shecyclesolo

Day 30 140 days to go. Distance: today 154km total 2937km. It’s 8.15pm Sunday 5/8/12 Banka Banka campground. Ive just come back from a campfire where a bunch of the folk staying here are gathered round playing the guitar and generally having an awesome time together. What an amazing day it’s been and that is such an understatement. I have been humbled by the generosity of folk from the day’s start to end. Robin, Terry and Sam are staying here a second night tonight. Last night they asked the manager, Bob if we could stay free which he agreed. They then asked Anne and David who they had met here at the camp to look out for me on the road and let me know that a free camp had been arranged. About 20km before Three Ways they pulled up alongside me to pass on the message. They were so lovely and bigtime interesting and we chatted for an hour. They work at the university in Townsville, is it James Cook? Anyway it was an incredably random and good good experience and fine folk met. They donated $25 before heading and the news gave us a great momentum to get through to Banka Banka this arv. Since arriving I haven’t stopped meeting and talking and being encouraged and I’m on euphoric high. Terry said he wanted to go round and collect donations and took off with the receipt book on a mission gathering $145 from the vanners staying here. Then Bob invited me around the campfire and with beautiful words of encouragement, handed around his hat and gathered another $25. I could rave and rave and rave about the people I am meeting but it’s best captured in the gift of knowing that the strength of the human spirit is based on kindness and this makes anything possible. I am so fortunate to be experiencing this stuff first hand. The opportunity is a blessing and a gift and counts to me and Rube bigtime biggest. Thankyou from the bottom and with all my heart. This is the stuff that fuels us onwards with wings on our peddles as part of the Theaussiechallenge. I was just about to go have a shower and a woman, Margaret came up with a cake of goat’s milk soap to pamper the bod. How delicious to scrub myself so squeaky clean. I met this girl over at the camp kitchen who’s a hairdreser and she offered to cut my hair to ‘make me feel good.’ I was all ‘thankyous but no thankyou’ as I’m loving having wild and woolly hair enjoying the freedom of the right side of disheveled. I think Jackie my hairdresser back home will enjoy cutting out the dreds which are matting at a rapid rate and I love it!!!! It was 75km to the Three ways then another 75km here so a long day in total but the best day ever. Before leaving 41 Mile Bore rest area this morning this fella pulled in to check out the spot on his way towards Kununarra to visit family. Interesting interesting man. Bruce is enjoying learning about the history of places along his route and was telling me more about the wool industry of old from Balcaldine to Winton. Apparently this area from the early to mid 1900’s was so rich in wool production, it was the leading economic pull for Australia during this era. The business farming community were able to finance their own railway to transport the wool through the area. Bruce has invited me to stay with him and his family when we come through Kununara and I can’t wait to pick up our conversation where we left it today over a cuppa or two. Thankyou mate it was special to meet you and look forward to catchin up later this month yayayaya. Bruce did an oath up before I headed. It was really signififcant to hit three ways and start to head north on the Stuart. I soon met another woman cyclist just out for a day’s ride from Tenant Creek. She had binoculars to enjoy the birdlife and we spoke for a while mostly about the natural beauty of the land and conservation issues with campers. So I think that’s about me for tonight’s blog as it’s been a later start and my stomach is eating itself with the starvs big time. We have another 150km tomorrow through to Elliot so dinner and bed’s sounding pretty good indeedy. I’m still very much in the afterglow of today and rightly so given how cool it’s been. Ops I think I’ve said that already. Oh well it’s my blog so I can rave all I like 🙂 A huge jump in cash donations from today’s crazy generosity of $195 total $769.35 with 32 oaths in 30 days. I think that’s pretty amazing. Thank you Anne and David and Terry and Bob and all the traveling vanners at Banka Banka campgrounds you rock my cycling socks 🙂 Talk soon x

