Cliff & Julie's Blog & Pics
Current time in NZ:
For more info about the ride or how to make your donation click here
6th March
Arrived in beautiful sunshine in Melbourne, then got
caught up in the floods ... hailstones
as big a golf
balls. We were bruised but not battered. Met a
lovely young guy called
Ollie who guided us out of
the city.
7th March
Rode 130Km to Traralgon. Poured with rain, but not
cold.
8th March
Rode 125Km to Bairnsdale. Bright and sunny, Cliff fixed
4 punctures (2 each) Stayed
at a lovely campsite.
Cliff currently getting bike repaired. Then we should
be on our
way. W ran out of water yesterday...
Tue 9 March
We arrived at Orbost 4.58pm local time
Thu 11th March
Cycled to Eden 63Km uphill through rain forest, (who
said Australia was flat??) It's
about 1.15pm and we
are hoping to head up to Merrimbula this afternoon.
Fri 12 March
Whew! What a couple of days......... We reached
Genoa after 123Km uphill through rain
forest, at about
6.30pm last night. We could hear bird calls along the
way, I think
they would have been bell birds. Genoa
was closed, we pitched our tent at a free campsite
that just has loos and cold showers. We just had a cold shower no dinner and went
to bed. No breakfast either.
Sat 13 March
We arrived in Narooma at 6pm last night. We think we're a third of the way along. Such a beautiful country ... can see why its called New South Wales, lots of mountains and rivers fab views. Hope to reach Ulladulla today.
Sun 14 March
We spent last night in Ulladulla. Heading for Kaima today then Sydney and have covered 983Km so far. Have had 5 days of massive hills with a few good down runs. The legs are a bit shaky to say the least. But God is good and we've also enjoyed great cloud cover.
Tue 16 March
SYDNEY!!!!! Yea half way.
Yesterday, we left Kiama early after a night in the best campsite we have ever seen, can highly recommend it to all holidaymakers out there. We took the Princes Hwy to Wollongong. A kindly bike shop owner told us about a coastal cycle track up to Bulli beach. That was for us. We had a lovely ride along the coast then onto the coastal road and yes you've guessed it "There are mountains in our way"! We were so high up ... amazing views. We cycled over the new ocean bridge at Coaldale just before Scarborough. On to Sydney, we couldn't find a campsite anywhere nor a motel. The angels must have been at their wits end as we ended up cycling along the Princes Hwy in the dark, then we got lost in the city for a couple of hours. Finally were able to book a room in an airport motel.
For some reason I was unable to attach any pictures, so will try again later.
Wed 17 March
8pm. We’re in Raymond Terrace. Did 132Km. Great ride.
Thu 18 March
1.33pm local time. Just had lunch at Belahdelah. Blistering hot day, lots of hills and headwind, heading over to Foster on coast, heard there's a good campsite ...
Fri 19 March
3.18pm local time. Day Off in Forster, slept late and wore real clothes all day, but yesterday 18th March was a NASTY NASTY 144Km.
We set off from Raymond Terrace in thick fog which soon dispersed. After about 45Km
the tail wind we'd enjoyed deserted us and turned into a fulll-
Cry out to God, "Why are you making things so hard?"'
We limped into Forster, the first caravan park we tried was closed. Just 100m along the road we came to Lanis Island. They had just one cabin left for $50 per night, fridge, shower, cooker... did we want it? YES,YES, YES. Realised the reason for the delays. We would have been happy with our tent but God had a lovely cabin in mind for us. If we'd been any earlier we would not have tried for a cabin.
Forster is the most beautiful place, nestled between a lake and the beach.
20th March
From Forster after our lovely day off we set out early for Port Macquarie, part of the route took in the Iron Man course which starts next week. We took the coast road through Laurieton, beautiful. Add 3 more punctures to our count, we're not sure how many now. We covered 121k. We came into PM through the scenic route. Scenic or Tourist Route is Australian for "Lots of big hills".
21st March
PM to Nambucca Heads. Again fabulous views. The Big4 caravan park was a delight each campsite had its own flower border. The folks here also very kindly gave us a donation towards the water project.Very warm thermal winds against us.
22nd March
To Grafton. Actually we had intended to end the day at Coffs Harbour but had plenty left in the legs so were able to press onand cover 132K. We had one puncture and saw our first Kangeroos!
23rd March
Just a short day. We covered only 50k partly in pouring rain,to Maclean a delightful
wee scottish town right on the Clarence River, well worth a visit. Score for bikes
today -
Thats all for now, we do very much value all the txts and prayers, it is so good to know we're not doing this alone. BTW Cliffs phone is broken so apologies if you've txted him and not got a reply.
24th March
From Maclean crossed the Clarence River headed for Byron Bya, which is the most easterly town in Oz. We travelled via Ballina and Lennox Head. Covered 121Km. Byron Bay is the most surprising little town, miles of nothing then wham, a tiny thriving cosmopolitan community. We'd been told it had a 'hippie' feel to it and the town certainly lived up to its reputation. It is well worth a visit and stay over. We were quite enchanted by the birds on the caravan park until one ate through our tent!
25th March
Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise 132Km.
We quite enjoyed this leg, not too hard, not too high, not too windy. Nice to cycle along the golden beaches at Surfers. Stayed at a Big4 in Southport and had a lovely swim in their heated outdoor pool. Rained overnight so rather than stay another day we decided to head to the finish line.
26th March
Surfers Paradise to BRISBANE!!!!!!!! (about 80Km)
Pride always comes before a fall and its true. We set of with high hopes and lots
of confidence that we'd easily do it. Got lost just getting out of SP as we were
not allowed on the freeway (how rude). Took the road to Nerang and had a food fuel
up, Tried to follow the map and rode along highway 90 to Mt Tambourine. Finally ended
at Pimpana -
We'd covered a distance of 132Km. However the Lord must have wanted us to be there because I had a lovely talk with the motel owner who then said our experiences had helped him in his faith. So all worth it in the end.
WE FINISHED! Arrived Brisbane last night Fri (26 March) at 7.15pm
Thank you so very much to everyone involved with us on this trip.
It's very special to know that together we have all played a part in providing clean water to those who need it most.
Our prayer is that the receivers know that the clean water is available because of Jesus.
What next? Well, we're planning to go up to the Sunshine Coast on the train, for a few days and explore the area on our bikes!
Cliff & Julie
