Nebo is a quaint little historic town on the Tablelands. The main business here is cattle farming and coal mining. The pub was full of coal miners, leathery tough characters. I got talking to Rod and Marion, originally from Hokitika about 30 years ago. Smithy (another crusty old Kiwi) made me brekky. Been married twice, now in his 60′s I’d say, and playing the field again now! He works midnight to 9am. Brekky’s from 4-8am to cater for the miners. No charge for food. Internet was free too. Ah, if only everywhere was so generous.
It’s a steep drop down off the tablelands into sugar cane country. From Mackay I head NW again on the notorious Bruce Highway. Notorious for being boring and clogged with slow-moving traffic. Well I was happy to noodle along at 90-100km/hr, and enjoy the newness of it all. I made it to the Whitsundays area and a beach called Hydeaway Bay, collecting some groceries at Proserpine (sounds like Porcupine) for a couple of nights stay.
This is where I accidentally caused a state of panic at home. My SPOT signals weren’t received for two days and there’s no cellphone coverage. Maybe I need to leave the SPOT on for much longer. That’s one problem with it, you can’t tell when the message has finally been sent successfully. Sorry to everyone, especially Boo who was sobbing into my ear when I got out to cell coverage again.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Paul and Roz were the Proprieters at Hydeaway Bay. A lovely couple who travelled on a CX500 from London to Kathmandu in the 70′s, two-up. Then shipped it to Mombassa, Kenya and rode through Africa to Zimbabwe. Makes my trip seem slightly less adventurous! I was able to treat their dog Jesse who had an eye infection, with something out of my medical kit (thanks Boo)
Kwanda is travelling with his parents and brother in their brightly-painted bus from Byron Bay. He’s home schooled, and seems all the better for it. I helped him sort out his fishing rod and he was wide-eyed over my motorbike. I taught him to say “kia ora bro” and he went running off laughing to try it out on his family.
A mere 270kms today.
arrh Joe, makes me wish we were there too. sounds great and lots of adventures along the way. awesome way to meet like minded souls aye. happy biking and look forward to next post. regards jude and bob
Thanks guys. Bob are you still comin’ to Perth for a ride across the Nullabor??
The price of getting your grey hairs coloured…$120
The price of botox to remove worry lines…$300
Finding out Joe’s okay?…..PRICELESS
Ah, touching! Thanks guys, sorry to have caused so much worry for you all. I assumed you’d received my SPOT signals. Incidentally it failed another subsequent night at Ellis Beach. Browny is confirming each signal. Thanks for minding my little dog, I feel a bit bad about abandoning him.
Mate, you created a little bit of a stir! Great to hear things are going well for you. Take care, Bill & Cullen
Thanks Bill, yeah no harm intended. Bit of a technical hitch that’s all. Good to hear from you guys. Cheers, Joe.
Hi Joe great to see your going well, you are on Youtube soon to be famous.
Have a look when you have time search for ” Adventureriders Nelson ” your are featured in the Baked bean Rainbow ride movie, as the head sausage turner.
Cheers.. Steve & Heather
Thanks for the free promo guys!