1997-11-30 Karri Valley Resort -> Pemberton, 28km, 17km/h
Buffet breakfast $17 each. English and European. Seen
plenty of green parrots, but haven't taken a photo yet. Got
permission to stay the afternoon and slept and read under the trees
on the grass. Finally got going around 15h00. Plenty of up and
down, but not as bad as before. Perhaps not doing about 70km before
the hills made it easier. Chcked in at Pemberton (a forestry town)
backpckers. Got a room with a bunkbed, but OK otherwise. Went
shopping and stopped for a beer in the pub. Met a guy at the bar
who is constructing rammed-earth houses and raising trees.
A real greeny-anti-capitalist. Tried explaining the libertarian view of things, but he didn't but it. He still thinks that government=capitalism and socialism=good. He explained how farmland in high rainfall regions is relatively valuable. Pissed-off by Ozzy government's desire to increase greenhouse emissions, but still accepts subsidies for using diesel fuel. I didn't bother pointing out the hypocrisy. Still, it was a nice chat. Made so-so mushroom tortellini for supper and chatted with a Dutch woman (touring by bus), a German (about 40 years old) touring by bicycle, and a Brit touring by Harley. Brit was nice and was going to lend me a hex key to tighten the bagage carriers (which have come loose), but he didn't have the right size. Explained the psychology of rival motorcycle clubs and was quick to admit that it was sometimes rather stupid.