tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64728601628794763022024-03-05T22:58:05.351-08:00Perth to Sydney 2010thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-79955626259127723322010-07-03T04:01:00.000-07:002010-07-03T10:33:23.192-07:0033- The End of the RoadWell, this is it.<br /><br /><br />I'm done. No more walking, no more blogging, no more lack of showers, no more spaghetti for dinner every single night and, most strangely, no more beard. It was the first thing to go, and not too many tears were shed when it was removed. Not too sure what to feel at the moment, other than the satisfaction of finishing something (for once!) and excitement at getting back to Brisbane and back to student life.<br /><br /><br />Anyways, I arrived at my final stop, Sydenham station, late Tuesday night. Sydenham was chosen as the final stop because it was the first Metro train station I came across and it was kindly suggested to me by the highway police that I shouldn't really be walking on freeways,<br />and they wanted to move me off the main roads but when it got down to it they just didn't have the heart. Or something to move the trailer with. But still I wasn't ever too keen on dodging city traffic, not to mention unending questions, queries and stoppages from passers-by. That and I felt a great aversion to an iconic end such as finishing at Federation Square as it wouldn't have fitted in with the rest of the trip. The finish at Sydenham was perfect though.<br /><br />But deciding to trek down to Melbourne instead of Sydney was probably the best decision I made in the whole trip. At the very least it was definitely better than my decision not to shower from Mildura to Melbourne.<br /><br />And, as we all know, Sydney is really just a poor man's Sydenham.<br /><br /><br /><br />Not much left to say now, it's all been written before. And unfortunately my second camera was misplaced by me so have no photos to share this time. Instead I've chucked a few links below, 2 of which are slideshows I cobbled together (one you may have already seen before, this time it actually works properly though!) and the other links are just stuff other people have written that mentions Sam and/or me. Pretty proud of a few of the articles, mainly because all of them show both the awesome beard and the high-end fashion that I usually am wearing. After this I'm probably just going to take up modelling.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Videos</span><br /><br />SlamVision- The final product<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaJdyBDlGDA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaJdyBDlGDA</a><br /><br /><br />The Trip- Start to Finish. (Warning, it's quite long. Sorry)<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YugaWk0jH1Q">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YugaWk0jH1Q</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Stuff<br /><br /></span>Guys we met cycling across for charity<br /><a href="http://www.macroformicro.com/track?page=5">http://www.macroformicro.com/track?page=5</a><br /><br /><br />Sunraysia Daily Article<br /><a href="http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/crosscountry-run/1851779.aspx">http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/crosscountry-run/1851779.aspx</a><br /><br /><br />West Coast Sentinel (Paper in Ceduna)<br /><a href="http://www.westcoastsentinel.com.au/news/local/news/general/brothers-wandering-across-australia/1822711.aspx">http://www.westcoastsentinel.com.au/news/local/news/general/brothers-wandering-across-australia/1822711.aspx</a><br /><br /><br />Barry and Norren's Blog (Awesome Canadians we met, twice!)<br /><a href="http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Kalgoorlie/blog-489661.html">http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Kalgoorlie/blog-489661.html</a><br /><br /><br />The Age<br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/walker-discovers-rhythm-of-the-road-over-3500-km-20100628-zf5y.html">http://www.theage.com.au/national/walker-discovers-rhythm-of-the-road-over-3500-km-20100628-zf5y.html</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well that is all there is. So 3497 kilometres, 117 days, 3 states and at least 1 somewhat changed person later I finally have the chance to say this, and I've never been more excited to say it.<br /><br /><br /><br />I'm coming home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Goodbye, and thanks. Can't wait to see you all again soon!<br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-72853370328996117922010-06-29T15:19:00.000-07:002010-06-29T17:02:45.506-07:00ThanksI must almost be finished, shouldn't I be? Surely.<br /><br />Well maybe, maybe not. Who knows, it remains a mystery to many. It is a closely guarded secret, just as the change of final destination to Melbourne was.<br /><br />But whenever I have/will finish I won't be posting my final post for a while. This is to let the message of this one sink in that bit more as it'll be the most important one I write.<br /><br />It's pretty simple and sounds hollow when done incorrectly, so I figured if I devoted a whole post to it then even I couldn't stuff it up.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, here goes...<br /><br />Been needing to say this for a while but I figured people would tire of constantly hearing it so it'd mean more saying it properly just once.<br /><br />I just wanted to thank everybody who has been in my life the last four months- either newly entered, returning, passing through or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">continuing</span> on. I'm going to be a bit of a wuss and not mention any names at all in the hope that it'll offend every one just a little bit rather than offend a few people I forget to mention a lot.<br /><br />Sam and I would love to say that we did this trip unassisted but that is definitely not the case because we have felt assisted every step of the way, whether it be from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">received</span> packages/ letters/love letters and emails to calls, strangers stopping for chats and food deliveries, old friends going out of their way to help out to even simple things like a good horn honk, a smile and a wave it has all just added so much to this trip and none of it was asked for, just happily and willingly given. Has been very humbling and given me a new perspective on life, not to mention a few lessons on how to treat people.<br /><br />I know this last four months will be imprinted on me for the rest of my life and the most positive thing to have come out of it is seeing not only how much good there is in people but also how much willingness, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">spontaneity</span>, thought and wit they have to act on those good intentions. If I'm a better person for it then you get all the credit. Saying that if I turn out to be a real jerk then rest assured- you will all be copping the blame for it.<br /><br />So to friends, strangers, colleagues, brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, surrogate mums (and the actual one), father figures (once again and the actual one), randoms, adventurers, visitors, farmers, slickers, tourists, cyclists, shopkeepers, truckies, hoons, goons, vanners and slammers- <span style="font-style: italic;">read this and know it's coming from someone who means it-</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you.</span> You've made this experience the best one of my life.<br /><br /><br />Ok, that's all. The next post will be the last one. Then no more writing for me!<br /><br />Until then,<br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-30783987680995130292010-06-23T14:50:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:10:57.870-07:00Happy Birthday Mum:)<br /><br />Saves ringing.<br /><br /><br />Enjoy your really (in)expensive gift that took us (not) a long time to come up with. I'm pretty sure you'll still like it though, as it was made with lots of love.