Hi John, agriculture in area we’ve just cycled across is being noticeably affected by climate change, especially with droughts becoming more frequent and severe. Also marginal area cropping in the past is why some farmhouses were abandoned. There are probably economic/demographic factors too. For example amalgamation of small holdings into larger ones, and declining workforce needed due to mechanisation.
Whatever the reasons, seeing these formerly beautiful stone houses in ruin in this stark landscape is a bit sad.

Interesting you mentioned Alberta. One of my co-riders Joel was born in Canada and spent some of his childhood in Calgary.

I've seen a few too many abandoned farmhouses in my day. One always wonders about the history there. Good photos, Graham -- sad, though.

Still wrestling with obdurate northwesterlies here on my day rides, so glad to hear that you had a tailwind. If, after your trek, you're still interested in reading others' accounts of the wind, you might enjoy Sid Marti's "Leaning on the Wind". It's an account of how the southwesterly wind has shaped the landscape, ecology and peoples of southwestern Alberta, over the past few thousand years. (The wind is the famous Chinook.)

Enjoying the heritage buildings large & small, Graham -- thanks for those details.

Love that sun on a Southern ocean, Graham!

John

Thanks Bill

Took a bit of digging, but possibly weeping Pittosporum, if my image matching capabilities are correct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittosporum_angustifolium

Interesting name!
What's a saddleworth?
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More than the bike, if you get a really good one! :-)

Invasive century plant.

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/3851#d4eb99eb-4e3b-493b-b32c-acd6addda66d

Hi John
Thanks for following this ride. It feels as if we are making some progress now. The countryside is distinctively different in this part of Australia. The combination of aridity and the big river is interesting.
Great you have been out on the bike.

Loved the Renmark pelican & the sunset, Graham - brilliant! Thought of your trek as I did a couple of local rides east & west along the south bank of the Ottawa River -- brisk northwesterly headwinds both days, up to 60 km/h ☹️ Carry on -- not sure the cyclist's wish of "tailwinds" has much weight, but never mind -- tailwinds, John

Loved the Renmark pelican & the sunset, Graham - brilliant! Thought of your trek as I did a couple of local rides east & west along the south bank of the Ottawa River -- brisk northwesterly headwinds both days, up to 60 km/h ☹️ Carry on -- not sure the cyclist's wish of "tailwinds" has much weight, but never mind -- tailwinds, John

Hi Martin,
Many thanks for the donation to the ARLP scholarship and for this comment.

Yes Ian has talked about his plan to visit you in WA. He’s an extraordinary cycle tourer. I’m a much slower rider than him.

I’ll try to keep the blog updated regularly.

graham. I am Martin near Margaret River, WA. Ian Wallis is an old mate of mine (we did our PhDs together) and he has promised to drop in on us towards the end of this marvellous adventure. I look forward to seeing him and wish you all a great trip!i will be following this blog and have made a donation. Cheers. Martin

Thanks for the blessing Pope Greg. Yes we’ve made a solid start and it now feels like we are in the real outback as the geography, soils and plants are quite different to the high country where I live. With the media coverage and meeting alumni on the way it’s also been a social ride so far. Onwards and outwards as we head further west today.
I hope all is well over your way, and that Covid is becoming less of a constraint.

Hi Graham,
It looks like things are off to a great start for you--plenty of publicity, additional riders joining in, great camaraderie, nice scenery--I hope it continues all the way across the continent. If riding "against the wind" is what you want, then I guess I hope you get plenty of that all the way across the continent too. (Just kidding.)

I just have to add one more thing: I really like Ian's tradition of getting all dressed up for the border crossings. There's nothing like looking your best when entering a new state.

-Your pal, The Pope