I was awake early again after a disturbing nights sleep in Wycliffe Wells (must’ve been something to do with the UFO stuff…) and then the alarm went off…… 🙁
Up and go! I gotta tell you, the mornings up here are unbelievable and today was very fresh and I met with another amazing sunrise. Sorry didn’t get a pic, but you won’t be disappointed with these few. I stopped on a bridge (yeah, I know naughty girl) but there was no-one else on the road.
Views from the bridge
South of Wycliffe Wells.
There are no words to describe those shots – you had to be there – you had to experience the almighty power this view gave me.
There is a breeze this morning and I didn’t put my liner in but had my cardi on so it wasn’t too bad – refreshing, I’d say.
There were so many nice morning shots today….I couldn’t help myself.
warming sun on my back….noice!
I was chatting to some nomads last night and they’d mentioned you couldn’t get fuel in Ti-Tree as the roadhouse was a crime scene….(concerning). Anyway, I re-jigged my plan and decided to stop in Barrow Creek. I didn’t know there was the Old Telegraph Station there.
Barrow Creek telegraph Station
And the most expensive fuel in Australia – I reckon, well the most I’ve paid for fuel.
Yikes!! Imagine paying this every week.
Lucky I only needed to top up. And when I went inside to pay, this is what I found.
Inside Barrow Creek Pub/servo
Down the road a bit, I could see this cow standing in the middle of my lane. Naturally I slowed down and though I’ll grab a pic of it just standing there. However, the closer I got to the cow/bull, the nastier it looked and wasn’t happy with me being there. Now since I’d slowed down so as not to scare the thing, I gingerly started to approach it and then HOLY COW!!!!! It started to run AT me!! With my heart pumping with fear I wound on the throttle and high tailed it out there….Angels got more horsies than you got cow power…..scary moment overted.
A quick stop at the John Stuart Memorial.
John Stuart Memorial – on the Stuart highway naturally.
Just out of Ti-Tree I come across this most unusual road sign??????? I must admit though I did have a giggle, but it is truly for real. There are people that just wander on the road and they are difficult to see at times.
NT road signs are a bit strange at times…
In the roadhouse, the police were sitting in there and the place was deserted. Then on the outskirts of town I come across this…………WOO HOO “unlimited speed limit”.
“unlimited” speed limit sign
It takes a bit to get to speed (around $1.30) before stretching Angels legs a bit. You can’t go stupid here, you have to be mindful of the elements around you and ride to the conditions. The breeze is picking up the closer I head towards Alice Springs but I managed to sit on a comfortable $1.50 for most of the way.
The kilometres just disappear at that speed and before long I reach Aileron for my next fuel. Before reaching Aileron, a police car went flying past me (he must’ve been doing close to $1.80) and then we played tag a couple of times. All the time I kept in the back of my mind “he can stop you if he thinks you aren’t riding safe”. I didn’t need to worry cos at one point he gave me a wave.
“Walkabout Man” in Aileron
The wind has really picked up now and it’s cold. I figure I’d stop in Alice for a coffee and to put my liner in, however before then I had to stop at the Tropic of Capricorn.
Tropic of Capricorn
I get fuel in Alice and really need a comfort stop and a jumper but other than going right into town to find something I thought I’d get something on the way out. Bugger me if there wasn’t a flaw in my cunning plan…..there were no other stops. I pulled over on the side of the road and rang Karl to let him know I was ok and I’d ring him tonight from wherever I was. Anyway I grabbed a pic before turning and heading for Erldunda.
Good-bye Alice Springs
It’s only 180 kays to Erldunda and 243 kays to Kulgera. My plan was to go to Erldunda and stop the night and do my washing as I have run out of clothes. The wind is getting stronger and I’m getting colder but I decided to push on….harden up Kimmie.
How far???
I wish you could see how strong the wind is….maybe the swirls of the clouds can give you an idea.
strong winds
Into Erldunda for lunch and it’s only 1:13pm – I’ve made really good time. I shudder from cold when I get off and go in for a toasted sambo and a cuppa tea to warm up. It’s too early to stop and I decide to push on through to Marla and hopefully get a room. This time before heading off I put the liner in my jacket and don the winter gloves – yeah!
Erldunda service centre
Can you believe I am here??? WOW!!
Still a long way from home.
A quick photo stop in Kulgera. I thought I was going to get blown off when trying to dismount Angel. Poor Smurfette was hanging on for grim life.
Kulgera
The Border Crossing
and on this side
Hello SA
Thanks to a nice older gentleman for taking the pics for me.
No time to dally, it’s getting colder and I still have 150 kays to go, if I wanna get into Marla before 4:30pm. The wind is so strong now – I’m riding right into head winds and cross winds which is taking me all my strength to hang on. I fight the elements all the way to Marla as I watch the sky change and hope that there isn’t rain in the clouds.
Finally into freezing Marla at 4:15pm and manage to get a room and a hot shower. Go to do the washing and there is no dryer so I’ll have to find somewhere tomorrow. Poo!
Anyway time to say good night and let’s see what tomorrow brings (hopefully the weather gods will be kinder to me).
