I could do it, I think to myself. Its a fair bit but I've done it before. I look up as if I'm doing the math in my head but really I'm just considering if I really want to do it. I fiddle with the maps some more. There are numbers along the routes indicating the distance between the little markers. All I have to do is follow the route I think I'm going and add up the numbers. 750km, with 15 minutes break every hour will be… nah actually, I'm changing my mind, let’s break it in two, to not over do it, I just got over being sick I don’t want to risk getting back to that. And so it is decided, I go to Melbourne over two days, first day I just drive and see how far I get, and hopefully it will be far enough to get the second part done in the following day. I should go to bed so I am fresh for the drive tomorrow.
December 23rd, 8 a.m. I'm still very bad at getting up in the morning. Urgh but I must, long day awaits, and I'm actually pretty excited to get on the move again. As much as I enjoy arriving somewhere, there is a tremendous feeling of freedom leaving a place.
I did pack some of the things last night to save time, and that was a good decision because I'm a bit late getting up, again.
I get my bags and panniers packed, and carry them out through the fire escape over the roof and down into the little enclosure where the bike is safely parked. I have to walk four times and it’s already getting very hot. I have a system now though where I do the work of packing the bike wearing shorts, then only in the last minute I pack away the shorts and put on the gear. On a day like this, if I don’t do it this way I would melt where I stand. One of the helps at the hostel, a girl from Thailand, comes down to see that I'm alright, and that I get the bike out through the door ok. It should be said that the door looks nothing like it would fit the bike, but we got it in, so I should be able to get it out. It does work, after some back and forth and possibly a bit of swearing.
As I'm all suited up the manager comes down to say goodbye and they sort of send me on my way. Adelaide was a fun place that I definitely must come back to see more of, but now I have a date with some kilometres. It feels really good to be in the saddle again. I have my compass out shortly, and just go in the direction that seems most sensible, and it actually worked. Who needs GPS.
The people of Victoria must have know I was coming because they where nice enough to put up a welcome sign at the border. They even added a good suggestion for where to camp before I continue over the great ocean road. How nice of them, Victorians are so thoughtful.
At that border the air was full of butterflies chasing each other. I tried to capture them with the camera but no luck. Still it’s quite a welcome, I say my goodbyes to South Australia, and set my heading for Portland.
20 bucks for a camping spot and 30 minutes later I'm settled in well in Portland. It is the oldest European settlement in Victoria and there are interesting things to see here, like the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, but I'm just passing through, got to get an early start tomorrow. I did head down and around the harbour area before putting up the tent, just to get a feel for it. It is quite nice.
Sleeping was no problem, despite the new sounds I learned, like the one that I can best describe as an oversized bullfrog burping repeatedly. I don’t know what it was but it started at sundown and kept going throughout the night. I'll tell ya Australia has some funky animals. Tent is closed and new air mattress is blown up. I got it in Adelaide to replace the broken one, this is it’s initiation night, hope it works.
December 23rd, 8 a.m. I'm still very bad at getting up in the morning. Urgh but I must, long day awaits, and I'm actually pretty excited to get on the move again. As much as I enjoy arriving somewhere, there is a tremendous feeling of freedom leaving a place.
I did pack some of the things last night to save time, and that was a good decision because I'm a bit late getting up, again.
As I'm all suited up the manager comes down to say goodbye and they sort of send me on my way. Adelaide was a fun place that I definitely must come back to see more of, but now I have a date with some kilometres. It feels really good to be in the saddle again. I have my compass out shortly, and just go in the direction that seems most sensible, and it actually worked. Who needs GPS.
At that border the air was full of butterflies chasing each other. I tried to capture them with the camera but no luck. Still it’s quite a welcome, I say my goodbyes to South Australia, and set my heading for Portland.
20 bucks for a camping spot and 30 minutes later I'm settled in well in Portland. It is the oldest European settlement in Victoria and there are interesting things to see here, like the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, but I'm just passing through, got to get an early start tomorrow. I did head down and around the harbour area before putting up the tent, just to get a feel for it. It is quite nice.
Sleeping was no problem, despite the new sounds I learned, like the one that I can best describe as an oversized bullfrog burping repeatedly. I don’t know what it was but it started at sundown and kept going throughout the night. I'll tell ya Australia has some funky animals. Tent is closed and new air mattress is blown up. I got it in Adelaide to replace the broken one, this is it’s initiation night, hope it works.
You were in drop bear country Daniel, probably their mating call you heard.
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