Date:- 29 July 2010
Distance:- 71.68 Km
Distance to Date:- 7742.0 Km
Start:- Nillibubbica Rest Area
Finish:- Roebuck Plains Roadhouse Caravan Park
Comment:- Yesterday afternoon while I was sitting in one of the shelter sheds Colleen came over to me introduced herself and invited me over to their van where I met Dennis, her husband. They are from Perth and enjoying travelling around the top end. I really appreciated the couple of cold beers with them also the donation to the asthma foundation.
I excused myself to go and cook tea before it got dark. I then washed up and wandered next door to visit Geoff and Samantha from Mount Gambier. Enjoyed a couple of cups of tea with them before retiring to bed about 8.45pm.
It was quite a warm night and despite my mattress deflating I had a good nights sleep. Up about 5.30am had breakfast, packed up and said my farewells I was on the road by 6.45am.
Another nice day with a cloudless sky and little to no wind to start with. I feel the road is slightly climbing towards Broome. Light traffic to start then about 9am a surge of vans heading for Broome. I considered stopping for about an hour until the traffic settled down then I thought, no, its getting warm and I want to reach Roebuck Plains before it gets too hot. I just poked along slowly.
Had my break about 8.45am, about 50 km out. The number of birds I could hear chirping was amazing then a car shatters the scene.
Arrived at Roebuck Plains Roadhouse about 12.30pm and was quite upset at the fees they want $30 for a powered or unpowered site. No difference. I voiced my dissatisfaction and reluctantly paid. This would be by far the most expensive park I have stayed in. A supply and demand situation. Boome is overflowing with vans and this park is picking up the slack. People are staying here and doing day trips into Broome which is only 30km away.
Tomorrow I will be out of here and on my way to Goldwire, a distance of 137km. Not sure what I will find there but it is a Rest Area.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 136
Date:- 28 July 2010
Distance:- 59.26 Km
Distance to Date:- 7670.3 Km
Start:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Finish:- Nillibubbica Rest Area
Comment:- Last night I had tea in the café along with a bottomless cup of tea. Watched a bit of telly before charging all my batteries, computer and phone, then off to bed by 9.30pm
Up about 5.30am packed up, then enjoyed a cooked breakfast in the café. I would like to thank the management of the Willare Roadhouse for their generous contribution. It is much appreciated.
On the road by 7am with hardly a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. I did find it hard to get going, and settled down about 20km out. It was such a relaxing oasis.
Quite a lot of water still laying around resulting from the unprecedented rain they had three weeks ago. There were a couple of long one way bridges to cross today. The road seemed to be gradually climbing today or I still had my brake on. Quite a low average for the day.
A number of tourist buses passed me on their way to the Kimberly’s and else where. A number of caravans travelling to and from Derby to Broome but not As many as I was expecting from all the talk I have heard. A couple of trucks and that was it.
Decided to stop at Nillibubbica Rest Area as it was getting quite warm on the road. it’s a big area with two shelters and toilets. There are five vans here now and I would expect a few more before the days finished.
I was offered a cup of tea by a traveller who had stopped for lunch and ended up having about three before he was on his way
My Thermarest mattress sprung a leak overnight so I tried to find the leak with some soapy water but to no avail. Someone suggested I fill it with water but its not possible out here. We will see what happens tonight. It might have just been the valve.
Tomorrow I will go to Roebuck Plains Roadhouse a distance of 59km
Distance:- 59.26 Km
Distance to Date:- 7670.3 Km
Start:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Finish:- Nillibubbica Rest Area
Comment:- Last night I had tea in the café along with a bottomless cup of tea. Watched a bit of telly before charging all my batteries, computer and phone, then off to bed by 9.30pm
Up about 5.30am packed up, then enjoyed a cooked breakfast in the café. I would like to thank the management of the Willare Roadhouse for their generous contribution. It is much appreciated.
On the road by 7am with hardly a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. I did find it hard to get going, and settled down about 20km out. It was such a relaxing oasis.
Quite a lot of water still laying around resulting from the unprecedented rain they had three weeks ago. There were a couple of long one way bridges to cross today. The road seemed to be gradually climbing today or I still had my brake on. Quite a low average for the day.
A number of tourist buses passed me on their way to the Kimberly’s and else where. A number of caravans travelling to and from Derby to Broome but not As many as I was expecting from all the talk I have heard. A couple of trucks and that was it.
Decided to stop at Nillibubbica Rest Area as it was getting quite warm on the road. it’s a big area with two shelters and toilets. There are five vans here now and I would expect a few more before the days finished.
