shecyclesolo

Day 11 159 days to go. Distance: today 91km Mon RD Sun 76km total 857km. It’s 7pm Tuesday 17/7/2012 Duaringa. Im sitting on the verandah of the Duaringa Historical and Tourism Centre opposite the rest stop. I got permission to roll out my mat here from the workers Florence and Margaret who opened up the centre in 2002. Sweet sweet ladies around mid 80swith hearts of gold and lots of cheek. I met them this arv and got to talking about the centre and the white ribbon foundation over a cuppa. They donated $5 each and could not be more encouraging and perfectly clucky. Thank you ladies.

It was a cold wet ride today over a couple of small ranges but generally the road was good and wide. Thank goodness for my new jacket that I scored from Thea and Graham. Its this totally flash gortex riding jacket that Graham found on the roadside about 8 years ago and its been sitting in their cupboard ever since. Thea just texted before that I was meant to have it and it made all the difference today being quite chill bill and very wet. I had thrown the other jacket away in disgust in Gracemere as it was perishing before my eyes and useless. I went and bought a $10 kids raincoat from Best and Less which would have done the job today but lets say a bit substandard to the high techy breathable new addition to the traveling circus. And its purple….and it matches the grape….. and and and I’m a very lucky girl to be sure!!!!!

We snuck in one last chat session this morning over breakfast before I left the beautiful folk and property at Stanwell. Both Rube and I are crazy about Thea and Graham. What fun, interesting people and caring giving hosts with the mosts of everything good and right and straight from the heart. I stayed in the ‘lodge’ which is their 1975 caravan they took to WA in 2008, and now pride of place amongst the back garden with verandah and the best feel ever. Inside is wood vineer totally 70s and perfect condition super comfy and cosy. I loved Thea and graham’s company. Last night I went to bed at 8pm totally socially exhausted and smiling.

I arrived Sunday evening and we hit it off from the start chatting about all stuff family, movies, philosophies, homes, relationships, rural living, family history, war, travel, cooking, health, diet, working, not working, Australia, people, children, grandchildren, immigration, choices, parenting, motherhood, attitudes, wildlife, birdlife, finches, wrens, bird feeding, natives, vegetable growing, finances, making rosella jam, mechano, train sets, time, being kids, CTV cameras to check out backyard nightlife, gardening, farming, buying land, pets, goats, cows, chickens, menopause, how to humanely kill injured animals, renovations and even a bit of politics squeezed in there. And this is just scratching the surface. Wonderful, wonderful company. Im sure to be remembering bits of our conversations to include in posts along the way. They thought Ruby must have been a dog traveling with me when they read about her in the post the night before how funny is that. She’s been doing Monty impersonations all day to keep us amused in the rain. Love my girl!!! There were so many beautiful things said one of my favs from Thea who said, ‘…..as parents we grow and learn with our children.’ They are adoring being grandparents and visit their grandson Thomas every Sunday. Rhey love their cuppas and cake time and Thea gave me her fruit cake recipe that Im going to make this Christmas with lots of cherries that Graham usually picks out 🙂

Stanwell is an old Railway town that used to have 7 pubs. The railway line is still very busy but the town is very quiet nowadays with a working quarry and power station as its local industry. Coal trains pass regularly with 100 carriages as that’s all that can be attached at the filling centre circle before the carriages double back on themselves. Apparently in WA they can be allot longer. Stanwell is on the outskirts of the Rocky shire but you’re well and truly in the country and heading west. I got such a buzz when I turned onto the capricorn highway at Gracemere. And its all westwards now until Longreech very very cool.

Duaringa is the gateway to the Central Highlands and its definitely more closely contoured. There were some decent ascents today and the air has got colder. When I arrived inwas invited to have a coffee with a group who had set up at the rest stop. They’ve invited me back for a 8am breakfast of scrambled eggs yummmmmm!!!!

Tomorrow we get to Blackwater then Emerald and over the Drummond Range to Alpha, Balcadine and Longreech by Sunday or Monday. Very cool indeedy!!!!! Ontop of their generous hospitality, Thea and Graham also donated $20 and with Florence and Margaret’s $10 that’s $112.50 and 18 oaths in 11 days. I scored a whole buch of oaths from lads who stayed overnight at the Raglan Tavern with a function group. The tent was such a sorry sight to pack up Sunday morning but I was able to hang it out to air and dry at T&G’s along my wet gear from the day. I tried to upload the photos but the connection was too slow so I’ll have to wait for the next opportunity hopefully soon as they’re piling up.

