Rail trails, snow in SA and complimentary pancakes

To travel offroad in some parts of Victoria you can use the network of rail trails. Rail trails are disused rail lines that have been reclaimed as paths for recreational purposes. Cyclists, walkers and in some places horses are allowed. Coming east out of Bendigo I used the O'Keefe trail that has a length of 19km and meanders along flat and picturesque farm country.

There are more of these projects coming on line and I can't wait to do Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. It is the longest continuous rail trail in Australia with a length of 134 kms through north east Victoria. I have already done the Murray to the Mountains link and highly recommend it. http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/change-the-world/10105/

The Shepparton to Benalla trek was only 61 km but I knew that after packing up the wet fly for the tent and covering all the panniers with rain protectors it was going to be a long, cold and wet trip. A bitter and strong cold front blew in from the east cost, plummeting temperatures which is uncharacteristic for October and unusual to be coming from that direction. Not only did the Victorian north east alps get a blanketing of snow so did in SA for the first time in 50 years. Who ever heard of snow in the Flinders Ranges?. Amazing!

Here it comes - hold on,. The Front that gave SA snow!

On the bike I tend to cocoon myself in this weather, keep the cadence going nicely and focus on the destination. With all my high tech wet weather gear I know I will be warm and dry underneath it all. It was great to find picnic stops with shelters and have a lovely hot cup to tea, a sandwich and a banana.

My little fingers were so numb when I arrived in Benalla I could not undo the clips on my helmet or bags and basically sucked on them to get the blood flowing again. Had a nice long hot shower at the holiday park and next morning the park owners provided complimentary pancakes for morning tea for everyone in the park in this huge camp kitchen. I have never seen this happen anywhere but they do this every morning. The pancakes were delicious and just perfect with strawberry jam, cream and a drizzle of real maple syrup.




Tonight's music - Debussy - Images 1 & 2 (Piano transcriptions)

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Rural South Western Victoria, Bugger Bush and cold fronts

I knew I was in for a challenge when the weather news announced massive cold front and gale force winds across the SW and coasts starting from the SA border and lasting for at least two days, I've been there before on Vancouver Island and held out for four days, so this was nothing really, or so I thought. The accommodation park was 3.5 km to the west along a long long hill and in the direction of the rain front.

So the race was on. Up and up the hill I went using all the granny gears but to no avail as the strong gusts pushed my 50kilo load and me down into the embankment. At least it was soft with plenty of long grass to cushion the impact. I collected myself and the bike and with every available effort pushed my way up and out of the embankment on onwards on foot meeting gale force winds and drenching rain to add to the package.

Thirty minutes later I reached the top and would you believe the sun came out and I walked into the park exhausted but delighted by the view. The caretaker gave me a discount and I decided to rest for two days while the cold front passed by.

Wave after wave of rain fronts and gusts for two days.

View from my cabin - nice for the times the sun shone.

Acacia Paradoxa or Kangaroo Thorn

Acacia Paradoxa or Kangaroo Thorn, is also commonly known by us keen bushwalkers as 'Bugger Bush'. I learnt about his by a fellow work colleague and bushwalkers when we did an overnight group hike in the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula South of Adelaide in South Australia. We came across a track with plenty of this Acacia on both sides. At times the growth blocks the track but you must find a way through.

As a plant it is quite a paradox in that it produces one of the most stunning golden blooms for the wattle family in Spring yet is covered by thorns. This helps protect the smaller native birds sheltering in the bush from larger predators. We call it bugger bush as it sharp thorns at times can come in contact with the walker and you will hear someone yell 'bugger!'.

This part of Victoria is generally flat but very picturesque with a patchwork of dairy pastures, canola fields and dry stone walls. You could almost think you were somewhere in England, or Tasmania or the South Island of New Zealand. The heady smell of spring field flowers and wattle is just wonderful, especially when you're amongst it on a bicycle.

Tonight's music - Bartok - Concerto for Orchestra - a piece for those who appreciate seriious contemporary orchestral music. This man was a genius.

Tonight's meal - Pasta Primavera - an appropriate meal as primavera means spring, the vegetable choices should be the crisp new vegetables of spring.

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