Simply cycling around
Yes, it did rain last night but not as heavy as I was afroad of. And today, the good weather is coming back, good! For the first time in Australia I had the chance to taste a natural thermal pool and I must say, it’s very VERY nice :-) Not even crowded, like ten people at a time and all stayed together when the other half was empty most of the time. People were maybe scared of the rapids where I found that spot being the best. Very nice place!
Another hot day today and it’s certainly gonna be like this all the up now. This is why I’m cycling early the morning, then find a place where I can stay out of the sun until 4pm, then I’m coming back on the road for the rest of the afternoon and find a spot in the bush because of the lack of rest area. Fortunately, Larrimah is on my way, about 60km from where I’ve slept last night. FOr the first time in Australia, I’ve seen a real crocodile. It’s in a cage, it’s a tiny one, but it’s a real one! :-)
After two and a half days doing nothing I’m back on the saddle! I still have 3 weeks to go until I fly from Darwin to Bali so I will surely stop in different other places like Mataranka, Katherine, Edith Falls and I don’t know yet. I wish I had more food with me because life is expensive around here. And every road house sell nearly the same stuff like: ice creams, beers, soft drinks, Chips, and spare pieces. How can I get food for my breakfast with that?! Anyway, I’ll make it!
This is one of my worse cycling experience today. Everything was perfect until I had that bloody “puncture”… That single, tiny, blood, little hole made my day unforgettable. I had two solutions to fix it, an easy one and a tricky one: I’ve chosen the tricky one. It did work but not without pain in the ass (if I can say that).
Today is the first day when I can ride some few hills. There is still some long flat bit but I can enjoy the view sometimes. I expect to ride at least until Eliott and then I will improvise. I will sleep there or continue a bit more. I’ve met another cyclist too today. An English guy, George. He decided to cycle when he was in Darwin and he is going down to Adelaide. It’s gonna be cold down there, good luck man!
Last night was very good. I’ve heard someone driving around maybe around 9, 10 or 11pm. I was asleep and heard a engine outside. The car disappeared and it stayed quiet the whole night. BIG day ever today! I’ve never thought I would be able to cycle 150 on day but that’s it :-) I remember the day I met a german motorcyclist back on the west coast of New Zealand. He told me when I would be in Australia I would do 150km to 200km per day with a good tailwind. It did not happen very often though. I’m not trying to be as fast as I can as I’ve got time but after that lazy day yesterday, I don’t know, I feel like cycling :-) And look at that landscape! Amazing sky! Amazing straight road! Everything is perfect haha :-)
Today, I’ve spent most of my time in the library. The wind is cold again and this morning was hard to get my hand warm as I woke up early and nothing was open yet. I want to update my blog before I leave Tennant Creek because I’m not sure when I will get another connection. It might be in Katherine. It’s not a big deal :-) I won’t stay here another night as I have planned yesterday. There is too much Aboriginals wandering around and I don’t want to create trouble by sleeping somewhere they would maybe! I will cycle few kilometres out of town and will find a nice spot. I’m not worried about that.