G'day all!

The day trip to Magnetic Island was pleasant, but I found that all the
accommodations there were backpacker hostels, so I returned after cycling the
whole of the island and doing a little trekking. I saw some rock wallabies
(smaller versions of a kangaroo that live amongst the granite rocks on the
island) and a number of new birds.

My second day (70+ miles) out of Townsville, "The Hill" that three other
cyclists I've met on the road described turned out to be 500', not 3000 --
those who told me did the climb at the end of their day, not fresh like I was,
and didn't have an altimeter. I was all psyched to do the full climb, and was
surprised to find the "crest" sign so quickly. Did a short hike to the lookout
and then went on to finish 78 miles -- and got some knee twinges. I stayed
two days to rest and do some laundry, and a good thing too since it was
raining this morning.

Right now, I'm scheduled to return to Brisbane on the 17th of Sept., and it
looks like I'll make it on or before then. I've cycled 150 pleasant if dry and
warm miles in the prior two days, and am now in Mission Beach taking a day off
(it was raining hard this morning, but cleared up this afternoon). Tomorrow
I'll try for Milea Milea if the weather holds. Several cyclists I've met on
the road commented on the rain in and near Cairns, even though it shows none
on the weather reports. Oh, well, no worries!

For any that are interested, I think that a great 2-3 week trip could be made
just in the Cairns area, particularly if you want to mix cycling, snorkeling,
trekking, and general sight seeing -- there's a lot to do and see here,
provided you miss the monsoon season (I am).

Tailwinds,
Tony