June 19th - Ulladulla to North Wollongong

Nigel says....Had hoped to reach Miranda tonight, but got as far as North Wollongong before darkness and traffic called a halt to proceedings. I would like to clarify that I was going to stay at Miranda and not with Miranda as some had been suggesting! I would also like to point out that the straight yellow line on the tracking map does not mean we are cycling through people's gardens!

Am staying in the Flinders Budget Motel - nice! However, the man on the desk comes from Malton, North Yorks and was treated as a child by my Uncle Owen - got a reduced room rate and a free breakfast. Thanks for that work in 1968 Owen!

Set off this morning at 0630hrs and pretty much kept on pedalling all day with breaks at Nowra, Gerroa and Shellharbour. Covered 152 Kms (95 miles). The terrain is becoming more manageable and there was even quite long flat stretches around Shoalhaven Heads. Inevitably there were some hills en route with a particular shocker at Kiama.

Thoughts and observations for today:

• Cycling from the south to the north of mainland Australia is a good way of avoiding having to watch the pitiful England Football Team performance in the World Cup.
• Cycling from the south to the north of mainland Australia is a good way of watching England beat Australia at rugby 20 - 21!
• The traffic is far far heavier up here - no safe night riding opportunities.
• It is staying light for longer and the weather is warmer.
• The Princes Highway between Nowra and Kiama is shocking for cyclists. After Kiama it improves.
• Wollongong is a charming part of New South Wales. I'm guessing it is twinned with Middlesbrough?
• Fact of the day: Shoalhaven is Australia's home for speciality papers........
• Tune of the day: Queen - Don't stop me now.
• Snack of the day: Chicken curry pie (My first Aussie pie! - lifted morale enormously - get the Wallabies to eat some!)

Tomorrow Sydney.

NEWS FROM GORDON.....NEWS FROM GORDON......NEWS FROM GORDON....

Gordon is in good shape, pedalling hard and making good progress. He does notice an improvement in speed with carrying no kit. He has reached Nowra tonight and will be setting off early in the morning going for somewhere north of Wollongong. We aim to meet up in Newcastle on 22nd June with a revised schedule and itinerary to enable us to complete the journey together. It is no fun travelling alone.....think of the professional and incisive sporting discussions we could have had about today's rugby match for instance? I must make sure Gordon knows the result.... I don't want him to feel left out.

Gordon has been receiving telephone calls of disbelief from UK regarding his current commando status!