Across the border…

Crossing the border into Northern Territory

This is the border crossing from Queensland into Northern Territory. The Territorians have had a reputation in the past of being lawless larrikin. This is a vast open plain and a flat landscape that seems to stretch forever in all directions. The sky is a flawless blue arc. This is cattle station country with acreage of many stations being bigger than some European countries. Alexandria Station is one such property the road dissects. It is 17,500 square miles or 4.3 million acres. I find it hard to visualize these figures. I learnt these statistics at the Drover Shed.

With the exception of a large 10 kilometre stretch of road works, the roads are in good condition and flat, the speed limit is 130 K/hr. The vehicles are few and far between and most drivers give a friendly salute, tip of the finger or wave of the hand.

Barkly Highway stretches forever

I feel very small when I look around the landscape. With the haunting melody from the theme of “The Godfather” and then John Williams superb classical guitar music playing the miles float away under our wheels. Every 60 to 70 kilometres there is a rest area to stop, stretch your legs, use the toilets, have a cuppa, maybe chat with another traveller if is some one is also stopped.

This is classic outback country, nothing for miles just you and the road and occasionally a herd of cows. Suddenly, way in the distance I see something different. I cannot quite make it out. As we draw closer I recognise a bike, a recliner bike, with a bright orange flag and a fit young fellow taking on the great round Australia bike ride. We stop and Jack takes a photo and we chat for a while. Igor Bilek is a man with a dream. It was very interesting talking to him and he also has a blog site. www.igorbilek.com It is worth having a look at. I really admire people who just get up and do it.

Igor Bilek on his reclining bike riding around Australia

Nearly 300 kilometres and we reach Barkly Homestead, our home for 2 days and where we saw the budgies. Unbelievably it has internet connection. ( 2 years ago when we travelled this way internet was very hit and miss, how times have changed!!) So now I am caught up with my blog journey notes and tomorrow we head another 200 kilometres before we meet up with the great Stuart Highway that goes from top to bottom of the continent.