Betten On Bike: DAY 20 - BARCLAYS HOMESTEAD (N T)

Day 20 - Barclays Homestead to 3 Way Roadhouse (so called because of its location as a 3 way cross point on the Stuart Highway for turn-offs to Alice Springs, Mt Isa and Katherine (where we are heading)

Cycling Stats: 187 kms
Cycling Average Speed: 35.3 kms

Walter left at what we thought was 6.30am and I packed up quickly so that I could get in a walk. Yesterday I had asked the Irish backpacker behind the desk if there were any walking tracks - she told me that she goes for a walk up the Barclay Homestead airstrip and that it gets pretty boring. I was keen for a walk and yes I imagine if you did this everyday for some weeks it would get pretty boring.

Actually it was enjoyable and at that early hour quite beautiful with the full moon still bright on one side of the sky and the pink / lilac sunrise in the east. It is a lovely cool time to walk and has the added bonus of no flies at this time of the morning.

I once again topped up the fuel ($1.97 per litre this time) and met up with Walter at the 60 km mark. He informed me that he had noticed on his garmin that there was a time difference and it was in fact a half hour earlier in NT. So an extra half hour to our day - so we had indeed had a very early start this morning.

The outback colours were once again stark & stunning but very dry because of the drought and there was evidence of fire having gone through some of the landscape we passed through and not much sign of new growth as a result of the drought.

Walter tells me there was a mishmash of wind conditions today but all in all still favourable. He has had 3 days of very long rides and is looking forward to a shorter ride tomorrow.

I am travelling a lot slower in the trusty camper van as we have decided to stick closer to each other - good for Walter so I can quickly replenish his water bottles and I am enjoying travelling slower as I am seeing so much more. (anyone who can come up with a name for my van please submit your thoughts - I think this amazing van deserves a good strong name so I look forward to any suggestions you might want to put to me)

Today on 2 occasions I saw feral cats - not huge and ugly but they were grey striped and looked like house cats.

The flynet works a treat.

Today I was greeted with a wave by quite of few of the infrequent vehicles heading in the opposite direction which was very friendly I thought. It was interesting to notice the different waves. There is definitely a bit of an art to the outback wave - 2 hands on the steering wheel placed in the 10 o'clock and the 2 o'clock position, from here there are many options that I observed - the full wave where one hand leaves the steering wheel, the middle 3 finger lift, the thumb and index finger lift and also the sole finger lift (this is usually the index finger). So much to observe for me whilst on the road - lots of things to think about but the peace and sense of awe of our huge and beautiful country hits me time and time again.