Day 29 141 days to go. Distance: today 122km total 2783km. It’s 7.30pm Saturday 4/8/12 41 mile bore rest area. I’m sitting by our campfire in a cool tucked away camp spot and happy happy day and evening. The sunset was exquisite and now the stars are bold and growing by the numbers as the night sets in. And no brazen critters so far so very good. We haven’t had a campfire since Jerico and there’s just something about it isn’t there?Cosy, comfy, dreamy and smells so delish. There’s a bore water tank here as there was at the rest area where we had our lunch break today. It’s such a helpful facility. At luchtime I met a couple of families touring in their buses and they invited me for a sit and coffee and ginger nut cookie, One of the lads Bob was telling me about the history behind the bores. Apparently in the days when they drove cattle, the bores were a critical refuge to water up the cattle every two days. They originally were powered by wind mills that have now been disconnected and the dams dried up. Bore water tanks are still available and many of the bores are now rest area sites like this one. Interesting stuff. They don’t drove nowadays opting for the huge transports to move cattle distances but many properties still use horses to muster. This is also a dying craft being replaced by motor cycles and helicopters. I can see why it’s more efficient to this way but it was very cool yesterday to see the cattle being mustered by horseback. Time to stoke the fire I’ll be back……These folk at lunchtime are tripping to Katherine then across to WA but they only do about 50-70km per day. It’s likely I’ll see them again. Yesterday they stayed overnight at the rest area where I stopped for lunch and met Lionel and Joy. Near the rest area they noticed a melted pile of engine and pulled out a piece that looked like a transformer. He’s been nicknamed ‘Molten Man’ and was propped up in front of their campsite. I love it!!! He’s now going to join them for their travels. They were telling me about their German Shepherd that had passed away some years ago. She was clearly Daddy’s pride and Joy and each day he’d brush her. He had no idea but for some reason he started to keep her hair that shedded when she got brushed. Then when the shep died his wife spun the dog hair and knitted a beanie and scarf from the wool. It’s kinda bizarre but she showed me them and they were beautiful, soft like cashmere and a keepsake they carry with them always. These folk were the ones who gave me a solo lemon when I arrived at Sudan rest area. It’s cool seeing familiar folk. Robin, Terry and Sam passed us on the road today and pulled up ahead to get a photo of us coming along ‘in action.’ Robin took a photo of our blog site so she can encourage her network on friends to get onboard and donate online yay. They’re turning left at three ways to have the car serviced at Tenant Creek so it’s likely I’ll see them again on route to Darwin.

Before leaving Barkley Homestead this morning, I was topping up Rube’s air in her tyres when a couple came up who I have seen a couple of times now and who gave me water along the way at a rest area that didn’t have any water supply. Her name is Tiss and they’re from the sunshine coast. She said ‘hey Maree go check out the back of the caravan.’ Tiss had put a ‘Hi Maree’ sign on the back of the van for the next time they pass us on the road. How cool’s that. I just squashed a wee moth on the apostrophe key opps sorry mate. Talk about extreme blogging by the campfire. Another woman, Heather came up and wanted to know what we were doing. She was very excited and thought how brave we were and donated $20 yet another generous donation.

We arrived here at about 4.30pm and set up camp. The ground was so hard I couldn’t hit the pegs in which is saying something as they’re titanium and have gone into some seriously hard ground. I borrowed a hammer from Gordon and Margaret from Albury. Lovely lovely kind as they come folk and they shared their stories of Aussie travel and their favorite spots. So many folk mention the Nullabor as a highlight and these guys too love that stretch, especially where you access the Bight and can camp with ocean views. At the right time this is where you see the wales migrating. They also raved about the western Australia bottom corner which sounds so beautiful as it’s showing off this time of year with it wildflowers. Their favorite this trip has been the ‘horizontal falls’ which you can only access by boat from Broome. It costs a fair bit but it’s a 12 hour day by boat and Margaret said the network of islands off Derby are a ‘something else’ treasure and something she has always wanted to see, It’s so cool to listen to folk seeing and doing the things that add to their list of life adventures. I could listen to this genuine enthusiasm and color for ages and I did.

We peddle to Banka Banka tomorrow at about 150km so Im keen for an early night and start in the morn. Break time will be at three ways for the start of the Stuart Highway. It’ll be a change heading north as opposed to west and I’m excited about this next leg to Darwin yay. As you can probably tell Rube and I have having a pretty amazing experience and loving every day’s treats and folk we meet. I’m so getting hooked into the fundraising challenge concept and know already, health permitting, this won’t be our last challenge. For now however we’re into the moment of every day as part of ‘Theaussiechallenge’ and loving the ride. Time for dinner and beddy byes. Total for cash donations are $574.35 with 31 oaths in 29 days. Talk soon x Ps the moon’s coming up on the horizon all orange and handsome.

