Day 105: Normanton to bush camp

May 26, 2021

Start: 6:20am
Distance: 87kms
Ride time: 4:47hrs
Average: 18km/hr
Max: 34km/hr
Finish: 12:05pm

I woke up before my alarm went off. Maybe because the garbage truck was driving down the street.

I was on the road a little before sunrise. I have my lights going all the time even during the day. The headlight is very bright and it helps make me a little more visible.

In the first 7kms from Normanton I was passed by 8 road trains with 4 trailers each.

They all turned off the main road just out of town. After that I didn't see another vehicle for 3 hours.

I like having these type of roads. There's more wildlife to see when cars aren't around.

I saw lots of wallabies or wallaroos. I saw lots of galahs, red-tailed black cockatoos, a few small parrots and lots of tiny wrens.

Some big distances with not much in between.

Most vehicles heading to Darwin from Normanton won't take this road because there is a lot of dirt and some of it is in poor condition.

So for the next two weeks I will have a lot less traffic to worry about. Yippee!

I saw this pretty flower on a tree. I didn't see any more of these trees.

Bill later identified this as an Australian kapok.

I crossed three rivers today and none of them had name signs.

Black-necked stork.

Brolga.

I had done my planned 75kms for the day and wanted to stop.

I continued on for another 12kms until I saw an okay spot.

It was next to a dam.

In the dam was a big piggy lying down enjoying the water.

He was facing away from me and was upwind so he didn't hear me sneak up on him.

I yelled out and he scampered off quick smart.

I hope I see some other animals come to the dam.

There is no phone reception here.

Other than the road trains early this morning, I only saw 12 more cars for the rest of my ride.

The dirt road was in good condition and flat and straight. It was dusty which made it easy to see cars coming from a big distance.

My gear shifter continued to work great.

In the arvo I listened to an audio book and I fell asleep for a short time.

I enjoyed watching the animals come to the dam. I had to sit very still as they were all flighty.

Here are my dam pics:

Pretty faced wallabies. At one time there were 6 of them drinking together.

It was very entertaining. Just like watching a live documentary.

Today's ride: 87 km (54 miles)
Total: 4,783 km (2,970 miles)

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Annie O'SheaYou were lucky to find that dam and see all the wild life, it must tell you that water is very far and few between
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2 years ago

Vince McCarthyYes it was a special spot.
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2 years ago