Rapid Bay to Robe.

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Have I mentioned the wind?

Despite the weather appearing to clear on sunset, the wind and rain returned during the night. At one point I awoke to hear the sound of what was obviously my billy being cart-wheeled across the camp ground. I was up and chasing it instantly, otherwise it would have ended up in the bay.

Wet Tent on Windy Beach

A windy, cold and damp morning. Up at the now usual 6:30am. A slow breakfast with much needed hot coffee. I procrastinated, drawing out the packing process in the vain hope the sun might come out and dry my tent. No such luck. Reluctantly I rolled up the wet tent, finished packing and rode out of Rapid Bay. Despite the bad weather it had been a good camp site.

The road down to Cape Jervis – the ferry terminal for Kangaroo Island was a good way to start the day. The wind was relentless and cold, but at least it had stopped raining. Just a bit of 'scotch mist' persisted, keeping the road damp and my visor damp.

Cape Jervis - Kangaroo Island Ferry Terminal

After checking out the ferry terminal and watching it being loaded for the next trip I backtracked up the road to the turn-off for Victor Harbor. Another great ride along the ridge line. Lots of corners but a good well engineered road. Victor Harbor is clearly a prime tourist destination. Lots of coaches, grey nomads and other tourists. Found a good 'German Bakehouse' for coffee and cake. Yum!

Back on the road to Goolwa and the Murray river. Very suburban, and again Goolwa is another tourist stop. Paused at the Hindmarsh Island Bridge in time to see a paddle steamer sail past.

After Goolwa I hit the back roads as I worked my way around Lake Alexandrina, ending up crossing the Murray at an old ferry point called Wellington. 

Then out onto the Princes Highway and a blast through the Coorong, buffeted all the way by that damned wind. Today makes 7 days riding in a row that the wind has been a curse.

Finally pulled over in Robe, an old port – second only to Adelaide in the old days, before it was bypassed by the rail network. Full of old buildings including the Caledonian Inn – where I'm staying. The first 'civilised' lodging I've had since leaving Esperance.

The Caledonian Inn - Robe

I now have time to spare before I need to be in Melbourne, so I will meander through parts of inland Victoria I've not visited before, including the Grampians., before returning to the coast for the last run into Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road.