Tuesday, 11 August 2009

50km short of Cape Crawford

Daly Waters

320

I got on the road around 4am, still very tired and rode the 50km to Cape Crawford, arriving around 6:30am and had to wait for them to open at 7am.  It’s a pleasant shady campground and roadhouse with nice lawns in the middle of the outback.  I bought breakfast and some sandwiches for later in the day and set off westwards for the 270km to Daly Waters where I had already booked a motel room.  I was much later than expected, having planned to have an early start from Cape Crawford originally.  It became a very warm day as the road climbed on to a forested plateau and decided early on not to force the pace because of fatigue and the heat.  I’m seriously thinking about having a couple of easy days in the next week to catch up on some sleep and switch to a 51 day schedule.  Around 4pm with 140km to go the road became easier and the wind shifted to an easterly and I made fast progress to Daly Waters, although it was still 9:30pm by the time I arrived.  I bought some dinner and supplies for tomorrow and will see whether or not I continue at this pace or have the easier days.