Today I began walking at 3.30am as I had earlier calculated a 35klms walk to Banana. The night before Jim had said it was only 28Klms but I had already set the alarm and was so glad I did. I had been walking for over an hour when I saw a sign 30klm to Banana which meant it was 35klm in total. I powered on thinking if I had to I would stop at 11am till 5pm, if I was late for the 5.30 gathering so be it. As it happened, it was overcast all day, with showers of rain, not enough to be a bother, and I soon dried off. I received lots of support from passing motorists, rested every few hours and arrived at the roadhouse at 11.30am. What a walk, I felt really happy with myself.
Potts had his legendary ride in the cattle truck and he and bindi were waiting for me at the truck stop. The manager, Micky, greeted me at the door and wheeled my trolley in, sat me down at a table and said help myself to coffee, tea. Helen then came over introduced herself and said they had been expecting me, she was president of the local group who were welcoming us that night . I was just enjoying eggs for breakfast when Liz came in, she had been at the hall opening up and checking everything was ready.. The truck stop was extremely busy but Micky found time to check on us every so often and offered me a pair of (theropedic) thongs as I had asked Helen if there would be a sports shop in Biloela as my sandals were wearing thin under the pad of my foot. That evening, just before our meal, Bec from the local Telegraph newspaper arrived to take a photo of us with the locals. About 12 people joined us for a shared meal,(that included Potts favorite dessert} and Liz showed the doco of the Kerry Blockade. The “throwing down the hats” action affected the group as they were all elderly and knew the symbolism of the act. One lady, in her eighties Pat Palmes was very outspoken about the madness of what was happening. Banana is such a small town and we were so warmly welcomed by everyone.
For more photos of our walk click here.
For videos of our walk click here.
For more photos of our walk click here.
For videos of our walk click here.
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