Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 November

Monday 29 November 2010.  Last full day in Brisbane

Seeing Gasland yesterday was an eye_opener. To imagine that two thirds of the USA could now be irretrievably polluted, and the oil/gas companies are now drilling in the same way in Australia/Queensland, frac-ing the ground with the same highly toxic chemicals, and set to do so in Europe and north Africa. 

http://gaslandthemovie.com/

Ilawarra,New South Wales - http://www.otfordeco.com/GasLandMovie.html

War in AUSTRALIA - pitting angry locals against big gas companies. and behaviour more like the worst dictatorships ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaWA_TDG56I

Was pleased that with my Bike the Earth hat on, I was able to bring together Fiona Sullivan (Be the Change Australia), John Price – www.grandkidzfuture.com and Bruce/Sally from St John’s Environment Centre in Ashgrove, Brisbane together after the film, to help galvanise collaboration and campaigning in Brisbane as to the effects on its water supply if affected by the pollution known to occur with the de-fracking.  And the great farming the grand artesian wells  I suggested that Six Degrees have one volunteer at ever film showing to take email addresses of exiting attendees, and help to broaden the campaign against oil and gas drilling onland in Australia.

Spent morning with Roland in central library poring over maps and rechecking our route to Maryborough and northwards to Cairns.

 What will I miss from Brisbane?  the Jacaranda blossom, the fantastic cycle routes (best in the world, in some cases, along the river); Epic Cycles who were so very very friendly and helpful, West End with its coffee shops, the neo-gothic 19th century buildings in the city, friendly locals, and our friends - Pierre, Rosa, Wilf, Rosie, Fiona and Jester! 

Chris 

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Brisbane/Sandgate to Woodford

71km

hilly climb just near  end with 10% incline

26 degrees at 0930. 21 degrees at 6pm.  33 degrees max in the day.  HOT riding.

After being based in Brisbane, in West End for  a week, and in Bardon for 3 weeks, (2 weeks in NZ where I had to go to renew my Oz visa) we are on the move again. A generous donation was received by Bike the Earth 24 hours before we left, enabling Roland to stay on the ride till about Cairns. And with coaching from Simon Richard to us both, phenomenal quantum stuff, Roland and I are beginning to work more powerfully as a team.  We will be the best of friends of the worst of enemies by the end!

Thank you to so so many people who have offered us help, chilled with us, hosted and donated. Your generosity and support has been incredible.

Got the 7.18 train from  Roma Street to Sandgate. Had the works (large breakfast) at Doug’s Café/  Local cyclists there. Always a good sign.  Got talking to them. What a lovely place to live and cycle .  Doug's do good fish and chips too.

Flat vista. Far and wide.  Looking out to sea. Tidal. Olderhouses built for the floods. Newer not so well designed for when there is a high tide. 

Arrived in Woodford at 5pm - hard work on this first day after so long.  Muscles tired.  Now staying in Woodfordia, courtesy of the Woodford Folk Festival team: http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/

Chris