Well the countdown is well and truly on: only one more sleep and 11 riders will take to the road braving the weather elements, road trains and their own inner demons. All bikes are tested, have two-way radio connected and uniforms for all. We all look fit for a great ride - but as we all know looks can be deceiving.
Some of the boys took to the road again to gain a bit more last minute fitness training or was that elbow training as the picture I saw indicated a nice lunch in Freemantle with an odd ale or two!
Anyway from all reports the UHF radios work well between members of the group, with much banter clogging up most of the airwaves.
Some personalities are starting to arise already with Tim (the person that created all this in his imagination) along with Simone (on a drunken binge after a previous bike ride helping his imagination) coming to the fore.
Simone is our logistic manager with a written itinerary that any army intelligeny would be proud of.
Tim, well Tim like any good manager has delegated many of the major jobs to his Mother! Maureen (Mum) has the unenviable job of the food storage and management of meals. The caravan looked more like a food transporter today until is was ditributed to various other vans and campers. I have never seen so many onions, bread or UHT milk in one place as was today.
Now I had better sign off as the big day is nearly here for 'blast off' and as I have been assigned co-pilot in the support vehicle tomorrow along with Ray as the 'main man', will need to get some shut-eye. But before I go just a few bits of trivia:
* The boys in Freemantle saw the Russian hot air ballon man float overhead today, apparently quite a spectacular sight.
* Tim learnt today that if you take the blue film off the lens on your go-pro car camera, things look a whole lot better!
* Oh and yes, Ray you are going to learn how to say 'breaker, breaker, good buddy'.
Night, night.
Saturday, 23 July 2016
Friday, 22 July 2016
Perth
Okay, we've made Perth finally. Too cold last night to get up very early, so we 'mozied' into town a little later than we thought.
Have finally caught up with the rest of the crew who had been out and about on their bikes around Perth. All the parties are here, so let the fun begin.
I said yesterday that I would upload some photos, so will start that process of our trip so far. Enjoy!
Have finally caught up with the rest of the crew who had been out and about on their bikes around Perth. All the parties are here, so let the fun begin.
I said yesterday that I would upload some photos, so will start that process of our trip so far. Enjoy!
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| Head of the Bight - Great Southern Whale |
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| Mother and baby GSW |
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| Great Australian Bight Marine Park |
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| About to start our journey across the Nullabor |
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| Reflections at sunset |
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| Tractor Museum - crazy beasts! |
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| Donald Campbell's quest for the fastest person on water. |
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| The Lake where he achieved it - Lake Dumbleyung |
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| Camp for night at old school site |
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| The official riding group. They look happy now....but let's take another in a weeks time! |
Thursday, 21 July 2016
WA - we have made it!
Hello fellow travellers, no doubt you thought I might have skipped out on you as I haven't been able to write a post for some time. Rest assured, all is good and I finally have some decent weather, Internet and time available.
To say our trip across the Nullabor was uneventful would be technically correct. We had good travelling, albeit a tad slow at times waiting on the 'old bloke' behind to catch up as he was either trying to conserve fuel or concentrating on his game of 'patience', while driving I might add!
Nevertheless we made it and spent a few nights on the open road with a lovely fire or dribbling rain as our companion, finally arriving in Norseman ( which I consider the 'real' start of Western Australia, the rest is just the 'wild west'.)
Not all that much wildlife only the few wedge-tailed Eagles and emus to keep us amused, beside the never ending stream of 'road-kill' - kangaroo, cow etc. Road signs are quite amusing as we have camels at times, then replaced by cows, to then be replaced by emus. The only common animal seems to be the kangaroo.
As I've said, we are now in WA and after leaving Robin in Esperance for a few days, to give the bakery a tongue- lashing: those seafood pies are delicious, I'm told, we are now only 150kms south east of Perth. Camped at another lovely spot, out of the wind and rain at an old school site Kulyaling, we will venture into the capital of WA tomorrow and catch up with all the clan on the bike ride, along with all the domestic chores that have to be done.
We came through a wonderful little place today that had a tractor museum, keeping Paul amused with the crazy stuff these farmers got up to years ago when clearing the land. Grain is grown on a massive scale here in the west, with nearly every farm having crops of one sort or the other growing. Wheat, canola, lupins etc, it's all here.
We also came through the place where Donald Campbell raced his famous Bluebird to set the fastest world record on water. The lake is massive but just reminds me of what Lake Mungo may have been back 50,000 years ago: I wonder will this one ever become dry like that in years to come?
