Severe weather warnings for damaging winds, hail, localised flooding and road weather alert for falling trees, accompanied by torrential rain. This about sums up the forecast for today and the coming days in the South West of Western Australia.

Cycle touring the South West in winter, what should I have expected? I do miss the warmth of North Queensland where I was riding three weeks ago, still one mustn’t grumble. I do appreciate having the opportunity to be out here and it is enjoyable!

Today was an enforced rest day. When you’re on the road, you don’t trifle with Mother Nature. I took a “donger” (self contained cabin) at the River Walk Caravan Park on the outskirts of Margaret River. Somewhere to keep dry and warm while using the unexpected break to attend to those necessary domestics: Clothes washing and cleaning the bike etc.

Dodging the rain isn’t easy, but I managed a good walk around Margaret River. Its reputation is far larger than the town itself. At the visitors centre, I’m told that Margaret River is a region, not so much a town. Day tours are running to the local regional wineries, these are wasted on me I’m afraid. Even in poor weather, in the off season the town’s buzzing with tourists. It must be crazy in summer!

So a little down time allows for some research. Yesterday’s road kill, wasn’t a quokka but most likely a quenda otherwise known as a southern brown bandicoot.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I will take the road less traveled and partially unsealed, heading east and inland to Nannup where I can join up with the 1200k long Munda Biddi cycle trail. If the conditions are favourable I plan to ride a few sections of the trail down to Albany on the coast about 370 kilometres away.

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