The Superb Parrot

Knowing we had 72kms to cover, with no café options, we were well stocked with food and drink. Simon had mapped stopping places, so it was just a matter of covering the distance.

Unfortunately, our departure was delayed as I had a flat tyre following an encounter with one of the notorious local thorns.  We thought it was a Caltrop, a woody burr that splits into five segments, each containing two strong sharp spines.  However, it could also have been a Three-Cornered Jack with its triangle of sharp spines.  Given our cross-country jaunt through the National Park, we were probably fortunate to only have one flat tyre.

Tube replaced, we took the main road out of town, recrossing Broken Creek.  With flat farmlands as far as we could see, we were prepared for a long, and not very scenic, cycle.

Our morning coffee stop was in Picola, which had a nice little park.  Nearby was the Picola Silo Art, which was dominated by a stunning Superb Parrot, and featured other fauna, as well as Red River Gum and Yellow Box trees.     

Noting the “Less Speed Less Dust”, I recalled the occasional truck that had slowed as it passed us on the gravel roads to Echuca, and the difference it made to our ability to breathe.  

After 35kms, we had a second morning tea stop to eat our hot cross buns at the side of the road, before covering another other 10kms for lunch in the recreation grounds in Katunga. 

We crossed a number of irrigation channels, some of which were substantial in size. Sandmount property was one of the most significant landholdings along our route, growing almonds and seedless mandarins.  

Our lakeside cabin at the RACV park in Cobram was very pleasant and we opted to buy some takeaway Thai and eat in for dinner.