I will put some more pictures up when in Perth and connected to a computer, as I still haven't found how to do it on an iPad.
See you for now. Look out Perth, here we come!
To say our trip across the Nullabor was uneventful would be technically correct. We had good travelling, albeit a tad slow at times waiting on the 'old bloke' behind to catch up as he was either trying to conserve fuel or concentrating on his game of 'patience', while driving I might add!
Nevertheless we made it and spent a few nights on the open road with a lovely fire or dribbling rain as our companion, finally arriving in Norseman ( which I consider the 'real' start of Western Australia, the rest is just the 'wild west'.)
Not all that much wildlife only the few wedge-tailed Eagles and emus to keep us amused, beside the never ending stream of 'road-kill' - kangaroo, cow etc. Road signs are quite amusing as we have camels at times, then replaced by cows, to then be replaced by emus. The only common animal seems to be the kangaroo.
As I've said, we are now in WA and after leaving Robin in Esperance for a few days, to give the bakery a tongue- lashing: those seafood pies are delicious, I'm told, we are now only 150kms south east of Perth. Camped at another lovely spot, out of the wind and rain at an old school site Kulyaling, we will venture into the capital of WA tomorrow and catch up with all the clan on the bike ride, along with all the domestic chores that have to be done.
We came through a wonderful little place today that had a tractor museum, keeping Paul amused with the crazy stuff these farmers got up to years ago when clearing the land. Grain is grown on a massive scale here in the west, with nearly every farm having crops of one sort or the other growing. Wheat, canola, lupins etc, it's all here.
We also came through the place where Donald Campbell raced his famous Bluebird to set the fastest world record on water. The lake is massive but just reminds me of what Lake Mungo may have been back 50,000 years ago: I wonder will this one ever become dry like that in years to come?
I will put some more pictures up when in Perth and connected to a computer, as I still haven't found how to do it on an iPad.
See you for now. Look out Perth, here we come!
Friday, 15 July 2016
Cowell
The last day in Cowell sees another perfect winter's day with bright sunshine and a light breeze. If only it will continue for the next 6 weeks of our trip. The boys once again have gone fishing which appears to be paying off, as the last two days have actually yielded some good King George Whiting (Yum!). I'm not sure how these 2 fisherman (they like to call themselves) actually catch fish when you hear the real stories about their exploits in the boat!
Firstly Rob almost falls out when his seat gives way with Paul having to grab his foot to bring him back within the boat boundaries. Then yesterday they have to come back in twice to get a towel for Robin and then he also had forgotten his life-jacket after getting 3/4 of the way out to sea! With all this running backward and forward they then, nearly run out of fuel coming back in when the wind got up.
Anyway with at least some KGW packed in the freezer and a nice meal had, things in the fishing stakes aren't all bad.
I hear you asking, if the boys are fishing all the time what do I get up to when they're away? Well beside the general domestic bits and pieces I generally like to plug in the iPhone with the earplugs and walk. It doesn't matter where - down the track near the park, around the 20 acres of the park (most of it is bush land) or into town, which is about 2 kms away. I love my music and yes, you can find me singing along with it or even conducting the orchestra if the song is right!
Yesterday I walked into Cowell, for no real reason, but just to have a look around and grab a few bits and pieces required in the camper. It really is a lovely little town, but I must admit the beaches lack a bit of pizazz as the mangroves seem to take over most water edges. The architecture of the place is beautiful in some of the old buildings, namely the two hotels, but also some of the homes as well. The sandstone buildings that frequent SA are fine examples that money was once no object when it came to construction of some of these buildings.
It is funny though when walking by yourself the people who want to stop and talk to you, as was with me when an elderly man started up a conversation about SA. He wasn't all the flattering about the place, coming from QLD, stating that last year he traveled VIC and found the nicest place to visit was Lakes Entrance! Interesting to get an outsiders perspective on what we take for granted in our own backyard, but I must admit I did agree it is a wonderful place to live.
Finally, the Bike-boys are on their way with trailer, bikes and gear and will be traveling as I write this. Paul rang Nick this morning about 8:30 am and they were already near Ballarat. Paul was in bed at the time! (It was a bit frosty, I must admit)! Safe traveling lads - we may meet up somewhere, but I feel maybe they will be a bit quicker than we are getting to Perth. Time will tell!
