Had the best nights sleep yet!!! YAY! Was feeling good and organised, even managed to get away a little earlier today. This was due to practicing for ages last night on how to use the ratchet strap! My feet became great things to strap together and work out how to feed the strap so that the ratchet mechanism actually worked….LOL!!! Who’d have thought something so simple could be so confusing. As the sun rises, look at the change in the colour of Mt Isa.
Mt Isa
It’s not as cool or cold this morning as every other day since I left home, so not as many layers today. About 5 kays outta town and I’m greeted with this.
Sunrise in Mt Isa
Good morning Mt Isa!….NO….Good Morning Kimmie & Smurfette!!!!
There’s a lot of traffic out this morning considering it’s only 7:30am but it doesn’t matter, I’m just taking my time. And why wouldn’t you when you get to look at views like this.
Spectacular views
Smurfette tapped me on the back this morning and said “Kimmie these people on a motorbike keep following us this morning”….I had to laugh and tell her it’s only our shadow. Watching the colours around us change was outstanding this morning. It’s something you don’t get to see back home and with the view I had, well, who’s complaining.
our shadow….lol
It’s only 8:00am but you can already feel the day heating up. The road is pretty straight out here with the odd sneaky rise that almost sends you airborne when hit it at $1.20. There’s very few structures about out here but I did come across this beautiful rustic working windmill – just there in the middle of nowhere…..well the Barkly Highway actually.
Barkly Highway Windmill
About 30 kays out of Camooweal I approached this road train. Now every road train I’ve encountered in QLD has courteously blinked me through when things are safe. However, not this guy – he just sat there doing less than 100kph. It took me ages to take him as there were a few nomads out early this morning too.
slow road train….aargh!
Finally into Camooweal and I take the local (and only) pub photo before heading to the BP Roadhouse for fuel and some breakfast.
Camooweal Hotel
After filling up, I found the perfect place to park Angel only to find this sign……….
the best spot in town – apparently not 🙁
Just like they were reading my mind….they obviously have had many motorcyclists think it too was the perfect spot….LOL
Anyway, I go inside and have breakfast and as I’m getting up another rider walks in and says “are you a FarRider”, “sure am” I say and we introduce ourselves….It’s Klaus and he looks tired (but that’s a story he can tell you). Anyway, I joined him for a chat while he had his breakky before we said our hoo-roos and see you in Daly Waters.
Celebration today…..it’s Angels BIRTHDAY….150,000 years old – well done girl!!!! You don’t look a day over 15,000.
Happy 150,043 kays Birthday Angel!
I couldn’t stop earlier cos the roadside just doesn’t cater for stopping. Just after here I see the first Mr Plod since I left home (lucky I was doing the 110kph limit for QLD 🙂 )
Across the border and there’s a nice rest stop to grab a pic. Now don’t be jealous, I can speed here LEGALLY…..LOL 130 kph here we come (note to self, watch the fuel consumption).
Northern Territory border
I know it looks desolate but really there is so much out here. Spinifex roll across the roads, eagles are sawing high with enormous wing spans and the forever changing colour palette. How can you not love it!
views for miles….
This is sitting outside the Telstra sub-station/exchange on the way to Barkly. I didn’t think Telstra would get so much mail out this way….lol
Telstra mail box?
Into Barkly Homestead at 12:26pm having completed 450 kays for the day and I’m feeling pretty good with myself. Smurfette, Angel and I are staying here tonight and greatful cos the heat of the day is starting to sting and I need to get some layers off.
the sky also provides spectacular views.
Fuelled up and ready for tomorrow and time to find my cabin (which isn’t ready yet) so I strip off on the verandah behind the tree….hehehe. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Made it! Barkly Homestead
Smurfette asked “Kimmie what’s it like being in that helmet all the time?” So I gave her a go for a bit…….she had a smile on her face but I’m not quite sure she’d enjoy being confined.
it’s a little big for her..maybe I should get Smurfette her own.
Finally into our cabin and Smurfette and I kick back and relax in the air-conditioning while we wait for Frans and Jeannie to arrive. As you can see, I’m feeling much better about this adventure and knowing that I’ll be seeing friends today has lifted my spirits.
While I’m waiting a couple of fellow riders on their way back to Brisbane pull in for fuel. They have matching F800GSA’s but they are in varied conditions. You can tell who looks after their bike and who doesn’t.
F800GSA travellers
Just an idea of where we are…..
perspective..
I had to go here….
Ladies he he he only…
Inside the restaurant of the Roadhouse is spectacular – this is where I’ll be having dinner tonight.
Barkly bar & restaurant
Tucked up in my cabin with a view of the west bound traffic, I take the opportunity to type this up while I wait to see Frans and Jeannie pull in (who arrived around 2:30pm). What a pleasant sight for my tired old eyes!!! I ran across the concourse and gave them the biggest hug. YAY!! Friends!!! Makes the world of difference to me.
We meet for dinner and have a great feed (the food here is awesome). I have lamb loin chops with roasted veggies $29.00 and was restaurant quality. Considering where you are in relation to any major town you can’t complain about the prices.
selfie
The obligatory selfie. Frans and Jeannie are one of the many generous people I have the pleasure of calling “friend”. I don’t have phone service and Frans kindly offers his phone to call Karl and Mum and Dad (all who have been worried about me). I was happy to use the pay phone but Frans insists and I can’t thank him enough. He says “I am a dad too and I would want to know you are OK” – Thanks Frans!!! Xxx
The sun is setting and what a magnificent spectacular – you can’t beat an outback sunset or sunrise for that matter.
Barkly sunset
Barkly sunset
We chat and compare our plans for the first ever FarRide North #1 – Darwin River. I had a plan but after talking with Frans and Jeannie, I ask can I run with their first half plan (which was almost my ride day for tomorrow but without a docket). It’s amazing how a small detour can make the difference to your plan without impacting your ride (something to note for future plans).
Anyways, it’s time to sleep and as I always have the camera handy couldn’t resist this shot back to my cabin.
a peaceful night.
