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Visiting schools along the way...
March 3, 2010 - (21.9084S, 149.4102E) -21.9084S,210.5898W
It seems the daily deluge of rain is finally moving on. They have been reporting the worst floods of the last 30 years in southern Queensland . Some locations have received a 100 year rainfall... Two weather systems, one on the north, the other on the south had collided to bring persistent rains.
Riding in the rain is not a problem in the tropical heat. It is actually refreshing. In some heavy downpours I had to turn on my flashers to be more visible.
I have my issues with the truck drivers on these roads. They do not change lanes, they do not give me space even when the other lane is empty. They could not all be malicious and this has to be a lack of awareness of their impact on a bicyclist. Just their fast movement is a menace; a bicyclist may swerve to avoid the simplest imperfections or debris on the pavement, and passing so close these trucks are a tragedy waiting to happen. It takes no effort for a truck to move over just a meter or two...
Near Calen, I saw a school with children playing during their noon recess. It was the Pindi Pindi State School. The principal, Lesley Pratchett greeted me at the gate, and when I shared with her our mission at Around-n-Over, she was happy to introduce me to the rest of her colleagues. They then granted me the opportunity to address their students. More importantly, they were willing to call ahead to Serina State School just south of Mackay for another school visit.
On the way to Mackay, I caught up with a French Canadian man, Jean Béliveau (http://www.wwwalk.org) who had been walking the roads in many different countries since the year 2000, addressing children to advocate nonviolence. I had seen him on television earlier, it was wonderful to cross paths with another world traveler, who also was focused on children. I was happy to get off my bicycle to walk alongside, to learn more about him.
His host, Jenny Monckton happened to wait for Jean a bit further down the road. When we met, she asked where I would stay, then offered that I too could come along. I rode to their home not too far from the highway, then Jean and I spent last night with the Moncktons, in a lively family setting with three children and a beagle. It is such treats which make this journey worthwhile.
This morning Jean had a school visit scheduled, and I had one such possibility at the Serina State School down the road. When I got there by late morning, I was told that they had received a call from Pindi Pindi SS, but their schedule was busy. It was too short a notice. Yet I was referred to another school 40 km down the road at Koumala where their principal expected me. After a brief visit with their students, he suggested that I may be able to visit the Carmila State School.
I am now tenting at Carmila at a caravan park by the highway. I will try my luck tomorrow at the school before I pedal on another 129 km to Marlborough...
Erden.
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On the roadside with Jean and his stroller.
