25th June - Urunga to Grafton

Nigel says....... Woke up late, had a good cooked breakfast at the pub and started to pedal at 0830hrs. We both slept really well and welcomed the late start.

Mr Hotmix was happy, as the whole day was spent on the Pacific Highway. For most of the way the road was good, but there were sections where the shoulder was badly maintained and narrow, if not non existent. It is surprising how the quality of the road can vary so considerably.
We covered 111kms (69 miles) today with some climbing as we approached Grafton.

Thoughts and comments:

• Passed a giant beehive yesterday in Urunga and a giant bunch of bananas in Coffs Harbour today. We shall start a collection!
• Possums seem to be the main animal casualty on the roads.
• There is a new and very shiny Sikh temple on the hill at Woolgoolga.
• Snack of the day: Chicken Caesar Salad at Woolgoolga watching Italy's exit from the World Cup.
• Tune of the day: The Band of The Coldstream Guards - The Rockafeller Skank March (arrangement by Lieutenant Colonel FB Slim MBE) (Also a tune for Gordon - OK Go - Get Over It)

Some"off piste" work tomorrow. Yihaa! (Gordon anxious). Tomorrow Ballina.

Just read Gordon's blog yesterday - he needs to improve the dramatic dialogue to be believable!

Gordon says ...

"Off piste' my arse. Nigel can peddle down whatever rat-hole he wants .... I won't be following him. 'Fat Boy Slim' my arse. Nigel's idea of edgy music is Brotherhood of Man. As for me ... I had a Nick Cave and a Tom Waits day on my Ipod ... speaks for itself really ...

After a good day's riding we went to the pub, had a Thai meal, and a bit of a laugh - mostly at Nigel.

Staying with another academic friend of mine tomorrow - the great Dr Jim McKay. Looking forward to it.