When do I start roughing it again?
At the top
Third day on the road and my legs are already pretty sore and not just the muscles. My left leg has been causing problems for months and before I turned the pedals once at the start it was pretty stiff. As a consequence I was compensating a bit with my right leg and the knee is getting sore so I’m keeping the pace pretty easy. After a nice flat 40km in the morning to warm up I arrived at Murrurindi where a 6km drag up to 700m awaited – the first of three today 
Long climbs are relatively easy, settle into a nice rythm and just keep on going. The previous 2 days of constant ups and downs really wear you out especially with the extra weight I’m carrying around. That evening still 40km outside Tamworth which I’d been hoping to reach for a campsite with a shower, I saw a farmer standing by a gate. As there was no chance of making town before it got completely dark I pulled over and asked if there was someplace good to camp for the night, angling for permission to pitch in one of her paddocks. As luck would have it I was only about 1km from a billabong just off the road with a big tree for shade. After getting directions and chatting for a while I headed off.
Janet & Barry Anderson
No sooner had I found the spot there a truck pulls up beside me – the Andersons were back inviting me back to their home for a steak dinner. I of course jumped at the offer and followed them back. As a sort of payment I helped round up their sheep into pens for the night and put out some poison bait for the foxes which were killing thier little lambs. I didn’t really do much to deserve it. Not only did I get a fabulous dinner they let me take a shower and pitch my tent on their lawn. I got plenty of good advice on the best ways the get to Brisbane and places and things to see on the way. 3 days on the road and I’ve already been given 3 free meals. I’m loving this, long may it continue, Aussies are brilliant!
September 21st, 2006 at 7:54 pm
G’day Ross
Finally time to look at your brilliant website oH and a photo of us……… we lost your details so loved getting your postcard. Barry is very concerned you will travel into the desert without water he was giving me a lecture about it again the other day!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad you have travelled so far without much grief. we will follow your progress……. YOur VERY TALENTED with your website we are impressed.
Stay in touch young Irish – PS: big drought happening here no rain – s end some soon if you can …. Love from us all at Bobby Byrne
November 6th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Glad to see you got the card. I’m in Darwin now, working on a mango farm. The build-up is upon us and there have been a few very dramatic storms already. Reckon it’s time to start out down the west coast soon. Hope all is well and you’ve finally got some rain!
December 3rd, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Hello Ross,
Been reading about your trip, sorry about the mango gringo rash – trust you! We had just ran out of dam water and had to run piping throughout the property, and miracle last night it rained HOorAH not drought breaking but an inch of the good stuff. Stay in touch best regards for Christmas from all at Bobby Byrne