Pearls On Wheels

We are on our way to meet some special people before we board the Blue Bridge Straitsman ferry. We avoid tangling with some agricultural machinery on the way. First an early morning coffee stop with Brian and Jo near Martinborough. We met Brian and Jo in Fairbanks last year when we were all  riding north to Prudhoe Bay. They later rode the lower 48 states of the USA while we were riding to Patagonia. Next stop is a catch up with our fellow Team Kiwi member, Ken and a quick stop to see Frank. Hi Shirley, we were sorry to miss you. We wait while the Straitsman ferry is loaded. The blue-shrouded Beehive parliament building is across the road from the terminal. Serious peddlers are waiting to board the ferry, too. I get chat with some of them.  Werner from Munich and Nick a kiwi recently returned and getting to know his homeland by cycling from Cape Reinga to Bluff. I'm happy that we have a motor between our wheels. We enjoy a smooth trip across the Coo...

We stayed at Nitmiluk the homeland of the Jawoyn people. The Katherine river runs through this area and has 13 gorges. It is the dry season and the river levels are low. Our river trip included three of the gorges. We walked over the rocky weirs at the lowest points. Boats were waiting in each section of the river. At the first landing we saw some Aboriginal rock drawings.  The Jawoyn people were able to establish  their long association with this area through the extensive rock paintings of their ancestors when they were making land claims to the government.  We are happy to have Mark's company again. Radioman  is going to ride with us for a while.  There are fresh water crocodiles in the river. The saltwater crocs that come during the wet season floods are trapped and returned to the northern rivers. The katherine river is deemed safe for swimming and kayaking.. The fresh water crocodile has a long narrow ...

The happiest of reunions with  Radioman  our friend Mark. No dancing girls, no red carpet.... but, Mark was at the door to welcome us. Parking in a secure place - just like in Central and South America We felt very welcome in this place. Wonderful warm-hearted folk at the Greenmount Beach hotel.  People with a gift for hospitality.  We recognise this gift in a heartbeat when we are on a journey.  Sandie from reception, and Maria in the dining room who welcomed us late in the evening and was around for breakfast. Now back to our ride for the day.   We left Grafton around 9.00am and rode in sunshine through banana country, then miles of sugar cane followed by rice fields.   There were many kilometres of road works.  We had a long delay at one stage. Time for a rest. There is plenty of evidence that much rain has fallen over the last week. It was about now that I turned o...