Day 51 The Blue Mountains

Today I will mostly be coughing and blowing my nose! But also picked up tyres and put them on my bike. Hoping that will solve the back puncture issues. Time will tell. That's all really.

Day 50 The Blue Mountains

Almost stayed asleep until 9 today. Still feeling a bit sick. Popped to Evan's Look Out which was just amazing. And also a old hotel that had been renovated, which also had amazing views. It really is awe inspiring up here. The people who live up here are so lucky to live in a great environment. Mind you Sally was telling me about the real threat of bush fires. Because there is only one road in and out if there is a threat by a bush fire you have to leave as quickly as possible otherwise you are stuck. 

In the afternoon relaxed again then helped Sally plant some beans and peas in the garden. Weather was pleasant again, which was nice. Oh I calculated that I have riden 1870km and I'ave got 1400km to go. Called my brother in Melbourne and he has requested that I arrive on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday so he can have a big welcome party for me. 

Day 49 The Blue Mountains

Had a massive lie in till 7.50 this morning. But my body has decided that now I am resting it has got time to be sick! Sore throat, cough and general tiredness. But I guess it's not really surprising seeing as I'ave been on the go now for almost 6 weeks. I guess the change in temperature added to it as well. Anyway today would be a pretty relaxing day. Went into Leura had a look around bought a few things. Then back to sort out my washing, a pleasant day weather wise, chilly in the morning but sunny and 22c by lunch time. In the evening went to see a conversation with Judith Lucy which was really good. Then probably too much information but got some kind of stomach bug. So my body and immune system is being hit from all angles. Hope it sorts itself out cause that would be no fun being sick on the road!

Day 48 Time for a mini break - The Blue Mountains

So last night I caught a train up to Leura. A two hour journey which I had to position my bike at the exit doors and hold it the whole way. As there wasn't space to leave it. The space for bikes was a hook which you hang your wheel on. With all my luggage that wasn't really possible. The ticket cost $8.80 approx £4.40 which is so cheap compared to England. So arrived at my destination to be greeted by a smiling face which was lovely. And freezing weather, 8c which was a shock to my sun soaked body. Freezing. Stayed up late and was introduced to the resident possum. Who looked very comfortable on my bike. Today Sally played tour guide, went to the 3 sisters lookout and also other places that only locals know to go. There were a lot of other tourist, it's a very popular location and beautiful. Had a tasty lunch at a nice vegan restaurant in Katoomba and popped into a bike shop to check out tyres. Will be here till the weekend so will be a tourist and not really doing any cycling. Need to do some bike maintenance and get organised for the next leg of the journey to Melbourne. 

Day 47 Avoca Beach to Sydney

I have been trying over the last couple of days to get ahead or avoid a weather front coming in from inland. Bringing storms and rain. At 3.30am I was woken by torrential rain and by 5.30 still rain. I checked the government weather site and said should clear by lunch time with the chance of a couple of showers. So set about getting ready, 7.30 passed it was still raining. It wasn't until 8.30 that I was able to pack the bike up and get on the road. Avoca is on the edge of a hill so had another early morning work out to get back on the route. I have a theory that because I think my chain is worn it's making riding less efficient. Just a theory. I was heading for Ettilong initially to catch the ferry to Palm Beach the home of Home and Away. The going was tough as not only did it rain a couple of times there was also a strong head wind and not much of a shoulder. And of course a bit hilly. I got there in plenty of time to catch the 11 o'clock ferry so treated myself to a coffee and Anzac biscuit. The sea was very rough so the crossing was very bumpy, glad I wasn't drunk! Got to Palm Beach and decided not to bother to check out the "summer bay" beach and motor on. Well I guess I was suppose to because the road out of town was closed because of a broken electricity cable on the road. So a diversion past the beach of home and away and more blinking hills. Checked out the beach and the life saving club. Weren't filming today so didn't meet Alf or Marilyn. The detour added another hour to my journey, I then started hitting more traffic and more lanes and the bike lane disappeared, so had to cycle on the pavement. Which throws up more dangers like people coming out of their driveways. All these things slowing me down. Got to about 10km from Manly and stopped for a roll and a date scone. Was walking down the shopping area on the main drag and saw a cycle shop, got a new chain and got him to fit it as well. I think it made a difference. Eventually got to the Manly Ferry at 4.30 and fast tracked into Sydney Harbour. Shame it was overcast but good that it wasn't raining. Landed at circular key and headed to the opera house, promised myself I would get a picture of me with my bike in front of the opera house and the bridge. Had to walk around the botanical gardens to get to the other side as you are not aloud to ride bikes there. Got my picture now to the central train station to get the train to Sally's in the Blue Mountains... To be continued...