Day 28 142 days to go. Distance: today 131km total 2661km. It’s 7.30pm Friday 3/8/12 Barkley Homestead. I was just reading over last night’s blog with a big giggle. I love that it started off with ‘marsupial mice’ but ended in ‘for #uck’s sake #uck off’ to the plague of rats they turned out to be. After moving, it was all quiet until I got out dinner then they appeared scurrying across the dirt tracks from all directions to eat my dinner and anything that got in their way. I ended up eating my rounds of cheese and vegimite sandwiches standing in the centre of a clearing throwing rocks at the blighters as they bee lined me from the grasses. It was quite disgusting and I was eeeeking like a big chick at how desperately grose they were. So to cut a icky story short, I ended up putting the peanut paste jar and left over crusts in a plastic bag to the side of the rest area away from the super tent. Before long there was a debacle of rustling and squeeks coming from the bag but they left us alone for the rest of the night. This morning Rube, the tent, the gear bag and me were all in tact with no bits nibbled off so happy ending yay. I got a visit from the folk I met last night to wave us off and we were all squeeling at the rat stories. Terry said we should have done like the chinese do to cull the population a bit but I sadly declined in respect of my vegitariasm. I was telling them about in Laos how the villages ate everything with legs and at roadside stalls where crops grew they would be selling bunches of strung up rats. I shared the story when I was at one stall buying my bananas and bumped my head against something hanging letting out an almighty chick squeal when I turned to a face full of rat legs. I remember the stall ladies being particularly amused by it all. The folk waved us off but not before donating $50 and doing an oath each wow how incredibly generous. If we end up going the Mildura highway across Victoria I may yet see these folk again in Euchucha. They are so lovely and big cuddles before parting. They couldn’t praise us enough and wished us safe travels.

Along the road we passed a highway 66 sign and stopped for a picky. A couple of police lads pulled up behind us to make sure we were ok but I think it was to just check out what we were doing. They were ooo’ing and ahhh’ing over Rube and the girl’s been a puffed up pom pom ever since thinking coppers are pretty cool. Pretty soon after this Nathan and Bruce from ‘Top Gear’ magazine passed us heading back from Tenant Creek. They gave us a huge Chrysler beep and wave on their road trip back to Brissy. It’s a beautiful car by the way and stands out on highway 66 as something pretty spesh.

The new addition to birdlife today were flocks of bright green bush budgies. They were so vivid against the landscape. The red ant hills we’ve been seeing now for days have huge nests amongst the wee ones, the size of a backyard shed. Are they bigger ants of just big dot ant hills? Regardless they look wicked and are a real feature in the landscape.

We had our break at the 90km mark at a rest area where there were other vanners stopped for lunch or overnight. As we pulled up I saw this fella with a ‘Bridge to Brisbane finisher’ t-shirt and asked when he did the fun run. We gotto talking and he gave me a can of coke that tasted sooooooooo yummy. It was all of 30 degrees today and it went down pretty well. I’m loving the heat by the way. I’ve been in the cold now since mid January and am soaking up the warmth of the days like a lost friend. I sat with Lionel and Joy while they had lunch savoring my coke. It turns out they’re from Caloundra and Lionel is a retired Qld police officer. His daughter works at the station I was last attached to what a crazy small world. He is the most ‘up’ friendly and engaging man and would have been an awesome officer. We have a Christmas date when I get back as they’re our coastal neighbors and I’m so looking forward to seeing them again. In our hour spent they shared travel stories and jokes and photos of their trip to South Africa to watch their daughter do the annual ultra marathon in Durban. They met this Japanese fella cycling around Australia on a $60 Kmart special. He was crossing the Nullabor at the time so they travelled with him as a support crew setting up camp and sharing company in the evenings. The man’s bike broke and Lionel lent him his bike to continue his peddling until he got to Perth. The gentleman could speak little English but they made such a bond with him sharing the experience and a piece of Australia that they both now treasure. Lionel was explaining how many Japanese will cycle Australia as it looks great on their resume as far as character or it gets them back in the family’s good books if they have had a falling out. They’re heading back now to Caloundra and will be home when we finish so it’s a date to catch up for that Christmas coke fine fine folk. They generously donated $10 and Lionel made an oath.

