Thursday, 29 Nov 2018
By late afternoon two blokes who were working on the highway joined us at the Mingela Hotel. They are staying there and we had a very amicable visit while Ivan and Moana started cooking the evening meal. In the meantime a vicious storm came through, blowing chairs around and whipping one full bottle of rum off the shelf behind the bar. At least it smelled nice. And what a meal it was! Lamb, chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans, and lots and enough for everyone.
The two blokes wanted to start early this morning and our hosts offered to have breakfast ready at 4! I joined in so I could also have a nice early start and beat the heat. And again, a breakfast for champions! Fried eggs, bacon, ground beef gumbo, fried potato, toast, oh man, delicious! Thank you Ivan and Moana for another memorable stay!
I got to Ravenswood at 7:30, feeling somewhat lazy and guilty for calling it a day already. But the alternative would be to suffer the heat and camping possibilities before Burdekin Dam are very limited. Had a look around town, but decided to head on tomorrow. The beautiful pool beside the showgrounds is now only open from 3 to 4pm (!), quite a difference from 15 years ago when I was able to linger there all day. But a couple who own the local gift and curiosities store invited me in long before they really opened, offered me ice water and pointed out some worthwhile places to see around town.
I did go to the Tulpy (?) site, the oldest diesel engine in Australia, now of course just a rusting relic. I collected my parcel at the post office, but only removed a small amount from it and mailed the box on to Nebo where I’ll be in 10-12 days. I visited the historic Imperial Hotel, but I’m setting up camp across the road from the Railway Hotel under some beautiful big fig trees. The owners offered I could use their basement washroom and shower, and if I wanted they would serve me ice water all day too! Everyone I’ve met in this little town is super friendly and hospitable.
It’s 80k to the Burdekin dam and I’m going to try to do it in one day tomorrow. Will get up at 2 and start riding before 3. I hope I’ll manage.
Total today 44k, 250m up and down