<br /><br /><br />Keep up the good work.<br /><br />From your son<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYE7Q7Z0OXMY02VySe8QLwjHnz_MXrMTVVzPXBm-RyTm6Y3RdDDwXC6cpp3_8VcIM-uSd3KQQ9L4JZWAgHA4_idjphHrFCC4EY281PDLIPoHIiz_Vskan-AwW6RxI3SspaEUBSb2U1wTp/s1600/Clinkers.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8RvOd4I3QSrEW6TezRd_wMDskcBYdiHJxsm5H4CQzcxB-n-9cMFuH_cO-XpiNyO6POnCGY5eLaobNLJfCwWnfzXMHDogxRt5BNFAOmLWSnok4u-a0AfdUi5AZ-rih2Zfi1qUqbQ0VRC6/s1600/birthday+mum.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8RvOd4I3QSrEW6TezRd_wMDskcBYdiHJxsm5H4CQzcxB-n-9cMFuH_cO-XpiNyO6POnCGY5eLaobNLJfCwWnfzXMHDogxRt5BNFAOmLWSnok4u-a0AfdUi5AZ-rih2Zfi1qUqbQ0VRC6/s320/birthday+mum.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486094473144008018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Only card I could find in Wedderburn</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYE7Q7Z0OXMY02VySe8QLwjHnz_MXrMTVVzPXBm-RyTm6Y3RdDDwXC6cpp3_8VcIM-uSd3KQQ9L4JZWAgHA4_idjphHrFCC4EY281PDLIPoHIiz_Vskan-AwW6RxI3SspaEUBSb2U1wTp/s1600/Clinkers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYE7Q7Z0OXMY02VySe8QLwjHnz_MXrMTVVzPXBm-RyTm6Y3RdDDwXC6cpp3_8VcIM-uSd3KQQ9L4JZWAgHA4_idjphHrFCC4EY281PDLIPoHIiz_Vskan-AwW6RxI3SspaEUBSb2U1wTp/s320/Clinkers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486094483703722658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hint for your present. Pretty much giving it away. </span>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-43434560730052550932010-06-22T02:04:00.000-07:002010-06-22T05:20:41.250-07:00More Questions AnsweredStill bearing down on Melbourne quite steadily and have stopped in Charlton tonight at a custom built pit-stop of sorts for tourists called the Traveller's Rest, and I have decided to take the name quite literally and set up my swag under one of their picnic pergolas. Such things are probably frowned upon by the caravan park next door but once again I'm not too keen on paying $20 to roll out my swag on their lawn.<br /><br /><br /><br />With 250 Kilometres to go there are still however a lot of questions that remain unanswered and not much time left to answer them. Tonight I'll try and get through a few more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What has been the best part of the trip to walk?</span> Surprisingly, the Nullarbor. Was actually beautiful in parts, and along with flat straight roads and extremely helpful passers-by made it easily the best part of the journey. Although admittedly I do not miss treating roadside drop toilets as a luxury.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Are you walking all the way into Melbourne?</span> No way. Going to keep going until the traffic no longer allows me on the main road then finish up around there. At the moment it looks like around Calder Park- near the speedway there. Shaun'd know why I want to finish there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How much weight have you lost on the trip?</span> Have actually gained around 10 kilos at the moment, much to everyone's surprise. No real surprise to me though considering how much Sam and I have eaten this trip.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What has been the hardest part of the trip?</span> Seriously, spending so much time alone. Never thought I'd ever say that. I am usually quite comfortable in my own company- so that has been the most surprising part of the trip for me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a few photos as well, with attached questions...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WF8D9Jfs0NvrEvRTalBE15zn_rqVEZ2qGF398QRzGlGDRunQVD4KRYMAieq2zdrJISJBcbC8zWuU8w6c4au_PAyzcix9kEfeaIO3RtM7YjBPmb_wM1vvguwAd4flshQzKAuqJQQz1hWx/s1600/charlton+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WF8D9Jfs0NvrEvRTalBE15zn_rqVEZ2qGF398QRzGlGDRunQVD4KRYMAieq2zdrJISJBcbC8zWuU8w6c4au_PAyzcix9kEfeaIO3RtM7YjBPmb_wM1vvguwAd4flshQzKAuqJQQz1hWx/s320/charlton+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485524539984734178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">How do the farm animals react when you pass?<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, as can be seen here, horses seem to love the whole walking along the road with a cart. They probably think the trailers full of food. Cattle all turn and look, although none actually move at all. Dogs go beserk of course, sheep run away. Emus follow from a distance, Kangaroos are too busy dead on the side of the road to notice much, mice love the trailer and cant really get them to leave, and alpacas remain indifferent to the whole thing. Llamas however get quite agitated- but as any self-respecting Mighty Boosh fan would know there are quite a few ways to calm a Llama down. (Bec that last part is for you and your 200+ friends/followers- I hope they enjoy it. Thug Life)<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-75vjbstDTKGVQsVGZLQwRXBlDA_LNqp3Wf4h4hjOYsaqZPnCGolrYYNVpBFm8DIjvPCTemelBpndpx-y6TkywfB9UuAyxFTljnKVhM5osAvaWmSwfMZRdKeE9i1jhLfS3vtpIisWzRpx/s1600/charlton+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-75vjbstDTKGVQsVGZLQwRXBlDA_LNqp3Wf4h4hjOYsaqZPnCGolrYYNVpBFm8DIjvPCTemelBpndpx-y6TkywfB9UuAyxFTljnKVhM5osAvaWmSwfMZRdKeE9i1jhLfS3vtpIisWzRpx/s320/charlton+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485524532624578322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What's the nicest picture that's been drawn for me, ever? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">To be fair this doesn't get asked a lot (or at all) but it's pretty much just an excuse to post this, my newest addition to the trailer, a beautiful picture drawn by Charli from Wycheproof. She even got as close to spelling my name right as most people do. Liy is as close as Lee to spelling Leigh, and I think I prefer Liy anyways. Thanks Charli- I love it! And thank you so much to Debbie as well for putting me up in Wycheproof for a night which included washing all my disgusting clothes and eating half the contents of her fridge. I really appreciated it- hopefully I'll be back again soon.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, and special mention goes to Kim with her amazing blueprints for our dreamhouse. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFVRqRcztF_MX_jOTpW_ItvjuWDW26ZVU9uH9rNllS_Qzgylu2zdu4AeJ93XnWwH3h2FSviSuvG4_bt52FK0rlx5Oz-R6DWdcDmiuLoX9RRUbGRf2sVw03lgOPC8t5wix8tfkpYcRD83_/s1600/day+106-108+035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFVRqRcztF_MX_jOTpW_ItvjuWDW26ZVU9uH9rNllS_Qzgylu2zdu4AeJ93XnWwH3h2FSviSuvG4_bt52FK0rlx5Oz-R6DWdcDmiuLoX9RRUbGRf2sVw03lgOPC8t5wix8tfkpYcRD83_/s320/day+106-108+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485524520712438274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">How's the beard going? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Terribly. Can't wait to get rid of it. Took this photo yesterday. Actually took a few more as well but I chose to post this one as in it you can see straight up my nose if you wish. Also I seem to be doing something weird with my tongue.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cB63ddHTQYTkUSPgzX6jp5krr3eo1L1-JnTOVPrSVoJFwPVtt86iMBb9dIcBGCliNV3B3JfFosHPF1eEvpWP70hgn0RuJtRgZ3cn4aDJ1Cj3QlcFNmQrY6Sk9DEVO2FKjBz-NUkpnmDD/s1600/day+106-108+009.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ddm4hQ9nKGT37IkoggoqI3s2nhGsXp-a9etS64W3ybMGhzxOHEWUS1t7XSN0jmiY6SBmrRhKct91sUPArbtFev_S07GdFUqmxseGiva_7UsbHC37EXab1ZDC4mPzt9yXZdbvi7vXTlhl/s1600/charlton+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ddm4hQ9nKGT37IkoggoqI3s2nhGsXp-a9etS64W3ybMGhzxOHEWUS1t7XSN0jmiY6SBmrRhKct91sUPArbtFev_S07GdFUqmxseGiva_7UsbHC37EXab1ZDC4mPzt9yXZdbvi7vXTlhl/s320/charlton+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485552247540480706" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What have you found on the roadside while walking? <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Well today I found this $20 on the side of the road. Apart from that, not much. A bit of rubbish. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAkPBF8EyvFdWOlX1_8vhTccOfNu3zpUcGMTxqxgWCvzK36fs18wmmlcnX_Mrp5rLExQS5Hnd9mp_vyZPjI7NgG_wDCwWZm9S0mlGBE3Lp36ikb6hpzLOxwRwUzP6yyvhyphenhyphenCUIJUAheS3U/s1600/Graphic__Music_-Headphones-_Heart.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAkPBF8EyvFdWOlX1_8vhTccOfNu3zpUcGMTxqxgWCvzK36fs18wmmlcnX_Mrp5rLExQS5Hnd9mp_vyZPjI7NgG_wDCwWZm9S0mlGBE3Lp36ikb6hpzLOxwRwUzP6yyvhyphenhyphenCUIJUAheS3U/s320/Graphic__Music_-Headphones-_Heart.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485552255629088674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">What music do you listen to while walking? </span>The mp3 player, which is probably the best value and most important piece of equipment on the trip, has had many updates and revisions to its playlist over the past few months. Initially loaded by Sam it was fine for a while until it got the the point that if I heard one more Guido Hatzis prank call, Rodney Rude fart joke or Bob Dylan mega-ballad I would have probably run myself over with my own trailer.<br />So after clearing it and starting from scratch it has now been filled with-<br /><br />Art vs. Science, Ash Grunwald, Augie March, Cat Stevens, Clare Bowditch, Diana Ross, Donovan Frankenreiter, Flight of the Conchords Foo Fighters, God is an Astronaut, James Morrison, Kings of Leon, Lisa Mitchell, Metallica, Mogwai, Muse, Michael Jackson ,Mighty Boosh excerpts, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, Sebastien Tellier, Smokey Robinson, Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, The Cat Empire, The Polyphonic Spree, Tracy Chapman, Xavier Rudd, Yeasayer<br /><br /><br /><br />Alphabetically sorted of course as they're all equally helpful in getting me through the kilometres. All of them except one....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdo1rVafSlHv-NNiZeDokxpodJ8nJEDOzM8U-TYtLZMZNFqJYKeY9VS5vAKooOBeGuwK273TVc9iDSvZyJEd6C76fCZBtFor0C4FijPYadziMMxEcJBZq2K9f5tLQOLqTHjm7Daj2rVJ-/s1600/britney_spears__singer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdo1rVafSlHv-NNiZeDokxpodJ8nJEDOzM8U-TYtLZMZNFqJYKeY9VS5vAKooOBeGuwK273TVc9iDSvZyJEd6C76fCZBtFor0C4FijPYadziMMxEcJBZq2K9f5tLQOLqTHjm7Daj2rVJ-/s320/britney_spears__singer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485552263400700146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Britney. She makes some great walking music. Don't judge me. </span><br /><br /><br /><br />Well that's all I can think of for now. Take it easy- 3 more blogs to go. That'll make it 33, my favourite number and a good point to finish. So will try to make them all better than the last few, but no promises.<br /><br />Liythejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-52082962573271494442010-06-18T01:32:00.001-07:002010-06-18T03:02:27.853-07:00Same Shirt, Different DayWell, more correctly, Same Shirt, Different Four Days. The smell is becoming quite offensive, even for me. Also with my hair in it's current state of care it's starting to fall out in protest and the shirt is only too happy to pick it up and keep it. With it being a black shirt my relatively light hair contrasts with it exceptionally well and it's starting to look like I own a cat with foot-long blonde fur, which is currently molting like crazy.<br /><br />But to be fair it's my favourite shirt so I'll keep wearing it for a few more days yet. It's not like I'm currently out to impress anyone with my looks or personal hygiene at the moment. And I use the terms 'my' and 'shirt' loosely as it is actually Sam's thermal top which I stole as he left in Ceduna.<br /><br />Anyways, have managed to trek the 88 k's from Ouyen to Sea Lake since last post (2 days ago). The combination of the new shoes and wheels have been scarily good as I am now walking around two hours less per day but am actually walking on average around 2-4 kilometres more. Goes to show how much of a difference not cheaping out on the basics makes! Thanks again Annie, Ashley and WGGCC. Makes me wonder how much quicker and less stress the trip would have been if I hadn't of bought everything from the bargain bins. Not that I'll ever learn my lesson, pretty sure I'll be a cheapskate for life. Plus it has all added to the challenge, would have been too easy otherwise. Pfft.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's the last two days worth of photos. Really starting to stretch it for both quality and quantity with the posts being so close together, but like I said before I'm going to post every chance I get now, even if it is terrible.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6Z3Ye-bjhY9wTs6qlMOr_MtmYHwZSH4Cej4jq4QZ_YWPmCvfDF7g7zEp4mRqQ7OE-0XR4vEj68vlvmqPYEpiR6mtY68q1UUiQtebIgqb9NgiQdrN_fgLoBVXNUmea_thPUnbROyZPaWQ/s1600/day+103-105+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6Z3Ye-bjhY9wTs6qlMOr_MtmYHwZSH4Cej4jq4QZ_YWPmCvfDF7g7zEp4mRqQ7OE-0XR4vEj68vlvmqPYEpiR6mtY68q1UUiQtebIgqb9NgiQdrN_fgLoBVXNUmea_thPUnbROyZPaWQ/s320/day+103-105+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484030576528367266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Where I set up camp in Ouyen. Once again showing a healthy disregard for authority.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENvBizVX8oJdYLU4157FPL71u0DBLuRkvgPERktpu9YS64tJmNt7tp6eTpTl6GdZu3pe_xWTrMmYOp28bs1gfK-mTBWeCjYjVlBfxS6hkQsc3oxqRyTvD0PhlRtJO14KZAQy1orIYS0lQ/s1600/day+103-105+014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENvBizVX8oJdYLU4157FPL71u0DBLuRkvgPERktpu9YS64tJmNt7tp6eTpTl6GdZu3pe_xWTrMmYOp28bs1gfK-mTBWeCjYjVlBfxS6hkQsc3oxqRyTvD0PhlRtJO14KZAQy1orIYS0lQ/s320/day+103-105+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484030582795725634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Just about to get into a drag with this guy, 10k's out of Sea Lake. You can see Wilson on top,<br />he reckons he can take him by himself. Apparently the start line is just up there a bit.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ16e3Hgq1G4VTksIhM4GYLtRLHyyTzeo30sbVg4ljScdaY5vXVQbn4dEO7CJjYp41-3BGxJBjxyVG7zqZB7D6-mHHeHXTaTOUoZCexgUEadm9vrKr8yuKtxvL68-YiqykST40w3lDhHd/s1600/day+103-105+024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ16e3Hgq1G4VTksIhM4GYLtRLHyyTzeo30sbVg4ljScdaY5vXVQbn4dEO7CJjYp41-3BGxJBjxyVG7zqZB7D6-mHHeHXTaTOUoZCexgUEadm9vrKr8yuKtxvL68-YiqykST40w3lDhHd/s320/day+103-105+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484030601175924610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">From the start of the trip have gradually been finding better and better places to set up camp. This has come from a combination of skill, experience and total lack of shame. Behold tonights camp site, the absolute ultimate spot. Ultimate like the Russian boxer who belts up Rocky in Rocky 4. Power, controllable lighting, fully sheltered, benches and seating, adjacent toilets and rainwater tank. Unbelievable, although I don't think it's meant to sleep in. That's where the lack of shame comes in.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoxO-g4VsaColmWPa90gF3qyqQki3r0UA8PmjitUzKpgCsCCWKkGBtfygd7E0yWKTlg4Iep5AzX2UN2-TkV88Z7YdZij98APK2R69tEuDwX_oCLctP82iqnnJVxjVGOspwRFQMVzHqwOI/s1600/day+103-105+020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoxO-g4VsaColmWPa90gF3qyqQki3r0UA8PmjitUzKpgCsCCWKkGBtfygd7E0yWKTlg4Iep5AzX2UN2-TkV88Z7YdZij98APK2R69tEuDwX_oCLctP82iqnnJVxjVGOspwRFQMVzHqwOI/s320/day+103-105+020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484030594133978754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, its been a rough few days for Wilson. I haven't heard him complain much but I can tell he's feeling a bit flat.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENvBizVX8oJdYLU4157FPL71u0DBLuRkvgPERktpu9YS64tJmNt7tp6eTpTl6GdZu3pe_xWTrMmYOp28bs1gfK-mTBWeCjYjVlBfxS6hkQsc3oxqRyTvD0PhlRtJO14KZAQy1orIYS0lQ/s1600/day+103-105+014.