Day 51 - Forster to Taree

Distance: 39 km
Time: 1:50 hours
Distance so far: 1869km
Weather: Temperature: 20 degrees. Sunny.
Terrain: Hilly. 30km on a fast 2 lane road, 8 km on the hard shoulder of State Highway.

Awoke to do yoga by the creekside as the sun came up.

Met Kath Smith – local resident since 80s (moving from Gloucester, Aus) and majorly active in setting up Great Lakes Environment Association, which pushed the Government to institute high standards to preserve the delicate ecosystem here (http://www.thegovmonitor.com/civil_society_and_democratic_renewal/governance/australia-launches-great-lakes-water-quality-improvement-plan-27373.html), the local branch of RAR http://www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au/

Filmed Kathy, and went to Bourkes bike shop in Tuncarry/Taree who on the spot pumped up Chris' tyres. They were SOFT - @ 50psi instead of 95psi. No wonder he had been finding the hills hard work. Bourkes bike shop also replaced the speedometer which fell off the bike last night. We had used that one since Castlemaine.

Set off at about 12.30, and as we headed inland on the road to Taree, hugging the river, the gentle pastures going down to the waters edge reminded me of the beautiful, welcoming outdoor parks in Serbia, next to the Sava and Danube rivers. offering BBQ and spaces to relax, swim, and take in the shade of the large trees.

Roland's bike needed adjustment of its front sprocket, and then we were on our way again, into Taree. Staying at the Fotheringham's pub tonight, with a specially reduced price of $20 for two of us. And excellent steaks for $12 each. Tasty and just what two cyclists needed. With a dark beer.

Chris

Forster seemed like it may not be an opportunity for us to have a great connection to the sort of people / community we are wanting to meet until we met Kathleen Smith! Wow what an amazing woman! Inspiration, commitment, compassion, strength & integrity are just the start of the adjectives I would use to describe this amazing woman and it seems her family as well! The discussion and opportunity to film Kathleen was something that Chris and I were in complete sinc with as we knew that our start time was getting delayed but that it was worth every second and so we didn't eve need to check in with each other if we needed to head off.

The ride up to Taree was a short and a little hilly but it felt good to be on the road again. Chris and I seemed to clash a little over the way we ride together as i get nervous with the traffic and am less confident riding close together than he is. His help with me gears & then a break for lunch helped us to feel like a team again.

Taree was also a surprise. A great stay at Fotheringhams Pub with a new publican was great and helped by their support of 50% discount on the room and a amazingly cheap meal! A great connection with some local cyclists & hoping that they will support us and connect us to others within their community as well as their contacts in Taree as well as further north. Plus a friendly and supportive couple of bike shops but especially the team at Bourke's Bicycles who also recommend Gordon Street Cycles in Port Macquarie where I have needed to get my wheel trued after s spoke broke! All up a fantastic place for cyclist to visit.

Roland