I was offered a cup of tea by a traveller who had stopped for lunch and ended up having about three before he was on his way
My Thermarest mattress sprung a leak overnight so I tried to find the leak with some soapy water but to no avail. Someone suggested I fill it with water but its not possible out here. We will see what happens tonight. It might have just been the valve.
Tomorrow I will go to Roebuck Plains Roadhouse a distance of 59km
Day 135
Date:- 27 July 2010
Distance:- 0 Km
Distance to Date:- 7611.0 Km
Start:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Finish:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Comment:- Had a good nights sleep and finally crawled out of bed about 7am. Had breakfast then spent some time checking the bike and trailer over.
I then spent some time checking my route for the next few days as I head across towards Broome then down towards Port Hedland. What I hope to do:-
28/7 Willare Road House to Nillibubbica Rest Area 60km
29/7 Nillibubbica Rest Area to Roebuck Plains R/H 59km
30/7 Roebuck Plains R/H to Goldwire Rest Area 137Km
31/7 Goldwire Rest Area to Stanley Rest Area 60Km
1/8 Stanley Rest Area to Sandfire Roadhouse 106Km
2/8 Sandfire Roadhouse to Pardoo Roadhouse 124Km
3/8 Pardoo Roadhouse to DeGrey Rest Area 71Km
4/8 DeGrey Rest Area to South Hedland 83Km
At this stage I am 8 days ahead of my schedule.
Got back to my tent and discovered I had a flat tyre on BOB. I couldn’t believe it. And when I found the hole it was on the inside of the tube. So I checked all my spoke ends and nothing there so it had top be a small stone or something similar. Anyhow patched up the tube reassemble the wheel. Pumped it up and within half an hour it was flat again. It seems the air pressure was too much for the patch as it blew a hole in it. Replaced the patch and tested the tube in a tub of water, all OK. Reassembled wheel and inflated, and this time it lasted an hour. Put my spare tube in and at this stage all seems OK.
Its been very hot up here about 35 degrees I have heard people say. All I know I am glad I am having a rest day. Washing all done, folded, and packed away. Did a couple of Suduko puzzles. Not much else you can do around here.
I hope to make an early start tomorrow and be off the road before it gets too hot.
Distance:- 0 Km
Distance to Date:- 7611.0 Km
Start:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Finish:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Comment:- Had a good nights sleep and finally crawled out of bed about 7am. Had breakfast then spent some time checking the bike and trailer over.
I then spent some time checking my route for the next few days as I head across towards Broome then down towards Port Hedland. What I hope to do:-
28/7 Willare Road House to Nillibubbica Rest Area 60km
29/7 Nillibubbica Rest Area to Roebuck Plains R/H 59km
30/7 Roebuck Plains R/H to Goldwire Rest Area 137Km
31/7 Goldwire Rest Area to Stanley Rest Area 60Km
1/8 Stanley Rest Area to Sandfire Roadhouse 106Km
2/8 Sandfire Roadhouse to Pardoo Roadhouse 124Km
3/8 Pardoo Roadhouse to DeGrey Rest Area 71Km
4/8 DeGrey Rest Area to South Hedland 83Km
At this stage I am 8 days ahead of my schedule.
Got back to my tent and discovered I had a flat tyre on BOB. I couldn’t believe it. And when I found the hole it was on the inside of the tube. So I checked all my spoke ends and nothing there so it had top be a small stone or something similar. Anyhow patched up the tube reassemble the wheel. Pumped it up and within half an hour it was flat again. It seems the air pressure was too much for the patch as it blew a hole in it. Replaced the patch and tested the tube in a tub of water, all OK. Reassembled wheel and inflated, and this time it lasted an hour. Put my spare tube in and at this stage all seems OK.
Its been very hot up here about 35 degrees I have heard people say. All I know I am glad I am having a rest day. Washing all done, folded, and packed away. Did a couple of Suduko puzzles. Not much else you can do around here.
I hope to make an early start tomorrow and be off the road before it gets too hot.
Day 134
Date:- 26 July 2010
Distance:- 141.76 Km
Distance to Date:- 7611.0 Km
Start:- Ellendale Rest Area
Finish:- Willare Bridge Roadhouse Caravan Park
Comment:- Last night I cooked tea about 5.30pm, washed up and in bed by 6.15pm. Not to bad a night for sleeping. Got up about 5am and on the road by 6.15am.
A road construction workers camp was just over the hill from the rest area and from 5am onwards a procession of equipment headed out for a days work. About 6km from the rest area the road works I have been hearing about started. Traffic was directed onto a gravel detour road for about 8km. A little bumpy but not too bad. Two cars and a truck threw up a bit of dust otherwise I had it all to myself.
