Hervey Bay

We left Brisbane in showery conditions which was a bit scary because we were in a hilly part of town and the roads had the potential to be slippery. We had breakfast at a cafe on the outskirts of the city and missed the heaviest rain. We arrived in Bribie Island at about 10-30 and explored the shopping centre while we waited for Owen to finish his contract postie round. Bob and Owen enjoyed their "do you remember -----" session and then Joanne prepared a very nice early lunch for us. We were on the road again by 1pm and enjoyed the scenery on the last stretch. We saw our first sugar cane and pinapple plantations around Maryborough.
Our accommodation at The Palms CP is a fairly recently renovated and installed cabin and is comfortable with all our basic wish list items. The only drawback is erratic WiFi which means this is my second attempt at this blog. Yesterday was the busy day of the meeting. We all had our bikes polished up for the parade through town and then parked them on the foreshore for a couple of hours for the locals to admire. After lunch it was the AGM and it proceeded smoothly. There were a few hilarious moments and lots of cameras snapping when a beautiful Rainbow Lorikete landed on the head of a man who was wearing a headscarf.  It just sat there and it's mate swung off the marquee support having a good look as well. They didn't leave until encouraged to depart by the victim.
The formal dinner last night was at The Boat Club. We had pre dinner drinks overlooking the marina. The food was delicious and  it was very tempting to eat too much. Bob and I were the winners of the longest ride and longest pillion ride again and will have to buy a post box to send them home.
Today was a free day and we went to have lunch with Brian (Kit) Carson who was our riding companion from Perth to Tasmania in 1972. He is hale and hearty and getting on with his life. His major priority is fishing and he has just snagged a part time position as  manager of a property with a long protected river frontage and plenty of fish.
Tomorrow is another quiet day before we head out across Queensland for the Northern Territory. Question for Eleanor and Hannah
How many toys on the bike and sidecar?

Moree to Brisbane

Today was really warm right from the start. It was 27C  as we walked along to breakfast. We had a good brisk walk to the Royal Hotel last night which was recommended for dinner. This morning it was shorter as we opted not to have the motel's continental breakfast and walked the 100 metres to McDonalds. It was as tasteless as ever but the coffee was good. We set off at about our usual 8-30 am and were in Goondiwindi in time for coffee. I am really enjoying the different names over here. It provides mild entertainment as we ride along. Boggabilla, Goondiwindi,  Coonabarabran and Croppa Creek. The last one must have a story behind it. Yesterday was a little less exotic. We rode through Warren Shire and Warren townsite and shortly afterwards Collie.
We had another bouncy ride today to the extent that Bob was feeling as if he had been on a rocking boat by the time we arrived at Toowoomba. We stopped off at their very nice visitors centre to take a break and plan our next move because it was only 2pm when we arrived. We needed to choose somewhere to overnight so that we are in easy reach of Bribie Island late tomorrow morning. Bob wants to visit an old army mate from his Natios time and yet we still want to make Hervey Bay by 5-30ish. It was cooler up around Toowoomba and we settled in to access their WiFi. While Bob did some checking of distances and accommodation I rewrote most of the blog for yesterday which I had accidently deleted while doing a proof read. Bob finally announced that he thought we should overnight in Brisbane which was only an hour and a half away and he had booked a really nice centrally located hotel at a discounted rate.
The views coming down the mountains from Toowoomba were beautiful and it was a novelty to approach Brisbane from the West. Of course he had forgotten that we would be approaching at peak hour but caution and the GPS got us here safely if a little frazzeled. We arrived looking somewhat travel stained but the staff were courteous and a shower soon improved our appearance. We have had a pleasant evening strolling the city centre and noting the significant changes since we were last here. We had dinner at Jaimie's Italian following a recommendation from the reception staff. It was entertaining and the food was different and tasty but not up to all the hoo ha we had heard.
And now I lay me down to sleep.

