9th May 2022 - Fitzroy Crossing to Broome

 Distance travelled: 494 kms

Cumulative distance: 5,980 kms.

Sponsored by: Rod May

Headed for Broome at around 8.10 am. I had to refuel at the BP just down the road. It looked as though it had been hut by a bomb attack. The owner of the ahop was repairing the doors. Apparently the local lads had got a bit frisky last night and wrecked the place. There is still only 91 octane available but the bike seems to be running Ok on it. A few of us decided to go into Derby to check it out. It is 40 kms off the direct route to Broome. I was interested to see what changes had occurred since I was there last time in 2014. The motel we stayed in has gone and the rest of the town is a complete shambles. You can't get to the wharf and the old gaol besodebthe police station is now derelict.

Feeding the local crows with chips!!

The women who served me at the Shell service station told me not to leave anything loose on my bike. I beat a hasty retreat from Derby and headed back to Broome. There was a beautiful Baobab tree by the highway from Fitzroy Crossing.

A large Baobab tree at the junction of the Great Northern Highway and Derby Highway.

At Wilare Bridge roadhouse I stopped off for some lunch which was good. I met Paul from Busselton on his Vstrom. He was heading for Broome and would give me a caĺl when he found somewhere to stay. There were some serious roadworks in progress on that stretch of the Great Northern Highway. I hit about 10 kms of wet gravel road. I was Ok until a huge road train hove into view taking up most of the road. I had visions of being forced to ride on the soft muddy shoulder. Luckily I was able to stay on the hard gravel and make it past the truck.

Again the hotel was under staffed as check-in was a bit chaotic. The Oaks Broome Hotel is like a rabbit warren and I took a few wrong turns before I found my room. There was a laundrette around the corner so I caught up with my washing. Dinner was at the hotel at 7pm. We had pre-ordered a few days ago as they had to make sure they had all the ingredients.

Enjoying our aperitifs by the pool.

It is anothet rest day tomorrow. I'm going to vote and visit a local historical museum.