On the way through Cairns I just had to call in and see my old mate Joe. The Microlight I restored would never have got airborne if it wasn’t for Joe. A diamond bloke and a good friend.

Wazza had bought the old trike, which Joe is helping him get back in the sky. I couldn’t resist a last sit in the “air chair”, I hope they get her up again.

Nice to meet you Wazza, and great to see you again Joe! What a pity I didn’t have more time….

Meet Mrs Skinny Legs, who kindly kept me company last night. I know you don’t get much of a sense of scale in a photo, but that’s standard ceiling coving she’s sitting on! This is the biggest spider I have ever seen.

I don’t mind spiders particularly, but they do make you jump when they move quickly. Mrs S can really move for a lady of her size! I’ve lived in Australia for a few years and I’m glad I’ve finally seen a big spider! (Hmm, I wonder if there’s a ‘big spider’ I can ride past?).

I stayed with good friends Bob and Tracey last night, who live in the rainforest of Kuranda. (Where big spiders live obviously).Teddy came over for dinner and it was good to talk about flying again. 4 people who’ve flown the morning glory cloud, a rare privilege indeed!

Kev’s mate swung by in this little beauty. I got to take it for a spin, awesome! I’m not into cars but I want one!

Back in Gordonvale at Kev’s shed. It was really great to catch up with old friends Kev and Shaz. I managed to dry out my gear, do an oil and filter change, fit a new spark plug (not easy with that huge tank!), fit the new chain too. The bike seems happy about it, I even gave the old girl a wash too!!

As always the time went all too fast. A last beer in the Guzzbar and I was away to Cairns to catch up with more old friends.

What else could follow the big apple, big orange and big prawn? The big mango was pretty cool, it even had a bug green ant for extra authenticity!

After a couple of big days I’m taking it easy in Cairns for a while. 700kms followed by 950kms is enough riding for now! The last 300kms were in the rain, but not pounding. The waterproof trousers are definitely not waterproof, after just 30 minutes I was soaked. Very disappointing.

But sunshine fixes almost all problems, especially wet trousers!!

I stayed in a small country town called Cooyar, swinging again. (In the hammock, calm down!). The local pub was banging, full of interesting characters. The local house painter Dave (Rembrandt), Dave the cowboy and Dave McCoy. All bikers who run the Viagra Outlaws club, sworn enemies of the blue rinse brigade. One guy even rides with his oxygen cylinder. Hardcore or what?

Dave Mac was a flat track racer who did well in his time, father of Garry McCoy, current GP racer doing really well. Great people and a cracking night out!

I’d set up in the back field away from everyone, next to a fenced off area. I knew it was a grave, but that didn’t really bother me. In the morning I had a closer look. Poor Ethel Tebb wasn’t even 5 years old when she died. I don’t know why she wasn’t in a cemetery, details were scarce. Such a small plot from over a century ago, yet still very moving.

Rest in peace Ethel.

So we’ve had the big pineapple, big apple and now… The big orange! (Maybe the big prawn was a red herring?). Whatever next??

I have a stowaway on the bike! Looks like a baby gecko. A cute little thing, doing no harm to anyone. He can stay as long as he doesn’t run up my arm!!

I don’t think he was too impressed with the cold wind, but as I head ever northwards it should warm up a treat. I wonder how long he’ll stay?

Officially the biker friendliest pub in Australia! At least that’s what the owner’s wife Colin told me, not that he’s biased in any way of course!

Having said that, I did receive a very warm welcome. I met up with an old friend Mal and we bush camped at the outskirts of town. Mal got me into hammock camping and it’s great! (I’m blogging from my hammock right now).

The hotel has leaflets printed with great riding roads, routes and directions. Every room has bike cleaning kit included and the locals all seem to ride. By the end of the night I almost felt guilty for not staying there.

In the morning Colin got some shots for the bike MAG he works for, but I’m not holding out any hope of being famous. (Been there before!).

… in half a day. Even Concorde couldn’t do that!