Willare Bridge Roadhouse-5300kms in the Bank- The Boab and the MOTH

Dearest Intrepid Reader,

We rolled out of Halls Creek, just on 7 with the Krakkatinnie on behind the Lovliness once again. The next town is Fitzroy Crossing and it’s 296kms. Beautiful riding weather, 8 degrees, but comfortable just with an extra layer, and it warmed up quickly.

Above is the photo of us stopped at Mary Poole, a beautiful free camp, that was full of travellers, 120 kms out of Halls Creek.

Fitzroy Crossing is really our first significant low octane situation. We went to the three petrol stations in town and despite one of them having 95 on the pump there was actually no nozzles attached. The pumps were enclosed in metal cages. It was very difficult to even read how much fuel and the cost through the barricade.

The Lovliness is proving to be very economical with her fuel consumption. I put in 18 litres from the 91 bowser, then 5 litres of 98 from the Jerry can. This meant that she had this meant she had 17 litres remaining of 95 in the tank from when we fuelled up in Halls Creek.

The MOTH, put the other 5 litres from the Jerry can in the Harley and also topped up with 91. We decided not to use the octane booster, we are carrying, as this blend should be enough, not to effect the performance of the motors.

We then had another 235 kms before arriving at Willare Bridge Road House our stop for the night. There is also only 91 available here as well.

The reason for the absence of 95 or 98 is very heartbreaking.

We surmise that there is not a low aromatic fuel available other than 91.

The Low Aromatic Fuel Act 2013 allows the Minister for Indigenous Affairs to designate low aromatic fuel areas where this will reduce potential harm to the health of people including aboriginal and Torres straight Islander peoples.

Low aromatic fuel is now available in 175 remote locations in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Petrol sniffing has devastating consequences wherever it occurs, leading to enormous harm to children and young people. Sniffing leads to behavioural and social problems and causes serious and irreversible brain damage.

The MOTH and the Boab.

Approximately 40kms out of Willare Bridge Road House we came accross an enormous and no doubt ancient Boab Tree.

It was wider than four Queensland bikers accross the trunk.

The Moth was the first to discover that it was hollow and there was a fair sized room inside.

Now maybe the Moth thought the hole in the tree was bigger, or maybe he thinks his body is smaller than it is, in any event he decided to enter the tree.

Unfortunately he soon realised he was stuck, but did order me to make sure I got the photo.

He then asked me to try and pull him out. I grabbed onto his arm but he did not budge and John also tried, to no avail. He suggested it was because his leathers were stuck on the bark.

I quickly worked through my option’s:

Retrieve the virgin coconut oil from my pamper bag to grease up the leathers so he could slide out or
A forceps delivery, and we all know they are not pleasant.

When the MOTH, using his brute upper body strength, was able to haul himself up enough for the leather to let go of the bark. He was then able to deliver himself out of the boughs of that big old tree.

There is no complaints of pain or injury to the nether regions so far.

It’s State of Origin night even in WA and representation for both states was present in the outdoor eating area at the roadhouse. Even though we were close enough to the bowsers to have an occasional whiff of fuel as the road trains fuelled up and we were covered in red dust. There was a big screen, alcoholic beverages and a limited but enjoyable menu.

We had a funfilled night, even thought we were not on the winning side.

The community of the road continues and we were joined on the night by an older Mick Dundee( now goes by the name of Hopper) and his dog Batch. We had also seen them at Halls Creek last night. Mick seemed to be selling crocodile back scratchers.

Mel and Dean from Melbourne, also joined us for a beer, he was the one who took a selfie on John’s phone when we asked him to take our photo under the Boab tree.

We have made ourselves at home down the back of the road house in what is like workers dongas. The bikes are under cover the fridge plugged into power and the washing done. The MOTH went for a swim for about the fourth day in a row.