Byron Bay to Glen Innes the land of the Beardies

What can I say about Byron Bay, It is a pretty place however I feel it is going the same way as many beach side places, death by popularity, don't get me wrong I did enjoy my stay there but I have never been over impressed by the beach, I enjoy the bush and little country towns. After a while sand and salt and way to many people get up my nose.

I did manage to meet some very nice people at The Cape Byron YHA. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about sharing a room with four strangers, however the people I shared the last two nights with were very friendly,I met a young Canadian fellow, well actually his mother is Australian and this is is first trip away from home, there were two British backpackers and an older Italian Guy Called Fabritzio, he was a very interesting and might I say lucky man. Apparently he owns a charter Boat and spends summer Cruising the Greek Islands, and the rest of the year he travels....What a Life that would be!

I set off for Glen Innes early and managed to miss my turnoff so after a quick breakfast at Maccacs in Ballina I found my way to Casino and then via the Bruxner Highway to Tenterfield. This is a Particularly great bike road, it traverses over the top of the Great Dividing Range, there are plenty of great corners and the road surface is in a reasonable state of repair that added to the fact that there was very little traffic on the road today made for a fun ride.

I did manage to run out of petrol today, when I had about 190km on the mileage the low fuel light came on, there where no petrol stations between the out skirts of Casino and Tenterfield. So I had no options but to keep going and pray that I didn't run out on top of the mountain. About seven Km's from Teneterfield the engine gave a splutter and died. I had phone coverage and was going to ring Ride Assist as they will bring fuel.

However I was standing near the bike and a couple of locals stopped and asked me if i needed help, I explained my predicament and the fellow said no problem he could help me out. He owned an earth moving business that just happened to be a few k's up the road. So we went to his business and he gave me 10 liters of fuel and got his offsider to drive me back to the Spyder I gave him 20 dollars for his trouble and off I went. Country people are the salt of the earth I reckon, in the city you would be lucky if someone would piss on you if you were on fire. I reckon If I hadn't of got lost and went out of my way I would have made it to Tenterfield without a hitch. The bike does better fuel figures on the highway oh well once bitten twice shy.

I had intended to camp today however by the time I got to Glen Innes the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the sky was black, I managed to find a cheap Hotel for the night before the heavens opened and will head off well rested at the crack of Dawn, that is if dawn doesn't mind of course! So all in all I have had a very intersting day.

So folks until tomorrow stay the sunny side up and be excellent to one another.