Bad Air Day!

Date: 30-04-2010 - 07-05-2010
Day 83-90: Southern Cross, WA
Distance cycled: 33km

Despite tenting 2 steps away from the gas station and a stone’s throw away from the Great Eastern Highway, we slept (as well as wrapped up) like babies. The evenings have cooled down rather significantly and winter is knocking on our doors. We felt relieved that the long stretches of roads with nothing (i.e. roadhouses, gas station) in between are behind us. From here on until Perth, civilisation can be found no more than 50km apart.

We decided to start our day with a warm breakfast and some hot tea at the roadhouse, next to a real (wood-fuelled) fireplace. On our departure, we noticed that it was hazy and the air was fairly bad. We later found out that it was due to some controlled burning in the south about 300km away. The wind had carried the haze thus far and it sat above this region, including Southern Cross for the rest of the day until some wind blew it away again.

We considered ourselves lucky that our next destination, Southern Cross is only a short distance away. Apart from the poor air quality, we rode smoothly with a bandanna over our face. We were not prepared for such condition and did not know what else we could do. Something for us (and other cyclists) to find out for future reference. We arrived before noon and there was no need for deliberation for us to call it a day.

We suspected that the considerable change of temperature the last few days (from as low as 9°C in the evening to 28°C during the day) may have been the reason for Lukas coming down with a cold. Having found ourselves a motel room at the Club Hotel (also a tavern), we extended our stay for 1-2 nights each time and eventually found ourselves lodging for a week in Southern Cross while Lukas swiftly recovered from his cold.

Southern Cross is a small pleasant town where we thoroughly enjoyed staying. There is no litter in sight, trees lined the main street in the town centre and parks are well-maintained, even BBQ is provided funded by taxpayers. (Unfortunately, we realised too late that we did not have any photos taken that captures the atmosphere in town!) The Community Resource Centre allowed us to sign up easily and we were able to borrow books and DVDs that kept us entertained during our stay. For the first time, it felt like we were on vacation! No to-do lists, no running errands, no researching… just hanging (and a lot of sleeping for Lukas). ; )

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 - Nullarbor - Border Village - [WA] Eucla - Balladonia - Kalgoorlie - Coolgardie - Yellowdine - Southern Cross