The next 40kms to Barkley Homestead were the hardest haul we have done so far. The road was straight and inclined the whole way and could easily do your head in. I spent the time entertaining my brain with distractions and topping up with a lollie every 5kms. We were very happy to see Barkley Homestead come up yayayaya. The folk here have let us camp as a freebie to support our challenge which is awesome. It’s a really nice spot with a huge Brahma bull wondering the park like something you’d see in India. I got busy doing my washing and met a couple who has passed us now a few times and so keen to know what we’re up to. Robin and Terry and Sam from Camooweal are also staying here and I chatted a while with Robin and Sam. Terry said he would have paid our camp fees how lovely is that!!!! There is a paid phone here so I was able to call my Mum for her birthday which was lovely and a surprise for her which is cool. Happy Birthday Mops!!! For now it’s time for dinner and bed very tidey wides tonight and I can hear the sleeping bag calling. It won’t be the same without the rustling sounds of plastic bags and squeaking rats but we’ll do our best to enjoy the rest of the night 🙂 With donations and oaths from today, our total is now $554.35 with 31 oaths in 28 days. Dam fine indeedy. Talk soon x

Day 27 143 days to go. Distance: today 140km total 2530km. It’s 7.30pm Thursday 2/8/12 Soudan Rest Area. There are these marsupial mice visiting our campsite and they’re so brazen one just came right up under my leg. Cheeky little critters. Lets just say i’ll make sure everything is tightly sealed so hopefully they won’t carry Rube, and the super tent with me in it,away during the night. Aside from out visitors it’s a beautiful camp and Ive just spent the last couple of hours sitting with a bunch of vanners from Euchucha, Victoria. They’re fun folk all around 70 and into line dancing and Probus much like my folks. They’re totally fascinated with what we’re doing and were asking a million questions. They even took some video footage to show their Probus group back home. They’re all inspired now to get the bikes out when they get home and start peddling again. They were telling me about a woman by the name of Heather, who has been cycling around the world and still going strong at 70. They actually know her and I’ve asked if they can make contact and connect me up with her. How interesting must she be?They’re also playing with the idea of traveling through Mongolia and China so we exchanged emails and they’ll be in contact down the track with any questions we may be able to help with. I really enjoyed sharing some of our Asian travel stories with them……OK one of the little blighters just tried to run off with a rolled cigarette this is serious. Mmmmmmm dinner’s going to be a social affair I fear. It’s a full moon tonight and it came up big and beautifully orange as the sun set so stunning. It’s come up now into the night sky as brazen as the mice 🙂

The day started exquisitely with the sunrising and moon setting as we woke with the birdlife on the billabong. We packed up camp to their calls and morning business as usual. Once ready I sat with a cuppa and took it all in one more time. Ann who I met last night was out for a walk and saw us off. She was telling me about a fish market in Seattle who restructured their customer service and came up with three basic practices for their employees. Firstly to make someone else’s day, secondly give people you’re looking after your full attention, and last but not least have fun. We agreed it’s not a bad philosophy in any circumstances what do you reckon?

Back again. I had to move camp. I looked up and there was a mouse chewing on Ruge’s travel bag handle. Enough!!!!! No we’re right in the middle of the rest area away from any grasses and amongst the other vanners. And not a critter in sight yayayayayayaya!!!!!! As we peddled off Ann called out, ‘see ya Rube.’ I called back, ‘Rube likes you Ann.’

About 20km down the road we crossed the Northern territory border how very cool and of course pickies taken to capture the next stage of our travels. The landscape changed almost instantly with the reddest of dirt by the roadside and pale yellow grasses covering flat flat pastures and horizon for as far as the eye can see. Occasional we would spot grazing cattle but otherwise the land was sparse except for the birdlife which was alive as ever. Just before Avon Downs this car stopped in front of us and two Brissie fellas from the car magazine, ‘Top Gear’ asked if they could take a picky of Rube and I with their car. Rube of course was posing before I could answer!! Apparently it was ok with her. They are on a road trip in an American Chrysler and writing a feature article about Australia’s own Highway 66 which is nowadays the Barkley Highway. Nathan was the photographer and Bruce the journalist who had a ten galloon cowboy hat on. We got asked a bunch of questions about what we’re doing and Nathan got some pickies. The lads donated $20 and both made an oath which was the icing to a big fun experience. Rube wants a ten gallon hat 🙂 We exchanged email addresses and they’re going to send us a copy of the photos which is awesome. We said our goodbyes and thank you’s. I snuck in some cheek saying,’and I didn’t even make fun of your 10 galloon hat.’ Bruce came straight back with,’that’s a 4 litre hat out here thank you.’ Very quick and funny nice!!