It was supposed to be fine weather now through to Sunday but yesterday was the only sunny break. Apparently it’s forecast fine for the weekend but Mother Nature’s been having a bad hair day for weeks now so anything goes while she’s a bit fragile and being a chick!!

My sister Katie and my nephew Even are both using the ‘spell-a-thon’ idea to sponsor our Aussiechallenge. Basically a cent per km and watch the cents turn into dollars by the day. Anyone else want to get on the c’s per k’s fundraising action????

I’ll finish up with a copy of katie’s email I got the other day after the overnighter at Raglan, hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks Kit. Talks soon x

‘Dearest Maree. Like your mate in Mongolia wisely remarked – alcohol can make good men do ugly (very stupid) things! Ain`t it the truth and it`s the same all over the world! But for every one of that type, there are 10 wonderfully generous individuals appearing from nowhere to help you on your way!!!!!!! Have been thinking about you a lot slogging it out in that rain – it`s pretty wet here at the moment and I certainly wouldn`t want to be out and about on my bike. A huge schmatz of serious big time respect for sticking with it and not having your humour washing off in the downpour XXOO Have decided to contribute my donation to your excellent cause like we used to do with the spellathons-doesn`t that take us back a bit. Will match you a cent a km….mmmmmmmm last of the big time spenders Kathryn, I hear you reflect quietly to yourself…but… there are A LOT of kms ahead and by the end your hard hard work will definitely pay off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will see who else I can get to sign up for the “feralaussiechallengeathon!!!!!!” – you can tell I loved your feral comment today 🙂 Am loving the blogs especially your description of all the colourful characters your getting to meet on the way. Not too sure about the freshies sunning themselves on the causeways though!!!!….’

Day 8 162 days to go. Distance: today 75 total 690km. It’s 10.30pm Saturday 14/7/2012 Raglan. What a nutty washed out day. For the first few hours today it stopped raining and Rube and I couldn’t believe our luck so we hammered out a 55km stint. Unfortunately it bucketed the last 5km so we looked like drain pipe rats riding into the town where we stopped for lunch. We consoled ourselves with Monty Carlos and coffee and were soon feeling good to go again. In the half hour we stopped two trains passed carrying 100+ carriages full of coal. Australia is definitely the land of natural resources. We met a lady from Emerald traveling with her pure bread red cattle called Maggie. She was just beautiful and trying to be so good but was nuts from the rain. What an incredibly smart dog and loved cuddles. The rest of the ride was wet and wetter and wettest. Then at 75km we came into Ranglan and passed the tavern with a sign out front saying ‘coin laundry.’ Awesome!!!! I stopped to see if we could use the facility but it was for guests only. Lisa the manager said we could camp for free and use the hot showers and laundry as long as we ate at the tavern. Done!!!!!! Rube and I stay with Thea and Graham at Stanwell tomorrow and I so didn’t want to arrive stinky and wet. All our gear, me included, was ferrel so a wash and dry was the most delish ants pants. It even stopped raining long enough for me to put the tent up so we were feeling very chuffed and ready to socialize. The tavern has been choc a block with folk from all over as well as locals. I’ve been chat chat chattering to all sorts of interesting people. Unfortunately while I’ve been talking a bus of partying lads pulled up and in between nudie runs round the bus, they spotted the tent and got up to naughtiness. It had been raining so hard for ages to I went to check that the tent was ok. The lads had poured beer over the entrance area and thrown their stubbies inside and pulled up the pegs. So the super tent was a drenched brewery but they didn’t hurt Rube so all is good in the big scheme of things. I cleaned up as best I can until morning but couldn’t sleep in there. I went back inside and was contemplating a cruel and unusual list of things do do to the lads when I met Grace and Eddie. They are traveling in Qld to escape the colder south and are visiting their daughter who works here. They said we could use their caravan as their in the guest house. They were very interested in Rube and I and are making a donation online when they get the next chance. So now I am tucked up in bed in the caravan and rube is under the tavern car port. I am so tired and but wanted to do up my post before bed. So that’s us for today. I hear BOM forecasts the rain clearing tomorrow but tomorrows a brand new day. the rain is still bucketing but we are afar and sound and very good indeedy. Talk soon.
Ps its raining pussie cats and dogs

