May 18, 2023
Day 18 - in the zone towards Winton
Last night was surprisingly cold for here. Loved it, got in my bag and had a great night's sleep. It was the precursor for a brilliant day.
I chatted to indigenous man, Peter O over breakfast. He's a laugh; friends call him "Piss Off", he says. I phoned the ABC and did a radio interview on the national broadcaster; it might be why so many waved and hooted today. I went round the corner for a coffee and ended up doing a telephone interview with a journalist, Trish B from the local newspaper. She was in Yeppoon!
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I was on my way by 11.30am, in the best of spirits but hoping for a tailwind to help knock over a big part of the 175 km to Winton. It happened: as I left town a coolish wind left town behind me. I soon stopped at the Thomson River. Good friend, Thommo, would love me to put a "P" in it. I refrained and instead admired the water birds.
A few km further, the Darr River was also looking good.
Thirty km out, wooded country gave way to Mitchell grass plains. It was a terrific day for wildlife and I pitied those bulleting along cursing the boring landscape. A euro waited the day out in cover of grass. A male red kangaroo mimicked yesterday's horses. I increased my speed to 27 kmh but he bounded along faster and effortlessly. If there were trees there were woodswallows, while black kites were ever present. I saw a square-tailed kite too, exciting for me.
There were flocks of budgerigars and of silhouetted parrots late in the day. Of course, emus too and a FOUR bustard day.
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I had my big break, just half an hour, after doing 70 km in 3 hours. I was in the zone. Remarkably, some people pulled up with a caravan named "Zone". They got out of their car and went into the van. They too were in the zone. I expected coffee and cake and vibrant chat but it didn't come. It was not a Venn diagram with a common zone. Our circles would never entwine. Perhaps it was my food that put them off.
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10 months ago
I broke my rule of stopping on exactly the '000 mark, as I passed 2000 km for the trip after 111 km today. It was late in the day so I tattooed the air with my fist and kept pedalling. Red tie photos will have to wait until tomorrow.
I have a fabulous camp-site near a pile of old railway sleepers near the tracks. There are no trains on this line now. And old eucalypt sleepers burn so well and so hot. That's what I want on another cool night.
Today's ride: 126 km (78 miles)
Total: 2,014 km (1,251 miles)
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It’ll be held in June this year.
https://www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com/
11 months ago
11 months ago
I had time to kill once at Heathrow so got on the airport bus and did a tour so I was prepared for when I was in a rush. The bus stopped between terminals because the Concorde was about to take off. It needed a long runway. So I sat looking up at the giant bird-I could even see the passengers- as a bloke on either side of the road manually wound the fence back to create a gap for the Concorde to pass through. I guess that so much money went into the Concorde that nothing was left for a couple of simple motors to open and close the fence. Safe travels. Ian
11 months ago
11 months ago