DAY 1
TOWNSVILLE (Queensland, AUS) to AIRLIE BEACH (Queensland, AUS)
via GUTHALUNGRA (Queensland, AUS)
Friday November 6th, 2020
TODAYS MILEAGE – 185 miles / 298 kilometres
TRIP MILEAGE – 185 miles / 298 kilometres
Yesterday Fluxy completed the 60 kilometre (37 mile) drive across into Cairns, to catch the "kerosene canary" for the 293 kilometre (176 mile) flight down to Townsville, where upon Rab picked him up. The plan was that all three of us would park up at my place for the night, as both Rab and I had work commitments that would keep us occupied until lunch time.
Come lunchtime today, my ute was loaded up with diesel, our respective "go bags" and a ukulele of all things, with the most important travel vessel - my 95 litre Waeco, filled with our "road fluids" of choice and we were off like herd of turtles.
A quick call to this weekend's 4th Musketeer Mary's saw him undertaking client visits in his 142 kilometre (88 mile) drive up from his place near Mackay, all be it he was stuck in traffic due to an accident on Australia's national highway, that's only two lanes ..... but don't get me started on that topic.
As with any three blokes who've known each other, played footy and knocked around together for best part of 30+ years (near on 50+ for Rab and myself), the topics of conversation was wide, varied, frivolous, reminiscent, heartfelt and downright hilarious, which was only added to when parked up on the balcony at the Air BnB with Mary.
Best stitch up on the drive down was about an hour and a half into the drive, when we crossed over the Burdekin River bridge. Rab had mentioned that might be time to go check the "irrigation system" due to the "roadies" wanting out. Fluxy pipes up and asks "How urgent are you with wanting to shake hands with the unemployed". Rab reckons he's good for a little while, as we slow down coming up to the Lions Park Public Toilets in Home Hill. Fluxy goes "Right-o, I know this place which is good for fuel and clean thunderboxes and it's just up the road, a place called Guthalungra". How far Rab asks - 10 minutes was the response.
As I'd never heard of the joint, I'm like meh whatever - Fluxy's in the co-pilot/navigator seat, his call ..... but didn't reckon he'd be on "Territorian" time & distance.
- We passed Iyah, Wangaratta and got a "Are we there yet".- On through Wunjunga and Wakala and Rab's like "I'm gonna have to tie a knot in it".
- Passing through Gumlu and Rab's mumbled something about "Moses not being able to part these waters when it lets go".
By the time we see the sign for the Choice Oasis Roadhouse and adjacent Eliot River Park public toilets at Guthalungra Rab's whimpering "Me back teeth are floating and eyes are watering and burning".
Of course all Fluxy and I could do is laugh at him with zero sympathy, while I kept the foot into the throttle - as you do.
Fluxy's "10 minutes up the road" actually turned out to be 57.9 kilometres (36 miles) and nearly an hour travel time including GST, shipping & handling. Gotta love "Territorian" measurements 
• AIRLIE BEACH ~ Settling In @ The Air BnB (Queensland, AUS)
• AIRLIE BEACH ~ On The Fang @ Northerlies (Queensland, AUS, USA)