Day 7 163 days to go. Distance: today 90km total 615km. It’s 7pm Friday 13/7/2012 Boyne River Rest Area. I’m sitting under the shelter at the rest area with Clem and Max from France. We’ve been talking up a storm about their Australian travels. Clem also cooked up a storm of onions, bacon and potatos which smelt sooo good. They have bought a Ford Falcon and driving around Australia. How cool. They have so many stories about snakes and crocodiles or ‘salties’ and ‘freshies’ as Max proudly called them (very cute). ‘You have so many dangerous animals in Australia.’ They have driven all round eastern and central Australia including Tassie which they love along with Kings Canyon and the Flinders Ranges. But pretty much everywhere they’re travelled they’ve loved. They have also WOOFED a time at a hobby farm in Beerwah weeding and picking fruit. Now they head back to Brisbane via 1770 and Fraser Island all up about 8 months but already planning their next trip to do the western half. When I arrived here this arvo I met this old fella called Allan traveling with his pooch ‘Tigger’ a Pomeranian/terrier cross. What darlings both of them. We talked for about two hours and he’s an incredibly colorful and interesting man. He has travelled 14 times around Australia by car and hitched 5 times in his younger days. He has 10 children which he raised himself and very roud of the fact. They are now aged from 35 to 18 and spread across the country. He has just driven a Nissan Mica from Cairns to Three ways and south to Adelaide and the coast to just outside Gympie where it blew up. Talk about the Mica going out with a bang!! He has bought an old Ford Fairlane for $2000 that any muscle car lover would chew their right arm off for. We have talked about so many things like what to look out for along our travels. He warned me most about road trains and freshies so no camping by creeks 🙂 I think I’ll stick to the rest stops which are pretty much dotted the right distances from here to Darwin. He also spoke about the animals Ill see mostly cattle, emus, goats, pigs and of course roos. He said be careful crossing creek bridges as its not unusual to have a couple of freshies stretched out sunning themselves. Not the sort of thing Rube and I can back peddle from quickly if we get too close. I took a real shine to Al. His initial appearance is so untidy a clear ol’ bachelor with his front teeth missing and a comb over with long grey streaky locks and cheeky big blue eyes. Als usually based in Cairns but planning to buy a couple acres in South Australia at Chrissie to rest up in his ‘quieter years.’ Straight away he offered me a coffee and bicky and was a total softy especially around his pooch. He loved telling me stories about Tigger and he sang me the song he sings when Tiger’s feeling a bit lowly 🙂 A man’s best friend by far!!!! This morning I met Yvonne and David from Werder near Berlin. I would have liked to talk with them longer. They were fun and traveling around Australia in a campervan with their daughter about 10 years old but I can’t remember her name. They were also heading back to Brissie via Fraser. They were keen to share with me some history of where they come from when they heard my sisters live in Bavaria. Their region was originally called Prussia and was shared with areas of Poland and Estonia. They invited me to stay with them if I am cycling through Germany and we exchanged contacts. I hope to see them again and pick our short but very cool conversations up where we left. My first stop today was at Miriam Vale and what a cute little place. It’s literally a one street town that runs parallel to the highway. The pub is of course the main landmark and very historical dating back to 1895. This ol’ fella came out to say hi and loved getting his photo taken with me and his local. I also stopped and talked to a group of local folk enjoying a bundy and coke UDL. They were rough round the edges but all smiles and cheek and really interested in what I was doing and the fundraising. Cycling out of town I came across a wood duck that had been just hit by a car and was still alive. He was very distressed and broken. I stopped and took him to the side of the road. Then I did what I thought I could never do and ended his suffering using a knife I attached to Rube. I wasn’t sure why I attached the knife but it seemed like a good idea and if I never use it again it’s had it’s purpose. I held the little fella as his soul left him. It was the most humane thing I have ever done and I will never forget it. So…… from now on wood ducks are the coolest little critters ever. They are waddling all round the rest stop and they have my heart. I wonder what amazing adventures he’ll have next time round. I thought about him so many times on the ride today and it fills me with a peace to know how precious all life is hey?!! Talk soon x

Day 6 164 days to go. Distance: today 65km total 525km. It’s 5pm Thursday 12/7/2012 Granite Creek. Firstly I want to wish my ‘Cous Ruth a happy birthday. Hope you’re having a great day. Secondly I want to ask you all to consider ways you may like to support us by raising some serious cash. We need your help if we’re going to reach the $14500 target. Im going to aim for $10 a day but that still leaves allot of donations to come in from you fine folk. So put the thinking caps on and see what ideas unfold. You’ll in turn need the help of your networks to gather a momentum and cash for k’s for white ribbon. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU COME UP WITH!!!!!. Jackie and Linda and the hairdressing folk at Sandgate Laurels are having a donations tin. White ribbon don’t usually do donation tins but have agreed to trial one for Laurels to see how it goes. Well done!!!!