Anyway with at least some KGW packed in the freezer and a nice meal had, things in the fishing stakes aren't all bad.
I hear you asking, if the boys are fishing all the time what do I get up to when they're away? Well beside the general domestic bits and pieces I generally like to plug in the iPhone with the earplugs and walk. It doesn't matter where - down the track near the park, around the 20 acres of the park (most of it is bush land) or into town, which is about 2 kms away. I love my music and yes, you can find me singing along with it or even conducting the orchestra if the song is right!
Finally, the Bike-boys are on their way with trailer, bikes and gear and will be traveling as I write this. Paul rang Nick this morning about 8:30 am and they were already near Ballarat. Paul was in bed at the time! (It was a bit frosty, I must admit)! Safe traveling lads - we may meet up somewhere, but I feel maybe they will be a bit quicker than we are getting to Perth. Time will tell!
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| View across from boat ramp to Cowell |
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| Cowell Jetty |
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| Shh! Don't tell Barry, but Paul actually knows how to fillet fish! |
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Side issue
Hi again, I just thought I might share these few thoughts with you as the boys have once again gone fishing. Yesterday was a non-event as far as fishing went, even resorting to ringing a friend in Lakes Entrance on where to find the fish in Cowell! Although 'Huddo' has fished this area on a regular basis he was not able to impart enough 'good' information about where to find them apparently. We live in hope for today.
Now to the few side-issues:
1. You might notice on the front header of this blog the picture depicts all the different vehicles lined up on the road when we traveled back in 2013. We had all pulled over, I think on the road to Kalumbaru. All but our own vehicle and camper has been replaced or upgraded since then.
I ask you this, is it because they are all richer than we are and can afford better vehicles/ vans? Older and require more comfort? Or that we have a good thing so why change it ( or can't afford anything better at this time)?
Secondly, Robin years ago happened upon an 'outback' portable toilet. ( Thanks Sandra). In other words it was a milk crate with a hole in the top/ bottom and had a toilet seat attached to provide the 'comfort' when using the basic toiletry method in the great outdoors. Unfortunately somewhere between Kieth and here it took to being a 'flying dunny' and disengaged itself from his van. Sorry to whomever may have been following on the highway - I guess you never expected to be hit by a flying loo!
Alright, it must be time to get on with the day's duty - like reading my book and making another cup of coffee. Already walked into town this morning, so the constitutional is up to scratch. Stayed tuned for further events.
Only one more sleep before the real boys take off with bikes on board - stay safe lads.
Now to the few side-issues:
1. You might notice on the front header of this blog the picture depicts all the different vehicles lined up on the road when we traveled back in 2013. We had all pulled over, I think on the road to Kalumbaru. All but our own vehicle and camper has been replaced or upgraded since then.
I ask you this, is it because they are all richer than we are and can afford better vehicles/ vans? Older and require more comfort? Or that we have a good thing so why change it ( or can't afford anything better at this time)?
Secondly, Robin years ago happened upon an 'outback' portable toilet. ( Thanks Sandra). In other words it was a milk crate with a hole in the top/ bottom and had a toilet seat attached to provide the 'comfort' when using the basic toiletry method in the great outdoors. Unfortunately somewhere between Kieth and here it took to being a 'flying dunny' and disengaged itself from his van. Sorry to whomever may have been following on the highway - I guess you never expected to be hit by a flying loo!
Alright, it must be time to get on with the day's duty - like reading my book and making another cup of coffee. Already walked into town this morning, so the constitutional is up to scratch. Stayed tuned for further events.
Only one more sleep before the real boys take off with bikes on board - stay safe lads.
Tuesday, 12 July 2016
Sunny Day - Finally
Hello again from 'sunny' SA! Finally the wind has abated, the sun has come out and the boys have eventually launched the boat for some squid and whiting fishing.
I must admit the past few days would have tested any camping-hardened person, with near gale force winds and sleeting, freezing rain. The bakery in town was certainly a nice place to while-away a half hour or so, before braving the elements once again.
We did take a small drive in the inclement weather instead of just hanging around camp feeling sorry for ourselves, out to Cleve then down to Arno Bay before being blown back to Cowell. Not much to any of these places but quaint in a good all country way. Paul had to balance his front tires as somewhere along the road it must have thrown off a weight. It only cost $20 to fix with the local Cleve mechanic not wanting to take anymore from us as he said "you did most of it anyway". In the city regardless of help or not, the price would have been a lot more than $20, I feel!