Day 46 Blacksmiths to Avoca Beach

Warm sunny day when I set off from Blacksmiths. With a stint of approximately 20km on the highway. Luckily started on a cycle path next to the highway. One of the problems with cycle paths is you can miss the road signs! So after a roundabout I headed into a suburb area and was thinking for the highway it's not that busy. Checked my map and sure enough I was no longer on the highway! So returned to the roundabout about a 2km ride and my morning hill workout began. Up and down up and down, oh what joy! What's that saying, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well my legs are getting stronger I guess my will power is too. Finally turned off the highway into the Munmorah State Conservation Area. Just after that I bumped into Wim a Dutch cyclists. We had a chat, he had just started from Sydney. Will be travelling for 10 weeks up to Brisbane then across to the center and down to Adelaide and a loop back round to Sydney. I told him about Wikicamps and warm showers. We took pictures and off we both set again. Then a bit later a road cyclists popped over to my side of the road for a chat. Fred originally from London but move out here in 84. Asked where I started, where I was going if I was enjoying it. Talked for about 10 minutes and then off I set again. Forgot to say yesterday had one magpie swoop several times. Today none. I must say Iam finding the going pretty tough at the moment, by the time I get to 50 km I am really tired. Iam not sure if it's the humidity or the amount of hills that is wiping me out. Today I would be staying with a friend of a friend in Avoca beach. I arrived around 2.30 and almost immediately it started to rain. It felt like a big storm was going to kick off but it didn't. Spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing. Then went down to the beach after tea to walk little Hamish the westie dog. Then watched the first episode of Sense8 again. A Netflix series I would highly recommend. Tomorrow is Palm Beach (home and away) day and hopefully into Sydney weather permitting. 

Day 45 Hawks Head to Blacksmiths

Up super early as usual! Packed everything away, a spider did try and get in my bag. But Iam not taking any passengers! Had a cup of tea with Mel, a chat and breakfast. Then off I popped, no hurry this morning as booked on the little Ferry to Nelsons Bay at 8.10. Ray the captain turned up on time and I had to take all the bags off to load it on the ferry. I was the only passenger and it cost me $10 didn't get charged the $5 for the bike which was good. Chatted all the way with Ray, the journey took an hour. There was a chance of seeing Dolphins but it wasn't my lucky day, which was disappointing. Pretty hot today so when I reached the other side piled on the sunscreen. Today was only suppose to be a short 50km ride if I followed the lonely planet route. But I decided to go a bit further as there's a weather front coming over and I want to try and avoid it. So cycling out of Nelsons Bay was a bit hilly but Iam almost use to that. Roads were busy but there was a good shoulder which always helps. Got the ferry from Stockton into Newcastle. Newcastle seems to have a groovy vibe about it. Lots of street cafes and restaurants. Was easy to get out of which was surprising. I guess being Sunday there isn't as much traffic. The suburbs and out lying towns were more of a problem the shoulder would just disappear and I would be driving in 3 lanes of traffic. Not ideal but made it thru safe. Arrived in Blacksmiths just before 4 after covering around 74km. Looked like it might pour with rain but just spotted a bit and the clouds just rolled on.popped to check out the beach then had cous cous and vegetables for tea. Had to hop in the tent cause a lot of mozzies and flies around. Definately been an increase in flies in the past week, they are very annoying. My Aussie wave is coming along nicely!!

Day 44 Hawks Head - Rest Day

Even on a rest day I woke up early. It was nice not to have to get going. Just did a bit of whatsapping with my family. Sorted my washing out and got it on the line. Then was sitting at a bench just surfing the net and a woman came over and said she was off to the bakery did I want anything. I asked if I could go with her. So  went with Mel to the little village center. Got a coffee and a coconut slice. Was just like going to morrisons with my mum.  Well kind of. Then Mel said she wanted to pop to the op shop, well you can imagine my excitement, never miss an opportunity to go to a charity shop. Also popped into Coles to get a few things, then back to the camp site. Had the guided tour of her families camper. It's really spacious inside, I'd quite like one. I think I could easily live in one. In the afternoon I had a lovely nap. Then popped to the beach for a walk. Great relaxing day and great to meet Mel too. Tomorrow I get the ferry to Nelson Bay at 7.55 so I can follow the coast to Newcastle. 

Day 43 Forster to Hawks Head

What a wild night, rain and really strong winds. Was worried me and the tent were going to get blown away! All packed up ready to go and John and Mazz came to say goodbye then Cathy and Rob came too. It was a real joy to hang out with them all, hope I bump into them again . 

