24th July - 18 Kms South of Jardine River Ferry to Bamaga

Nigel says..... Very strong winds and some rain during the night. The weather over the last few days has apparently been very unseasonal. Colin heard this afternoon that the Development Road had been closed where I had fallen off and had to drag Winona - there must have been more chaos yesterday. Am very pleased I decided to press on a few days ago and get ahead otherwise we would have had some problems.

After breakfast and packing everything into/onto the car we went for a swim in Elliot Falls to set us up for the day. Gordon was camera man and chief worrier. "Have you done a risk analysis on this?" - of course I hadn't! He was concerned we were going to leap onto jagged rocks and Colin would not be able to drive him about and I would not be able to get to the Tip. Entered the water in a moderately sensible and self preserving way and was then swept downstream in quite a strong current - minor gravel rash suffered only - great fun though.

Colin and Gordon dropped me off where I had stopped yesterday and went on to have coffee in Bamaga and to sort out a mountain bike for Gordon. He appears determined to do the last 35 kilometers. I hope he does not hurt himself in the process as he has nothing to prove - "Have you done a risk analysis on this Gordon?". I have told him that if he breaks his other arm he is on his own...he will have to persude someone else to get close up and personal with him for his morning ablutions - it will not be me!

Got to the Jardine River Ferry at 1155 hours to find the place locked up with a sign saying closed for lunch between 1200 - 1300 hours. The bloke on the ferry saw me and took me across as the last passenger of the morning session which was lucky. A bit of a sad place really - empty fridges, a broken fuel pump and no visible enterprise. How can they not have cans of coke and ice cream to buy at a place like this? You can buy a selection of batteries however....

Across the other side I hit an incredibly strong head wind which slowed me right down and tired me out. It also felt hot and humid today which also sapped my strenght more than I anticipated. I missed Colin's ham and salad wraps. The road was also very undulating with a surprising number of quite long hills. I was very glad to hit the tarmac and to see Colin and Gordon about 1 kilometer short of the hotel who attempted - and failed - to wind me up about going for the Tip today to see if I would rise to the challenge or not.

It was great to relax at Resort Bamaga, although I would not wish anyone to get the wrong idea about this place. It is more motelish than resortish with lots of signs warning guests to lock the doors and not to leave any property on the verandah. Great to have a few cold beers and a nice barramundi for supper.

Thoughts and comments:

• Visiting the toilet block at 0600 hours this morning I saw a shithouse bat, but not the shithouse rat.....perhaps this is what the screaming guy saw yesterday?
• The ferry fare at the Jardine River Ferry for a private vehicle is $88 and $11 for a bicycle.....no wonder they don't bother selling anything.
• There are two security guards manning the entrance to the bottle shop in Bamaga.
• Colin was offered drugs whilst standing on the hotel balcony by a passing pedestrian...
• We have stored the bikes inside and everything else is locked in the car...
• Snack of the day: top of big hill approx 4 kilometers north of Jardine River Ferry - peanut bar
• Tune of the day: Elton John - Mealticket
• Fact of the day: Diesel is $1.95 a litre in Bamaga

We have been told to expect poor road conditions tomorrow to the Tip. No problem at this stage. Big day tomorrow - starting early to avoid the headwind as much as possible.

Gordon now asleep - he will add his bit tomorrow.

Gordon says ...

It's 6.30 am on the 25th. I am just about to take my painkillers, hop on the bike, and head to the Cape. I hope this goes well ...