A beautiful sunny morning with a very light breeze. I had my break about 45km out at 8.45am. I have been making good time.
Crossing the Erskine Range shortly after my break. That knocked my average a bit.
Stopped at the Boab Tree Rest Area about 68 km from Ellendale Rest Area about 11.15am. I no sooner parked my bike when a woman came up to me and offered to fill my water bottles. I said yes, she then offered me a couple of slices of buttered raison bread and a lovely ice cold coke. She and her husband were travelling the top end and don’t have to be home till next Easter.
Because it was only 11.30am I decided to continue on to Willare Bridge another 55km. I reached the Broome/Derby turnoff about 2.30pm, turned left on the Great Northern Highway and 13 km to my destination.
Coming into Willare Bridge was like an oasis in a desert. Green grass everywhere, shade, a very welcoming place. Booked in And was pleasantly surprised at the fees so immediately booked another day.
Wheeled my bike into the park and straight away was offered a cup of tea by another kind lady. It was that nice I had another before setting off to put my tent up. Gathered all my washing and put in in a machine. The washing machines were free here. Had a shower and shave and ready to relax.
Had a very nice meal in the café, rang Evon then did my diary, now I am ready for bed. Looking forward to the Rest Day tomorrow.
Day 133
Date:- 25 July 2010
Distance:- 87.20 Km
Distance to Date:- 7469.2 Km
Start:- Tanunda Caravan Park - Fitzroy Crossing
Finish:- Ellendale Rest Area
Comment:- Went to the temporary supermarket to purchase more provisions. The original supermarket burnt down a few months ago and they have set up a temporary one in the local gymnasium. A new building is going up on the original site to house the new supermarket and a couple of specialty shops.
Last night I asked the caretakers of the caravan park where is a good place to get a meal and they suggested The Fitzroy Crossing Inn but it’s a 40 minute walk from the park. They offered me a car which I took. I drove to the Inn and “pegged out” on a buffet tea for $27. I had a bowl of vege soup, two main courses, 4 bread rolls, an ice cream sweet, a piece of fruit (orange) and three cups of tea. Real good value.
Back at the park it was a noisy night with people shouting and dogs barking. I did manage to get a reasonable sleep. Rang “Macca” about 4.30am and again no response.
I came very close to “snapping” yesterday. I arrived at the park and proceeded to put my tent up when inevitably someone comes and asks you the usual questions and generally I answer them as I go about my tasks. I had entered the amenities block and having a shave when this bloke bowls in and starts pumping me with questions. I told him I would like to have a shave and a shower then I could chat with him. That wasn’t good enough for him he just kept talking. I was starting to fume. I just grabbed all my stuff and went into a shower cubicle and shut the door. I think he got the message.
Up about 6.30am this morning and on the road by 7.45am. Another nice day. A little cloud around but that burnt off fairly quickly and a light south easterly breeze.
Had to give room to three wide load trucks early in the day and it was quite a busy road to start with considering it was Sunday. Not as much as the day progressed.
I still had mobile phone coverage up to 35km out of Fitzroy Crossing. Generally it is only with in 10 km of a town. At 45.5 km from Fitzroy Crossing was the turn off to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. A must see for anyone travelling through the area.
Stopped for my break about 46 km out about 11am. Back on the road and a nice three km run down hill, and then a 15 km stretch of road which was dead straight, just slightly undulating.
Arrived at Ellendale Rest Area about 2.30pm and found a good site under a tree. Pitched tent, etc, then had a lay down for a couple of hours listening to the radio.
Did my diary after which I will cook tea and and go for a wander before I go to bed.
Tomorrow I expect to go to Willare Road House a distance of 91 Km.
Distance:- 87.20 Km
Distance to Date:- 7469.2 Km
Start:- Tanunda Caravan Park - Fitzroy Crossing
Finish:- Ellendale Rest Area
Comment:- Went to the temporary supermarket to purchase more provisions. The original supermarket burnt down a few months ago and they have set up a temporary one in the local gymnasium. A new building is going up on the original site to house the new supermarket and a couple of specialty shops.
Last night I asked the caretakers of the caravan park where is a good place to get a meal and they suggested The Fitzroy Crossing Inn but it’s a 40 minute walk from the park. They offered me a car which I took. I drove to the Inn and “pegged out” on a buffet tea for $27. I had a bowl of vege soup, two main courses, 4 bread rolls, an ice cream sweet, a piece of fruit (orange) and three cups of tea. Real good value.
