Nigel says...... An important day! Reached the most easterly point of mainland Australia and crossed from New South Wales to Queensland. Distance cycled 119 kms (74 miles)
This morning Jim treated us both to a great breakfast down by the beach at Lennox Head. Great beach and a really nice place to stay for a while longer. We saw some of the damage done by the tornado which struck. Interesting to see the random nature of the destruction. Shame we didn't see any whales. Thanks Jim for your hospitality - much appreciated.
We set of pedalling in the rain towards Byron Bay. We wanted to go to the eastern most point of mainland Australia on oiur journey north - silly not to. It involved quite a steep climb to the lighthouse, but well worth it for the fantastic views over the bay.
It was then back to the Pacific Highway (Mr Hotmix's natural home -where he is happiest). A good run through to Tweed Head, with the exception of an unpleasnt incident where some yobbos threw a sausage at me on the Freeway. Yes, a sausage - sounds amusing until you understood that it was a 60mph sausage which struck me on the arm - nearly had me off the bike and which I thought initially was a piece of wood thrown up from under the wheel of a lorry. The yobbos also had a go at Gordon but missed - he was moving too slowly.
We came off the Highway and had the obligatory photo call in Tweed Heads on the boundary between New South Wales and Queensland. The Sunshine State came up trumps, the rain stopped and the sun came out. We had a great ride along the seafront with the highrise skyline of Surfers Paradise standing proud across the bay with sandy beaches stretching for as far as could be seen - a special ride into Queensland.
Arrived at Jan's place for Gordon to be reunited with Buddy and Belinda. We have just had a great BBQ at Nikki and Sean's place where Gordon had an early celebration of his 50th birthday - big day tomorrow. Thanks Nikki and Sean - great evening.
Thoughts and comments:
This morning Jim treated us both to a great breakfast down by the beach at Lennox Head. Great beach and a really nice place to stay for a while longer. We saw some of the damage done by the tornado which struck. Interesting to see the random nature of the destruction. Shame we didn't see any whales. Thanks Jim for your hospitality - much appreciated.
We set of pedalling in the rain towards Byron Bay. We wanted to go to the eastern most point of mainland Australia on oiur journey north - silly not to. It involved quite a steep climb to the lighthouse, but well worth it for the fantastic views over the bay.
It was then back to the Pacific Highway (Mr Hotmix's natural home -where he is happiest). A good run through to Tweed Head, with the exception of an unpleasnt incident where some yobbos threw a sausage at me on the Freeway. Yes, a sausage - sounds amusing until you understood that it was a 60mph sausage which struck me on the arm - nearly had me off the bike and which I thought initially was a piece of wood thrown up from under the wheel of a lorry. The yobbos also had a go at Gordon but missed - he was moving too slowly.
We came off the Highway and had the obligatory photo call in Tweed Heads on the boundary between New South Wales and Queensland. The Sunshine State came up trumps, the rain stopped and the sun came out. We had a great ride along the seafront with the highrise skyline of Surfers Paradise standing proud across the bay with sandy beaches stretching for as far as could be seen - a special ride into Queensland.
Arrived at Jan's place for Gordon to be reunited with Buddy and Belinda. We have just had a great BBQ at Nikki and Sean's place where Gordon had an early celebration of his 50th birthday - big day tomorrow. Thanks Nikki and Sean - great evening.
Thoughts and comments:
- Today we saw a giant avacado to add to out collection.
- I am utterly gutted that I missed the giant banana in Coffs Harbour - which apparently cannot be missed! We also missed the giant oyster in Taree further south - must be more observant!
- The road works around Tweed Heads are awful
- Mr W (re: comment 26th June) - the reason my waist strap may appear to indicate that I have a beer belly is because it is so loose and it needs tightening - again! I am attempting to sample an array of Australia's finest ales to maintain my figure - but I am fighting a loosing battle!
- The 20km (approx) we did today along the Gold Coast is a fantastic bike ride.
- Snack of the day: Byron Bay Lighthouse - chocolate brownie looking out over the bay.
- Tune of the day: Brotherhood of Man - Save All Your Kisses For Me (rock version)
- Butt situation: no change
Morale status high. Tomorrow Gordon is officially a grumpy old man. We celebrate his birthday in Brisbane.
Gordon has asked me to say that because he has had a late night (9:00pm) and he wants to spend time with his wife, and he has a cough, he will be unable to complete his part of the blog tonight. He feels he needs his beauty sleep.........he will awake in 2016.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gordon !!! Halfway through your cycle and half way to being 100 - welcome to the club. Have a great day, will try and give you a call later on (after you have had your beauty sleep) Lots of love Stan xx
ReplyDeleteps Nigel - your mate Mark did you no favours with the Peter Crouch bet - don't think he even started in the last match. Come on Spain !!!! xx
ReplyDeleteHooray, hooray you have reached Brisbane - party time !!
ReplyDeleteLots of love Luley/Stan
ps Marcus and Piers both asked the same question "was it a cooked sausage ?"