Day 13 - Meningie to Strathalbyn

It was a very early morning today as we had to say goodbye to Steve Seymour who was catching the bus back to Melbourne from Tailem Bend. So awake at 6.00am and all packed for the ride into town for breakfast at the bakery. 

After saying goodbye to Steve we tucked into breakfast which was for me OJ, a coffee scroll and coffee….

We were off for the ride at about 7.10 am. This was our earliest departure time!

The morning was crisp with the temperature around 10 degrees. As the day wore on the temperature rose to about 25 degrees and there was virtually no wind! If anything there was a slight tailwind.

The first part of the ride to Wellington was along the Princes Highway was a good road surface and shoulder. The traffic was fairly light and we made good time to the turn off. Frank unfortunately had a puncture just before the turn off which was easily repaired…. He’d accidentally acquired a nail in his tyre…. Not a good outcome!

We all met at the ferry at Wellington to cross the Murray River…. The car and passenger ferry is an old chain ferry across the river which goes for about 100 metres. The water flow was not strong but I could imagine it would be interesting when the rains are heavy upstream in the Murray Darling Basin…. With the rains there now it might be worth seeing in a month or so. 

Crossing the river we met with Ian after he had delivered Steve to the bus. We met at the only open cafe in town…. It was the petrol station!

The coffee was ok!

After this it was on to the next stop at Langhorn Creek which was about 40 kms away. 

As we were off the Princes highway the road was not as good with narrow shoulders but the traffic was lighter thankfully.

The country turned from rather barren grazing land to large vineyards as we approached Langhorn Creek. The big Bleasdale vineyard was prominent as we approached the town.

Lunch was at the cafe in town with fresh sandwiches and a cool drink.

Unfortunately Ellio had a puncture on his rear tyre as he approached the town which needed a repair.

After replenishing the stomach it was off for the 15 km trip to Strathalbyn. The country was again showing a lot of vineyards and a large turf farm.

We arrived at our accommodation in Strathalbyn at around 1.30 pm and were welcomed by a very nice manager who showed us to our rooms. The Victoria Hotel is very comfortable and has excellent facilities. The town of Strathalbyn is quite pretty with lovely parks and trees. It is the centre for the local wine industry and has a lot of antique shops.

Over the last few days we have seen very dry countryside which is in desperate need of rain. Seems the cattle are being fed on hay as the paddocks are bare.

The vineyards seem to rely on irrigation from the freshwater lakes.

From a riding perspective, the weather and wind have been very favourable which makes doing 100 kms in a day quite doable.

Let’s hope this continues into Adelaide!

Early morning sunrise on the road

The fery terminal at Wellington 

The road ahead!

Lunch at Langhorn Creek 
An interesting photo!!!
Home for the night… very comfortable hotel 

Today’s ride