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It's a constant battle as to whether a data source can be trusted or not. Recently Google has kept on showing us alternative secondary roads we could take when the main roads were closed due to flooding while we knew that the alternatives offered were also closed. Nonetheless, Komoot is my first choice, largely because it gives a reasonably good picture of road conditions eg accurate elevation
charts and tarred vs gravel. Google helps with finding quieter roads. Maps.me almost always suggests the toughest route possible but we use it in a pinch when we don't have internet access.
Yesterday I had the same experience getting into Marulan from Goulburn, Komoot taking me into a quarry that wasn't a road.
2 weeks agoI've got back to your blog - finally. I absolutely agree with your comments on war museums. Unfortunately, we live in a war-mongering nation. Imagine the day when there are no more returned servicemen. IAN
2 weeks agoLooks like some kind of orb weaver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb-weaver_spider
No real ill effects apart from all the gas that was hidden inside the pie.
2 weeks agoStrangely enough, I watched a clip of that scene last week. The actors were Marius Weyers and Sandra Prinsloo. Truly slapstick but it is still a classic. The vehicle in that scene was also a Series II.
2 weeks agoIt’s hard not to associate Landrovers with those classic gate opening scenes in “The Gods Must Be Crazy” movie.
2 weeks agoI’ve never had the courage to eat one of those packaged pies.
It’ll be interesting to hear how you felt 12-24 hours later.
Good to be back in Queensland. Still lots of water around but we haven't had any extra rain in a while. Enjoying the little country towns and quiet roads.
2 weeks agoThat elusive state of Queensland is in your sights again!
3 weeks agoThere are a few van parks in Moree but we spent the one night we were there in a motel, and have now carried on to Pallamallawa. It would have good having a natter with them.
4 weeks agoUnlikely I know, but when you are Moree, you might be able find a couple in their 80s who are old family friends.
They’ll be staying at the van park for a month in a very flash van. They are there to make use of the natural spring spas to soothe a few aches and pains that afflict 80 year olds.
Noel and Jean Matthews. Lovely people. I saw them last week in Barraba when they were on the way to Moree.
Noel and my dad worked together as builders and carpenters for many years.
They’d be delighted to see cycle tourers.
The van park reception office would know them.
Wow! Just catching up with your journey. What a time with all that rain, we feel for you. You sure won't forget your trip to Australia. Hope Queensland treats you more kindly.
Great photos as always.
Elsp
Despite the unsettled weather and the diversions, we've really enjoyed this area. In fact, we've reviewed our plans and will now skip Brisbane and head up inland, probably to Roma, before thinking about heading towards the coast again.
You and Joel seemed to have a great tour, despite the traffic. It's a pity we didn't manage to meet up again but you never know what the future might bring.
Even my hometown … only a village now… in northern NSW had a carriage building business until the early 1900s.
2 weeks agoHorse drawn transport was a major part of the local economy. Saddle makers, blacksmiths, wheel wrights, teamsters and so on.
One of my grandfathers had a pair of draught horses which gave him employment for many years road building with a horse-drawn grader.
Motor vehicles quickly disrupted the horse based businesses, but I wonder how much the arrival of the mass produced safety bicycle (decades before cars) also affected horse based businesses in regional Australia.