Author: stragglingstu

A pleasant night camped in the gidgee a few kilometres east of Aramac, another town being left behind as activity concentrates on the larger centres of Longreach, Barcaldine and Winton on the Landsborough Highway further south.

Aramac is a lovely …

A much easier ride today as the road was more trafficked and therefore more packed down and smoother, generally.

The locals here practice being hard to surprise – a couple out checking their stock passed me mid-morning with just a  …

A languid breakfast with many cups of coffee and lots of chatter before loading up the bike once more.

Left Drumlion mid-morning to take the old mail road (known as the Cullardar Road from this end but as the Beryl …

A very welcome week of rest and eating while enjoying my the company of my brother Peter and sister in law Noni at ‘Drumlion’.
I arrived weighing 72 kg (159 pounds) and left five days later at 77 kg (170 …

On the way after being checked out (discreetly) by a main roads inspector as I packed up camp. Nothing to note as the road was getting better and the weather fair.

Finally popped out at the junction of the Oodnadatta …

Had a chat to the Dalhousie Springs national parks ranger (he and his offsider in Innamincka are responsible for NPs covering over 1% of mainland Australia’s land area, he was very pleased with himself for being on the verge of …

The stoney road improved as son as I had crossed into the national park (the NP service grades roads in the parks each year, delayed this year by the unseasonal rain) but the number of bogholes increased for the first …

You never know when you are well off!

Yesterday was loose sand and corrugations.

Today was loose sand and several muddy creek crossings. After several of these I worked out a system.

See flooded creek, strip panniers from bike, carry …

Farewelled Charlie and stocked up at the Finck store – spaghetti and tuna, cake, bread and lollies. Do you see a theme here? Carbohydrates!

I really enjoyed discussing black/white relations and options with Charlie. He gave me much to think …

A surprisingly short ride to the turnoff to the track that leads to Lambert’s Geographical Centre of Australia. The Centre is very popular with grey nomads.

As it is only 12 km in I decided to go and look. The …

Woken by departing grey nomads as usual. Guys and girls, you are retired, no need to race out of this campground only to arrive early afternoon at another, nearly identical campground.

Out of the campground about 9:30 am, found the …

Still getting used to having people/traffic around. People intrude on the peaceful outdoors.

Got to Erldunda no problems but disappointed at how suburban it seems after the Great Central Road roadhouses. Erldunda is all polished perspex and dust free.

Also …