We watered up in Avon Downs and met a family from Melbourne who have travelled the remote roads up north and across to Broome. They invited Rube and I to stay with them when we come through Melbourne which was awesome. I gave them a card as they’re keen to follow us on the blog and will email when we’re closer their way.

It’s very nice now not to be surrounded by scurrying and chewing so speaking of chewing it’s time for dinner yay. With donations and oaths rom the lads today, that brings our total to $494.35 with 28 oaths in 27 days.Talk soon x

Day 26 144 days to go. Distance: today 147 total 2390km. It’s 5.30pm Wednesday 1/8/12 Camooweal Rest Area. All I can say is Tim and Stephen were spot on in their choice of spots. Deary me…… ‘Once shecyclesolo camped by a billabong under he shade of a Coolabah tree and she sang as she watched as she waited for her Trangia to boil…. you’ll come a peddling my Ruby with me.’ If I have a crack at a life as a bird this is where I want to hang out. Every bird species we’re seen is here by the numbers doing what birds do best and clearly loving it. We’re joining them by the water’s edge savoring the last hours of daylight to what has been an awesome day yet again. A man just came passed and asked how we were doing and without a thought I grinned back at him…’it can’t get better than this.’ ‘Ain’t that the truth’ and he moseyed off on his walk. I wish I could tune you in to the sounds and the vista as my words won’t do justice to mother nature at her best. A willy wagtail has been hanging about me chirping a handsome song and keeping us company. There are also ducks, parrots, shags, white cranes, hawks, finches, fantails, pee wees, crows, water fowl, and the creme de la creme…. about a dozen brolgas. The lads in Isa were calling them Jabaru’s. Are they the same thing or a different species? The billabong stretches away to either side and is a huge expanse of delish. So whilst there’s heaps of vanners here everyone has their own tucked away piece of paradise, including Rube and I. This is one occasion I wish I had the Cannon and lens to capture some of the bird activity. It’s not practical to carry it but this is definitely a gem spot to play photographer. The sun’s dropped to a an angle when it starts to get a bit chill bill so I’m going to pop some more clothes on and be back soon x Ducks quacking always make me smile along with their chuckle.
It’s 7pm and Ive been enjoying the sunset and moon come up over the billabong. It’s perfect bliss and now in the early evening the birds are settling with the occasional call to break the tunes of the the crickets. This spot is one pure outback oasis I’ve met some lovely folk and enjoyed some cool chats over the last couple of hours. Ann popped over to say hi and was sharing her story now a mother of grown up children living in Europe with their families. She is a retired teacher and loving her content life nowadays. We were discussing the joy of contentment and how it’s a place you must find for yourself but once on the road it’s such a priceless gift. She was so excited about our adventure and grabbed our card to give to her kids who are very much into hiking and cycling and will enjoy following our blog. Ann donated $20 and I loved our conversation, you’re a very special human being so thank you for sharing some time with me and for your generosity. Our camping neighbors invited me to a dinner of meat stirfry which was very kind and tempting but we have our vegy dinner on board for later. Instead I chatted with them while they wined and dined. Robin and Terry and their mini foxi Sam are traveling onto Darwin also. They have a farm in Killarney and often have guests stay and hike on their property which sounds beautiful.They gave me their card if ever we’re that way and want to pop in. Harry is a retired military police officer and spoke about his challenges in retirement. He said their relationship has become much stronger as they both found their individual lives to enjoy. It has improved the quality of time when they are together as they have their own experiences to share. Sam is a little rascal as mini foxie’s are and we played fetch and wrestled. He’s a feisty little man and I loved playing with him. I miss Monty and have so many wonderful memories with her that flooded back playing toe to toe with Sam. I could easily bundle him up onto our trailer such a darling little man x robin and Harry think what we’re doing is pretty terrific and also donated $20. The moon must be close to full tonight and it’s shimmering on the water and silhouetting the water fowl and ducks enjoying a skinny dip in the moonlight. I’d join them if it wasn’t chill bill wearing all my thermals and grape. The mozzie coil is doing the trick as it’s ‘lots of bugs’ o’clock and smells so good. We started this morning at 7.30am and finished our kms in good time by 3pm. About 5km before Camooweal a car pulled over in front of us an Tony jumped out who we met outside Woolworths in Isa. He was all smiles and happiness seeing us agin on the road. He’s off to Darwin for the 2 week multicultural festival starting the 4/8 I think? Tony said he’s known allot of festivals being a German immigrant but this one is his favorite with the indigenous performances the best. The highlights are during the initial days but it should still be going when we’re there so we’ll keep an eye out. In Camooweal we stopped at the local store to buy some AAA batteries as our spot tracker and head torch needed replacing overnight and we were light on. They cost a million dollars but they’re one of those essentials. At the WW2 rest area I met a fella called Rob. I think he’s just awesome!! He’s a single lad in his 50’s who’s like a big boy scout. He’s been offered a job up in Arneham (?) Land working in an Aboriginal community as a tradey. I can’t remember his trade. He just loooves nature and we gotto chatting last night and this morning about the animals he’s seen, the problems with feral cats, Religion, philosophies, personal challenges, adventure travel and heaps other cool cool interesting stuff. Before leaving he donated his ‘coffee’ money ($19) and said he’s happy to go without for a week to help our cause. I really liked this fella and our time spent. He said ‘can you imagine if everyone gave you their coffee money for the day what that would add up to.’ I think his sacrifice was just lovely and totally reflected the kind compassionate fella he seems to be. Thank you Rob and all the best in your new job and challenge. I asked him to email me to let me know how it works out for him and I so hope to hear from him again. There must be cows grazing nearby as their moo’s are amongst the layers of cool night tunes. I saw drovers on horseback moving a large heard today and it looked straight out of an Aussie movie with all the dust and whistles and cattle sounds. It looked great!!! We also saw a huge eagle of some sorts up in a tree about 30m away. Not sure what he was but he was magnificent. There was a crow sitting nearby him and he looked like a willy wagtail beside his stature. Rube let out the biggest wolf whistle hoping to startle him into flight but he just shrugged and watch us pass by non fussed. It’s been a really really great day and a perfect end and place. Although I haven’t done the experience justice I’ve loved sharing it with you nonetheless. I’ll look forward to uploading these photos that’s for sure but that’ll be down the track or more to the point the Barkley which we join tomorrow on route to Soudan. We should get to Barkley Homestead for the 3/8 which will be great to call my Mum for her birthday. Two sleeps Mops x We’ve had a bunch of cash donations today that brings our total to $474.35 with 26 oaths in 26 days. Ching Ching Nice Nice !!!! Talk soon x

