Northern Territory

Rode 860km today. Going ok. The roads are long, straight, and nearly empty. And those roads have delivered me to the land of the 130km/h speed limit (NT)! I am pretty sure this is the first time I’ve been to the Territory, which seems strange in itself. I’ve certainly been to every other state multiple times.

Had a stake* sandwich at a random roadhouse along the way. Sat down to take in my surroundings, to find i was eye-to-eye with an 8 ft (I reckon) python! Thankfully there was a thick sheet of glass between us, as it was in coiled up in its enclosure.

The long ride days need a fair few stops along the way. Just a few minutes is usually enough. But I‘ve found I can press on quite happily if I take those short breaks. The straight, empty road has an enchanting rhythm to it. I’m camped tonight at the turn-off for Ayer’s Rock – Uluṟu. I understand it is a 600km round trip from here off route to go. I’d love to see it, but if I took a detour for everything on this trip that I’d love to see, the six months would be six years. The most magnificent sunset I’ve ever seen (tonight) will have to suffice.

• Edit: Of course I mean "steak" not "stake". No; I wasn't reduced to eating wood!Thanks Jenny for pointing that out quietly.