Chapter 19: The Most Difficult of Choices (Leigh Creek to Sydney, Australia)

Leaving the plains of the Outback firmly behind as I pedal into the hilly region of the Flinders Ranges
Leaving the plains of the Outback firmly behind as I pedal into the hilly region of the Flinders Ranges
Not having any pants was not an ideal situation in the cold, wet, windy mornings of a South Australian winter!
Not having any pants was not an ideal situation in the cold, wet, windy mornings of a South Australian winter!
The weather clearing as I traverse the rolling landscape of the Clare Valley one of Australia's most famous wine regions
The weather clearing as I traverse the rolling landscape of the Clare Valley one of Australia’s most famous wine regions
Due to the high price of accommodation, Australia was the country where I wild camped the most. Here I had tucked my tent into a plantation just off the road near Mount Gambier.
Due to the high price of accommodation, Australia was the country where I wild camped the most. Here I had tucked my tent into a plantation just off the road near Mount Gambier.
Arriving into the heavily-populated city of Melbourne after a 42-day dash across Australia
Racing inland from Warrnambool to Melbourne for a long-awaited reunion
Arriving into the heavily-populated city of Melbourne after a 42-day dash across Australia
Arriving into the heavily-populated city of Melbourne after a 42-day dash across Australia
I ended up spending five weeks in the company of Elana in Melbourne, with many of our evenings spent sampling the city's amazing international cuisine (Top: Irish | Bottom Left: Vietnamese | Bottom Middle: Sri Lankan | Bottom Right: Ethiopian)
I ended up spending five weeks in the company of Elana in Melbourne, with many of our evenings spent sampling the city’s amazing international cuisine (Top: Irish | Bottom Left: Vietnamese | Bottom Middle: Sri Lankan | Bottom Right: Ethiopian)
After reuniting with Jess, we visited the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary to see some of the unique Australian wildlife up close
After reuniting with Jess, we visited the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary to see some of the unique Australian wildlife up close
Elana in her element as she feeds one of the cute, little wallabies at the sanctuary
Elana in her element as she feeds one of the cute, little wallabies at the sanctuary
Elana getting the rare chance to pet a wombat, one of my favourite Australian animals
Elana getting the rare chance to pet a wombat, one of my favourite Australian animals
Jess and Elana taking in the exceptional view over Melbourne, a city I was fast falling in love with
Jess and Elana taking in the exceptional view over Melbourne, a city I was fast falling in love with
After an evening cycle with Elana out to St.Kilda pier we were rewarded with this view of the Melbourne waterfront
After an evening cycle with Elana out to St.Kilda pier we were rewarded with this view of the Melbourne waterfront
Me, Elana and Jess on our weekend trip along the Great Ocean Road. We were incredibly thankful to Jess for showing us so much of Melbourne and its surrounding regions.
Me, Elana and Jess on our weekend trip along the Great Ocean Road. We were incredibly thankful to Jess for showing us so much of Melbourne and its surrounding regions.
Taking in the gorgeous coastal views at the Great Ocean Road's "12 Apostles"
Taking in the gorgeous coastal views at the Great Ocean Road’s “12 Apostles“
The other side of the viewpoint, with 2 more apostles/limestone sea stacks in view
The other side of the viewpoint, with 2 more apostles/limestone sea stacks in view
At this carpark along the Great Ocean Road, I was surrounded by some overly friendly colourful parrots
At this carpark along the Great Ocean Road, I was surrounded by some overly friendly colourful parrots
One of the friendly parrots clutching a pringle as it rests on Jess' arm
One of the friendly parrots clutching a pringle as it rests on Jess’ arm
Elana, who spent the majority of our time at this carpark with a parrot atop her head
Elana, who spent the majority of our time at this carpark with a parrot atop her head
Me and Elana with the postcard-perfect Great Ocean Road in the background
Me and Elana with the postcard-perfect Great Ocean Road in the background
After making the difficult decision to leave Melbourne and Elana, I spent the day miserable as I pedalled the busy Hume highway in the pouring rain
After making the difficult decision to leave Melbourne and Elana, I spent the day miserable as I pedalled the busy Hume highway in the pouring rain
Waking up to puddles of water on the floor of my no longer waterproof tent after my first night on the road again
Waking up to puddles of water on the floor of my no longer waterproof tent after my first night on the road again
Fixing a puncture in the falling rain after packing up my saturated tent again. At that point, more than anything I wanted to be back in Melbourne with Elana.
Fixing a puncture in the falling rain after packing up my saturated tent again. At that point, more than anything I wanted to be back in Melbourne with Elana.
Finding a sneaky wild camping spot right beside the ever-busy Hume Highway (the main road from Melbourne to Sydney)
Finding a sneaky wild camping spot right beside the ever-busy Hume Highway (the main road from Melbourne to Sydney)
Enjoying some rare luxury as I reach Sydney and spend a wonderful week with my family in this high-rise apartment overlooking the waters of Sydney Harbour
Enjoying some rare luxury as I reach Sydney and spend a wonderful week with my family in this high-rise apartment overlooking the waters of Sydney Harbour
A final shot of me and Elana with Sydney Harbour in the background. It was the most difficult of choices to leave this relationship behind, but the long open roads of South America and Africa were calling.
A final shot of me and Elana with Sydney Harbour in the background. It was the most difficult of choices to leave this relationship behind, but the long open roads of South America and Africa were calling.

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