Day 25 145 days to go. Distance: today 60km total 2243km. It’s 7.45pm Tuesday 31/7/12 WW2 Rest Area. It’s such a clear light night with the moon a few days off full. It’s a really lovely rest area with a handful of vanners also enjoying the spot. There’s no water but I have managed to score a couple of litres from the kind folk I have met since arriving before sunset. This group are particularly friendly and we’ve been visited by three different couples all very interested to know what we’re up to. Ron and Gloria are from Maroochydore and we shared some chats like neighbors from home. They were able to give me head’s up on water points along the road from Camooweal to three ways which is so great to know ahead of time. The bonus is that there are still many vanners traveling the road and if stuck we can always ask someone at a rest area for a spare litre or two. Once we get to three ways there’s no shortage of water through to Darwin. Ron and Gloria are keen to follow our blog and they generously donated $20 and Ron did an oath. Big time yay!! It still amazes me that these facilities are available for the many travelers enjoying our country. I must admit that the crush I had on the outback has grown into a new love as we continue to date our unique home. It’s very much a honeymoon stage that may be tested on the long roads ahead but it’s the hard yards that build every relationship 🙂 I was so happy to upload our photo gallery before leaving Isa today. I hadn’t planned it but this morning I knew it was the thing to do. It’s really satisfying to close the Qld chapter by sharing our pickies with you. The lady at the Newsagency was laughing each time we extended our internet time. It ended up being 4 1/2 hours worth and the best $24 spent. A little different to the Internet costs in Asia hey? She ended up donating us a new flag for Rube’s trailer and the last egg and lettuce sandwich from the cafe. That’ll be a nice addition to the dinner buffet tonight yay. The cycle here this arv was just plain fun. Rube and I smashed the kms in one hit loving the new tyres. They’re running on 70 PSI as opposed to 40 and the difference is amazing. The fella in the bikeshop said it would make a difference and jeeees louise it really really does. I can see now why road cyclists have high pressure valves on their tubes so they can run up to 80PSI in good tyres. We have car valves on our tubes that don’t go over 70 but that’s perfect for us low flying ducks… quack 🙂 We scored a shelter tonight to roll the sleeping bag under to save packing up the tent in the morning. It’s a decent haul to Camooweal at 140km by the map which will end up being about 150 on the speedometer. I’m not sure why our trip distance is always more, maybe it’s accuracy is out or maybe the road distances are measured once out of town who knows. What I do know is that all going well we’ll be at the border tomorrow night enjoying the rest area by the billabong outside of town that Tim and Stephen told us about last night yay!! It’s an early start in the morn to allow heaps of time to do the yards tomorrow so I’ll do dinner now and rug up in the sleeping bag for a night of z’s and sweet dreams. With the cash donations today that makes it $415.35 with 26 oaths in 25 days. Nice!!!! Talk soon x

