Wednesday 20 Feb 2019

A relatively flat day, mostly on paved roads. The Bylong Valley Way is in a wide valley initially, but it gradually narrows and becomes more scenic with fantastic eroded rock formations.

Phipps Cutting, at the edge of Wollemi National Park, was an interesting little walk in. It is a hand hewn track/road that was built in the early 1900’s.

Not long after that the BNT turns into the Widden Valley. More great rocks and at the end is Widden Stud, a very prosperous looking place.

After the stud the road becomes gravel and after about 7 kms there is a hut named “Myrtle Grove Hilton Hotel”. It belongs to Widden Stud and I had asked them for permission to make use of the hut today. The lady I spoke with said she wasn’t sure in what condition it was and I must say it has deteriorated considerably since the last time I stayed here in 2004. The shower doesn’t work any longer, nor is there any 12V electricity. And cobwebs galore. Yet it has drawers and cupboards full of dishes, cutlery, and kitchen utensils, enough to prepare food for a small army. Other than 21 year old Vegemite (which looks and tastes alright) there isn’t anything edible. But it has walls and a roof, a rainwater tank, table and chairs, there are mattresses, and it eliminates having to put up my little nylon cottage. And it is super peaceful, no traffic.

But as I was sitting reading on my little covered patio, I saw my rear tire go down again. This time I was able to confirm that it is definitely puncture vine. And it must then have happened just before getting here, so this horrible weed must be somewhere in the field between road and hut. Be careful tomorrow! I’ll walk out and check constantly.

All in the last few days I now have 6 patches on my old tube and 1 on the new one.

Today’s totals 51k 3:40h 455m+ 360m-