Cobar to Moree

As we were leaving The motel in Cobar we discovered why it was so comfortable. The manager explained that it is owned by the mining company who set it up for their staff complete with equiped kitchens in case they wanted to cook. The road out of Cobar went through rough sheep and cattle country. As we approached Nyngan the country became flat plains with agriculture. The name of the Shire also explained a modern slang term. It is the Bogan Shire so now we know where they all come from. The town also has a RAAF helicopter that served in Vietnam and helped to evacuate the town during the 1992 floods. As we rode on towards Narrabri we found broad acre cotton growing. This continued right into Queensland.
In the distance as we rode toward Narrabri we could see a group of blue hued rugged mountains. These were the Warrumbungles and it was a lovely change of scenery to ride through the foothills into town. We were debating whether we would call it a day at 3pm or ride on the 100kms to Moree when a car pulled up beside us. The couple on board asked if we were going to the AGM in Hervey Bay and stopped for a chat. They suggested a motel in Moree but by the time we arrived it was full. We will catch up with them at the gathering. Every other  motel in Moree seemed to be filling fast so we took the first one that had reasonable rooms ie the next one we looked at. The young receptionist explained that Moree is on the main Melbourne to Brisbane Hway. Hence it's popularity. The motel we stayed at is owned by a Chinese /Australian family who have had the foresight to buy two motels close together. The original one we attempted to check into was full and by the time we had been referred down to the sister business and checked in about four other rooms were being sought.
The roads around here have improved significantly since we were last out this way but they still aren't wonderful. They have received a new coating of hotmix but without taking out any of the existing bumps caused by the heavy truck traffic. Bob declared the Oxley Hwy to be the Oxley Motorcross with some sections of the Gibb River Road smoother than what we were riding over.
I keep forgetting to mention some riders we met in Port Augusta . They are members of a defence forces team of 420 riders raising money for Prostate Cancer. They are riding from Sydney to Margaret River via Esperence, Albany, Walpole and Pemberton/Manjimup. Thank goodness we didn't cross paths with them on the Nullabor stretch or we wouldn't have got a bed.
The countryside is gradually changing as we get closer to the coast and the trees are getting taller.

Cobar to Moree

Port Augusta to Cobar

We were familiar with the first part of yesterdays run as far as Peterborough but we decided that the weather along our planned southern route might be a bit wet. Instead we turned NE and headed to Broken Hill. It has been a while since we had been over this road and we had both forgotten how interesting it is. The vegetation is similar to what we saw between Norseman and Ceduna; Mallee, low scrub and saltbush. However the terrain is more variable with rocky outcrops and interesting hills on either side though at a distance. We were also travelling alongside the Indian Pacific line and through the remnants of the old railway sidings. Now they are mostly no more than a pub with fuel bowsers or roadhouses. We were at Broken Hill for lunch and the question was whether to push on to the longest leg to Cobar where the next decent accommodation is to be found or waste significant riding time when we still have a way to go. We consulted the GPS and decided that we would have light till 6pm and could do the distance by then. This was before we rediscovered that BH has only one service station in the central area and it well away from where we were heading. We spent 20 minutes relocating it and fueling up and then headed out with Bob mumbling about b----y BH. There was lots of dead roos either side of Broken Hill because recent rain has made the verges flourish  and the trucks clobber them at night. There are also lots of goats grazing there but they are less inclined to jump into the road. We rode with minimal breaks and made good time to Wilcannia but although it looks a cleaner town since we last passed through it is not a choice for an overnight stay. There were also lots of emus along the road now but they also stayed well back near the fences. Unfortunately the sun hadn't heard that we wanted it to stay up until 6pm and it went down at 5-30. After that the dusk  came on quickly and the roos came out to feed. Fortunately we caught up with a freighter type truck which had powerful headlights about 65 kms out of Cobar. Bob tucked in about 50 metres behind him and we relaxed and had a slower but safer ride in to town. The truck pulled into the first service station in Cobar and gave us a toot as we went past. There was a motel 500 metres up the road and we pulled straght in. Lucky for us it and the proprieter were really nice and we have had a comfortable night after a Chinese meal at the Cobar Bowls Club. From now on the towns and the accommodation options are closer so we won't face this dilemma again.

