Riding Down Under - Tropical Cairns Australia

[MacDoc]

Bloody hell...a biopsy for a blackhead - better safe etc....
Signed off for a year on the open licence ...repeats each year
Finished my oversized Blackforest Bday cake and now off to a Bday lunch with sis-in-law.

L'unico Italian restaurant Trinity Beach

Great Italian family restaurant overlooking the Coral sea. Large selection of pizza pasta, entrees mains and desserts. Varied wines and famous cocktails make this place a must.

www.lunico.com.au

so much for low carb.
Glad I'm not paying

Menu Trinity beach restaurant

Delicious well priced varied menu of Italian old favourites. Great marinara, fettuccine carbonara and great pizzas.

www.lunico.com.au

Our famous hot fresh seafood platter for
two includes Morton Bay bugs, Scallops, Tiger prawns, Barramundi fillet, Mussels
Oysters & Gulf Calamari. All served with condiments & garnish salad $199

 

[robertv19]

Bloody hell...a biopsy for a blackhead - better safe etc....
Signed off for a year on the open licence ...repeats each year
Finished my oversized Blackforest Bday cake and now off to a Bday lunch with sis-in-law.

L'unico Italian restaurant Trinity Beach

Great Italian family restaurant overlooking the Coral sea. Large selection of pizza pasta, entrees mains and desserts. Varied wines and famous cocktails make this place a must.

www.lunico.com.au

so much for low carb.
Glad I'm not paying

Menu Trinity beach restaurant

Delicious well priced varied menu of Italian old favourites. Great marinara, fettuccine carbonara and great pizzas.

www.lunico.com.au

What is a “Morton Bay Bug”!?!
I’m hoping some sort of prawn/shellfish...

 

[GreyGhost]

What is a “Morton Bay Bug”!?!
I’m hoping some sort of prawn/shellfish...

Lobstery thing. Moreton bay is near Brisbane.

 

[MacDoc]

Yep - very tasty

What does Moreton Bay bug taste like?

Have a medium, sweet, rich flavour (milder than Balmain Bug but stronger than Rock Lobster), low oiliness and dry, firm flesh.

31 feels like 35 at 11 am going to 33 real with some rain coming this evening. Picked up the eBike ....not the best day as so hot and humid and full sun. Bike got clean bill of health, new tire , battery assessed at 86% and he said was a very good deal at $900.
Downside is the bike is too small for me but I knew that. I'll cope.

 

[MacDoc]

A very welcome Sturm und Drang...Tstorms don't often climb down the range but this one did.....fast dump of cooling rain.

We got 2" last night in a very welcome T-storm that came in from an odd angle and soaked a small part of the enclosed deck usually protected. Quite the sturm n drang.
Just drop dead gorgeous this morning with the humidity departed.
Even the long termers were complaining last night about how hot and stuffy it was for this time of year.
Had a light meal of Chicken Kiev bites at the Bowls Club and enjoyed the company. We have a new member of the group who is an hilarious ( and attractive) trans. He ( goes by Tom and not pronoun sensitive ) set partner and I up with a superb room in Brisbane and then got lured to Cairns. Very very personable.

Maybe a repeat today ...rumbling away and a cool storm breath.

Had my echo-cardiogram and chest x-ray today so no early riding - Iove to go out after t-storms. Will see what tomorrow brings.

 

[MacDoc]

Lovely day and got out early.
Sweet ride up the Palmerston to Millaa Millaa. Really enjoying Deep RIver ...thought I might stumble on the Finnish names but not a big issue and learning some history too. :dance:
The review criticized the narrator but I'm quite engaged in the story and that's what counts.

​

$3.99 for 25 hours of interesting listening. Deep River “An engrossing and commanding historical epic” (The Washington Post) from a New York Times bestselling author: Seeking a better life, three Finnish siblings — Ilmari, Matti, and Aino — set sail for a logging community in 20th-century Washington… where they each adapt to a new, harsh world. “An... www.chirpbooks.com ​ ​ ​ Deep River Written by Karl Marlantes Narrated by Bronson Pinchot​ Warmish on the coast even early but perfect on the Tableland. No humidity. Great to be out and for what ever reason my drug combo worked the charm. Non- stop run and not sore cept for the cafe chair Was not much wind when I left but picked up now. 29 at Millaa Millaa but heading to 33 in Cairns. Hope to get back by early afternoon - might be smart to go down the Gillies today. I did. Great riding day but hot now ...32 feels like 35 but humidity not too bad. 250 km loop and drugs worked very well. Tstorms mebbe - much welcome Very engaged in Deep River Lying in bed after shower cooling off and listening. Good day and lots left.

