On the top of the Otways

In what I hope doesn't become a habit, I cut my day short again. There was at least 700 m in climbing and it has turned wet, or possibly just damp. Also, I slept badly last night what with the heavy winds.

Shortly after leaving the motel in Skenes Creek, I came across a strange mammal by the side of the road. I took a few photos and set off for the tourist information centre in Apollo Bay. I thought I knew what the mammal was but I wasn't sure how it was spelt let alone pronounced. So being a librarian, I asked. It was an echidna. Pronounced "ekidna" and not, say "enchillada". (Also, the city I arrived in is pronounced "je-long" and not "gee-long".) As I sort of suspected, it is a particularly odd mammal being oviparous like the platypus.

I had a proper second breakfast in Apollo Bay and updated the blog. I also saw some galahs feeding on a lawn. Climbing out of town via a ridge there were a couple of large black parrots on a tree. 

After a 300 m climb, I arrive at Mait's Rest, a spot named after a forester who used rest his horses there on his way from A to B. The place has a short walk through the rain forest complete with signs about the massive mountain ash trees and the black carnivorous snails. Near the start there was something about the half the size of a raccoon scurrying through the underbrush. I haven't a clue what. The path wove its way around giant tree ferns which were wonderfully aromatic adding to the alien texture of the place.

Back on the road, I passed a black wallaby before I could stop. I turned around to whip out the camera but it bounded away into the sweet smelling eucalyptus before I could get the camera ready. A little later some black and yellow parrots flew by.

The road dropped back to the sea, before climbing again, up 420 m to Laver's Hill where a bird feeder being patronized by several species of parrot (crimson rosellas and Australian king parrots) and a laughing kookaburra influenced me along with the increasing rain to cop out early.

It was also another 32 km to the next town and I wasn't sure of accommodations. The Lebanese owner/manager of the motel I stayed in was in a bit of a tizzy over the death of Kaddafi, something I had been entirely ignorant of. He seemed surprised I didn't know. Then again, until that evening, I hadn't known about another visitor currently in Australia, namely the Queen.

Short entry

I am near the end of my first rest day in Warrnambool. On schedule. This posting from a lousy coin operated computer. More to follow when I sort out wi-fi on the iPhone. I haven't been able to post pictures. Yet.

On Australian roads

I assembled Leonardo yesterday. No major issues.

I then took the train into Melbourne to visit a map store and see some sights. Unfortunately, the map store was no more. I asked at the outdoors store next door if they could direct me towards some appropriate maps. They sent me to the RACV after some discussion as to my map needs. The discussion was prolonged by my jet lag induced inability to understand the acronym for the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria in "Strine".

At the RACV store, I had hard time finding a suitable map. Midway through, I started having a dry throat induced cough that made me look like a spaz to the staff. I got a map atlas from which I sliced out the bits I needed.

I went to the Immigration Museum, but before I went inside, I was overcome by a wave of fatigue, and opted to go back to Geelong. I decided I would try to delay my departure and see more of Melbourne.

On the return train, someone was talking about the Geelong Cup horse race and how some small businesses shut down for it. I listened out of one ear as the plain sped past me. Unfortunately, the Geelong cup was today (October 19) and my beautiful Victorian B&B was full up so I had hit to the road today.

Today was sunny and eventually very hot (the forecast was for 28). I have been slugging back the water. The Geelong Cup is something of public holiday, so I had to haul the box of stuff I am sending ahead to Broken Hill for 50 km before finding an open Post Office! Lots of spandex cyclists on the road today. I chatted to a cycle trekker going the other way. He was heading back to Melbourne after having gone around the country. He asked about my plans. When he heard my destination was Broken Hill, he said the winds should be quite favorable.

My goal was Apollo Bay and its hostel. As the afternoon wore on and the Great Ocean Road wound ever on, I found myself getting very tired, despite some red bodied parrots fluttering around. When a motel with a restaurant came to my attention, I said "enough" and got a room despite it being only about 6 km short of Apollo Bay. I my defense, the receptionist wondered if I had heat stroke from my exhausted and breathless speech. Also, I have pedaled 110 km in hot weather.

A bus load of seniors arrived at the motel just before me. I shared a buffet supper (good for carb loading) with them along with fair amount of chitchat.

I don't know about the heat but the mileage should be less tomorrow. Then again, I expect more hills.

On the floor in Sydney airport

Leonardo, bike shoes and bits of food passed inspection. I am catching my breath before attaching the wheels to the bike box. Everything arrived and I have at least two hours to change terminals.

Addendum

I have made my way to the "cheap" domestic terminal with too much time to spare. I will have to wait for a while before I can drop off my bike and duffle. I have had a wrap and I am lying on the floor out of traffic to wait until I can drop off my baggage. I am half tempted to get out my Thermarest!

On Air Canada flight 33

The bulkhead dividing cattle class from the first class section

I am smack in the front of the cattle class section with a window seat which I paid for. Worth the price on flight like this. Thanks to the sleeping pill Mummy gave me I was asleep for most of the first half, getting up a few times to take a leak. Incidentally, bandanas make excellent, if possibly inelegant eye blinds.

Me, wearing a bandanna as a blindfold

Though I have flown on 777s before, this is the first time I have been far enough forwards to see the huge engine pods close up. I have heard they are about as wide as a 737's fuselage! A little after dawn, I could see the reflection of the fuselage on the engine pod. A little more than two hours to go.

The fuselage reflected on the engine pod

 Funny how airlines have images. Fundamentally, they all offer much the same experience, but I have cheerier impression of Air New Zealand staff, than Air Canada on this flight. Dumb thing to say given the status of labour relations. But there was a solicitousness about the Kiwis that was nice as they went up and down the aisles offering water to stave off dehydration in the passengers. I'm hungry.

While the outside air temperature is -57F (-49C), the window blinds are hot to the touch.

As the plane left near midnight and I had set my watch to Vancouver time, I have not reset it to Sydney time as it is easier to keep track of where we are in the flight that way! About an hour to go.

I have been wearing my glasses with a strap so I don't have to worry about where I put them. I have taken a bunch of "panda" pictures of myself with the iPhone that will get posted at some point.

Sorry Margo if this isn't about biking but I'm bored and need to write.

When breakfast came around, I asked for coffee and orange juice. Being me, I apologized for being "greedy". The flight attendant said I wasn't as I had been asleep most of the way. Implicitly, she was saying I hadn't had the supper offered after take-off or the sandwich offered around 6 AM Vancouver time! ;-) Mummy has oft times questioned the wisdom of the timing of airline feeding times.

My game plan for Sydney airport is to get through customs and quarantine, change terminals, check into Jetstar and have lunch.

I filled out the Aussie landing card twice. The first time was around 6 AM Vancouver time. Looking at it at 1:30 PM, I had trouble reading my own handwriting in places, so I figured I should fill out another one! The bio control questions want to know about animal products. Does that include wool? I have wool socks, a woolen Mactaggart tartan scarf and a merino wool jersey. If memory serves, the merino wool comes from New Zealand!

We are stopped at the terminal, waiting to be sprayed with insecticide. At least those noisy engines are stopped.

On Air Canada flight 195

The flight is full and late due to baggage paperwork issues and too much baggage. I hope Leonardo wasn't the issue or that leaving him out was the solution. Lots of people with laptops, so I feel at home being the geeky with the Divanita! We are approaching Vancouver so I will save this now for later posting.

On significant relief

I am waiting to board my plane to Vancouver. I am very relieved as I am now past a stage of worry. Boxed bike was 20.50 kgs. Duffle was 16.25 kg. Thank you Robin for the lift.