10 April 2025 (Clicked over 1000kms)

Five dollars a night at Langhorne Creek, I thought, why not? Even a general store nearby.

Hmm, disappointment all round. The General Store only sold takeaways, and the $5:00 site is right by the road and very busy. Still, I secured some shade under some tall eucalypts and bought a filled roll and a ‘sorry looking’ cake for tea.

Store in Langhorne - Hmmm takeaway only :(

I was going to spend two nights at Langhorne Creek, but decided a night in Strathalbyn looked a better option, even though it was only 20km down the road.

Such is the life of a traveller, decisions, decisions.

Park In Strathalbyn

Good decision. Langhorne Creek didn’t feel particularly safe (concern for bike), so I trialled the fishing line attached to bike and my sleeping bag😂😂.

Rain!

Started raining first thing, then on and off for most of the day. Not the drenching South Australia needs, but a bit of a thirst quencher, nonetheless. Curtailed my activities somewhat and ended eating too much and drinking too much coffee, just to kill time…

Strathalbyn is a very much the colonial town. Stone buildings, English gardens, tree lined streets, hedges, and lots of tourists… not particularly pleasant. The caravan park is full, with caravans very close together, obviously privacy is not a priority.

Early start on what turned out to be a very busy road towards Goolwa. Thankfully, a generous shoulder kept me ‘sort of safe’.

Aboriginal Canoe Tree

A swift 40km through rolling countryside with one interesting stop, an Aboriginal canoe tree. Apparently, there was quite an art (and tradition) to remove bark from a tree in a particular way to construct a canoe. A unique piece of history hanging on for dear life next to a busy road, with little protection. I can understand why First Nations people get so annoyed with the way their history is treated. https://www.goolwatourism5214.com.au/goolwa-stories/river-and-sea/canoe-tree-currency-creek

Goolwa is quintessentially a tourist town at the mouth of the Murray River, which I’ll explore over the next couple of days.

But I’ve based myself on Hindmarsh Island, as the campground has good shade, which is needed with +30 degree days ahead. Thermometer has just topped 30 now (midday).

Hindmarsh Island Campsite - Priority is to keep cool!!

7th April 2025

With a bit of time to kill before I need to be in Adelaide, it’s time to relax, reflect, and plan.

Moorhen Lake Albert

Bought Saturday morning’s paper, a rare treat, but at $5.50 I’m not surprised, still, you can’t beat having a large newspaper spread out in front of you, coffee in hand. While I object to all the pigeon holing, Boomers, Gen X’s etc, there are some things from my past I miss, like reading a newspaper… F__k mobile phones!

Felt guilty after a while and got on the bike and rode out to West Meningie. Absolutely nothing out there, but a 40km workout meant I could have a beer😊

Clocks go back tonight… not much to say about that.

On the Way to Wellington

The ride to Wellington is the start of the really long straight roads. Switch off and daydream, while keeping an ear out for fast approaching morons. Actually, that’s not fair, the vast majority of passing motorists have been very courteous.

Never taken much to energy drinks, but I had one squirreled away and thoroughly enjoyed it at the halfway mark.

Reached Wellington in good time and crossed the Murray by ferry. The skipper was very interested in my journey and I in his. Quite pleasant in retirement, ferrying vehicles, mainly happy tourists, back and forth across the river, in a lovely setting.

Donga for the night - Wellington

Nice little place, Wellington. No shops, just a pub.

I succumbed and bought a bottle of local wine, because it’s such a nice day and place. The pub lent me a glass, so I didn’t have to swig out of the bottle… all very civilised. Shall have a meal there tonight.

4th April 2025 (878kms to date)

A drop of rain overnight and to wake up with. Bit apprehensive about today’s journey, rain, wind, and the Coorong.

Wild and windswept Coorong

Left Kingston at dawn, passing the large lobster enroute.

Wind’s a cold southerly and right on my tail such that I’m averaging 25km/h. Sail past 42-mile crossing, and head towards Salt Creek circa 90km.

One of those coffee caravans at Salt Creek. Most welcome, a hot coffee and toasted cheese sandwich.

While contemplating cycling another 10kms or so and calling it quits, a long-distance cyclist arrives, Birgit from Germany. She’s my age and cycling in a race from Perth to Sydney, averaging 150km a day!! Generally, she starts at 5am and finishes 5 or 6pm each day. Suitably inspired, I get on my bike and keep going. I meet Birgit’s cycling partner, Reinhold, on the way for a brief chat and more inspiration. A few hours later I arrive in Meningie on the shores of Lake Albert, with a 150km cycling day under my belt, and the Coorong already a fading memory.

Pelicans on Lake Albert, SA

Okay, everything aches, but I’m feeling just a tiny bit pleased with my effort😊

A couple of beers at the Meningie Hotel and early night to follow.

Gotta admit, I’m a bit of a fraud, with a150km ride one day, and a rest day to follow… baby steps.

Still, not sure I enjoy cycling, seem to spend an inordinate amount of time staring at the road in front of me.