Day 114 - Same but different (updated post "Back in Rolleston")

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Carnarvon Gorge (Sandstone Park Campground) - Rolleston 90km

We take a deep breath and a final long look across the range before stepping into the pedals for the ride back to Rolleston. Backtracking is generally not a favourite thing of mine, but this one is the exception of the rule. The memories of yesterday's hike will happily be replayed in my mind, like a slide show in my head. Also, I kind of look forward to riding the 48km of unsealed Rewan Road again, in the opposite direction. It might be the same road, but different perspective.

A final look.

When people, usually women we meet in the bathroom on campgrounds, say to us "oh, you must be really fit", I often reply "oh no, it's all in your head". Which of course is not entirely true, but on a day like today, the force comes largely from your topmost organ. Therefore any kind of distraction from the ordinary is welcome. Sometimes you have to apply a bit of creativity, like kneeling on a dusty track to take an action shot, to distract your mind that there are still 72km in front of you.

Creative distraction 

When we pass the place where we spotted the three Brolgas, I am on the look out. And sure enough, there they are, demonstrating their regal walk in the distance before getting airborne and almost flying right above our heads. Louise was ready.

Captivating Brolgas in full flight

Another great thing with bicycle travel is that you often hear things first before you see them. The whop whop sound of a helicopter rotor was a bit unexpected and it took a while to put the different going ons on the ground and in the air together. But when we did, it was quite the spectacle. The helicopter came as a mustering aid to assist the ground crew on horses and on an ATV to move a few escapee cows back to where they needed to be. Not sure what was more impressive: the horse riding skills or the helicopter piloting.

More airborne distraction 

With this much distraction it wasn't surprising that the kilometres melted away like the butter in our food storage bag, which, delightfully was still consumable after how many days unrefrigerated? (too many) The most enduring bit of the ride were the final 20kms on the highway, unfortunately coinciding with the end of the working day traffic. Our reading of the various traffic scenarios (e.g. what's coming from behind, what is ahead) including the royal wave and the grateful thumbs up to the passing road train drivers, is still being fine tuned. But we definitely have learned when it is best to jump off the road:

Better safe than sorry.


We roll into Rolleston short before 4pm. The same town but with different feelings. 

Location: Rolleston QLD 4702, Australia

Comments

  1. ArthurJune 1, 2022 at 9:23 PM

    Louise, dad and me hiked to Cathedral cave, about 18kms round trip. We slept well that night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louise SensiJune 2, 2022 at 2:59 PM

      It was a spectacular walk, I'm so glad you guys got to experience it too!

      Delete

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