Posts Tagged ‘Dunmarra’


We all live on a sphere, rotating on an axis as it spins around a star. This gives us the different climate zones, and it gives some zones seasons. Clement and I are cycling away from the equator, leaving the tropics, and heading to Adelaide – now in the middle of winter. With every day and with every pedal stroke the heat ebbs away – its an amazing transformation.

Stuart Highway

Stuart Highway

The morning was chilly, and beautiful as we cycled through the scrub and the sky changed from black, through the deepest shades of purple, to its bright daylight hue. We also saw a landscape transition – quite abruptly – from savannah trees and dry grass to short scrubby plants. Distances feel even greater, and objects on the horizon that seem so close are well over 10km away – and take forever to reach.

There are reports of more cyclists on the road. Today we passed 2 Americans on reclining bikes, more cyclists are to be met ahead.

American cyclists

American cyclists

Our morning was spent covering 100km to Elliott – everyone told us to leave it as soon as possible. Well, it was our water and midday stop, and we stayed there for ages. Three hours later after a big feed, some phone calls and chats with backpackers, we headed off into the late afternoon and evening to camp in the absolute middle of nowhere – a place with a perfect view over the myriad of stars.

Evening tree

Evening tree


I love to have a beer with Clement,
I love to have a beer with Clem,
We drink in moderation,
And we never ever ever get rolling drunk.. (just a bit tipsy)
The optimal formula – sunrise start, 90km and then lunchtime beer on an empty stomach in the Daly Waters pub.

Lunch time at the Daly Waters pub

Lunch time at the Daly Waters pub

In the morning there is not much wind, and it is lovely and cool. The 90km rolled past all the way to the famous pub in Daly Waters – a few houses in the middle of nowhere.
After the solitary beer I fell asleep, and, on waking, (a little bit too) merrily ate my lunch, and three hours later, we eased back onto the bikes.
Just near the pub is the Stuart tree – John Macdowal Stuart engraved an S on it when he passed in 1857. I’m blown if I can see the S. Maybe it’s a scam..

The Stuart tree

The Stuart tree

We had left it a bit late to ride the remaining 55km to the next water stop, so we just went, hardly stopping, and arrived in the twilight.