Townsville - About 1450kms in the Bank.

We packed up the camp accompanied by a few showers, so our start was delayed, however we were underway by about 0900hrs.

The Moth wanted the Harley to give him a few more stats, like fuel economy, average speed, etc etc, anyway he worked or that he may have had to have the SATNAV set for these to become available. So he set a course for Townsville and he was eager to see if this brought the desired results. We were then shocked to hear a loud booming announcement from the Harley “PLEASE FOLLOW THE HIGHLIGHTED ROUTE” pronounced root.

Honestly is would have woken the dead, despite several quick jabs at the home screen her volume would not be reduced.

So we quickly had to leave the park and she was still screaming out directions. It was not to bad as we were riding along, but when we pulled in to top up for fuel, just out of Mackay, it was next level. Her directions seemed to reverberate off the high ceiling at the servo. So the MOTH and I knew we had to combine our technological capacity and dry to Shut her up.

Surprisingly we managed to find the volume for the SATNAV and brought her under control. Not that we remember how we did it. I am pleased to report that the required Stats are now being reported to the MOTH by the Harley. I am concerned for our start tomorrow as he intends to set a course for Perth.

We are staying with a dear friend of Jenny’s and Johns in Townsville tonight. Kerry has made us a beautiful meal including ice-cream sandwiches' and a cup of tea in Old Roses Royal Dalton. We are pictured here sitting at her beautiful table called Hilary, made from a crosscut of a single huge tree. She has given many antidotes to take with us on our lap as she is a very experienced biker and has completed a lap solo.

Today we passed through Ayr. I lived there when I was very young. We lived in a beautiful old Queenslander and had a huge banana patch. We had an outdoor loo at the start, that I was terrified to go to at night. It was a happy childhood with fond memories coming back to me today as we rode through. The sense of familiarity that comes from early memories, triggered by just even seeing the same sign or building that was just the same as 50years ago.

We crossed the Burdekin bridge. I always loved the clattering of crossing the girders as a child and still enjoyed it today.

At 1103metres in length, it is one of the longest multi-span bridges in Australia and longer than Brisbane’s Story Bridge or New South Wales Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge. It is only 46 meters shorter than Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. It is the only bridge in Australia to be built on sand. The construction of the bridge finished in 1957.

We are excited to turn the left tomorrow, onto the Flinders Highway and starting heading towards the west.

As you ride out to find the way, the way will appear”

Until Next time….

MOTH and LOL