We also went and checked out Lucky Bay the other day: this is where the ferry from Yorke Peninsula (Wallaroo) commutes between the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas.
Lots of beach shacks, boats and the odd tractor or two. Obviously this is the preferred way to launch and retrieve the vessels.There were also some quirky bits of art in the area (of which I have attempted to capture with my camera - see below).
Well the boys are back, so better see what morsels they may have brought back. Until next time...
I must admit the past few days would have tested any camping-hardened person, with near gale force winds and sleeting, freezing rain. The bakery in town was certainly a nice place to while-away a half hour or so, before braving the elements once again.
We did take a small drive in the inclement weather instead of just hanging around camp feeling sorry for ourselves, out to Cleve then down to Arno Bay before being blown back to Cowell. Not much to any of these places but quaint in a good all country way. Paul had to balance his front tires as somewhere along the road it must have thrown off a weight. It only cost $20 to fix with the local Cleve mechanic not wanting to take anymore from us as he said "you did most of it anyway". In the city regardless of help or not, the price would have been a lot more than $20, I feel!
We also went and checked out Lucky Bay the other day: this is where the ferry from Yorke Peninsula (Wallaroo) commutes between the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas.
Lots of beach shacks, boats and the odd tractor or two. Obviously this is the preferred way to launch and retrieve the vessels.There were also some quirky bits of art in the area (of which I have attempted to capture with my camera - see below).
Well the boys are back, so better see what morsels they may have brought back. Until next time...
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| Art work at Lucky Bay |
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| Our camp site - out of the wind! |
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| A wood heap full of Mallee roots - I wish I could take some with us! |
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| Our camp from the top area. |
Saturday, 9 July 2016
A New Adventure
Well hello fellow adventurers. It has been awhile I admit, but I'm back and hopefully with plenty of wonderful stories for you to enjoy and tag-a-long with.
Our trip this time around sees us crossing the Nullabor once again with final destination Perth, before heading east but this time with 12 or so bicycle riders! Yes, I said bicycle.
A friend of our turns 50 this year (Happy Birthday Tim!) and to make this a memorable birthday he decided it would be a great idea to travel from Perth to Bairnsdale (4,000) approximately, with a few mates ( or crazy people, either coerced or bribed to make the trip with him).
Well I have to admire the tenacity of the riders including our son Nick, who has very limited experience riding for long periods of time on a bicycle.
We have actually taken off 10 days before the others as Paul and our friend, Robin a.k.a.Dr Bob from our last adventures decided they want to make it a fishing trip as well.
So here we are in sunny Cowell SA, albeit very windy and no fishing. Typical of this time of year to run into wind and rain. These bike riders must have a very limited grasp of what southern Australia can dish -up this time of year. "Near cyclone wind crossing the bight" is what we heard on the radio this morning!
Oh well, by the time we all assemble in Perth, who knows it might be lovely sunshine days with light westerly winds at our back. Stayed tuned to find out what unfolds during the next week or two.
By the way, what are we doing on this trip really and not heading north, you might be asking? Paul is the "entertainment officer" and I've delegated myself to photographer and blogger for the gang. Enjoy the ride.
Our trip this time around sees us crossing the Nullabor once again with final destination Perth, before heading east but this time with 12 or so bicycle riders! Yes, I said bicycle.
A friend of our turns 50 this year (Happy Birthday Tim!) and to make this a memorable birthday he decided it would be a great idea to travel from Perth to Bairnsdale (4,000) approximately, with a few mates ( or crazy people, either coerced or bribed to make the trip with him).
Well I have to admire the tenacity of the riders including our son Nick, who has very limited experience riding for long periods of time on a bicycle.
We have actually taken off 10 days before the others as Paul and our friend, Robin a.k.a.Dr Bob from our last adventures decided they want to make it a fishing trip as well.
So here we are in sunny Cowell SA, albeit very windy and no fishing. Typical of this time of year to run into wind and rain. These bike riders must have a very limited grasp of what southern Australia can dish -up this time of year. "Near cyclone wind crossing the bight" is what we heard on the radio this morning!
Oh well, by the time we all assemble in Perth, who knows it might be lovely sunshine days with light westerly winds at our back. Stayed tuned to find out what unfolds during the next week or two.
By the way, what are we doing on this trip really and not heading north, you might be asking? Paul is the "entertainment officer" and I've delegated myself to photographer and blogger for the gang. Enjoy the ride.
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