I had a reasonable nights sleep rough camping. Like all animals, I marked my patch, not sure if the essence of Nick is a Feral Pig attractant or retardant, either way, they kept their distance. I woke early and had the usual raisin toast and tea at the very establishment that had refused to accommodate me, it was the only place in town,. In fact, it was the town, Moonie is just a place name on a map. 

The weather was mild and any breeze there was favored me as I set out on the 130 km ride to Miles. It proved to be a day for the birds, with the recent rain, and then sunshine, the fertile country was alive with  Insects, frogs, butterflies, and birds everywhere. At one point while riding I saw such a large flock of crows you would have to call it a mass murder!

Directly in front of me, a Rainbow bee-eater swooped down from the trees to make a precision strike on a beautiful couple of courting butterflies picking one off directly in front of me, leaving the other to dance off alone.

There are no fences up here, Wild Cattle or “scrubbies” roam freely often onto the road. Sometimes I make eye contact with these animals, and we gaze incomprehensively at one another across species.

The wallabies made their regular appearance, as did currawongs, galahs, finches, swifts and budgerigars.

Stopping around  halfway for an impromptu lunch at a roadside rest stop, a caravan pulls in driven by a woman with hubby in the passenger’s seat, sharing the driving or perhaps hubbies ill and unable to drive, he didn’t talk  “Flies are a bugger”. she said 

“Sure are,” I said

“You got a motor on that?” she asked pointing to Mr Surly and BOB.

“No, it’s a solar panel to charge my phone”

“Well I reckon you’re mad, but good luck to you!”

“Thanks,” I said,  you too.

Rolling into  Miles I paid $20 for my campsite before really seeing what was on offer.  The ground was rock hard too close to the highway with a filthy amenities block.

I made a quick visit to the Orwellian-sounding  Information Centre run by a couple of no-nonsense country women.  

“Is there anywhere else to camp in town?” with a shower 

“Yes down at the showgrounds, see the caretaker, David, and tell him Gladys sent you”

Back to the original caravan park first. I got my $20 back while telling the somewhat aggressive owner that I camped in the bush last night and it was better than paying $20.00 for what he had on offer. ‘Suit yourself dickhead ‘ he said  slamming my  money down on the counter 

Sometimes it’s good to follow your instincts. David the Caretaker couldn’t be more helpful. Other residents are mostly seasonal local workers. I chatted to one friendly guy Bruce who at 60 has had to move about looking for work, Bruce reckons Jesus saved him from drinking, but he just couldn’t find a steady job …