Narrandera to Canberra

The great blazing orb rose into the blue bowl of the sky, lighting up a Narrandera landscape coated in sparkling frost. Luckily, I was still in bed and didn't witness this but I have it on good authority from the lady who runs the Camelia motel. She took a couple of guests out to the airport and reported frost all over, but a cloudless sunny day. She told me this as she brought me my special coeliac breaky of fried eggs, lamb cutlets, tomato and bacon.

Thus charged up, I had a look outside and it was indeed a fine day, but cold. I decided to wear the hi vis rain suit over everything as it is good for keeping the cool air out and the warm air in, and the only people who will not see me are the blind. After chatting to a couple in Charlie's on East the previous night, I also decided, based on their local knowledge, to take the road through, Ganmain, Coolamon and Junee, to Gundagia, forsaking the Sturt Highway and by passing Wagga.

I think this route was a good choice and the spring scenery was very lovely. Sheep in long green grass, contented cows lying around, and fields of bright yellow canola were major features. Junee was a pain in the bum due to appalling signage and I ended up in quiet residential streets a couple of times, but the rest of the ride was fine. Approaching Gundagai the landscape starts to become more hilly and the Brindabellas put in an appearance.

I did not stop in Gundagai, thinking that the Jugiong cafe was within easy reach and the coffee and cakes there of a known high quality. I parked outside the cafe at just on 11am and ordered a long black coffee (regular, in a cup please, not a mug) and flourless chocolate cake with cream. There was little wind so I sat outside in the sun and looked across the green paddocks to the other side of the Murrumbidgee. Apart from an infestation of small children, which must mean school holidays, it was a fine stop.

Back on the road for the last leg to Yass and Canberra. Before long, I rode up over Conroy's Gap and the Canberra area weather struck. This point must mark the end of the sheltering effect of the Brindabellas from the Sou'east coastal weather pattern which also affects Canberra. The cloud cover increased and a really irritating wind arrived, much the worst of the trip. As I rounded Yass and headed to Canberra on the Barton Highway, clouds which looked like snow appeared ahead, but I think they were past Canberra on the Tinderry range, or maybe over towards Bungendore.

So after dodging a few lunatics in cars, I rolled into our driveway in nice time for lunch.

End of the trip for me, but Glen, Julie and Vicki are still somewhere along the Vic coast. Updates later.

I noticed that my bike handled funny lately. Wobbly at low speed and a bit touchy in fast bends. Now I had a good look at it and could see the back tyre looked like an old truck tyre. It was of squarish cross section and had little tread on the flat bit in the middle. 10000 k, throw it away.

Mildura to Narrandera

My solo gourmet tour continues with an overnight stop at Narrandera and dinner at Charlie's on East. Charles Sturt would be mortified. The food is damn good though, and I had a chat with some interesting fellow diners.

The run to here from Mildura was fine. Sunny but cold. The Hay Plain looks very different when it is green. Parts if it are like a park and there are fruit trees (almonds?) in flower. It is still damn flat.

I expect an easy run in to Canberra tomorrow.

The rest of the team are now at Portland on the Vic coast. Glen reported a cool overcast day.

Sent from my iPhone

Mildura

Overnight in Mildura. Thus an opportunity for dinner at the Spanish Grill. I had kangaroo, rare. It looks a bit like some sort of blood sacrifice but you shouldn't overdo roo.

Memory

Memory of Peterborough. It exists because it was a rail junction.

Renmark

Great pub for lunch

Split

At Peterborough the team split up. I decided to head back direct to Canberra while Glen Vicki and Julie went with plan A via Victor Harbour and Victorian Coast . I stopped for coffee in Burra, at an Indonesian/Australian cafe. Very fine. I continued to Renmark for lunch and then on to Mildura for the night and dinner. Pick your spots.

Station Hotel

The team at dinner