*The map should show now the entire trip so far, but doesn't seem to save much location information as we thought while out of Telstra reception. As a result there are gaps missing from our route, but hopefully you'll get most of the key points.
Also, not many photos until I can get a better internet connection*
This morning we waited in Newman for woolies to open so we could stock up on weetbix, milk, bread and water. And maybe some fruit. While we were hanging out waiting, a truck driver said he wasn't sure about the present condition of the dirt road we'd be taking today, he didn't know if the floodways needed repairing after recent rain. He did recommend a good pub though.
Some dirt sections and bitumen saw us to Nullagine, but we didn't stop at the pub, just parked at the park and had a break and an early lunch. While we were getting the food out of the truck a police officer stopped by to see what we were all about. Frog told him all about what we're doing and got a photo with him and the bike next to the police vehicle.
Next was mostly gravel and dirt roads to Marble Bar, Australia's hottest town. It wasn't too hot today, I think it was around 27 degrees when we were there. It was another quick stop. We refuelled the bike, ate some chocolate slice, then Frog went to the information centre to try find a sticker to put on his bike to show it has been to Marble Bar. After that we took photos outside the iconic Iron Clad Hotel, then by the welcome sign outside of town, then we got out of there, heading north.
Instead of taking sealed roads up to the Great Northern Highway, we took a shorter route that was almost entirely gravel, dirt, and sandy roads. We got to a point where there were fields either side of us and ahead of us, perpendicular to the road was a thick line of trees and greenery. That was the De Grey River. While we were scoping it out, a couple who had been travelling the same direction as us and who we had chatted with a few times pulled up towing their camping trailer.
We decided to take the Hilux over first, so that I could be on the far side with the camera when Frog made it over (or if he fell over, hopefully it would be closer to the far side...) The Hilux made it through easily, but riding in the cab I thought it looked like it might be a bit deep for the Honda, and might cause problems for Frog.
I could not have been more wrong. Frog cruised through, didn't stop at all. He just kept a consistent pace and was with us on the other side. Next was the couple who went even slower than Frog, but had an impressive bow wave going with their Land Cruiser.
The rest of the drive on the dirt roads was surprisingly green. Even though we knew there had been rain recently, I don't think we were ready for just how green it was. Eventually we knew we were in the Great Sandy Desert because, as you might expect, the road turned sandy. Also in the Great Sandy, there were a lot of parrots of some kind, moving in swarms, swooping around and (I assume) catching insects as a team. I'm not sure if they were budgies or some other kind of bird, they were too fast to tell. They got curious a few times, or maybe they wanted to induct Frog into their flock, because they were sure getting close to him a few times as he rode along.
We made it to the Great Northern Highway with an hour and a half of ride time left. The plan is to make it to Sandfire Roadhouse, which will be the first stop in common with Frog and Tony's trip two years ago.
We're still seeing the occasional car abandoned by the side of the road and have concluded that the southern half of the state must favour Ford Falcons, and the northern half of the state must favour Holden Commodores.
With half an hour of ride time left and the sun about to set, we pulled into Sandfire Roadhouse to refuel and find some food and a room. We met some truckies who had also just arrived and couldn't be more enthusiastic or entertained about the 125 and the modifications Frog has made for ease of riding (things like the padded back rest and foot rests). I'm not sure what it is about roadhouses, but this is the second roadhouse I've seen on the trip with peacocks. I don't know if they're pets, or if they just hang out at roadhouses for some reason...
After getting a room sorted out it was a beer, then food, then getting ready for bed. Tony and Frog watched a movie on the portable DVD player that Frog had brought along on the trip.
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