Back at the park it was a noisy night with people shouting and dogs barking. I did manage to get a reasonable sleep. Rang “Macca” about 4.30am and again no response.
I came very close to “snapping” yesterday. I arrived at the park and proceeded to put my tent up when inevitably someone comes and asks you the usual questions and generally I answer them as I go about my tasks. I had entered the amenities block and having a shave when this bloke bowls in and starts pumping me with questions. I told him I would like to have a shave and a shower then I could chat with him. That wasn’t good enough for him he just kept talking. I was starting to fume. I just grabbed all my stuff and went into a shower cubicle and shut the door. I think he got the message.
Up about 6.30am this morning and on the road by 7.45am. Another nice day. A little cloud around but that burnt off fairly quickly and a light south easterly breeze.
Had to give room to three wide load trucks early in the day and it was quite a busy road to start with considering it was Sunday. Not as much as the day progressed.
I still had mobile phone coverage up to 35km out of Fitzroy Crossing. Generally it is only with in 10 km of a town. At 45.5 km from Fitzroy Crossing was the turn off to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. A must see for anyone travelling through the area.
Stopped for my break about 46 km out about 11am. Back on the road and a nice three km run down hill, and then a 15 km stretch of road which was dead straight, just slightly undulating.
Arrived at Ellendale Rest Area about 2.30pm and found a good site under a tree. Pitched tent, etc, then had a lay down for a couple of hours listening to the radio.
Did my diary after which I will cook tea and and go for a wander before I go to bed.
Tomorrow I expect to go to Willare Road House a distance of 91 Km.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 132
Date:- 24 July 2010
Distance:- 97.40 Km
Distance to Date:- 7381.9 Km
Start:- Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area
Finish:- Tanunda Caravan Park - Fitzroy Crossing
Comment:- Up at 5.45am (daylight) and on the road by 6.45am. There was about a three quarters of a kilometre ride back to the Great Northern Highway and then on our way to Fitzroy Crossing.
Overcast this morning with a chilly south east wind blowing about 10 - 15 knots. Glad its blowing in my favour. I had the wind jacket and the long legs on for the first 15 km.
Its amazing scenery as the road winds its way around all the rocky outcrops and the sun strikes them. The wind had moderated for a short period and then came in more easterly and the cloud had started to burn off.
Had a tremendous run for the first 50 km averaging about 24 kmh with a tail wind. Had my break at 50 km about9.30am. The road then swung north and my tail wind was now a side wind and my average dropped away quickly.
Quite a bit of cloud building up all around now and the wind has moderated some what. The shoulder of the road ended about 30 km from Fitzroy Crossing and the road became narrow, fortunately not much traffic. Had a good run in the crossing arriving about 12.30pm at the caravan park.
Not sure what I will do tomorrow, whether I have a rest day or head off down the road to Ellendale Rest Area, a distance of 87 Km.
Day 131
Date:- 23 July 2010
Distance:- 83.72 Km
Distance to Date:- 7284.5 Km
Start:- Mary Pool Rest Area
Finish:- Ngnamban Rest Area
Comment:- Dingoes were howling through the night and a four legged animal ran past my tent about 2.30am in the morning. I did have a good sleep though. There were about 50 - 60 vans camped here last night.
I was up at 5.45am and on the road by 6.45am. Overcast day with an east south easterly wind of 5 - 10 knots and increased as the day progressed. It was cool enough to put my wind jacket on for the first 15 km. Very pleasant riding conditions.
Clouds started to burn off about mid morning and the day was starting to warm up.
About 38 km out a sign pointed to accommodation. Larrawa Station was offering Nature Stay Accommodation for tents, caravans, or a bed for the night.
Stopped for my break 40 km out about 9.30am and then had a good run all the way to Ngumban Rest Area arriving about 11.45am.
Not much shelter from the wind but spectacular views through the gorges. Set up my tent, had a cup of soup for lunch then did my diary.
Through the afternoon vehicles came and went. A couple of tour buses stopped so the passengers could stretch their legs. Had a good chat with the second tour bus driver who filled my empty water bottles and offered me a cold stubbie of VB. That went down very nicely.
Had tea about 5.30pm, washed up and into bed by 6.45pm. It gets dark early and it was too windy and cold to sit outside, so to bed it was and listen to the radio and the footy match between Hawthorn and Saint Kilda. Woke up a few times through the night and the wind was still blowing fairly strongly. There were 7 caravans and three tents oversighting here.
Tomorrow it will be Fitzroy Crossing.
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