Day 10 Belyandro Crossing to Wild Camp 105 km

Packed up, topped the water bottles and headed over to roadhouse for breakfast by 6:30 am. Ordered bacon and eggs and coffee. The serving size was huge as it was for both lunch and dinner yesterday. I also ordered some sandwiches to go for lunch.

On the road shortly after 7:10 am. 12 degrees and still. Immediately crossed the Belyando river. I have crossed lots of rivers and creeks the last 3 days. The Belyando and the Cape River are the only ones with water. This area like much of Queensland and Western New Wales relies on summer rains tailing down from the northern wet season.

 As well as crossing the river there was a sign indicating that I was crossing into Central Queensland.

The morning and much of the day consisted of riding up very long hills and dropping down and then restarting climbing again. The hills were not steep  but they were long and after 9:30 am harder to climb because of the wind.

I stopped at 10:00 am for 2nd breakfast - I ate the sandwiches which were very disappointing. The bread was dry and the filling bland. I had a drink and got going again.

Road Angels! - Kevin and Anne

I hadn't gone 5 km when I was waved over to a parked camper by Kevin and Anne who offered me coffee and biscuits. I had 3 glasses of water and some scotch finger biscuits and we had a good chat. They are from Adelaide and have been travelling for a couple of months. It was great to meet them.

I met them again a short time later when I came upon them parked with the bonnet up and Kevin tightening the fan belt. Fortunately all was under control and they were soon passing me again.

At 70 km (1:00 pm) I pulled off the road for a long break in the shade. The wind was making riding hard work and it was hot so I had a tuna and rice tub for lunch and read a book until 2:30 pm. While I was sitting eating a 4WD pulled up in front of me  and the driver checked to see I had sufficient water.  I thanked the chap - while I was okay this time sometimes an extra litre or 2 can make the difference between a comfortable ride and a thirsty ride.

I planned to do 100 km to leave me a shorter day tomorrow. In the end I did 105 km and found a campsite by the side of the road around 4:45 pm. Some cattle came to check me out as I was setting up camp