Day 1: wind, weather and something else starting with 'w'.

Route: Adelaide-Clarendon-Strathalbyn-Wellington-Narrung-Coorong National Park-Meningie
Distance covered: 224.6km

The first day of my scootering adventure is over. I am sitting in the sole caravan park in Meningie, blogging, having had a generally uneventful day. No mechanical issues, no significant dramas of any nature and having eaten using ingredients purchased at a supermarket.

At home, about to depart

The day started nicely with some of the scooter section of the Motorcycle Riders Association of South Australia (MRASA) coming out to see me on my way. I appreciated their escort (to Strathalbyn, for a few of them) - I led the procession out of the city and through the hills, scooter straining under its load.

A little like escorting bad news out of town...

South Australia certainly has yet to turn on its summer weather so far - not that I am complaining too loudly: today's cold, blustery, laced with a few drops of rain beats a 40-degree scorcher. Having said this, I am already concerned that I have not brought enough warm clothing with me. In addition, the strong headwind for much of the day certainly slowed my progress, with my top speed being forced to below 50km/h on occasion.

Strathalbyn

The only issue of note was that I managed to kick my jerrycan whilst dismounting during a particularly blustery period, thereby detaching the rack from the scooter. Whilst it doesn't affect my ability to keep the jerrycan in place whilst riding, it is nonetheless annoying - and something I shall fix when I have the opportunity to.

I wasn't the only person waiting to cross the Murray at Wellington

The road to nowhere: Tailem Bend-Meningie stretch of highway

Arriving in Meningie I was pleased to learn that both supermarkets were open, so I was not going to be resorting to pub meals or takeaway - a promising sign for the rest of the trip. It was at this time I realised that I should have opted to take a pan and proper knife with me. Maybe I'll find somewhere along the way (soon) to increase my burgeoning luggage.

All set for a cold, windy night. I hope.

The ride itself was without issue, which makes for a nice start to the journey. Whilst uneventful, it has been tiring.

A few more shots from the day's ride:

Langhorne Creek. No space for wine. 

On the way to Narrung 

Australia's only inland (and smallest) lighthouse, at Narrung

On the Narrung ferry

Coorong National Park

Finally, this shot is dedicated to Zac, the friend who named the journey: