Here we are at last! Esperance or in Aborigene *Keppa Kurl*, the place where the waters lay down like a boomerang. Not quite sure of the hidden meaning of this romantic phrase but when we arrived on Thursday, we couldn't wait to find a spot to erect our tent and lay down (like a boomerang?)
A tough week. Again! 7 days for 490km, with a strong, very strong wind against us, a couple of petrol stations and one campsite 2/3 along, in Ravensthorpe where we absolutely splashed out: paid an extra $6 for 2 beds in a miners dormitory! The best thing was that there was a fridge, an electric plate and some pots and pans: we managed to cook a feast for New Years Eve, pasta, tomato sauce with basil and salad. And bacon and eggs the following morning! Otherwise, miles and miles of scrubby bushes, not much traffic thankfully until Ravensthorpe, but not much food either (other than the ubiquitous Mrs Mac Pies and chips - and we WERE thankful for these!) or water. At one service station, Wellstead, a very kind owner handed me a high visibility jacket. Apparently he had driven behind us and not seen us. I look like a fluorescent canary now but am so grateful for his kind gesture. After Jerramungup on Sunday, we camped by a windswept little scrubby path, next to thousand of sheep... the next day we heard that there had been bush fires further north, near Kalgoorlie (where we are heading to after Esperance)! I thought Wow! a bush fire could easily sweep through where we are camping. Just the right conditions: searing heat followed by very strong wind! Keep looking at our blog to check we are still alive next week!
We have now nearly recovered from the last few km, pedalled in extreme heat (I would say 40 degrees). We thankfully found some shade at 11 am where we sheltered, but the heat was still intense. A hot wind made us dizzy, thirsty and weak, the rim of my glasses burnt my cheeks and the salt from our sweat pouring in our eyes made them sting. To top it all, John bumped his head on a low branch (he was looking out for ants - they are so nasty) and didn't feel very happy... BUT we have recovered, ate vast amounts with LOTS of salt, I drank many many lovely coffees and we are now ready to go on a small cruise to Woody Island. Hoping to see seals, sea eagles and do some snorkelling if weather warms up. YES! You wouldn't believe it! Weather has turned cool now!
A tough week. Again! 7 days for 490km, with a strong, very strong wind against us, a couple of petrol stations and one campsite 2/3 along, in Ravensthorpe where we absolutely splashed out: paid an extra $6 for 2 beds in a miners dormitory! The best thing was that there was a fridge, an electric plate and some pots and pans: we managed to cook a feast for New Years Eve, pasta, tomato sauce with basil and salad. And bacon and eggs the following morning! Otherwise, miles and miles of scrubby bushes, not much traffic thankfully until Ravensthorpe, but not much food either (other than the ubiquitous Mrs Mac Pies and chips - and we WERE thankful for these!) or water. At one service station, Wellstead, a very kind owner handed me a high visibility jacket. Apparently he had driven behind us and not seen us. I look like a fluorescent canary now but am so grateful for his kind gesture. After Jerramungup on Sunday, we camped by a windswept little scrubby path, next to thousand of sheep... the next day we heard that there had been bush fires further north, near Kalgoorlie (where we are heading to after Esperance)! I thought Wow! a bush fire could easily sweep through where we are camping. Just the right conditions: searing heat followed by very strong wind! Keep looking at our blog to check we are still alive next week!
We have now nearly recovered from the last few km, pedalled in extreme heat (I would say 40 degrees). We thankfully found some shade at 11 am where we sheltered, but the heat was still intense. A hot wind made us dizzy, thirsty and weak, the rim of my glasses burnt my cheeks and the salt from our sweat pouring in our eyes made them sting. To top it all, John bumped his head on a low branch (he was looking out for ants - they are so nasty) and didn't feel very happy... BUT we have recovered, ate vast amounts with LOTS of salt, I drank many many lovely coffees and we are now ready to go on a small cruise to Woody Island. Hoping to see seals, sea eagles and do some snorkelling if weather warms up. YES! You wouldn't believe it! Weather has turned cool now!
So far, 1455km on the clock...
Dear Nicole and John,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear you have reached
Esperance. We met you at Caves
campsite, Walpole (Lesley and Glenn)from Brighton and Derby.
We are back in windy and wet Britain and fighting the jet lag.
Glad to see you made the tree top walk and all the best for the final stage to Kalgoolie
Lesley