Day 24 146 days to go. Distance: today 65km total 2183km. It’s 9pm Monday 30/7/12 Mt Isa. As you can see I’m still in Mt Isa and only just stopped now after doing my ‘have-to’s’ and having a great talk to the folks yay phone reception. Rube is looking pretty dam shmick and she knows so. She has three new decent tyres that we can run on really high PSI great for covering kms. I had a good look at the ones she had knowing that they were getting a bit tired. Oh dear the inside canvas was starting to come through both so newbies were definitely needed and Mt Isa very good timing indeedy. She’s also had a degrease and new lube. We found a Chinese bloke behind his restaurant, pressure hosing some air vents and he let me use his hose which was great as her bits were very gluggy. Now you can see the chrome again and she’s sparkling for NT here we come. In two days we’ll be at Camooweal on the border. Today’s ride was just as beautiful as yesterday. The area the same red rocky hillscape covered in natives. We left camp this morning at 7.30am and arrived in Mt Isa at 11.30am. The info centre pointed us towards a bike shop where we bought her bits and bobs and we found a crazy clarks for the degreaser. It was then time for that Maccas coffee and indulged while checking out emails from friends and family. Thankyou darlings it was so great to hear what’s news back home xxxx I met a man called tony who is in Mt Isa for a few days then travelling onto Darwin. He was so encouraging and supportive of what we’re doing and gave me his mobile if we need a hand over the next days as he’ll be passing us on his way through. So lovely and he donated $5 awesome!! Coming out of Maccas there were a couple reading Rubes trailer sign and we got talking about spots to see particularly in WA. They said Exmouth is a must and was telling me about the snorkeling and drifting and trips out to see the manta rays. It sounds so amazing!!!! Arnold and Judith are from Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road. I think that’s the name of the place but I’ll have to check with them. My brain’s a sieve 🙂 Anyway they have invited us to visit on our way through which is fabulous and we’ll let them know when we’re closer to that corner of the world. It’s a world away distance wise and lots to happen between now and then but what a lovely offer again from fine fine folk. They also donated $10 thankyou thankyou xx It was late o’clock when we had done the last of our shopping so I found a campsite to sort out my girl’s new bits. It’s cost $15 and the first accommodation we’ve had to pay for which isn’t bad after 3 weeks hey? It’s also a really good price considering Mt Isa accommodation availability and prices so we’re happy and the facilities are good. Also staying in the unpowered section are two fellas traveling from Darwin to find work. They’ve been at Alice and now spending a time in Isa. They were having ‘beer’ oclock when I got here so I went over and introduced myself. They couldn’t be more down to earth and friendly. They’re both indigenous identifiers. Tim’s an older block with silver fox hair and beard. Paul’s younger and a concreter by trade and spent most of his youth in the Kimberley’s with his family. He was telling me about them hunting their food and living off a land that is so remote and beautiful. It was so apparent how much he loves the region. Both men have been camping recently at the rest area outside of Camooweal and were telling me about it by a lagoon and a beautiful spot to free camp. That’ll be us Wednesday night all going well. Both guys did an oath and wished us safe travels. Paul leant me a lamp when it got dark and I was still mucking about fitting Rube’s new tyres. They invited me to share their stew but I apologized whispering that it clashed with my vegetarianism but smelt awesome all the same. Many many thankyous later I made sure I didn’t offend as they are such lovely guys and clearly looking out for me. I was able to lend them my Camp6 bible as they wanted to see what rest areas were in Qld. It’s time for some dinner now and to cuddle into bed as it’s been a long day and I’m a bit tidy wides. Mum finally sorted out the name of the truck carriages. They’re called ‘doggies.’ You’re all over it Mops xxxx I’ll drop that lingo the next opportunity just like a real local 🙂 A close bud of mine sent me a quote for the day which I love love love so thought I’d share with you in closing. ‘Once you choose hope anything is impossible ‘ (Christopher Reeves). Thank you Scotty my friend x Talk soon x ps Cash donations are now $385.35 with 25 oaths in 24 days big time yay.

