Three score and 10: Lakeland to Laura then on to Hann River Roahouse (two days in one)

Tom, Barb and Liz start the day at Lakeland at 7.30am with the intention of riding to Laura, a short ride on bitumen of about 60k's.

As they ride, they are assisted by a good tail wind of about 25kph and the ride goes quickly and well. They are all in Lakeland by 10.45am beating Terry there, (he had to pack up camp - a lengthy process).

After hearing stories that the dirt road from Laura on was in good condition, and there was quite a bit of bitumen, the decision is made to push on. Yet another case of "don't believe what you;re told". The bitumen runs out in about 3 k's, and yes the dirt might have been better than a lot of roads in Australia somewhere, but it is a hard slog. A couple of stretches of 5k sealed road, but overall it does not improve.

Tom describes the road surface as okay, with sandy patches in places, with a little bit of grading to smooth out the surface. According to Terry, "Tom gobbled up the dirt with a smile on his face" arriving at Hann Rover a bit after three. Liz and Barb arrived behind him at about five. Just in time to beat the sun going down.

With this sort of travelling, you take whatever camping facilities you can, and in this case the Hann River roadhouse is just a bare area under some trees at the back of a two pump roadhouse. An emu and some guinea fowls keep the area mown. Terry informs me that the that amenities are very basic, and fuel is $1.51 a litre. What's different Terry!! We've seen a few of those along the way!!

A sign at the roadhouse reminds Tom, Barb and Liz that there are only 592 k's left to "The Top" (see below).