Pakenham > Melbourne (81km, 4h25)

The first part of my trip is done! I arrived in Melbourne today and with the sun. The weather got better and better along the way which was great because I could dry my clothes and enjoy that day. Last time I’ve been closed to the sea was when I was cycling from Sydney to Nowra. Then I’ve headed inland to discover different landscapes. I’m back on the coast until Adelaide now :-)

Map.

This is where I ended yesterday night after more than an hour cycling at night. I was checking the spot on google maps, looking for a green area. This place was great!

Only 7km of cycling and the rain started again. I don’t have any other dry clothes so I stopped in McDonald’s to have a hot chocolate and Wifi. At least I can work on my blog.

Back on the road after about an hour. Pakenham is where start the busy road, highways and motorway. There is lots of traffic and a crazy amount of retailers like cars, trucks, fast food, malls… I could choose smaller axles but I would take twice longer to get there and I don’t want that. I want to get rid of this area in a day and then that’s it, done, finished, classified!

Traffic lights, advertising signs and cars. That’s all. And the clouds…

Yep, done! The first non-enjoyable 30km are behind me and I’m heading straight to the ocean by a road which gets progressively narrower and narrower, quieter and quieter, nicer and nicer :-)

Houuu, I feel the coastline now :-)

Youhouuu! The sea!

I deserve a lunch break and I will set up a washing line to dry my stuff. Nice to have a break!

Melbourne is still 40km away on the background, far away but I will get there :-)

Here we go! I’m full, dry (even my shoes) and I’ve got a strong tail wind which is very nice.

Aaah ah, looks like Melbourne is not far away now. The coastline is huge here compare to Sydney. Sydney is in a harbour when Melbourne is in a large bay so here you feel more the “elements” when Sydney seems more quiet.

Hey, this beach is quite nice with all those colorful… I don’t even know what they are actually…

Are they small shops? or containers for personal stuff?

It seems that their colors represent a country. That’s a tourist thing I guess.

At least, they looks nice little sheds :-)

I remember these boats! Optimist boat, the first one I’ve sailed on a long time ago.

Since I’ve reached the coast I’m following the cycle path and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be all the way like this.

Getting even more closer!

Nice pier.

Video!

Hmmm, it’s not too late if I wanted to go to Tasmania ;-)

I’ve been cycling all the way to the city beach side and now I’m on a ferry which cross the Yarra river. Then I’ve got few more kilometres to reach Wendy and Peter’s house!

The guy on the ferry is nice. I was looking for a ferry but did not have any idea of the size of it. I was cycling along the street when I saw a guy from this tiny boat waving towards me. I wasn’t sure if he was doing that to me or someone else. I realised quickly that this tiny boat was effectively the ferry I was looking for and waved back to him. The guy was already on his way but came back on shore for me. Thanks man :-) And now he is taking a picture of me driving the ferry but covered the camera objective with the strap. That’s fine, Thanks again :-)

And I’m on the other side. Few more kilometers and I’m there!

Done!

Wendy is taking the picture and Peter likes my setup :-) I happy to be here after more than 1000km since I’ve left Sydney 18 days ago. Cool!