A bleak day wind howling. An 8.00 start but I get off 10 mins early to beat the wind.
An Oasis in the Desert
Sealed road for the first 50k and I’m averaging 45k. Road dead straight disappearing into the distance. Only 80 k for the day. Pass to where the lunch truck should be but I beat it. A race against the wind as he road turns through 90 deg and will be directly across.
Onto the dirt but well tracked. No one in sight behind me up a hill and the again the road like an arrow. Side wind but not too bad. Only 20k to the turnoff. Wind starts blasting and the wheels are blown out from under me. Can’t get back on the bike so go to the side of the road and ride the ditch as some small protection. Back onto the main road and the wind changes to the rear.
Reach the turnoff and we end up in an oasis of a 20,000 hectare property. Amazing but I get in first. Secure a shared room with an adjoining bathroom. Heaven. Anna still not arrived as she has gone in the lunch truck to get provisions and Internet to see if she can extend her trip. Behind the station is a protective long hill curving around defining the green river flats against the surrounding dusty desert hills. They farm beef sheep and horses. House was built in the 1920’s. We are able to sit in the comfortable lounge and dining area and have a couple of beers.
Dinner for the house guests and I get a gurnzy as two are running late. After I have eaten my camping meal a second dinner. Starter guanaco sliced thinly and marinaded followed by leg of sheep potatoes and a fantastic type of sponge pudding. A good bottle of red and port to follow, very sophisticated. An unexpected finish to a great day.