Some days just roll along and are memorable, not for the ride but rather for the things you see…
Today was such a day.
Leaving Proserpine, the road was not dissimilar to the day before. The occasional cane farm, open paddock, bush-land and mountains all around but not impeding our route. We had made our first stop in the little hamlet of Bloomsbury. Yes, a name that could easily have drifted out of a chapter in a Jane Ayre novel or even a Harry Potter story. However, there was no romanticism or wizardry at play here, just lots of raucous laughter. Let me go back.
Sitting in the Bloomsbury roadhouse whilst eating my standard ham, cheese and tomato toasted sandwich and Grant enjoying his breakfast of bacon and eggs, we were suddenly drawn to giggles of the staff member stacking shelves and the sniggers of a customer nearby. Casting a glance out the window to the service station driveway, we were immediately hit with a spectacle one can never forget. A man walking with the backside ripped out of his shorts so that both butt checks were completely visible. The rear of his shirt had the bottom section ripped out exposing his torso with frayed edges. If you can imagine a man getting out of a creek and just as he launches onto the sand, a crocodile grabs at his back but just gets hold of his clothes with the man making a very lucky escape – well that’s what this guy looked like. Immediately all the patrons at the road house began to laugh raucously as he made his way to his work ute as if there was no issue, climbed in and drove off. There was a group of ladies travelling together who were in fits of laughter as it was a very unexpected sight. Now Grant and I have seen our fair share of bazaar things but this was a complete game changer. I didn’t take a photo as it would not be printable in this blog!
Having completed our feed stop and still laughing at the event that just took place, we were off again. About 30km down the road, we came upon a police car stopping all traffic. I was given the wave through while all other vehicles were waiting and this gave me a good clear road for about ten minutes. Rounding a corner at the crest of a hill stood the biggest bulldozer blade I have ever seen, with its width taking up both sides of the road. It was stopped, which was a little difficult to understand, until I rounded the next corner to see a motor home being inspected by three police officers. Immediately my eye was drawn to the deep gash in the side of the van which looked as if a can opener had been at work. Clearly, they had tried to fight the Bulldozer’s blade and lost.
Otherwise, today was relatively eventless on the bike. I’m still trying to manage the fatigue from yesterday and we will be providing a revised itinerary which is more accommodating for the ride toward Rockhampton and then Brisbane.
On reaching Mackay, we caught up with another young man from the Amp Camp family. Brayden and his mum Amanda came to visit us at the motel we are staying at and talked about the importance of Amp Camp for both of them. For Brayden, it’s about meeting other teens who he said, “are like him”; the community connection and worthy respect they share for each other. For Amanda, it was about letting her son develop and grow in his independence and recognise he is not alone. For Grant and myself, it was interesting to hear Brayden and Amanda’s story as it provided yet another example of how determined, perseverant and committed these extraordinary parents and their children are. We recorded a short interview with Brayden and Amanda and we hope this will be available via the Riding4AmpCamp Facebook page.
Following dinner, my cousin Karl came to visit which was a great time to catch up and finish the night off splendidly. Karl also gave us some local insight into the roads ahead and where to possibly stay, so we are taking this on board in our redeveloped itinerary.
Please donate to this amazing program for teens living with amputation, limb loss and limb difference. Every bit we add will Make A Difference in the lives of these young people and their families. Donation links are on the home page of www.go-mad.net or via @Riding4AmpCamp Facebook page.
Until tomorrow,
Mike and Grant