Was a bit anxious about the road out of Forster as the road in was busy and the shoulder was none existent at times. But there was a good shoulder for about 20km. Also a pretty strong head wind which wasn't very pleasant. Then the road started getting windy and hilly, my favourite kind of riding.... NOT. So the biggest climb was for 2.5km I figured I would give it a go. 2 little voices piped in , I can do it, I can't do it. Ok just round this next corner must be the top, ahh no keep going this corner maybe. I can do this on and on it went! I was stoked to make it to the top without pushing my bike. I guess the more of them I do the easier it gets but give me a flat ride any day. Just to cool off had a 5 minute rain shower at the top. Today was overcast and sunny but cold, the first day I have worn a long sleeved t shirt all day. At around 45km I turned onto the highway. Was suppose to turn off at Bulahdelah to get on the back road to Hawks Nest but for some reason thought the turning would be straight off the highway. It wasn't! I could have cycled the 4km back but decided to stay on the highway for another 30km and take another back road. In retrospect I wish I had because the highway was up and down all the way, whereas the other route would have been flat as a pancake. But hey guess I need more hill training! Found the gravel road and more hills. Awesome! But the views were lovely. Arrived in Hawks Nest just before 5, and clocked 99km. Was very happy to get there, it was a long slog. I had been collecting loyalty stamps from this chain of holiday parks so if you get 6 you get an extra night free. I reached that so will be staying an extra night here. A rest day with a lye in. Sat around a fire pit in the evening chatting and drinking Milo for a while and then to bed at 9, was very tired.

Day 42 Rain stops play! Forster

Was awake at 4.15 managed to stay in bed till just gone 5. It wasn't raining! Got all packed up and sorted had breakfast. Was about to set of and it started to rain. Was undercover in the camp kitchen so figured I would wait a little while and see if it stopped. Checked the weather apps and the bureau of weather site. Rain forecast for most of the day with possible thunder storms! So I reluctantly made the decision to stay put. But on the plus side I got to spend some more time with the people I met the night before who had kindly let me join them. Spent all morning in the camp kitchen drinking coffee and tea having a chat and listening to the conversations. Then put my tent up on Rob and Cathy's site which meant I paid as an extra adult half the price of paying for my own site. Which was very kind of them, the lady at reception also let me have more free wifi which was cool . Then I went with them all to the shopping center, got a few bits and the sun started shining. Got back early afternoon and this black/grey clouds rolled in and a big thunder storm with torrential rain. Luckily I hung out in Mazz and John's caravan. Eventually stopped but started again about an hour later. Lots of rain so turned out to be the right decision to stay put. Joined them for dinner as can be seen in photo. Mazz, Rob, Cathy, John, Maria, Noel and me. A lovely evening. All wrapped up in my tent now and it's raining again, forecast is for rain possibly till around 9am then it's going to clear up for the rest of the day. So fingers crossed I get back on the road tomorrow.

Day 41 North Haven to Forster

Popped up to check out the beach before I left, beautiful. Would be cycling 20km on a gravel road first thing so important that I get to a petrol station and put some more air in my tyres. Which I did on the second attempt. Think Iam going to buy a pressure gauge as it's difficult to tell how much is in there. The gravel road wasn't as bad as the first one I went on, very scenic and not too many ruts! Saw 2 wild kangaroos. Then it was onto the highway for approx 35km which was fast going and quite pleasurable especially with the wide shoulder. Around midday started getting really hot so found an English style service station got a subway sandwich and just hung out there for two hours. Temp was up to 30c. Still had a way to go but only mad dogs and English men go out in the midday sun! Back on the road at 2 after half an hour turned of and headed towards Tuncurry and Forster. This road was up and down hilly and was tough going as the heat was really sapping my energy. The road occasionally had no shoulder which wasn't fun. It was a relief to get into Tuncurry and onto a pavement/cycle  path. Decided to head to a caravan park a little way outside of Forster so as to take some km off tomorrow's ride which is set to be over 100km. Arrived at 5 got set up and people kept saying you're going to get wet in that tonight there's a storm coming! Anyway got showered and had noodles and milo for tea. . As I was eating a lady came over and offered me some cheese and biscuits and then invited me to join them. Which I did, three couples on a week break. Great company and kept offering me food. Had some pie and custard and carrot cake. Oh and while I was in the camp kitchen the storm arrived. Thunder, lightening and torrential rain. Continued till 9.45 then stopped. My tent did a great job keeping my stuff dry so was thankful for that. There is rain forecast for tomorrow but Iam hoping it doesn't arrive. Cycled 95km today.

Day 40 Port Macquarie to North Haven

Had to pack my tent away wet again. Lots of dew in the morning. On the road by 7.45 after bidding farewell to Deb and Nige.  Had a bit of a leg work out on the way out of Port Macquarie was up and down for 10km lots of people on road bikes out training. At one point a woman went past  in Australia team triathlon Lycra. Not sure who it was said hi though. At 25km I stopped at a bus stop for a bit of a sit down and to eat some nuts. Just relaxing watching the world go by. All set to go and had another puncture in my back tyre!! Annoying. So changed the tube, bit of a hole in the tyre like it had been cut by glass. There is a lot of rubbish on the shoulder so not surprising. I also put a patch on the inside of the tyre, think it's probably time to buy a new one. Decided to stop at the next town and switch the tyres over as the back one is worn more than the front. So found a nice campsite in North Haven and sorted it out. I only rode  32km but at least I sorted it out also changed the brake pads on the front brakes. Had some nice chats with the people in the park. And cooked a nice lunch in one of the best camp kitchens I have been in here in Australia!