Day 79 – Sat, 16 Oct to Murray Bridge

I awoke to a still morning but rain threatened. The wind had settled overnight as expected and I was heading further SW, a good decision to stay an extra night at Port Augusta.

By the time I was ready to depart the rain had started and it was only 10C. I followed the Spencer Gulf in a SW direction until I reached Port Pirie where I took an inner route towards Clare and then Gawler.

I passed through a town with a wonderful name, Crystal Brook. A little further I entered the top of the Clare Valley, a renowned wine growing area, with the town of Clare being at its heart. A scenic town set amongst the hills and throughout this region there are some wonderful old public buildings and homes. Wines have been produced here since before the 1840’s, so Clare has a real history in the wine industry. Lots of Rieslings come from this area.

After doing a little sightseeing in the town I was going to stop and make myself some lunch and coffee, but it started to rain – well the heavens opened – and the temperature was down to 8C. So I decided to keep riding as the weather had been fluctuating between rain, cloud and sun most of the morning.

I had lunch a little further S and then climbed up to Mt Pleasant passing through forests and treed areas. I was actually on a nice country road with nice curves and scenery. Wow, curves and trees, the first for many weeks.

I nearly stopped at Mt Pleasant for the night but time was on my side so I continued onto Murray Bridge where I am based for the night. Dropping down from the ridge onto the Murray River plain gave fantastic vistas across the farming land to the S.

So today I had showers, rain, cold and sun, but little wind. Some parts were a bit windy but generally a really good day for riding. I hope that the wind will continue E faster then I travel in that same direction.