So about today. I’ve just been talking to a young couple Allison and Ian. They are on their way through to Rocky and stopped to give their little 1 year old a break. He spent the time with dad splashing and stomping in the muddy puddles. It was so lovely both boys giggling. They’ve headed back on the road now but not before Ian did an oath up yay. Puddles are definitely one positive from the rain. The rain’s apparently pretty widespread across northern Qld and I heard today even Emerald got 50mm o/n. Ive met a couple of folk today heading south to try and find dryer tootsies. That’s a change as most of the travellers are southerners escaping the winter chill bills. Ive been talking to John from Mt Beauty, NSW. This time of year his wife goes skiing and he goes fishing. He’s a retiree originally from Maleny. What a small world being our home nowadays. John’s a very articulate interesting fella and used to be a tank cleaner in and around Maleny. It was cool listening him share some local history. Maleny like other small towns have a system called LETS where people with skills trade their time for other produce or services. So you could be a guitar teacher and trade it for some local produce. Interesting hey? It’s been in place for about 20 years. Also Maleny originally hosted the folk festival now held in Woodford between Boxing and New Years Day each year. It used to be held in the show grounds around 30 years ago. I can’t wait to take my sister there this year when they visit from Germany at Christmas yayayayayaya. Big fun to come Kittie!! I scored another oath from John before him and his little pooch Miffy headed back to the van for some early dinner. Although we only did 65km today it was well well well earnt with undulating and steep hills the entire stretch from Gin Gin. But Rube and I just got into it. There was a shift of acceptance and I think the far wiser heart stepped in and took control of the challenge. We’re over the 500km mark now and well under way. The first days were like a horse bolting home but in reverse. It was emotionally tough to put a physical distance between us and fam. We’ve had such a beautiful holiday at home but now it’s time for fun business.

We stopped about 12.30ish for lunch and waited for the heavy rain to ease up. We’re still waiting. Like a fella said just before, ‘I think she’s set in for a bit!!’ No shi# Sherlock!!!! He was a young lad really friendly and offered us a ride but was heading south as tempting as it was. The only real problem is that my stinky wet gear had become a health risk for humanity 🙂 So to avoid being a threat to the ozone I stripped and washed the gear and set up a line to see what can dry o/n. Little chance there as its so humid with beads of moisture on everything under the shelter. My fingers are still prunes and look a right aged fright. All that aside at least it all smells better now and even if its damp I won’t risk death tomorrow wearing it all again. We’ve juggled the kms again and tomorrow will (hopefully) stay at the next rest stop at Calliope near Gladstone. After that it’s Stanton west of Rocky where ‘Thea and Graham’ live. I sent them a text saying it should be Sat when we arrive and theyve just texted back that they have heard so much about our travels from Derek and Kathy and are looking forward to us staying. How cool yay!!!! Ive been enjoying the river crossings particularly the Kolan where there were a bunch of black swans and white cranes hanging out. The reflections in the river were stunning. There are so many rivers and creeks and billabongs along our travels all showing off the recent rains and in full bloom with reeds, lilly pads and birds. There are also heaps of black cockatoos in the gums making a right riot and at their social best. Its easy to spot green and red parrots nesting in the gum tree hollows and love to watch when we have our breaks. The best company of all are still the will wags and my favs by far. We went over a bridge where there was a mandarin orchid on one side and piles of old mandarins that had been dumped on the other. Grazing on them were cattle and I could almost see their orange beards. They were into it and ran off when they saw me like naughty children caught in the cookie jar. The kinda mischief I like allot!!

It was an earlier start this morning around 8am but not before having the best chats to Allison. Her hubby was on the internet and she was having a stroll. She returned with a pear for each of us and we sat eating our pear and chatting as chicks do best. She is a retired cabby with a very real and down to earth perspective on the world.She also suggested using libraries to download my photos. What a great idea!!! I’ll keep an eye out when we’re in towns along the way. She’s smart!! I really enjoyed our talk and it was a positive way to get into the wet day.

