Day 77 - Finding gratitude

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Toogoolawah - Blackbutt (Brisbane Valley Rail Trail) 57km

First, I titled today's post "Tunnel Vision" but Louise vetoed it. Over lamb shanks, a glass of red and with warm toes tucked in a pair of dry woolen socks, she thought today's telling deserved something more positive.

Light and Louise at the end of the tunnel

However, today's piece of work involved a tunnel, the only one along the trail, and it provided the driest 100m of riding all day. "The Yimbun Railway tunnel, completed in 1910, is significant as a highly intact example of a concrete-lined tunnel constructed for Queensland's narrow-gauge railway lines", so the information sign said. From there onwards, 10km into the day, it would have been easy to continue with a tunnel vision and a matching narrow-gauge mind. The predicted showers turned into rain and the condition of the trail turned from 'easy' into, let's say, 'not so easy'.

But like so often, it's all in your head. Instead of pointing out all the negatives, one is blessed if the mind is able to find gratitude in the positives that still linger around, even if they are harder to see. At a rainy morning tea stop, we express appreciation for the tailwind instead of complaining about the rain dripping into our salty snack bag. Or at the numerous creek crossings, which always come with a steep descent on one side and an equally steep ascent on the other, mined with cow pats. Instead of lamenting the loss of pedal power these obstacle courses deliver, we appreciate that they keep us warm and we laugh about the sense of humor implied in the warning signs. 

One of many creek crossings

Funny sign: "Do not congregate!"

The final 22km are a continuous uphill. Which, given it's a railway line, isn't so steep (except for see above), but the wet weather softens the trail surface and it makes us, the gear and bikes heavier and the tires start to sink deeper into the mud. More thoughts of gratitude flow in when our plea for a short rain break at lunchtime is heard, time enough to munch into our odd combination of a wrap filled with tuna, cucumber, mushrooms and crunched up tortilla chips. The drink bottle with Gatorade is off the menu due to heavy cow poo and mud contamination. 

It is always a good sign when your partner in crime cracks a smile, despite the conditions, the tiredness and the mud sprinkled face. A massive boost of gratitude right there, taking this picture: 

Louise still smiling

Louise takes the lead on the final 10km into Blackbutt, where we ignore the Showgrounds Caravan Park at the town's entrance in hopes of finding a dry bed and a hot shower for the night. Before we find what we are looking for at the inviting looking Hotel Radnor in the center of town, we pass the statue of an Australian tennis legend...

Roy Emerson, a Blackbutt Boy

Unfortunately, the adjacent museum is closed and further research into the impressive and record breaking career of this sporting legend has to wait until we find ourselves in the warm and dry surroundings of our small and very basic room at the Radnor. ANZAC Day celebrations are starting to cool down at the bar when we order our meal. Maybe today's date and the commemorations linked to it have been a good match for our theme today. The quality of being thankful hits our palate and converts a Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot (almost) into a Chateau Latour. 

A drop of gratitude

Even on the most adverse of days, there is plenty to be grateful for. You just need to look a little bit closer. 






Location: Blackbutt QLD 4314, Australia

Comments

  1. FrancieApril 28, 2022 at 3:05 PM

    Wow what great commentary. You are really looking below - and beyond - the surface. That sign "Do Not Congregate" is an absolute ripper.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 7, 2022 at 12:11 PM

    So…liz and I were enthusiastic about doing the Brisbane rail trail … until speaking with Shaun (a few weeks behind you) and reading your blog. Sounds much more suited to mountain bikes.

    Shaun suggests we check out the QLD rail trails.

    Meanwhile, admire your determination and positivity, guys!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louise SensiJune 7, 2022 at 5:37 PM

      From Ipswich to Fernvale the trail was perfect, you could totally do it on your bikes, but then you'd have to turn around. Definitely one for MTB or skilled gravel rider. Also, heaps of damage to the trail last month with the rain, the river crossings are still a bit dicey. The rail trails in VIC are excellent!

      Delete

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