Monday 21 Jan 2019

Ready to leave

I decided to take the cyclists detour via Red Gap Road. The part right in the gap can barely be called a road, 4WD track maybe. It was steep enough, but pushable, so probably only about 20%. From leaving the campground and all through the gap it was only 23º, but sweat was pouring off me like rain again. I must say I greatly prefer our own 20 – 25% humidity in the Okanagan! Sweat evaporates and cools you down. Not here.

Going down on the east side was a little less steep and then it became good roads again. Very scenic, very enjoyable.

I have such great memories of the Rosevale Pub, it was a remarkable place, but alas it ain’t no more. There is a sign that says it is being renovated and to check out their Facebook page, but since I quit Facebook a couple of years ago I cannot easily do that. It’s going to be a hell of a job, at the back it is totally overgrown. Sad.

It was 10:00 when I got to Callemondah, the clouds had disappeared and it was getting hot, so I decided to stay here. I called in at the house to ask where the designated camping area is and a nice lady, the mother of one of the owners, opened and immediately offered me a glass of nice cold water. Rainwater. The best. Behind the house is a big mango tree, and there were some nice ripe ones on the ground what a treat again. I hadn’t seen mango trees for probably a couple of weeks.

The camping area is more meant for horse riders on the BNT, right at or in the cattle yards, but there are some nice big trees and although there is a lot of shit around, the animals can’t get in so I’m good. Very different, for me anyway. But the view is outstanding!

Janet, the lady who offered me the nice cold water, mentioned there are a bakery and a cafe in Aratula, which made me think. I can go to Aratula tomorrow morning, then go around the east side of Lake Moogerah and rejoin the BNT at the bottom end. That way I cut out the cross country section around Cunningham’s Gap, which I don’t remember as particularly difficult, but I’ve done it before and this will be a little different. What a brilliant plan!

Total 47k 3:45h 475m+ 505m-