 

[MacDoc]

A day off riding and should have been rested but....
Had a short loop up to Lake Barrine for tea and scones but I felt off. Suspect not enough sleep. Hooked on the audio book. Heart beat was over 130 when I pulled in and did not want to drop. Still sitting high 90s after a shower and a laydown listening to Deep River.
Doing the Gillies both ways in a 4 hour stretch I was pretty beat even tho the weather up there was lovely with a good north breeze and low humidity. Road was perfect and low traffic plus not pushing it. Was not used to having a head wind coming into Cairns.
Heading to 36 on Wednesday...monsoon weather pattern but no rain ,...just hot. Kids camping on the Gold Coast being chased home by wet
All the rain further south.
Tstorm tonight would be nice.

 

[MacDoc]

That was a fun watch. When we drove the Top of the World highway ( SUV ) it is was pissing down rain and very squirmy even with the big vehicle plus blowing like crazy tho Chicken was dry.
She has her drone up so got a good look at the highway from above and how it earns its name.
They've added a new twist in Chicken that I doubt partner would participate in and my giving up a hat might be dodgy.
Reminds me a bit of Ronny's Sex Shop in the Little Karoo...

Ronnie's Sex Shop: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Ronnie's Sex Shop, Barrydale: See 320 reviews, articles, and 256 photos of Ronnie's Sex Shop, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 16 attractions in Barrydale.

www.tripadvisor.com.au

Go to biker stop - the Little Karoo is a mild but still hot and dry desert in South Africa.
Not far from where I spent winters in Montagu at Kobus farm.

 

[MacDoc]

Ugh - so much to do to close off the Canadian house and and I'm being cooked in my workspace here in Cairns.

Now
UPDATED 12:40PM AEST
31.8
°
Steady
FEELS LIKE
34.3°C
Ride tomorrow for sure - get up on the tablelands early. Good audio book to finish off and itchy feet

 

[MacDoc]

Off to Skybury for a light brunch - but up the range shortly ( it's 7 am now ). 37 real tomorrow is daunting....even 35 real by 1 pm today... but hope to be home by then.
Very little wind is excellent

Might try Hasties Swamp tomorrow morning ..shorter rides in this weather tho Hasties always leads to a longer hike....but I'll not do the Gillies up and down in close order...too tiring on a hot day and it's hot already at 7 am. 27 feels like 33. Lots of solar hot water, almost painful with the steady 33+ sunny days....trick is to keep the shower cool enough when I get home.
Hi ho up the range road I go.

Good coffee and nice scones with local jam.
and heading back - nice breeze at Skybury but the longer loop I planned I think is off. Feels like 35.5 at 10.30 am .....nah


Was actually good ride down the range...the cooling features on that HWK jacket is remarkable.
Might try my old Joe Rocket mesh tomorrow.
150 km loop ...and home by 12.30 - can get a bit more than 2 of those rides from a $20 fillup.
About as far as I want to ride in these temps. The Kuranda range is fun too - not so tiring as the Gillies both ways.

Hasties is a 180 km loop up the Gillies and then down the Kuranda range ....but have to get my ass out the door early.....

 

[MacDoc]

Up early enough for once...will see if it holds. Soggy damp but will dry out with the sun rise. 6 am now - should go to Hasties right away but .....

Nice ride up the range early and no smelly garbage trucks to follow.
Quite a strong tailwind getting to Mareeba and Hasties - made for easy listening.
Some decent birds at Hasties but at a distance - quite a few twitchers tho.
Having coffee and brekkie at The Slotted Spoon Cafe. Noisy location but easy parking for the bike and coffee is decent.
Heading down the Gillies later for a Dr Appointment this arvo.
Still have some coffee and time to kill so a couple of small Anzac bickies fill the lacunae.

