Our last Nullarbor day started well, a dry tent and easy pack up ond we were off. It was a little busy to start with but quietened off later on.

Leaving the windmills of Penong behind we resumed the rolling farmland, seeing our first sheep, these with their new born lambs.

Penong as we depart

The huge fields had begun to change to a green colour as the first shoots of life lept up after the rain showers.

It’s green and not just sand

At the same time winds were getting stronger and the best part was they were straight at our backs, the first time on our Nullarbor crossing. I know that I have used words like rapid, swift and flew before but today was supersonic! Hitting the heady speeds of 30+ km/h for a lot of our time on the road.

The dust storm a tractor produces in the strong winds

In no time at all the Quarantine Checkpoint was in front of us, then we were stopped and just asked if we had any fruit the left to go on our way.

Checkpoint Charlie

Into Ceduna it was a real town with real shops and lots of people, been a while since we saw that. Who should We see but the German cyclist Carsten, he is moving on further down the coast.

Carsten

We chose the Foreshore Caravan Park, $30.60 later we had a nice grassy, yes grass not sand or gravel pitch which was a little sheltered, the biggest and cleanest toilet block you could ever want and a good camp kitchen (no utensils though).

Once showered and shopped, it was food preparation time barbecued salmon kebabs with fresh vegetables, lovely.

We have a day off tomorrow so a beer and wine is called for, I was asked for some ID for the first time in years (several years in fact), they have a problem with alcohol abuse here and have to ID check everyone as a condition of their drinks licence, I would assume to monitor excessive purchasing. I like to think I just looked too young though.

Some thoughts on Nullarbor crossing.

• Road train and lorry drivers were all very good, respecting us as small vulnerable cyclists.
• Water was never a problem.
• Carrying enough food is most important as you cannot get it anywhere along the way.
• Car drivers were the worst, passing close at excessive speeds.
• There are lots of places to stop where ever you are.
• Roadhouses are very expensive for snacks, but far better value for cooked food.
• The night time skies are truly amazing as are the sunsets and sunrises.
• Remember to ask caravanners for fruit and honey when you are around the border.
• The Nullarbor is a wonderful, beautiful and peaceful place not to be raced across.

Finally our grand total so far is 3048 km.

Could not resist a bird picture