Ive just had a chat with my partner on the phone which was beautiful. That’s one big difference traveling now with a phone and mobile broadband access. Connection is everything and as Janet said last night, even though we’re spread across the planet we’re very much in touch. Yay big!!!!! I’m one very lucky woman with family and friends that rock my wet but not stinky socks!!! Talk soon x

Ps forecast rain through to Sunday. Oh well. Like I said to my partner tonight, ‘there will be times over the next weeks when we’re crazy hot and wishing for this rain.’ 🙂

Day 4 166 days to go. Distance: 125km total 395km. It’s 8pm Tuesday 10/7/2012 Childers. I’m so squeeky clean, gear washed, out of the crap weather and cosy cosy content happy yay. I got into Childers at 5.15pm way later than thought but its been a long peddle in the rain today with lots of undulating road in the 125kms. So its a satisfying relief to be sitting on the verandah at the Childers Royal Hotel posting you fine folk. I landed on my feet tonight bigtime after finding out that the Childers Show grounds no longer take over overnight campers. So I headed back into the main street and hit the hotel owner up for a freebie stay. Greg was so supportive and was more than happy to offer me a room and just asked I be out by 8am. How incredibly good is that and so nice not to be in the tent tonight as its totally wet and chill bill. I was so stinky along with the gear as Ive only had wet wipe clean ups for the last days. God its so nice to be clean and not smell like a sweaty ala dodge. Hey mum the tube of clothes wash you gave me has done the trick for some seriously stenchy gear thank you xxxx Having access to power is also good timing so I can charge up the electronics and be good to get back into it tomorrow. We’ll aim for Granite Creek Rest Stop tomorrow near Builyan National Park about 117km. I spent a time with Derek and Kathy this morning checking the new route with them and they said Granite Creek is one of the better stays yay. All around australia are freebie rest stops for travelers and the camp 6 bible has them all marked what a source. The weather’s forecast rain through to Saturday eeeek but once we turn inland at Rocky and cross the Drummond Range it should clear up and flatten out. I have theeee sorest butt butt getting used to the kms and backing up again. Wicked!! Lets just say the paw paw ointment is getting dinted 🙂 Also staying at the hotel are three young backpackers from Wales, luke, Gareth, and Siobhan. They are driving around Australia and are big time friendly and fun. They came out when I was unpacking Rube out the front of the hotel. Once settled and out of the wet gear I went downstairs and chatted to them. Theyve done so much travel in australia and OS and loved Vietnam so we were able to exchange some travel stories. They have based themselves in Perth and done lots of travel in that corner and across the Nullabor checking out The Great Australian Bight highlights. They will be back in Perth the same time I arrive and have invited us to stay with them which is such a generous offer. My partner and I will be in Perth on the 22/9/12 and plan to do the Cape to Cape hike. The spots along the Nullabor where you can access the coast sound amazing. Luke donated $2.50 and Siobhan $5 and both luke and Garreth made the oath. Thank you and we may see you in September. We entered sugar cane country today and had a break between cane fields where there was a huge irrigation system set up. We shared the stop with a very social willy wagtail and he reminded me so much of the giant willies back in China. Theyll such cool birds cheeky as. Rube wants to be a willy in her next life 🙂 Childers is really beautiful old and grand with restored shopfront facades and a tree lined main street so typical of Aussie country towns. Im loving sitting outside on the pub veranda and taking it all in. Its been a huge day ending safe and sound and squeeky clean in an awesome pub room at the right price. Thanks Greg. Ill grab his details in the morn and the white ribbon folk may send him a thankyou letter along with other businesses who help us along our way. It seems kind folk are universal including Aus and that’s a huge comfort and a good thing yay. Its great to be on the receiving end of this with hard earnt kms but a bagfull of cool tales already. Today my Nephew started at Sandgate State High after sorting out his enrollment yesterday. Ryans on a gap year from Germany living with his Nana and Grandad. My big sister has 2 boys Ryan 16 and Christopher 18 and both have been brave enough to tackle a year in Aus. Chrispher came out a couple years ago and stayed with me in Maleny but Ryan is having his own experience in the beautiful Brissie corner of Sandgate. We’ve had a few days to share his arrival and excitement and I sooo wish him all the best now settling into High school and getting into his year. Good luck mate and can’t wait to hear all about your cool mischiefs and stories when Im back on the 24/12/12. Ryan has made the white ribbon oath and I acknowledge you mate for being a pretty awesome 16 year old role model. Love ya!!! Talk soon x