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Our first break today was at a the Burke and Wills memorial where an obelisk has been erected by the Cloncurry Shire Council to commemorate the expedition of Burke and Wills who crossed at the site on the 22/1/1861 on their journey across the Australian continent. It was pretty incredible to stop and consider their challenges during this era of little technology and nothing much about except wild Australia. When we got to the rest stop I met David and his family from Sydney who had stopped for lunch. What a cool family with four kids in tow under the age of 11. David’s a keen cyclist with his flat bar racer on board and he was really interested in what we’re up to. He also hopes to do an Aussie cycle sometime down the track when the kids are older. He’s a police officer from NSW and very familiar with White Ribbon which is supported by all police services in Australia. I was telling him about the Ambassador for our challenge, Dave Alley and how he cycled around Australia last October in 37 days. He too can’t fathom the daily distances covered by Dave and I’m appreciating his team’s achievements more and more. For example in 23 days we have covered 2118km averaging 92km per day. By day 23 Dave had cycled 8587km at 374km a day. You’re a freak mate meant very very respectfully!!! And….. They raised $20000 for the Flying Doctors which coincidently started in Cloncurry. David and his family gave us some fresh water, cheese slices and home made cookies which are sooo delish. They’re a basic cooky mixture but have crushed smarties through them just for the kids and kids at heart yummy. David did an oath up before they headed and it’s most likely we’re cross paths as they head back from Darwin. I told them we’ll be looking out for their van with the agenda of scoring some more cookies 🙂 Ive saved the last one for desert tonight.
It’s 7pm and back again after collecting and putting back on my very clean riding gear that smells like roses. The red marino t-shirt I’m wearing is so on it’s last legs with holes appearing. It was standing up by itself before I washed it today and I think the dirt and sunscreen mix was keeping it together. It’s been more on than off since the 1/12/12 so it’s done some very hard sweaty yards but it’ll be nice if it sees me through to Darwin. I think there will have to be a ceremonial burning after that.

After doing the washing this arv I got talking to a couple from the Blue Mountains who are traveling for 3 months. They are originally from Poland and still have strong accents and are the nicest of folk. They were in Poland for April and May visiting her mother and were showing me their photos. There was so much snow still about and it looked like a postcard Xmas in springtime. They told me their names but I can’t remember them bugga. Her mum lived in Poland but she passed away two weeks after they got home. She was telling me lots of stories about her and I think she enjoyed the reminiscing as much as I appreciated her sharing her memories still very emotional. He used to work at the ‘Tic Tac’ factory and was telling me how he never swears but became famous at work for saying ‘shitsky.’ Apparently it became the signature swear word amongst employees even to this day!!! Everyone’s gotta have a legacy and this ones particularly funny 🙂 Later on I was visited by Davina walking her cocker spaniel. She was a rescue dog and now enjoys a very happy life traveling with mum and dad and meeting new folk. Davina returned with a $10 donation. Cash donations are now $370.35 with 23 oaths in 23 days. My tummy’s eating itself so I’ll finish up there. I’ll upload this post tomorrow from Mt Isa most likely from McDonalds as I’m hanging for a coffee. I’ve taken to tea drinking and a McCafe coffee will be my motivation bubble crossing the two passes into Isa tomorrow. Whatever works I say. Night from us. Talk soon x