Lost In Navigation

The destination today is Kalbarri and it's only a short ride to get there. Dave suggests riding the scenic road at Northhampton rather than the relatively uninteresting highway. Sounds good.

We soon reach Geraldton. Dave heads north with Kirsten along the highway to Northhampton. I see a sign for the scenic route to Northhampton and take that turnoff. It's several minutes before I realise we've been separated and by then I have no intention of turning back; I've discovered the Chapman Valley.

This road used to be dirt but it's been recently sealed; there aren't even lines marked yet. The surface is so smooth and free from imperfections I can almost believe it's never been used before today. Every crest reveals another bend and every bend reveals another hill. Farmland covers every surface. It's a shame Dave is missing out on this.

I can't find anybody at Northhampton so I take the highway to Kalbarri. It's a dull piece of road but the destination justifies the effort. Kalbarri is the quintessential beach town, like I'd expect to see on a postcard. Still no sign of Dave nor Kirsten so I have lunch on the beach while I'm waiting. There's a kite surfer in the bay; he doesn't seem to be any good and it's far more entertaining than watching a pro.

Half an hour later they still haven't arrived. I wonder briefly if Dave dropped his bike. Nah, it's a BMW, it probably has an Anti Crash System and a Collision Avoidance System. Far too much expensive technology for my taste. I like my technology in laptops and phones, not in motorbikes.

I go looking for Dave and Kirsten along the cliffs that dominate the coastline. Ten minutes later I spot them near Natural Bridge. Dave apparently meant a different scenic route and I was meant to take the turnoff at Northhampton, rather than the turnoff to Northhampton. Well how was I meant to know that? My bike doesn't have a fancy Global Positioning System and Satellite Navigation System!