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, well its off to bed. Can watch movies all night without worrying about the power bill, because the Sea Lake Council has graciously decided to foot the bill this time. Will probably post again from either Wycheproof or Bendigo. Or both, who knows. There isn't many more places left to post from, only 350 kilometres left now!thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-18221017284465273712010-06-16T03:31:00.000-07:002010-06-16T04:12:14.151-07:00Oh, Oh, OuyenNow 100 kilometres into the final stretch and have to say- it's been tough. Not for any other reason than me not wanting to leave Mildura. Was definitely dragging the heels a lot the first two days, going all of 50 kilometres in that time, but the further I have got away the better it is and have managed to get into Ouyen tonight. Of course I've found somewhere to plug in the computer as it hasn't been sunny enough for the solar panel to be of any use except as somewhere for Wilson to sit. When it gets sunny Wilson is going to find himself slightly less comfortable, I've already warned him about that.<br /><br />Wasn't going to write anything here, but as there's only 450k's to go I figure I'll write one any chance I get, even if it is ordinary. Two more weeks and it's all over, it's a bit hard to believe at the moment.<br /><br />Currently aiming at a July 1st finish, but as has been the way the whole trip that will be more a guide than a deadline.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Couple of photos this time, none any good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogkvIPmFCqHuSvi4SGd5qjVz94b_0W8LUtCcMCDnTtDQRuEJSL_4o1ke1AORvJKH8odC8f-DS8hgsrKTC41X1wj9cCb5KesvuGNL_seAQmWvcDNFF4B9kC8q03Cu_rqFHKUfsgndjID3Q/s1600/up+to+mildura+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogkvIPmFCqHuSvi4SGd5qjVz94b_0W8LUtCcMCDnTtDQRuEJSL_4o1ke1AORvJKH8odC8f-DS8hgsrKTC41X1wj9cCb5KesvuGNL_seAQmWvcDNFF4B9kC8q03Cu_rqFHKUfsgndjID3Q/s320/up+to+mildura+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483321781883200914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This was the first photo taken with the new camera. Thought I'd share.<span style="font-style: italic;"> You're welcome Levi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAByoNwaR4gdHlTvKR0GTry-WckksRwHL_TsMGW2yGI3_zBJRZlLxLDFoLt8N1viDbgeALhd8RurN1Dt3dD9WE-lptlrZagkAkj-GFyefvATNl14rwlDiKis4EM2ipwrSgiJvASFi4Cb-w/s1600/day+101-103+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAByoNwaR4gdHlTvKR0GTry-WckksRwHL_TsMGW2yGI3_zBJRZlLxLDFoLt8N1viDbgeALhd8RurN1Dt3dD9WE-lptlrZagkAkj-GFyefvATNl14rwlDiKis4EM2ipwrSgiJvASFi4Cb-w/s320/day+101-103+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483321772839699010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My first camp after leaving Mildura. For those who know Mildura you will notice that it's barely out of Red Cliffs, which is barely out of Mildura. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRGC_wfsV8jOU6ZdOewgKNniNcVIz7p8v0X7Y5fE4D1Krpa6Rf8lk3NjNfJj7QuiiDFzth9Gg-SqRYrI4wypjysKToLDODnMH3XoW6MVzYojyOcMi8621U4DiQOd_TtxW3-ZVL1875bEB/s1600/day+101-103+013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRGC_wfsV8jOU6ZdOewgKNniNcVIz7p8v0X7Y5fE4D1Krpa6Rf8lk3NjNfJj7QuiiDFzth9Gg-SqRYrI4wypjysKToLDODnMH3XoW6MVzYojyOcMi8621U4DiQOd_TtxW3-ZVL1875bEB/s320/day+101-103+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483321764044984418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Some homeless bum in Ouyen.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span>That's all for now. Mainly just posted this so I was doing something productive while the computer was charging. Now it's fully charged I can go back and watch some Black Books in my swag.thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-82012247812475198822010-06-13T18:19:00.001-07:002010-06-13T20:00:22.198-07:00From Perth to ..... Melbourne?!?!So there it is, the worst kept secret in history. I'm going to Melbourne instead of Sydney. And no, I am not changing the blog website, mainly because I do not know how.<br /><br />After a few weeks of agonising over the idea I finally have decided on it and am already following the Calder Highway down to Melbourne. There is no turning back.<br />There were many reasons for the change of heart. Admittedly one of them was the fact Melbourne is over 350k's closer than Sydney which was very desirable considering my well-known time and financial constraints. But, being Victoria-born so therefore a part of the all too healthy Vic vs NSW rivalry it was a good feeling to choose Melbourne over Sydney. It is after all the cultural capital of Australia. And the sports capital, and the multicultural capital etc. No need to go on about that though as everyone already knows it.<br /><br />So have already booked my flight back to Brisbane for July 6th, giving me a week of bludging before uni starts up again.<br /><br /><br />Enough about that - how was my week at home (Mildura)?<br /><br /><br />It was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better week. Makes me miss the place a lot, especially my old cricket club. Had a night catching up with them all and handing over the paltry amount of money that I had raised for them. For the record- It was paltry not due to others not being kind-hearted and donating money to causes but because I refused to accept many donations. Once again, this is not in any way a charity walk. It's a 100% selfish act and I'm OK with that. But still some people insisted on giving me money and because I felt uncomfortable taking it for myself I instead kept it to give to the Club. Anyways, what I ended up giving to them they at least matched with a brand new pair of top of the line shoes that were 3 times more expensive than my original pair as well as a club shirt, cap and photo. And that is why they are the best club in the world. Hopefully I will one day be back there again.<br /><br /><br /><br />So yes, perfect. Much more happened I'm sure but you know, memory of a goldfish. Sorry that I didn't post sooner- I was too busy catching up on missed TV and junk food.<br /><br /><br /><br />Currently at the Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs using some more free power. Why I didnt just do this at my brothers' place I'm not sure. Free power is just a lot more fun to use than the normal stuff I guess.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, so I caved and bought a new camera. That means $80 less chocolate until I get to Melbourne. Here's what it's got so far. All rolled gold.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb6NZy91HnLgQPKtG2P2woYrlUOlbTl319YN7UoXuf-cuHXHfv8Y_tTbo_M0y0z_yPZfznGZj55vhKG8_1dl90uvd0uFmz0QN-dKA0EnIfOqDKmsN1f9uBNgcQYm0lJpEfZ2hDBAc1Xvh/s1600/up+to+mildura+035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb6NZy91HnLgQPKtG2P2woYrlUOlbTl319YN7UoXuf-cuHXHfv8Y_tTbo_M0y0z_yPZfznGZj55vhKG8_1dl90uvd0uFmz0QN-dKA0EnIfOqDKmsN1f9uBNgcQYm0lJpEfZ2hDBAc1Xvh/s320/up+to+mildura+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444426298236162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Meet 'Wilson' my new walking buddy. Courtesy of my mum and brother's sense of humour. Hilarious.<br /><br />He doesn't really say much, so I think we'll get on great.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvtA69n7ctyIgaiXmyGulGgf-XoH9uX-IPYwduaRBMlaK_4q6BFf-aYfksbzIJ02rfNNxus5XlKpg9NrLwaAUwtsB8WBDcDiBNdIUcMPs-DMYzdIpqkUj_raBbOSysd425d2WoaxqON3B/s1600/up+to+mildura+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvtA69n7ctyIgaiXmyGulGgf-XoH9uX-IPYwduaRBMlaK_4q6BFf-aYfksbzIJ02rfNNxus5XlKpg9NrLwaAUwtsB8WBDcDiBNdIUcMPs-DMYzdIpqkUj_raBbOSysd425d2WoaxqON3B/s320/up+to+mildura+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444417025272642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My youngest brother Levi, who came and saw me in Mildura. He was putting on this face, I wasn't. Can't remember what he was doing, but it was the only photo of both of us. Pretty sure he was either trying to lick me or eat my beard. Little creep.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop_EjvR0oL1Q70z9RcS08PGRYUNtoStCnkLUuUl7kAOqaownuG_ekAZHRaBuUwgMO-1sfU6JTnGULtZ3UFjqIyVy0wysZcfP-LRJha0R68LPK2cSNkBCOvBlXcc8vnrTcQ1HLtM54lFdM/s1600/australia-map.