The wind blew all night. I was comfortable in the tent and slept well. Breakfast in the General Store at 6:30 am. Kim and Mervyn were already making pies and scones for later in the day. I enjoyed a big pot of tea with breakfast while chatting to other patrons.
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| Hebel Hotel |
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| Kim and Mervyn - Hebel |
There isn't much at Hebel and without passing trade from grey nomads it probably wouldn't survive as the service needs of the local community could be met from Dirranbandi or Lightning Ridge. Despite the difficulty of coming this way by pushbike I'm glad I came. It is a special place. If you do come this way stop for drink at the pub and/or get tea and scones from the store.
After breakfast I'm back on the bike in the wind. The forecast is for the wind to strengthen. The first 10 km comes easily and then the wind picks up. For the 3rd day in a row I am crawling along. The wind is mostly a crosswind and when it gusts is moves me on the road. A couple of times I am pushed into the gravel. Later I have to lean into the wind to stay upright.
I simply just persist and keep pedalling and eventually I reach the turn off to Lightening Ridge and turn downwind for 5 kilometres. All of a sudden I am racing along at 27 km without pedalling. The wind is pushing me and a lot of dust into Lightning Ridge.
An ambulance and then a police car rush by sirens going. Most of the shops are closed, there are a few cafes open but I head for the supermarket my hunger and thirst can be less expensively satisfied there.
I see a motel with a cheap room on its billboard. I'm sold - a shower, a soft mattress and power points anything to get out of the wind.
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