Day 14 Marchalls Hut to Tanunda, 65.55km, 4.08:02 hours, Ave 15.9kkph, 487 descent, 483 ascent, max 44.71, 15.6 degrees 4pmh NW wind, raining 8.09am start

Twas a cold and occassional rain morning and day today so wet weather gear on top  ove rthe backpack. when I left the hut and back onto Ryelands Road the road meets up with the Mawson Trail just befor ethe hill at Finnis Point. Just a short walk up the steep hill where a sid eroad is a little easier to ride to get to the top. Then its a short downhill as the trail wants to take you left off Grants Hill  gravel road up and around a mud track and back again to the same road, duh. But I abligingly follow. Its rolling hills on gravel roads with occassional red clay but no mud. As it was cold, wet and miserable I give the 3 sided loop into the hills west of Kapunda a mis (reducing this leg by about 9km) and ride with speed down the bitumen into Kapunda on the Tarlee Road. A couple of trucks go by but all good. Ive got my head torch on red as the taillite as Ive lost my rear light for good, I think it bounced off somewhere as it was attached to my seat bag.

After a stop at the cafe for a pot for 2 of tea and a hot chocolate its back in the rain to finish this day off. Out to the east of Kapunda past the rifle range then along red clay farm roads that have now turned into mud. Back wheel locks up, chain comes off and Im legging it. At St Johns Road I decided to turn left to the main bitumen and see a white quartz road to get me there. To my right is more red clay. Now on Truro road I pick up speed even on uphill sections but move across onto dirt if I can hear the cars and trucks coming. I see the sign to Nurioopta so turn off right. The Mawson reconnects to this road but foolishly I follow it off the bitumen and onto what started as a good gravel road turns to a muddy puddly track Sturt Road but able to peddle through. It looks like motorbikes have created some tracks either side to avoid the puddles. 

Now across Sturt Highway safely and down town on main road to stop at Aldi I can see has a restuarant. Another tea out of the rain, and chips eating outside in the cold as Ive got mud everywhere and I can sit near my bike.

Ive booked a donga in the caravan park in Tanunda so continue down the road. A donga is a room with no toilet made of prefarbricated materials that can be dropped in place, like workmen out remote live in. The accommodation has a double and a room with 2 bunks and a kitchen. the toilets ar enearby but you get wet getting to and from.

Its raining mostly on but the families are still doing there stuff, lots of kids riding. I wash the bike and do some lubricating of the chain.

Cost of accommodation is $144. Plus get charged twice once Booking.com, one directly $288 waiting for a refund. PS always check your CC statements.