Day 99 - You never know

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Kingaroy - Wondai - almost to Murgon - back to Wondai 52km

When the water started to seep into my undies it was time to abandon the river crossing attempt and to turn around. But easier said than done. Now pushing back into the current, my bike started to lift and for a moment I thought we would watch it floating down the river. And with it pretty much everything that is considered essential for this life on bicycle to function. By this time, Louise had stopped taking photos and her face displayed a rather concerning look. Not that I could see it, I had my hands full. Eventually the adrenaline kicked in and I managed the final metres without losing anything other than dry underpants. 

This is the first flood effected river crossing that saw us having to turn around. After 3,940km and many bad weather events, that's not a bad outcome. If we had checked the Facebook page of the South Burnett Rail Trail, we would have known. But where is the fun in always knowing what's ahead?

Doable..?

Turns out: no.

But despite this wet intermezzo, it was a good day to ease back into the groove of Coddiwomple. The Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail is fully sealed for 43km between Kingaroy and Murgon and it made for an easy ride on a day where I was still a bit wobbly in the saddle. Not to mention the weather, a soothing sun was with us for most of the day. 


Easy Rider

Wondai is a charming little town. The town's name is an aboriginal word for 'wild dogs' but the flair of the place is anything but wild. At our first encounter with the town (at lunchtime) we visited the South Burnett Timber Industry Museum. It's housed in a purpose-built timber shed and you will find a description/display of pretty much every kind of Australian timber that's out there. When we return to Wondai (after our river episode) and set up camp at the free campsite for Rail Trail users, a local lady (on a bike) stops for a chat. She tells us how much she enjoys living here and that there is so much to do. Apparently the Art Gallery and the Antiques Store are also worth a visit. And so is the bakery, the butcher and the health food shop!

But don't come here hungry on a Tuesday night. One pub is for sale, the other pub is closed on Tuesdays. We end up eating chicken sandwiches and drinking a cold beer on a park bench in front of the toilet block. Not as charming as the town might have promised at first but maybe a matching dinner setting on a day where "you never know" was a bit of a theme. 

Tomorrow we will try again to make it to Murgon, via the main road. And from there onwards, who knows? But we will definitely keep an eye out for potentially tricky river crossings. 


Location: Wondai QLD 4606, Australia

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