Day 43

Date:- 26 April 2010
Distance:- 65.75 Km
Distance to Date:- 2160.9 Km
Start:- Ballina
Finish:- Sleepy Hollow Rest Area
Comment:- Up at 6am and on the road by 7.15am. I must thank Nikki for the ability to spread out and enjoy a good nights sleep. Walked down to the RSL Club for tea. I can highly recommend the lamb roast.

I have opted to follow the coast road initially to avoid the Ballina bypass road works There were a number of hills I had to contend with between Ballina and Byron Bay. At this stage sun was shining and that nice tail wind to help me over the hills. Coastal showers were forecast but didn’t eventuate thankfully, although we did get a cloud burst in Ballina overnight.

Pulled into Pat Morten Lookout, before heading off to Lennox Hear. A camera cannot do justice to the scenery I am experiencing. Through Lennox Head and I made a left turn into Ross Lane which took me back to the Pacific Highway just after the road works finished. Good planning I guess.

Stopped at the Macadamia Castle for my morning snack break. Back on the road and the tail wind had picked up 10 - 15 knots and gusting to 20 at times. I need a little bit more than that to get me over some of these hills.

After Byron Bay the highway was beautifully flat. I was able to average 22 km an hour - not bad for the load I am carrying.

Stopped at the Yelgun Rest Area where a Driver Reviver caravan was set up. Had a couple of cuppas and some cordial and cold water. Very nice.

Back on the road heading for the Sleepy Hollow Rest Area where I will stay the night. I believe it is about 50 km south of Tweed Heads. Next couple of days will be interesting as I work my way through the Gold Coast then Brisbane.