Day 15 Rest day in Rolleston

Coffee Van, Rolleston

Scar Tree

I wake up before 5:00 am and rollover and attempt to go back to sleep. Of all the towns I have been through so far Rolleston promises the least potential for entertainment.

Around 8:00 am the sun has warmed the tent enough that I feel comfortable exiting in my T-shirt, shorts and sandals. The lady from the campervan offers me a cup of tea. I accept and sit in my chair sipping tea and eating my muesli. Mike is packing up ready to ride back to Brisbane.

I wander around town and take a few photos. There isn't much to see. Ludwig Leichhardt passed this way a number of times. The last time he didn't return and his fate is still a mystery. The same is true for 7 men, 50 bullocks and 20 horses they had with them.

The highlight of Rolleston is a small park which has a council sponsored volunteer manned coffee wagon. The park has some historic huts and some "scar trees". It is a major stopping point for crusties coming north from Carnarvon Gorge. The park has everything they want, toilets, dump facility and coffee. Most stop for a minimum time before jumping back on the road.

Given the park is the greenest shadiest place in town I decide this is where I will spent my rest day. The barista is friendly and chatty. She is an interesting mix, I'm not sure of her heritage and she has a dress style that is more Fitzroy trendy than Rolleston rural.

Just next door is a magnificently restored "Queenslander". Apparently it is has featured some magazine articles. It was moved here from Springsure by truck after being given to the present owners for nothing on the proviso that they restore it and clean up the original site.  It had been a falling down wreck riddled with white ant. Looking at it now it appears too perfect showing no sign of its past travails (on the outside at least).

I get to chat with a few crusties and hear there is a cycle touring couple 1/2 a day behind me. The caravan park owner told me there are a few who come this way.
When I wandered across to the general store to get some lunch 2 cyclists are heading towards.



Rob and Carolyn - Inspired by Rex Hunt!

Rob and Carolyn from the Netherlands are riding to Sydney from Cairns before flying to South America to ride from Santiago to Ushuaia. This is holy grail stuff for touring cyclists. We have a fantastic discussion of all things cycle touring. They have been to Australia before.

Rob is also a keen fisherman and says he was inspired to visit Australia originally by seeing Rex Hunt on a fishing show. He actually met Rex in Darwin on a previous trip here. I tell him my inspiration was Mirjam - Cycling Dutch Girl. He has never heard of her.

Rob and Carolyn plan to push another 25 km to shorten their day tomorrow as they are going into Carnarvon Gorge where they will spend 2 days. We will not meet again as they will be heading for coast from Roma whereas I will be heading further inland.