Where were we ...are yes Tuesday 23/09

Tuesday...Got up early, and got to the gorge entrance about 8ish, set off with as bag of nuts and some water for what looked like a hard day's walking (25kms), the first 5 kms were great, and after 5 most of the attractions started, the Moss Garden, followed by the Amphitheatre, Ward's Canyon and the Art Gallery. Check the photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bilgolaj/
All were great, and the walking was fairly easy and flat down the floor of the gorge. Scenery was very similar to the Blue Mountains, though more tropical and warmer. decided to go the extra 10 kms to see the Cathedral Cave, Big bend and Bowinia canyon, and even though they were good, by the time we got back to the start we were both knackered. Had a beer at the resort, before heading back to Taranaki camp.
Couldn't face 2 minute noodles again, so coerced Geoff into us buying a steak each, which we cooked up at the camp kitchen. Met up with a French girl (Audrey), a German girl (Sonia), and a French guy (Valu), who we played cards with most of the night until Sonia got out her fire stick and gave aq performance.. She was good.. also was moonlighting at a circus in NSW. It was a great night.
Wednesday...Not feeling quite so bright....headed north again. revisited the Cafe in Rolleston who were now on day 3, however, still didn't quite have the act together, as both of us endured a cup of cold tea...interesting.
Spoke to a road train driver who knew Dave's friends the Hugh's in Clermont, but that's unfortunately as close to them as I got.
Rode fast through some beautiful country upto Clermont with views out to the Mountains near Mackay, back roads have been so good, very little traffic and great views.
Ended up in Clermont, didn't seem to have much life, so ended up getting a motel and chilling out with a few beers and some movies.
Thursday.. Started off about 9ish for what looked like a long day (approx 400kms)
Roads were great though and averaged approx 130k. Lots of Road trains and sense of "this is Australia.." really starting to filter through...spaces were vast...skys huge..
Almost hit a wedge tail eagle doing about 120ks freaked me out a little, which was then followed about an hour later by a family of about 5 Emus.
Stopped at Belyando Crossing, half way to Charters Towers and 200k from anywhere, to be served by an Irish Girl from Donegal.
Stopped again in Charters Towers for the best coffee in many a day. Beautiful old Gold rush town, great old architecture. Then set off 40kms north to Fletcher's park, for our first night of free camping.
Campsite was beautiful, right on the edge of creek, and had a number of Grey Nomads, again very welcoming, after overcoming the initial "oh Bikeys syndrome." Geoff laid on the charm and before long Lee from across the road gave us a plate full of yabbies on ritz crackers fresh from the stream, which was washed down with a couple of VB, can't say fairer than that !
Met a couple of old boys from across the river who'd been there or there abouts all thier life, mustering cattle, one of them, little guy, about 65 fit as fiddle and stringy as wire, lived under a tarp just downstream...makes you think ...
A great day.. good people people and a great ride.
More tomorrow....