Day 43: Wellington to Salt Creek

All riders looking quite relaxed although Neil was maybe a little nervous as he was up and about early then had to wait around for everyone else. He is finding his mojo but it is hard when you are the new kid on the block. Jen having ridden with us before knows the routine but poor old Neil has to get used to the riding every day and a strange routine. He is doing OK.

Another good riding day with tailwinds. We are now in the Coorong and constant views of water and salt bush. Heaps of birdlife and I spotted a line of pelicans which were swimming in a line. Collis had seen the same birds earlier flying just above the water line so they must have landed after he passed them.

Salt Creek is a roadhouse which is run solely by Adam. He had previously had a girlfriend helping him plus backpackers but this all collapsed for him and now he's on his own. He has done a great job cleaning it up and keeping it running. We started off having the place to ourselves but ended up with a group of fishermen who decided to have a party to celebrate their one fish catch of the day. Then an older couple arrived and they parked off in the corner away from us.

Collis shouted everyone a Mullet dinner in the roadhouse which was enjoyed by all.  The party ended up going until 2.30 am and we had some very unhappy campers. Jim had made a great fire which we had all enjoyed after dinner but it had gone out by the morning unfortunately. Jim had camped in front of the toilets and the fishermen kept tripping over his tent everytime they staggered to the toilet.

Around 3.30 am I was woken again by all this banging and scraping which seemed to be coming from the roadhouse. I wasn't game to check out what was happening as Adam has a gun and is an experienced hunter- didn't want him to shoot me by mistake. It went on for at least an hour and then Collis heard a truck take off, so still not sure what it was all in aid of.