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop_EjvR0oL1Q70z9RcS08PGRYUNtoStCnkLUuUl7kAOqaownuG_ekAZHRaBuUwgMO-1sfU6JTnGULtZ3UFjqIyVy0wysZcfP-LRJha0R68LPK2cSNkBCOvBlXcc8vnrTcQ1HLtM54lFdM/s320/australia-map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444408134888370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The updated trek map, kindly stolen from some internet site. The purple line is the distance Sam and I went together, the gold is the solo session (170k's of that was with Carly however), the black is the now defunct path to Sydney and the orange is the new way I'm taking to Melbourne. There is 2 months of purple line there, 1 month of gold line and hopefully only 17 days of orange line.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekysnc54WSRTuJFinQ2UFmE0RZuHpbpCK6W_tgBnGTv7p9pZqRh0wMSwLIx-sole1HphGKj0_TXgWGUAS8TOiGaOV0tVUTdFONKmc1BeDt_MVaH4LLCzW2XIW8zAIXugoZrNHESoHpfvd/s1600/sun+daily.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekysnc54WSRTuJFinQ2UFmE0RZuHpbpCK6W_tgBnGTv7p9pZqRh0wMSwLIx-sole1HphGKj0_TXgWGUAS8TOiGaOV0tVUTdFONKmc1BeDt_MVaH4LLCzW2XIW8zAIXugoZrNHESoHpfvd/s320/sun+daily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444405646611266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> Taken by the local paper who did two articles on me when I was back. Picked a good day as I had all my best clothes on and the hair was brushed just last week.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Some of the article is on the net - http://sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/crosscountry-run/1851779.aspx They do a pretty good job making a story out of all the nonsense I sprouted to them.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Ok, that's all for now. Off to test out my new Workers Gol-Gol CC sponsored walking shoes.<br /><br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-50425644584803515182010-06-06T00:47:00.000-07:002010-06-06T01:29:46.450-07:00My Flash New Tyres (Oh, and Almost Home)Firstly to all who didn't get my text- Greetings from Victoria: The State of Champions. Anyone who needs it sent again just let me know, and some of you mightn't know but I actually come from Victoria. I'm just lucky I guess.<br /><br />Anyways, it's been a pretty good week for me. Firstly Sue and Brent, now Annie and Ashley!<br /><br />They must've got sick of reading about my tyres blowing so instead of ignoring my whining (which is what I would have done), they made a mercy dash out to me delivering wheels, cheeselovers pizza (my second delivery for the week!), chocolate (once again, second for the week), about a gallon of iced coffee and some puncture proofing stufff for the wheels so with any luck they wont have to hear me complain about them again!<br /><br />And these wheels....... wow.<br /><br />After getting used to the constant grinding, creaking and intermittent deflating of my $30 Toyworld tyres, these ones feel like cheating. Having already had two hours of walking with them and I didn't once have to stop to see if both of them were still pumped up, which I have had to do every day for the last month with my other ones. I didn't know they even made wheels this good- seriously amazing. Planning on one serious bonfire for the old ones.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, sorry but that's all. Mightn't seem that important to you, but the above news is probably the most singularly exciting thing that has happened for me on this trip. Yes, seriously. Figured I needed to spread the good news, I'm sure you're all as excited as me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />No photos- check previous post as to why.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...... Ok, one photo. Was the last one before the lens shutter decided it didn't need to open anymore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvkDruE3aCOgmwQHG1YXjvEuKh5qmNEfFLH6d4UIbX0-PLd51SKPKcwtrsblr7ERV-U7HjBwiQOYJCJV_m_Anlrvw44m9qQSf8t0Q_iqlpJOXGNd6hgOiPXvn4evyZPhTz7xP2N0OwQ3s/s1600/day+85-91+014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvkDruE3aCOgmwQHG1YXjvEuKh5qmNEfFLH6d4UIbX0-PLd51SKPKcwtrsblr7ERV-U7HjBwiQOYJCJV_m_Anlrvw44m9qQSf8t0Q_iqlpJOXGNd6hgOiPXvn4evyZPhTz7xP2N0OwQ3s/s320/day+85-91+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479570392171311890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Pow, take that Skip. Right through the jugular. Got a feeling they dont like roos around these parts.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well that is it. Still two days off Mildura, staying just outside of Cullulleraine tonight. Will write again in a few days time.<br /><br /><br /><br />Once again, finally, thank you so much Annie and Ashley. I still am as speechless as when I first saw you today (it was a surprise visit and I don't handle surprises well. Not to mention I think I still had some Weet-Bix in my beard from breakfast). To go for a 2 hour round trip like that is just unreal and as always I feel so grateful that we are friends, because you are very special (and far too good to me sometimes!)<br />And to mum, who no doubt tipped them off as well, stop that. It's not funny anymore.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, thats it until Mildura.<br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-12605572114591771832010-06-03T18:47:00.001-07:002010-06-03T20:15:20.365-07:00LyrupGreetings from just outside the Lyrup public amenities. Silly council workers left the door to the cleaners cupboard open thinking it was safe and noone would stoop so low as to plug in all their electrics there just for some free power. Big mistake by them. So doing this blog outside the public toilets of Lyrup. Classy I know, but I've got a feeling a lot of blogging gets done around here anyways.<br /><br />Ok, walking update. Well, after Spalding it got even wetter. And windier.<br /><br />If you have been out in the rain when it is so windy that the rain is coming down almost horizontally then you know it isn't much fun to be out there for long. But at least theres a warm dry shelter when you've had enough!<br />Unfortunately not so for yours truly. 3 days straight of 40k+ winds coupled with heavy rains.<br />Oh, and another thing that makes for an unhappy walker. Wet matress, doona and pillows for 2 nights. No dry clothes either, including shoes, socks, jumpers etc. Just a thought. So if anyone got any calls from a miserable sounding Leigh last week then that's why. Apologies.<br /><br />But it has cleared up very nicely the last two days and have been once again blessed with perfect weather and great roads. Getting very close now to my home town, Mildura, and will be stoppping there for around a week to catch up with family and friends as well as taking stock and assessing my walking options. And have already booked in for several spa sessions at the Aquatic centre there, not to mention 16+ hours of unwatched Stargate, which coupled with a lot of greasy oversized pizzas and soft drink is probably the closest thing to the perfect break for me.<br /><br /><br />Ok, almost forgot and I really shouldnt considering it happened last night! Sue and Brent- Thank you so much!<br />Backstory- Sue and Brent are family friends who live around Berri, which I walked past today. Anyways they got tipped off by someone (mum) that I was in the area. They must've also been informed that I was quite partial to pizza, soft drinks, chocolate and pineapple lumps (for those who haven't tried pineapple lumps do it now, thank me later) and so they tracked me down and delivered an amazing amount of food , a slab of soft drink (brilliant!) and some hot cheeselovers pizza. Was the best feed since Burra where I conned the local cafe to cook me up a pizza for breakfast. And apart from the feed the company was fantastic! Sorry if it looked like I hadn't showered for several days, that is of course because I hadn't. And apologies if you noticed the cheese stuck in my beard, I had it for breakfast this morning if it helps. