Day 12 - A bridge too far

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Day 12  Leneva - Wodonga - Kergunyah 62km

Tonight the ambience light in our tent went out at 9:30pm. Just when our neighbours started singing to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline"... it wasn't pretty but kind of matching. I thought, if Caroline was a bike ride, she sure was a sweet one today. And much better than next door's singing! 

But let's start at the beginning. With plenty of soulfood and good memories on board we hopped back onto the saddle just as the sun started smiling at us. The aim was to beat the busy Saturday morning traffic in and around Wodonga before finding some calm riding on the High Country Rail Trail. Wodonga seemed like a fancy number of a town and they love their roundabouts there. We tried to remember at which one we had to turn right but there are so many that we missed the turn and had to backtrack to eventually hit the trail. 

The little detour expanded Louise's foraging portfolio - with figs!

Second breakfast

The High Country Rail Trail is yet another prime example of a recreational trail that not only attracts tourism but also provides a vibrant outdoor space that locals can embrace. It stretches something like 80km from Wodonga to Shelley and for a large part hugs the shoreline of Lake Hume. The trail is in great condition and offers a mixed bag of different surfaces and scenery. 

One of many bridges

We smile and wave at many other trail users. It's a good day to be out and about and the riding feels easy. In true Coddiwomple spirit, the final destination for the day is a little vague, which only adds to the good time we are having on 'Hope & Faith' (names of our bicycles). We acknowledge what a difference a little TLC treatment on the bikes (see previous day) can make. Riding along Lake Hume is entertaining, we watch people fishing, kite-surfing, having a picnic and riding bicycles. 

Oops, Lake Hume on an angle...

... much better!

We farewell the lake at the Sandy Creek inlet but not before taking a good look at the impressive 600m long Sandy Creek bridge, the bridge too far. 

Sandy Creek bridge 

Given our plans to eventually pick up the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail again at Myrtleford, we turn south, in search of a tiny hamlet called Kergunyah, hoping to find a campsite for the night. When we get there, we are spoilt for choice. It's free primitive camping to the right or a caravan park to the left. We go with our political leanings and turn into the caravan park, the need for a shower 'smells' overwhelming.

The rest of the afternoon is spent at the Kiewa River, sitting on a fallen tree in the river, dangling our feet in the water and pursuing a new interest...


You think we are joking?! We are not. Of course, we don't ride around with nuggets of gold in our bags now. But the amount of alluvial gold that can be seen and fished out of the streams, creeks and rivers in this area is amazing. Thanks to the Gorilla tape (see window repair) we stick some findings to my bookmark. 

When we return to our campsite we laugh. Our tiny tent and the two bikes are surrounded by heavy duty caravans and 4WDs. Feeling like a fish out of water we go about our business, take a shower, cook dinner, wash up and...

 ... then the singing started. 

 




Location: Kergunyah VIC 3691, Australia

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