Today we actually rode together... Andrew's 50 mile "record" ride took its toll on him, and my tortoise pace seemed quite adequate to him today!! Truth be told we are both a bit sore and in need of at least a day off. Not that we've been pushing ourselves so hard, but rather the cumulative effect of the trip is wearing on us.
It was a longer and hotter ride today, and we both agreed that we could live without seeing the famous hot springs. Riding into town we were relieved to see a grocery store and a small library with internet access. Checking into the Mataranka Hotel, Andrew quickly made friends with a crowd of indigenous locals outside the bar... he was quite popular! We had a bit to eat and then set out to do our shopping.
We were really amazed to find that with the exception of the pub and the gas station, the entire town was closed for business! The Katherine Show, formerly the Tennent Creek Show, has once again worked against us. Apparently everyone had gone to Katherine for their equivalent of a county fair... leaving us with very few options. However, we did manage to get some basic items at the gas station, and we only need to make it to Katherine (pop. 10,000+), so we're good.
Our ride to Katherine tomorrow will be the last day of the trip over 60 miles, and I'll be only too happy to put that one behind us!! The length of the trip is starting to have an effect on us as tourists, in that we are finding very few things eye-catching or interesting any more. Additionally, and more importantly, our sense of humor seems to be wearing thin... and small set backs are becoming harder to handle with a smile.
It was a longer and hotter ride today, and we both agreed that we could live without seeing the famous hot springs. Riding into town we were relieved to see a grocery store and a small library with internet access. Checking into the Mataranka Hotel, Andrew quickly made friends with a crowd of indigenous locals outside the bar... he was quite popular! We had a bit to eat and then set out to do our shopping.
We were really amazed to find that with the exception of the pub and the gas station, the entire town was closed for business! The Katherine Show, formerly the Tennent Creek Show, has once again worked against us. Apparently everyone had gone to Katherine for their equivalent of a county fair... leaving us with very few options. However, we did manage to get some basic items at the gas station, and we only need to make it to Katherine (pop. 10,000+), so we're good.
Our ride to Katherine tomorrow will be the last day of the trip over 60 miles, and I'll be only too happy to put that one behind us!! The length of the trip is starting to have an effect on us as tourists, in that we are finding very few things eye-catching or interesting any more. Additionally, and more importantly, our sense of humor seems to be wearing thin... and small set backs are becoming harder to handle with a smile.
