DAY 70

A record for early start. The alarm was set at 5:30, but Anders was awake at 5:00 and waited for the alarm to go off. The sleeping bag was soaking, their bodies was shining due to all the sweat and they were laying ten centimeters away from each other gasping after air. During the night Anders had sporadically opened the tent for getting fresh air into the tent, but every time was fatal. Large blood thirsty mosquitos came inside and attacked. Anders smashed one and a large bloodstain is left as a mark. “Must have been my blood, since the mosquito prefers my blood type” Lasse says while not being very enthusiastic.

The leave the caravan park at 6:30, not a minute to early. The caravan park was an abandoned place, with only a few permanent stayers, with probably each of their bizarre reason to stay. An alcoholic started talking to Anders Monday night. He had stayed at the Caravan park for 8 years. He laughed of their trip and couldn’t understand why the gives didn’t drive instead. He wasn’t the kind of old drunk that can be sharming and everybody can like, but more like bitter, angry and rude. Anders tried to shorten the conversation to the minimal and in the end succeeded as he turned around and walked to his cabin while shouting “watch out for the dogs” as a last travel tip.

Despite an early start and breakfast at the gas station, their advantage is reduced when Anders for the second time in two days punctures. New tube and new tire. The reserve tire that have followed them from Adelaide has finally become useful. They hope that the standard tire will be better than the super tire Anders got in Brisbane. The super tire have been good but it can’t handle the rough surface here. With a closer look they see that the tire has cracks more or less everywhere. Good fun while it lasted Anders thinks.

15 km before Rockhampton a police man waves Anders over to the other side of the road. He suggest they cycle on a side road that is safer and more spectacular. Anders thanks for the advice and does as the man suggest.

They have done 110 km in the heat. It has been 35 degrees today they find out when they arrive at the motel. They are gonna take a resting day in Rockhampton. Their body temperature is to be lowered, laundry is to be done and they have a wet tent to dry.

Rockhampton is a milestone for the boys, in the same degree as Sydney and the other giants. Now it is only two big ones left, Townsville and Darwin. Thursday the expedition continues.

Awesomestralia – a normal life is boring