...

....A night of rain and eating at Sth Mission Beach was left behind as we headed towards the walking trails through rainforest. Here Guus demonstrated how he would make living in the Rainforest stylish with the simple features of your average dried fern. (I'll have to get Andrew to post photos). With the Bianchi gears deciding here was a good a place as ever to give way I was limited on gear choices...fortunately I only needed one for the following hills. From Mission Beach the road wound its way along the coast before heading into countryside that rolled like Tasmania with hints of rainforest.






























A flat tyre for me and Andrew decided it was time to make a banana smoothie...this involved knives, forks and whatever other weapon could be found being thrown into a milk bottle and shaken with a banana. It worked suprisingly well (note:almost anything is impressive when cycling).

Back onto the highway for 8kms then onto Canecutters way, a quiet, winding, not flat (as promised by a man who's hair softly waved as it was graced with the presence of airconditioning) road which led us to Paronella Park. A night tour followed by the fascinating story of the day tour and we bid our farewells to Peter over our BYO food at a cafe lunch (the brush turkey had started on the loaf of bread without us the night before...just to add to the cheapness of the whole event). From here the only way was up and so we headed for the tablelands. The tough climbs made worth it from the spectacular views. As Guus took a canopy walk Andrew I took advantage of his absence and found the supply of choc chip cookies. As we sat waiting his return Karen and Bruce from the Marlborough petrol station walked past! A quick catch up on travels and Guus returned, unfortunately too alert to not see the small pyramids of crumbs that surrounded us.

We climbed again, and again, then once more up a 5km 10% hill to reach an amazing view point. Here Bob pulled up to see if we required any help...of course not. Bob drives of...I pick up my bike and bob the trailer snaps! A different place from last time but on the same piece of metal!

It was then to the nearest farm with a shed and we left the trailer behind and headed for the Millaa Millaa falls loop. I enjoyed watching Andrew and Guus ride up the hills with luggage (including some extra stuff of mine). This was how I imagined my time riding with them would be! This is the way it should be! The Millaa Millaa falls loop began and the best road I have ever ridden on stretched out before us down the hill. With a full moon rising on the right and the golden glow of a Queensland sunset from the left we had entered paradise. A camp at the first of three waterfalls and Andrew's trek to the top of the hill to call Paul (soon to be arriving in Cairns and hiring a car) to inform him of Bob's departure from our travels. The next morning we headed to the second of the waterfalls which was just as, if not more stunning and then back along the road of rolling green to Millaa Millaa falls. As Guus headed to the water the magic of motorised transport arrived with Paul behind the wheel. After Paul forced us into the icy water for a swim under the waterfall we headed to pick up the trailer for repair. A visit to the Dairy Centre nearby and we were headed for Cairns and comfort. Guus and Andrew's diving refresher course wasn't available so with the bends likely to occur in diving Guus booked skydiving for himself. He headed off the following morning as we prepared how to tell his parents. It was then to the bike store and welders. Extra metal for strength was added to Bob and then it was too the (very tourist based) esplanade to meet slightly alive, slightly more shaken Guus. Peter arrived that night at 1am and the next day the task of organising the chaos we had unleashed upon the hotel room began. Finally we are ready and it becomes apparent Peter and I are the only ones on the bikes today. With 150kms ahead of us a two man team time trial was in order and that's what we did. The stunning coastal scenery towards Port Douglas was still appreciated as we aimed for Mossman Gorge for lunch. The roads became quieter as we headed to the foot of the hills and into the Gorge. Once again our vision was consumed by rainforest. Towards the Cape Tribulation ferry where the road became a little narrower and a motorcyclist didn't hesitate to yell 'you're asking to be killed riding here' as he road past. Beyond the ferry the cycle of 2 mins of cars then 30mins of silent roads awaited. Unbelievable cycling! We made the camp ground and slept soundly. Peter woke to his own Birthday celebrations of sweet chili sauce on cheese. We later made it up to him as a feast was prepared...by the freezers icecream section at the supermarket. A walk to cape trib beach then it was to the ferry where all but I (catching up on diary) went on a croc tour. A little worrying to hear that saltwater crocs 'enjoy' fresh water occasionally. Then to Wonga for carbonara birthday dinner for Peter...though there was a problem. I had taken it upon myself to buy the ingredients, though without pasta it is a little hard to make it a meal. But sure enough the kiosk had pasta for sale. Tomorrow it was Guus's birthday so we rested our stomachs while watching the hilarious stance and dance of the peacocks.