Townsville to wild camp 50 km from Charters Towers 80 km Day 5

One of my regular correspondents suggested I may not being getting enough social contact after yesterday's post in this blog. I can report that I had 2 significant conversations today. The 1st was with a lovely Dutch girl who is travelling with 2 German girls whose camper was in front of my tent last night. Hers were the longest of the 3 pairs of legs that appeared in front of my tent from time to time last evening. We had breakfast together in the camp kitchen this morning.

The other conversation was with a septuagenarian chap who is travelling in a bright yellow combi van. He was camped a little further away. He confided that he was glad his neighbours "the same sex female couple" had moved on as they were too noisy. He did not elaborate. Anyway he was off to the doctor. (Simon - I hope this eases your mind regarding my situation)

A later start to the day as I waited for my tent to dry out (while chatting to strangers). This turned out to be a mistake as the wind was already blowing in my face as I exited the caravan park at 9:00 am. A quick stop to purchase a "foot long" from Subway.

Friendly but misguided sandwich artist tried to direct me down the wrong road. Fortunately the truckie behind me in the queue put it right "this road over there goes all the way to Charters Towers".  Seemed like good advice as there was a sign designating it as Charters Towers Road.

From there it was gradually uphill and into the wind. In the 1st 2 hours I covered almost 25 km before taking a break. The next 2 hours were similar! I stopped at Woodstock for a Coke and Orange Frostie. I may be 50 years too late but there was definitely no free love there today. Grumpy old coot running the place could have benefited from drugs I reckon.

Another 10 km stopped in a servo for a cup of tea. It was 31 degrees and I had been slogging into the wind for 5 hours so any distraction was good. After 2:00 pm the wind dropped out a bit I didn't have the energy to put the hammer down. At 80 km I found a reasonable spot to camp 50 metres back from the road.


Dinner was cheese and crackers followed by Continental Pumpkin, Bacon and Sour Cream risotto (once only!). Rum and raisin dark chocolate for dessert. Early to bed tonight to read and listen to music. Outside the sky is clear and the Milky Way is gloriously displayed. I will have close the tent door at some stage as the temperature drops. Another good day draws to a close. Tomorrow I will be in Charters Towers.