Through the Inversion

Day 23 Robe River to Carnarvon

While Robe River is a beautiful place to camp it can be a bit noisy because you're only 20 metres from the road. A big thanks to the dickhead road train driver who insisted on letting off his air horn at 3am over the bridge! Still, after a quick breakfast, well not so quick, I broke our stove but luckily our new mate Ross lent us his so I could cook up the quick oats. Anyway with handshakes all around and a few good lucks (you mad bugger) to Ross we were off. The wind was still blowing but not as intense as yesterday thankfully, so we made good time to Nanutarra Roadhouse. Somewhere along the way Rod finally lost half his number plate which had been threatening to self destruct since the Gunbarrel. We pulled in for fuel and a coffee milk and yes Nanutarra is still run by a Pirate. Expensive fuel and $5.25 for a coffee milk! We pushed on down the road and Rod found a cave, he was a happy boy.

Just south of Nanutarra Roadhouse

Rod in his cave

  As we were cruising down the road we were suddenly overtaken by a Queensland couple we had met on the Gibb. These two were a screech, they both hated camping and 4WD'ing but were on this across Aussie epic just so they could say they've done it. They got in front of us and pointed to a rest stop and caught up over a cup of tea and biscuits. Rod then tried fixing their camper trailer which had thrown a leaf spring by taking apart the rest stop's dunny door and park bench. I think I'll stop letting him near the KLR!

We had lunch at the Minilya roadhouse, much better value than the Pirate up the road and meet a (German) NZ couple who were roaring around Oz for 3-6 months on motorcycles. Great couple with just as many funny stories as we had. Rod also found a steam engine to ride on.

On ya Rod

Packing always packing

Ride that perfectly normal beast Gingerbeer

We then pushed for Carnarvon and half way along we hit an inversion layer in the weather. On moment we were riding along with a gentle hot easterly blowing then boom it felt like we hit a brick wall and we were riding in a strong cool westerly. We then set up camp for the last time (backpackers tomorrow) and stuffed ourselves on microwave meals, garlic bread and oranges. A strange combination it's true but at least it wasn't a pie or chicko roll. We then went for a walk and found and crashed a small bistro so we could have a beer on Fathe'rs day.