Day 69: Yalata, SA
Distance cycled: 75km
Many of you would probably agree that the last thing you want when you travel is to have stomach issues. The inevitable happened. Sue visited the dunny several times in the middle of the night. In the morning, we had a late departure after Sue was certain that the stomach problems were over.
It was Lukas’s turn and it hit him harder. Nature calls when nature calls. We had a trowel and Lukas used it (more than once). Consider him an expert at ‘the business’ in nature. We started to wonder what the causes were. Here’s what we think could be the triggers. What do you think?
A. 2 flies that Lukas swallowed.
B. Water bottles rinsed with possibly contaminated water.
C. Ice cubes or dinner at the roadhouse.
D. Mouldy bread in the morning.
E. Milk-based protein shake that possibly went sour in the sun.
Our initial plan was to make it to the Nullarbor Roadhouse today to avoid bush-camping by ourselves. Apart from the stomach issues, we also fought some headwind (in contrast to the weather forecast). The heat of the day as well as the endless climbs drew further energy from us.
We saw another solo cyclist getting wind protection behind his support crew in a camper as he yelled a website at us. Hmm… guess that’s another way to ride across Australia. We were fascinated when crossing the dog fence that we read it stretches for 5,614km starting from southern Queensland and ending west of the Eyre Peninsula on the cliffs of the Nullarbor Plain and was completed in 1885. The grid on the road replaces the dog fence, which is the world’s longest fence, to keep dingoes out and protect the sheep flocks.
We also passed the entrance to Yalata, where we were told the roadhouse no longer is open. As we stood at the intersection to head west to Yalata, there were a couple of signs: one with warning to entering the restricted area. These 458,000 hectares Yalata Aboriginal Lands are managed by the Yalata community and permits are required to visit, camp or fish.
By 4pm, we were only halfway to our destination of the day. We pulled over at a parking bay and chatted with some caravaners. When they told us that they will be camping out there for the night, the thought of joining them became more appealing than riding in the dark until we reach Nullarbor. They also said that they will move further in and away from the highway, close to where 2 other campers have already set up. It was a relief to be able to camp with others and we were both ready to call it a day.
Hans (from one of the 2 campers), who came from Germany more than 20 years ago, welcomed us to set up our tent right next to his camper . He was travelling with his wife and they were on their way back to Perth after their holidays in Tasmania. He also kindly offered us drinking water to fill our empty bottles. Thank you, Hans! The 2 couples, whom we first spoke to, travelling in ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Lazy Days’ (that’s the name painted on the buses) came by to exchange pleasantries and we chatted with our new ‘neighbours’ as the day came to an end.
Destinations: [NSW] North Sydney - Heathcote - Coledale - Wollongong - Robertson - Moss Vale - Goulburn - Queanbeyan - Yass - Gundagai - Wagga Wagga - Narrandera - Darlington Point - Hay - Maude - Balranald - Euston - [VIC] Mildura - [SA] Renmark - Barmera - Morgan - Burra - Orroroo - Port Augusta - Kimba - Wudinna - Streaky Bay - Ceduna - Nundroo - Yalata
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