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Photos. Could be the last few for a while as my camera has decided to take an unauthorised break. As in it's not working. And I'm not buying a new one, so it's a standoff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFb43vb-fbHZOQWIu3MsvNqMNb31PGJn20YBy4b-2TAY6G5zOKed61gfIMBvJjgKTml5WKUT8XwWMn_obcnqLBBfkx2_a2A0Y_9nIMvCG-rnhL4Bp3-ALlvUPreQB6gpVSv5jsI-Zyon1/s1600/day+85-91+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFb43vb-fbHZOQWIu3MsvNqMNb31PGJn20YBy4b-2TAY6G5zOKed61gfIMBvJjgKTml5WKUT8XwWMn_obcnqLBBfkx2_a2A0Y_9nIMvCG-rnhL4Bp3-ALlvUPreQB6gpVSv5jsI-Zyon1/s320/day+85-91+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478732501809769442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Theres a reason they made all those wind towers there. It gets quite windy around these parts. Taken during a brief respite from the rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5s7KZ-R3E7imGko4_GynHGrLF6dHNxZx6IwoXy5Mjv-V-tMWTXvJ_tItAsLllscn19BOv2MPrhBLaezDVtBNPY0RB2yRqblpsIm05aEKXx0ToHV49cjYXlvqa3YtLpJPs1nL_S3UWC9a/s1600/day+85-91+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5s7KZ-R3E7imGko4_GynHGrLF6dHNxZx6IwoXy5Mjv-V-tMWTXvJ_tItAsLllscn19BOv2MPrhBLaezDVtBNPY0RB2yRqblpsIm05aEKXx0ToHV49cjYXlvqa3YtLpJPs1nL_S3UWC9a/s320/day+85-91+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478732474520888962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Heres a way to show some serious contempt of Burra's rich historical past. Set up your dirty camp next to some important monument of theirs for the night.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFVn_dNWrtSPF9V__vhN2AuLmrU95Gpys8vmd8Q0QeVFFmyTeKXDGphA5EKLaIJeqhifJFCoF3cdVmDlfw5hdYloBQQ33ZEV0pJQo06dtNT_iP0DXwUIsal_RvetYX58hLA-IXeMV9p_D/s1600/day+85-91+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFVn_dNWrtSPF9V__vhN2AuLmrU95Gpys8vmd8Q0QeVFFmyTeKXDGphA5EKLaIJeqhifJFCoF3cdVmDlfw5hdYloBQQ33ZEV0pJQo06dtNT_iP0DXwUIsal_RvetYX58hLA-IXeMV9p_D/s320/day+85-91+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478732482828830418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">For all you Brisbane people. Was very similar to your local RE but with one added bonus. It didn't serve beer anymore. Can see that idea taking off, could be a real money spinner.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrCTBSYnLfDPK3G2WjurG5HqLr3kUVuXue7prir-haXhcsrsO6L8tdW7ugBsyCzAKbgwkG1HYSotjWo73aQMHjPowdW6z9-F9ysB7Tk_PxyLcbfZH-zVVF0ZE6Q5lJij9hWbJZ7GxtBAN/s1600/day+85-91+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrCTBSYnLfDPK3G2WjurG5HqLr3kUVuXue7prir-haXhcsrsO6L8tdW7ugBsyCzAKbgwkG1HYSotjWo73aQMHjPowdW6z9-F9ysB7Tk_PxyLcbfZH-zVVF0ZE6Q5lJij9hWbJZ7GxtBAN/s320/day+85-91+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478733145307711922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Where I camped last night. Looks great, until you know I was actually on the road taking this photo. And by road I mean Highway, the Sturt Highway (ie. the main road for truckies from Adelaide to Melbourne and Sydney, quite busy all night)<br />This is also where I got my pizza and groceries delivered. Amazing! Sue and Brent, it was just brilliant, thank you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VDIyfIpPyzDfLl8y4SZ88HSazQ2f0gcpT1eD6of09GjyOUbtRxZJcz_VUDwsfxru_hk5ykkkkSHOm9ZUryDr3VvntLZ1e7IWdiOz__SAxnvzMH9kXlOiIG4_G20spdEVlyltjLey3YUS/s1600/day+85-91+033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VDIyfIpPyzDfLl8y4SZ88HSazQ2f0gcpT1eD6of09GjyOUbtRxZJcz_VUDwsfxru_hk5ykkkkSHOm9ZUryDr3VvntLZ1e7IWdiOz__SAxnvzMH9kXlOiIG4_G20spdEVlyltjLey3YUS/s320/day+85-91+033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478732491702880770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">First sign home! Hmm, actually thats a lie I saw one the day before but I had rolled the camera up in the swag then and couldn't be bothered unrolling it.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And thats it.<br /><br /><br />So hopefully next time I post it'll be from Mildura! But it'll probably be after the spa, pizza and Stargate-Universe happen. They understandably take preference.<br /><br />See ya,<br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-2934673207580179512010-05-27T21:55:00.000-07:002010-05-28T00:01:13.054-07:00Help Desk in the HillsHave just arrived in hilly Spalding after traversing 50 kilometres of somewhat unkind terrain and found a nice little shelter with some lighting, cooktop and power points. It's like they knew I was coming and set it up just for me. Am especially grateful considering it's been raining all day and I was soaked.<br /><br />So figured I might hang here, charge all my stuff, cook up some food and dry all my clothes out. And while that was happening I figured I better make myself useful as well. So have decided to post the answers to many of the questions I get asked. This is not to stop people asking me them, as I enjoy answering them. Any human contact is always gratefully accepted! This is more for the people who don't want to ask, but kind of want to know.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been going now?</span> As of today- 2 months and 23 days<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many shoes have you gone through?</span> Still on my first pair. Good choice on the hiking shoes.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many kilometres do you do in a day? </span>Usually 35-50. But it varies. For instance I did 54k's yesterday but will end up only doing 25 today. It can't be planned. And towns, especially their eateries, slow us down quite a bit<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When are you finishing?</span> Although I've got some ideas, I still can't give a proper date. I have to be back in Brisbane by the 14th July for university, so some time before then!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you realise you're walking on the wrong side of the road?</span> (as asked by a lady in the middle of the Nullarbor. She must've thought we parachuted down as there is only one road across the Nullarbor) Yes, we do realise we're walking on the wrong side of the road. Walking into oncoming traffic is much safer for us as we can see what is coming and then just veer off the road when needed. The trailers are much wider than bicycles so it'd be unfair and unsafe for cars to swerve around us.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You're Crazy. </span></span>Well, thats more of a statement than a question<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />Are you on drugs?</span> No, not that I know of<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you come up with the idea? </span>Well, I'm sorry to say it wasn't my idea but James'. I just happily tagged along.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why are you saying us and we? Isn't it only you walking?</span> Yes it is, bad habit sorry. Spent so long with Sam and some answers get so automated that you imediately answer it the way we used to. Still miss the guy to be honest. Just dont tell him, because he doesn't read the blog.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How much has it cost? </span>Well, I couldn't tell you exact numbers, but not a lot! The only ongoing cost is food. Accommodation is free and tyre tubes are quite cheap so it's just food. Oh, my phone bill has gone up for obvious reasons.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How heavy is your trailer?</span> Depending on the amount of water, from 110-170 kgs. Feeling every kilo at the moment with all the hills.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where do you sleep? </span>I've got a swag, so wherever there's room to roll that out, I'm not fussy. Usually 15-30 metres off the road.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Would you like a cup of tea? </span>Yes please, I'd love one. Only thing we didnt pack that I wish now we did was a kettle. And cups. I drink all my drinks out of a powerade bottle I bought on the first day of the trip, it's starting to look it's age.