Ceduna to Port Augusta

We had a lovely relaxed day in Ceduna yesterday for my birthday. Our motel was 2 kms from the centre of town so we did plenty of walking by the time we had walked to the Sailing Club for dinner on Friday and into town for breakfast and dinner on Saturday. Ceduna is quite geared for the tourist trade but by this time of year it is still very much a country town. The bakery was the only place open for breakfast but fortunately they served bacon and eggs so Bob was happy. After doing our washing back at the motel we went for a ride to do some shopping and see some of the local beauty spots. There is a wonderful masaic tile memorial to people lost at sea. Bob promised me oysters for lunch but then got distracted by the Subway sign at one of the roadhouses. Instead we had some as entre when we went for dinner at the Foreshore Hotel Bistro. Just as well we were walking home as dinner was substantial. During the afternoon we went out to Shelley Beach Caravan Park. There is a group of people from Walpole and Manjimup who spend various periods there about this time each year. And they are all grouped in Walpole Street of the Park which has been named in recognition  of their loyalty.
This morning we set off early as breakfast was just a muffin and coffee in our room. It was almost too early as although the town was in bright sunshine we discovered a bank of mist surrounding the town as we rode out. It lasted for about 30 kms but as we had our warm gear on we were OK. The ride to Port Augusta went smoothly and our motel accommodation is very comfortable. Small friendly place with complimentry continental breakfast and nearby Bistro for dinnner.
Off to Mildura tomorrow.

Photos from first days

Hi, I forgot to post these photos of Boulder so will try to send them now. The woman in the photo is our Hotel Owner extraudinaire. The buildings are from main street of Boulder. More later.

Norseman to Ceduna

We left Kalgoorlie by about 9am and had a good run down to Norseman. We went into the town and while there had a chat with a pensioner who described how the town was shrinking as the mining dried up and families left town. The baker was still running the Cafe thank goodness and we bought really nice sandwiches to take with us as we knew we were unlikely to get anything as good out on the next phase of the run.The weather was sunny and about 20C all day but the cross wind was a bit of a nuisence. Almost perfect riding really. We stopped to eat our sandwiches at a Parking area and arrived at Caiguna at 3pm. This was a bit early but we could see all the units were filling up and decided not to gamble on accommodation further up the road. All day there had been a steady stream of mptorbikes heading west which we thought was probably people from the Ulysses Easter AGM heading home. If there were more of them coming though we could find all the accommodation taken. Also Telstra was having problems again so we couldn't phone ahead to check. As it was we could only get a budget room at Caiguna which was a bed with clean sheets, a shower and tea and coffee facilities. It was quite nice to stop early and we went for a walk over to the airstrip and then to the Caiguna hole of the Nullabor Links Golf Course. It was good to get a walk.
This morning Bob was up early because he knew we had already lost an hour with the travel east. We had breakfast and were on the road by 8-30 Central time. Again we had near perfect riding conditions all day. We were at the WA/SA border by 12md. Bought our lunch at Eucla and again took it with us to eat along the road. We were making really good time when we arrived at Nullabor Roadhouse and found their price for a standard room was $160. We decided to keep going but first I insisted that I needed a coffee. Bob had promised one at Mundarabilla and then zoomed straight past. The coffee and the break gave us a boost so when we arrived at Nundroo and found it just as sad and unloved as last time we were there it was easy to decide to keep going the 150kms to Ceduna. We have checked into the motel we had booked  for tomorrow night and will now have tomorrow to relax in Ceduna which is quite a nice town. We followed our hosts recommendation and had dinner at the sailing club. Much like the Walpole Country Club and volunteers serve dinner each Wed and Fri during the tourist season. We had the local specialty; Whiting and it was very good.
Tomorrow we will probably catch up with some of the Walpole crowd who come over to a beach near here every year. Also plan to go to the Bistro at the pub for dinner for my birthday.
The WiFi at this motel is not functioning so I will publish the story at the Visitors Centre tomorrow.

Kalgoorlie

We had breakfast with the Orange family, loaded the last of our gear, gave Obi a last pat and left Doubleview at 9-30.The weather was ideal. 20 C all the way not like our last trip 2 years ago when it was quite wet. The road was remarkably busy at first but thinned out after Marredin. We have now marked the roadhouse at Tammin as the most likely coffee stop after a very average one at the Etamuka Pub at Condinan. The road was in good condition especially at the Kal end where there have been recent road works. We checked into the Albion Shamrock Hotel  Motel at 5 o'clock. It is a classic old pub up in
the Boulder Block with comfortable motel units out the back. Sadly the only one of about 5 pubs which has been well maintained. The others are showing signs of their age. After having the very good Steak Night special we headed for our room. When I went to reception to get our Wifi codes Margaret the owner, who informed me she owns 6 pubs, asked if there was any chance that Bob would take her for a ride. We are packed and ready to leave so Bob has taken Margaret down town to a service station to fill the bike. She had to have one of the staff to take her photo onn the bike and went off happy as larry. More tomorrow.

Another test

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