Anzac biscuit - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MacDoc]

Ugh - remind self not to do back to back 200+ km runs on hot days.
Got home around 1 pm and partner said I looked awful.
My heartbeat was still sitting near 120 when I got to scheduled Dr appointment at 2 pm. He hooked me up to an ekg and sent a referral to a cardiologists as none of my current round of tests show any issues with my heart ( good news ) ....but the tachycardia is concerning both for me and him and the change in drugs did not solve the breathless aspect but did solve muscle weakness ( statins ) as is did before.
We suspect the breathless aspect and the tachy are related but nothing shows on standard tests, xrays etc. and all my bloods normal....even my BP was perfect despite heartbeat around 110-115 2 hours after riding

Interesting times for Australia weatherwise.

Australia getting hammered by two jet streams

Two jet streams are currently clashing into each other above Australia and it is causing an unseasonable mix of dangerous weather in several states and territor...

www.weatherzone.com.au

Out foxed myself. Picked up some Mac n Cheese substitute that I read as having 10 less carbs per serving.
Devil in the details.....the packet is 2 servings and while it makes a very satisfying brekkie with a can of tuna added it dings my carb allowance.
Today is a lost cause anyways as going to high tea with friends.

Tea Talk

Learn all about tea with Nerada's Tea Talk. Find Out More.

neradatea.com.au

••

Satisfying hour with Noraly this moring including an overview of her riding career.

and some crashes

She was in Alaska in July I'd guess and will be heading to Prudhoe Bay she says.

 

[MacDoc]

It was a lovely high tea and the Royal Doulton service quite elegant but the tea cups were robust in size and I was stuffed by the time all was done.
Found an alternative chai to Celestial Seasonings that I might even like better and $9 for 50 tea bags is the better than the Celestical which is $4-5 for 20 plus the Nerada come in a good small tin which seals well.

A successful outing with friends tho no tree kangaroos sighted.
Easy access on my rides up the Gillies and tea and scones not outrageous.

Nerada Tea Our History

Find out about Nerada's history within the Australian tea industry. Australia's tea journey begins in the beautiful lush, tropical rainforest of Bingil Bay, overlooking the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland. Find Out More!

neradatea.com.au

I find the chai robust enough on its own tho will continue with a black teabag as well for a stronger brew.

 

[MacDoc]

What a relief p humidity gone feels cooler than actual air temp.

 

[sburns]

I thought you were back in Ontario? Was expecting some boring posts... or was that a quick pop over?

 

[GreyGhost]

I thought you were back in Ontario? Was expecting some boring posts... or was that a quick pop over?

He's here in a few weeks.

 

[MacDoc]

Actually tried to get an earlier flight to cover my son's operation next week but costs were prohibitive and neither he nor I expect issues with the surgery. He thinks only 1.5 days off work.
Tried to borrow Mimico's CB500x since he is quitting for the season but he failed to rise to the bait.

 

[MacDoc]

Much more civilized temps. Wind not bad either given there is strong wind warnings just to the south of us. Ride up the James Cook in order I think tho have some errands. Very nice 25c feels like 25c at 6 am.

My only caveat is not a lot of sleep. Stayed up too late watching Master and Commander then had some work to do on line til 12.30 am and woke at 3.45 am. Might just snooze as partner is out for a couple of hours.

 

[MacDoc]

We like when it feels cooler than the mercury says.
UPDATED 4:20PM AEST 28.4 °

FEELS LIKE
27.2°C

Late afternoon and just feels wonderful with a beautiful breeze off the Pacific. Kicked back literally with an Aubrey novel and had a lazy day reading and listening to 60s folk. No pressure on my sciatica. Not looking forward to Canadian trip tucked in a seat for many hours but at least it's a Dreamliner 787 - comfie with very cool windows.
Will get a couple more longish rides in before the 18th but really protecting my right hip.

 

[MacDoc]

Gorgeous day ...fractured sleep from allergies but needed a ride. A bit humid on the coast but glorious up on Tableland. 27 at 1 pm. so nice.

Good tailwind to waft me home and a good audio book. Diamond Girl ....highly recommended..
Really need to be taking some of my choco coffee beans along for a post prandial wake up ( reading O'Brian )
Stunning day and not too tired but heart rate much too high
Dodged a few rain showers but they veered away as did not want to go down the Kuranda Range when wet and being tired.
Still very satisfying run and a flock of great crested grebes on the lake was intriguing.


always something to photograph.


tomorrow is another day