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who is Kim? And are you really getting married? </span>Kim and I don't need official marriage certificates to prove our love to each other so, no. The numerous love letters sent in my absence prove that instead, and Austalia Post must be very grateful that we have such a magical relationship. But like all kinds of magic, it is only real to a very select few. And those few are usually crazy. By the way, I just sent you your next letter and although it is nowhere near as amazing as the one you wrote me I hopefully made up for it with the size of it. You are amazing.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you met some interesting people?</span> Yes, definitely. But it is usually us who are the 'interesting' ones who people meet. By interesting I mean slightly odd, and have gone just that little bit wrong.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tried to find the most helpful photos, thereby fitting in with the theme. But unfortunately none of my photos are very helpful at all. Although they say a good tradesman never blames his tools, in my case it is totally the cameras fault.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ejMoA0OYDBx2NDqdAlGCKXVC-KijXcHyLaLBU-O6rT6cJ8tmZaC5nS-fh3EGhQ6vKIzmQ4P5viT9DrXEpPdVtUHElQEL9kHR3R15tsCb-N3SgM6uZejkitnyqFG2oqFxzkYlgiVcTJrj/s1600/day+84+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ejMoA0OYDBx2NDqdAlGCKXVC-KijXcHyLaLBU-O6rT6cJ8tmZaC5nS-fh3EGhQ6vKIzmQ4P5viT9DrXEpPdVtUHElQEL9kHR3R15tsCb-N3SgM6uZejkitnyqFG2oqFxzkYlgiVcTJrj/s320/day+84+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476181951040230658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Where I am now. Free electricity, public toilets, shelter? Jackpot. It's like a caravan park without the exorbitant site fees. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf40fqnh-Ec9G9ORunuE_y3GMXHdF7PWpuPSIn8K14FN9Fxa61RCQCbgHcSzkTBvYl6BzrENlxlpAvdAdrEukJuYs0CeaBDK3JtZNXDHeV7Hjs6WjPc-omQKuiz2TJvbhYGssttH2olNx/s1600/spoon+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf40fqnh-Ec9G9ORunuE_y3GMXHdF7PWpuPSIn8K14FN9Fxa61RCQCbgHcSzkTBvYl6BzrENlxlpAvdAdrEukJuYs0CeaBDK3JtZNXDHeV7Hjs6WjPc-omQKuiz2TJvbhYGssttH2olNx/s320/spoon+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476184733027659906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam will know this spoon well. Having bought four plastic spoons in Perth three quickly disappeared and then one day while eating his weetbix the fourth one broke. Instead of buying more at the next town we instead taped a fork handle onto the spoon and shared it. That spoon is still with me, although admittedly I did go and buy 10 more spoons when Carly arrived for 89 cents. You can see why we were reluctant to buy any.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog8RQXFSl2jbVsLL78FAb-gYxorVN_gZOsG2_xEkdMsFB2woe84uh92B3yqdHRS5KLpmi1-uiDY745pltDILJLJzsbWoYkodtceZ2BGsSjXA0ulRAGWpeNyoC4LfyTYrwaGZlISbypPXf/s1600/day+26-29+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog8RQXFSl2jbVsLL78FAb-gYxorVN_gZOsG2_xEkdMsFB2woe84uh92B3yqdHRS5KLpmi1-uiDY745pltDILJLJzsbWoYkodtceZ2BGsSjXA0ulRAGWpeNyoC4LfyTYrwaGZlISbypPXf/s320/day+26-29+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476184723949135602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One question that gets asked a lot. How many tyres do you go through? Answer- A lot! Here's me fixing four tyres at the end of one day. Recently have been getting on average a puncture a day, but haven't had one for three days now! Oh and apparently it helps to fix the tubes if you are shirtless. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4X6ETVXOa2Ff0LVxZZ6TRI3BynMI4k4JWTwY9YDBLVm0krV2XsIhKvvprJliqcN4L9s7VVJm-NIhXbijWeBlN-x8AaCGy1tmCR4pBKsTv91BjhrbZArlI-UvUEMYVsdeNtBeXZGF1NDW/s1600/day+59-60+036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4X6ETVXOa2Ff0LVxZZ6TRI3BynMI4k4JWTwY9YDBLVm0krV2XsIhKvvprJliqcN4L9s7VVJm-NIhXbijWeBlN-x8AaCGy1tmCR4pBKsTv91BjhrbZArlI-UvUEMYVsdeNtBeXZGF1NDW/s320/day+59-60+036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476181991891656290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Another big question: What's been the highlight of the trip so far? Well, it's hard to explain to people that you aren't really in it for the highlights- it's just the enjoyment you get of doing the daily things. But most memorable part so far would have to be arriving in Ceduna- The end of the Nullarbor. Here's a photo of me pretending to read a newspaper in Ceduna when I am actually trying to get a sneak photo of my brother. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUapeNBAdotiK7sGJFFhdWeadwApRP-OHPTsAANwnQiO4nqCBad9FJkqWdgkq9-AC5UZOZuWGb9FoAJy9YinKEpHiCCKb44haf4E2Bd0BGQlIbfuX-122teQj97gfLWjHeaukyZHFE9by/s1600/day+63+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUapeNBAdotiK7sGJFFhdWeadwApRP-OHPTsAANwnQiO4nqCBad9FJkqWdgkq9-AC5UZOZuWGb9FoAJy9YinKEpHiCCKb44haf4E2Bd0BGQlIbfuX-122teQj97gfLWjHeaukyZHFE9by/s320/day+63+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476181977353343266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Internet reception is not all that great sometimes in the middle of nowhere and you need to search around for the optimum spot. Hence this photo of me doing some mild tresspassing to use the computer.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHzQC9KrZxJt8Q2lpDAWNRnhdji-QpuuxhvTRPjsZz_AgYND7-IMO_4N4a2yjGuAy1BrSSYAZoqeqxJsQxQ0T5YSAwqx5gtBYyHi0uGzSQ9dpAJBbCsBsGq4vHqsFMtJsIdgCXrmrydIp/s1600/carly+116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHzQC9KrZxJt8Q2lpDAWNRnhdji-QpuuxhvTRPjsZz_AgYND7-IMO_4N4a2yjGuAy1BrSSYAZoqeqxJsQxQ0T5YSAwqx5gtBYyHi0uGzSQ9dpAJBbCsBsGq4vHqsFMtJsIdgCXrmrydIp/s320/carly+116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476181962209018706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The walkers life is sometimes a very bland affair. But once every hour or so we get a signpost<br />to look at. Two days in and Carly was already as excited as I am about them.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, hopefully that has enlightened you somewhat. It is still raining here, and I have no intention to do anything else today other than go over the road and buy a pizza, then eat it in my swag.<br /><br />Bye!thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-60931443353213107392010-05-26T03:15:00.000-07:002010-05-26T04:14:07.084-07:00Goodbye, Main Road. And CarlyThat below is why Carly has had to leave a couple of towns earlier than she hoped! You could put that up as one of those shock posters against highway walking, like they do with the smoking packets. Enjoy. Have a good look at that, then I'll write a few more comparitively mundane things after it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmpkGETlfE9d8-7q80KVNlTodOLLYXOAFtFXpShJqw95dvcW9LIp9LQk31bgtmKvGik3XYajDNy_SVcPcAXHFNG-CZeB1lfeDV_DgQjaMEbydDNTMGqnjt09FoBNCXw0hUC1DrKl31bFS/s1600/carly+043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmpkGETlfE9d8-7q80KVNlTodOLLYXOAFtFXpShJqw95dvcW9LIp9LQk31bgtmKvGik3XYajDNy_SVcPcAXHFNG-CZeB1lfeDV_DgQjaMEbydDNTMGqnjt09FoBNCXw0hUC1DrKl31bFS/s320/carly+043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475520989619035826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And this is what remains of Carly's little toe. As you can see it has got just that little bit littler. With some imagination it looks like a new little toe is sprouting out of her old one, kind of like the aliens do out of the Aliens movies.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Note: This doesn't look anywhere near as bad at it actually was. And please note that she went on to walk another 40 kilometres with that and numerous other blisters on her feet. Absolute trooper!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, so Carly left today for obvious reasons. That means I'm again going like one of my favourite kinds of soft drink, Solo.