Hills- and More Hills! Reid River Rest Area to Charters Towers - 76kms

Broken sleep last night with highway traffic on one side and trains on the other!
Packed up by moonlight and got away by 6.50am.

Heavy duty road trains - 3 and 4 trailers- travelling in both directions today. Kept us on our toes!

At around 20kms we hit the Minilya Range. Walked the steeper parts.
Just when we thought we were clear of the hills, they began in earnest - all the way to Charters Towers.

Had to take more and more frequent rest stops to recover, take on water and eat.

Crawled into Charters Towers at 2.30pm.
Took a basic motel room, then walked in to town to Woolworths to stock up on food.

Have decided to prepare for an emergency camp tomorrow.
107kms to Pentland is planned, but if
the terrain is similar to today, we may find it too difficult to do in one day.
If this happens, tomorrow's blog will be a day late.

Fingers crossed!! 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page 

Off Again! Cluden to Reid River Rest Area - 51kms

Determined to get away today! 

Got off to an early start but slow going in a headwind and slight incline.

3 and 4 trailer road trains are commonplace, which explains the sudden  increase in dead wallabies.

Swollen creeks with narrow bridges every few kms. We pedal across like mad, trying to avoid the bumpy cats eyes!

Bought a couple of bottles of water on the way - fortunate as the water at the Rest Area is non potable. Received a donation from Stephen, who was parked there. Thanks so much Stephen.

A nice 5kms downhill run to the rest area.
Put up the tent on the only grassy spot. Enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the shade.  We've been warned that cold nights are to come!

 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page 

Happy Tuesday! Day Four in Cluden!

Woke up feeling rotten again. With heavy riding and rough camping ahead, decided to wait another day here.

The motel is on a very busy intersection and is surrounded by brown, dry verges and fields. Nothing here except the mall, some 20mins walk away.

The laundry man greeted us and everyone he met with a cheery "Happy Tuesday!" Cheered me up no end.

Had a continental breakfast, then sent Del to the shopping mall for food while I slept.
Came back with an interesting selection!

The bikes are waiting, the trailers are almost ready. Time we got going!

The Bot! An extra day in Cluden

I woke up with a heavy cold.
Decided to stay an extra day in Cluden, sort out the problems with our phones and bank apps, and relax.

Took a taxi to Stockland Shopping Centre to the nearest Telstra shop and Commonwealth bank branch. Problems eventually sorted.

Jettisoned some excess clothing which we posted to family.

After lunch, bought food for dinner tonight and tomorrow's rest area - then dosed up and had a good snooze.

Back on track tomorrow!

Relaxing! Cluden, West Townsville

Chance to rest the legs and plan for the next few days. 

Walked 20mins over to the Fairfield Central shopping centre for a late breakfast. (Del craved Eggs Benedict!)  Bought salad for tonight's dinner and food for tomorrow's rest area stay. 

Made up a delicious mix of dried fruits (which included choc coated cranberries!) for extra energy on the road (if they last that long!) 

Del soaked up a little Queensland sun, while I caught up on my blog. 

This is the life!!!! 

First Milestone! Rollingstone to Townsville - 64kms

Up at 4.30am this morning. Had breakfast then packed the tent and trailers as the sun came up.

Great cycling conditions again - zipped along at 20kms an hour at times!

Were making great time when we found ourselves on a freeway and had to reverse out. Took an extra 1.5 hours to get to Cluden!!!!

Received 3 donations along the way - Sue and Marge from Woodlands Caravan Park and  Doctor at a busy city intersection. Thank you all so much.

Petrol is apparently over priced in Oz. Doesn't look too bad to me!

Had showers at the Cluden Park Motel, then walked to the local shopping mall for a very late lunch. Had delicious strawberries and yogurt for dinner.

Very weak WiFi preventing me from publishing my posts as yet.
➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page

Rollin'Rollin'Rollin'! Ingham to Rollingstone - 54kms

Off at 6.50am, first light.

Great conditions today - light wind, sunshine, and NO HILLS! Traffic getting heavier, though.

Spotted a dead snake (around 1.5m) and a deceased echidna on the road.

Even after many breaks, made Rollingstone by 11.30am.

Bought meat pies and iced coffee for lunch from the general store, then pitched our tent in beautiful Bushy Parker Park - a council run free camping area.

Peaceful, trees, birds, TOILETS - what more could two old bikers ask for? 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page