To Ardlethan

Today's ride was excellent, with great scenery, perfect weather and very light traffic.

I woke to a sunny and still morning and not too cold. I had a very good breakfast with good coffee and Cafe Shazaray.

The Barellan road was very quiet, in fact all the roads were. First the Barellan Road out to Lake Coolah (a "green" lake) and then Kamarah Road.  I passed one cyclist, a roadie about 20 km from town and he didn't even slow down!

The scenery for the most part was a mix of Callitris forests and crops, miles and miles of wheat and canola. Lots of birds. The terrain is gently rolling or flat with the occasional ridge to climb over.

The planned route included a dirt road which when I got there was closed but I soon found another route that was in good condition and only slightly longer. It was as I was pondering the route that a local farmer came by on his tractor and he stopped for a chin wag.

Ardlethan is a very quiet small town. There used to be a big tin mine nearby but that is closed. Now the grain handling facility on the train line is the only substantial business. On a Sunday afternoon NOTHING is open, not even the pub! The town's main claim to fame appears to be that Ardlethan is the "home of the Kelpie" and there are multiple statues of said breed to celebrate.

There is quite a nice public park with several historical displays.

What on earth does this sign mean? Anyway I didn't put on or take off at this location.

The pub opened at 4pm so I had a couple of drinks, a steak dinner and then turned in. The London Hotel Motel has basic rooms, but clean and servicable.