienced.

Rode past the turn off to Fowlers Bay a popular fishing venue, also I believe where an early explorer started from. This turn off was about 30 km out.

A lot of broad acres cropping through this area and looking very healthy.

An approaching cyclist crossed the road and we had a chat. It was Mike from Sydney. He is riding from Sydney to Perth, staying in Perth for a couple of weeks before flying back to Sydney.

No idea what the time is as my wonderful $20 watch has decided to stop temporarily. Had my break on the side of the road 40 km out.

There are quite a few ruins of buildings dotting the landscape. All old stone buildings and I bet they can tell a story or two.

Passed a sign for an aboringal community and museum. I was going to stop and have a coffee but there was no further signage and no caravans visible, so I just rode past.

I was now starting to feel a bit down. The wind had increased in speed and was swinging from south east , to south, then south west and back again. It was a head wind, then on my right face, then on my side. The road seemed to be gradually climbing and quite a few trucks passing. Every time a truck passed or overtook me, I would stop, because the amount of wind they pushed was horrendous.

The closer I got to Penong the weaker I was feeling, eventually arriving at the caravan park about 4.15 pm. Very nice park and I was able to pitch my tent under a shelter type of shed. Excellent showers with plenty of room to move. Laundry was free so I put a small load in, then hung them out to dry on the clothes line.

Down the street for tea then back to camp to do my diary in the big community shed. I shall bring my Blog up to date then head off to bed with a couple of panadol.

I may stay here another day as its threatening to rain and I don’t like getting wet. Another day off probably wouldn’t hurt to give my body time to get better.

Evon gets home on Thursday so I would like to be in mobile phone coverage either here or Ceduna.