Tuesday 8 Jan 2019

Good thing I phoned the bicycle shops in Kingaroy yesterday, because the first one doesn’t exist any longer and the bloke at the second one sounded so overwhelmed and uncertain he could do anything for me that I’ve decided to catch a ride to Gympie today. One bicycle shop thought they could probably fix the wheel. I’m hoping for the best.

Got a ride from a Kilkivan couple, Shane and Sue, who offered to take me back later today as well, after their appointment in Gympie. The shop owner of Pedal Power Plus hails from Nova Scotia and, other than the $5 cost of the new bearing, didn’t charge me anything! How is it that I keep running into such marvellous people!?

BOB wheel fixed, a few groceries bought, and a schooner of chilli ginger beer later, Shane and Sue returned and we all went out for a counter lunch at another one of the many local pubs. Then we drove back to Kilkivan. What incredible good fortune to get such a smooth and convivial ride out and back! What I also bought at the Coles supermarket was a package of hot cross buns. Now, isn’t that ludicrous, hot cross buns one week into the new year — Easter isn’t for another 3½ months yet! But I love HC buns and that will take care of dinner tonight and brekkie tomorrow morning.

I just realized that yesterday I broke the 2,000 km mark. Yet, I’m not ½-way yet, so I reckon the whole trip will be more than the 4,000k I figured it would take. That’s because of little detours and in-town errands and such I suppose.