David's Journal Entry

It is the start of week six and we have just 400km to go with 8 days before my flight home. We will easily make Melbourne by the weekend so now we have a choice between short days or a rest day. Either option works, not least because we are both carrying minor niggles. An easy 80km today suggests we will keep chewing into the distance and avoid a rest day. 

This morning started in a wet tent, condensation clinging to the cold fabric. The slow starts allowed by shorter daily rides mean we now have time to attend to such matters stress-free. The gentle breeze wafting through the campsite and an empty washing line made for an ideal combination, allowing the moisture to steadily wick away, as I did a coffee run. Second breakfast occurred shortly after, in a charming little cafe full of mothers and babies. We may well have to watch our calorie consumption in the near future not least because swallowing down 5000+ calories daily is a fast way to be resigned to the couch back in the real world. 

The route today was primarily through lush, emerald countryside, dotted with lakes. The prettiest of which was Lake Lochiel, tinged pink as a result of a pigment produced by the Salinibacter ruber bacteria (according to Australian Geographic). The birdlife has also become more obvious. The ubiquitous galahs have been joined by monotone magpies, technicolour rosellas and an array of other species that I don't recognise.

Mike and I had an interesting conversation this evening regarding his illness earlier in the trip. I suspect he was surprised I hadn't been more overtly supportive, preferring to let him decide whether he would continue or not; I think he was somewhat disappointed. These are not the kind of journeys for which one can be externally motivated, the desire needs to come from within. I am truly grateful that Mike found the internal drive to continue and had the physical strength to do so, but I also know I would have carried on without him. This knowledge leaves me with more questions than answers.