RedBull

Hans passing a dead wombat...

Pumped full of RedBull Hans tested the virtues of 'better living through chemistry' principle. It worked for 90 minutes of vigorous uphill riding, but then.... it was time for an early lunch, and another RedBull boost for Hans. I had just stopped my morning cough at that stage. Twenty minutes after lunch, about 2pm, we happened upon the scenic and idyllic BellBird Hotel right on Wilderness Creek, and out of mobile reception, where free camping was on offer. The publican happened to be of German descend and was dreaming of going to Hamburg once the hotel, currently on the market,was sold. We set up camp and had a $5 shower with real towel and soap, wonderful.
During our afternoon nap Maree from http://www.mareebiketouroz.blogspot.com/ arrived. The three of us had lots to talk about and we all had dinner in the hotel. My medicine bag safely stored away in the cool room and Hans's resolution to not drink alcohol was broken with a nice bottle of Cabernet.
Shortly after dinner the locals came in and I was the 8th person in the Euca competition. Beginner's luck kept me from embarrassing myself.
Full of good recommendations we headed for Cape Conrad in the morning. It was pretty much all downhill, and once there enjoyed both the great views and a second breakfast.
By 1am, with tailwind, sunshine and no hills of significance we arrived at the nearby Marlo Ocean Views caravan park where pets were allowed, complete with wheelchair facilities, and according to Hans the most beautiful place he had seen on the East Coast. They allowed me to put my medicine in their shop fridge. My medicine bag is increasingly becoming slimmer and lighter, and now has space for beer and chocolate!
Tomorrow we really plan to cover more distance, but due to perfect weather and scenery our plans may be foiled again.
One disadvantage of going slow is the number of campsites and meals we need to pay for. As cheap as a cycling holiday seems, it does make you ravenous and one pub meal per day can cost you an arm and a leg. Hans at the BellBird hotel had to order two dinners to get satisfied. Buying food in the few little stores along the way is also really $$$, and limited (here in Marlo the shop only had onions and tomatoes for fresh vegetables!) and to buy ingredients for a simple BBQ (when available) from these shops is as expensive as a proper pub meal.
Tonight I am making the last of the ten or so dehydrated meals that Ree made for us and which I carried with me. Carrying anything that is non dehydrated takes up too much space on the bike. Everyday we carry a loaf of bread, muesli bars, cheese, salami, tuna, carrots, nuts and chocolate... We have porridge for breakfast with sweetener and powder milk, so you can understand a pub meal always sounds inviting.
Life on the road, cycling between Sydney and Melbourne is awesome though, and as you now understand the problems we face have little to do with Cystic Fibrosis!