<br />Coupled with that I am about to leave the main highway for the first time since Perth so things are about to get interesting. If there is anyone who has a few weeks off, currently near the Adelaide region and are handy with a map let me know, I could use you for a bit!<br />We made it to Port Pirie today and after farewelling Carly have set up camp at the local roadhouse, more well known for its famous resident "The Tin Man". Well, it's meant to be, but I've never heard of either of them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Once again today was a bit of an unexpected blog, but I just thought there would be a few people interested to see the above photo, especially Chris (Carly's mum!). Not many would be as interested to see the others below, but I'm going to post them anyways.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNARFgj7pnXajnPUSMZ8-DoSeeC4VGetHprzeduR62lCUSjjfk5_0xayRZZPBO2oqiWKqcSXPcEBNXxt57A7kB1rXD9v9LOXXUzP7ilddsJ993rTxx4waZkreDdCCJtMVd4o7LJJG2uhoo/s1600/carly+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNARFgj7pnXajnPUSMZ8-DoSeeC4VGetHprzeduR62lCUSjjfk5_0xayRZZPBO2oqiWKqcSXPcEBNXxt57A7kB1rXD9v9LOXXUzP7ilddsJ993rTxx4waZkreDdCCJtMVd4o7LJJG2uhoo/s320/carly+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475520996832659154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, you know, just a standard camp site. Check out the view.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8ymnKtSAOxqEz1E8xA9IW5ps3Zz-WEJZOJdPhmKzLIwOMFBJk9JGLR_7vayn0vaSubsaQz2ZUWK5mxaVHGrSE8FjHYd9Wo3-dR6wzBfKdNaRC7dU5Z4jYHg6LNw0NGUFZ4K4SIG6UqMV/s1600/carly+120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8ymnKtSAOxqEz1E8xA9IW5ps3Zz-WEJZOJdPhmKzLIwOMFBJk9JGLR_7vayn0vaSubsaQz2ZUWK5mxaVHGrSE8FjHYd9Wo3-dR6wzBfKdNaRC7dU5Z4jYHg6LNw0NGUFZ4K4SIG6UqMV/s320/carly+120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475527175814125186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me with my head stuck in the trailer. Or could be fixing a tyre. Not sure, both happen quite a lot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQXkb_7vX-fNvBikXvbkberUsEbrzhA2vCkBy6azeLDL1HytNKVAgY10YbRw2CpHspNAub1G9B0__SyxSKckyWMSDTsZsC0kcfL3V2IXeCXXZinsxesGwvRvP7lTtZ_GIRekjuXXUgblj/s1600/The+Tin+Man+at+Port+PirieSm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQXkb_7vX-fNvBikXvbkberUsEbrzhA2vCkBy6azeLDL1HytNKVAgY10YbRw2CpHspNAub1G9B0__SyxSKckyWMSDTsZsC0kcfL3V2IXeCXXZinsxesGwvRvP7lTtZ_GIRekjuXXUgblj/s320/The+Tin+Man+at+Port+PirieSm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475529155178793202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> The Tin Man of Mobil Roadhouse, Port Pirie. Happy fella, but I'm guessing he wont be so happy when he realises I'm going to set up an unpaid therefore somewhat illegal camp tonight right in front of him. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2QHYWgGE5vYeeP2CMjSISkrjNi5I1DrrvnC7PObIkTcQx4hRQmiynv9044yJnoZXoQ73zJZ-pCKwSMwLadWytRYRGLONEStfczBeT7TD1D9_QN-Hawo7xX_OIPLuAeA1fnerCvJsnpkI/s1600/carly+026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2QHYWgGE5vYeeP2CMjSISkrjNi5I1DrrvnC7PObIkTcQx4hRQmiynv9044yJnoZXoQ73zJZ-pCKwSMwLadWytRYRGLONEStfczBeT7TD1D9_QN-Hawo7xX_OIPLuAeA1fnerCvJsnpkI/s320/carly+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475527171820691522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Bad place to be sleeping, Skip. I need to walk there.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That's all for now, if I dont post in the next few weeks it just means I've taken a wrong turn somewhere and will post again in Alice Springs.<br /><br /><br />Bye for now<br />Leigh<br /><br /><br /><br />Oh and Kyle, been thinking hard on what I'm going to spend that $5 on. I'm thinking I'm going to invest it in the stockmarket and see it improve. Kind of like what the New Zealand soccer team needs to do before it takes on the mighty Socceroos again. But once again, cheers for the free money. Let me know if you ever want to place another bet on an Aus-NZ match.thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-13427685414305267492010-05-23T00:41:00.000-07:002010-05-23T03:35:25.382-07:00Blog 22Have to start by saying Adelaide was great. Anybody I've spoken to and burdened with my Adelaide issues in the last week will know how much I enjoyed it. So much that I may never need to return.<br /><br />On a slightly different note- A <span style="font-weight: bold;">huge</span> thank you to my aunty and uncle who put me up for the whole time in Adelaide, even though it was only meant to be for one night! Not only with a place to stay, but also with guided tours of Adelaide and some of the best curries I've ever tasted.<br />Hearing of how Sam and I enjoyed the buffet meals at Ceduna, Jane and Niels took me to a curry house that had an all you can eat special. This time, as with every other time, it was noted that it was all you <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> eat, not all you feel like eating.<br />The thirty minute walk home was painful.<br /><br />Jane and Niels- I can't thank you enough for making me feel so welcome and feel that I wasn't a burden to have for such a long time, which I totally was!<br />Being unwilling to accept any gifts or any form of repayment for boarding me for so long, I decided to get some photos printed for them. Which I did, then promptly left them at the camera store. So for a gift they got an empty photo frame. Perfect. But new photos will be getting sent quite soon!<br /><br />Anyways, have just arrived in Port Augusta, so a new countdown begins. Around 550 k's away from Mildura, my home town and starting to get quite excited. And word on the street is theres a whole new season of Stargate to watch when I get there...<br /><br />Other news- My new walking companion and old friend from Seattle arrived yesterday! More welcome company! But unlike Sam who wasn't sure how long he'd be walking for, Carly is only able to stay for a short time. But while here the weather seems to be making the most of it for her. Windy, cold, raining. She is obviously thrilled at that seeing how I've been telling her how good the weather has been lately.<br /><br /><br /><br />Been getting told from some people that they check the posts just to see the photos and usually try not to read anything on the site if they can help it. Most of those people are from my family. So I put one extra photo on this time. Saying that, I also wrote a lot more so they'd have to sift through all the text to find them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN7DQTJuLLi7Cyh__OsH1PZtUDikWCsQOdpaAfLY6AwighUaByPbXxy_mPXZXmnQvKAROzyuN4NqAkGtXzDGLEkI9heLeKWVZ0KT-rvyqsD2Vkq41qlXYkzYw7TO8X_GoXnc8Y722nhA7/s1600/carly+097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN7DQTJuLLi7Cyh__OsH1PZtUDikWCsQOdpaAfLY6AwighUaByPbXxy_mPXZXmnQvKAROzyuN4NqAkGtXzDGLEkI9heLeKWVZ0KT-rvyqsD2Vkq41qlXYkzYw7TO8X_GoXnc8Y722nhA7/s320/carly+097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474381215981545490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me, walking down some road</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9_DqimrCRXBt0oiQqRzxjBo7II_BUk7mjElAs8RbOpRZxs6k7gRzrtstimH2b1ANikwz2gYCFEjsnjRzGwkdSBxtCVEKiykNMpQ0CuFPRPVhTV-nW1i1SRCB7GBwDH1v_F8MGqrw5eoH/s1600/carly+093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9_DqimrCRXBt0oiQqRzxjBo7II_BUk7mjElAs8RbOpRZxs6k7gRzrtstimH2b1ANikwz2gYCFEjsnjRzGwkdSBxtCVEKiykNMpQ0CuFPRPVhTV-nW1i1SRCB7GBwDH1v_F8MGqrw5eoH/s320/carly+093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474381203009065586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Recipe from the Iron Knob roadhouse. Wasn't sure whether to ask them if they were joking. For the record, Iron Knob- Strangest town so far. The roadhouse owners smacking golf balls over the highway from the fuel bowsers will testify to that.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY0YEfYn-WQZFm1NIxhed2omaxWDHlwThgte8Pm47R_U4-avwzE0qBu7184Qo1jBA6nmcXgL5F7TwbYyj26ein1gd7_bdpU0DYKfzEVzqrjn27-K4duRxAdfvE5rjG1jsPsVZW_5Ohsd9/s1600/day+69-79+018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY0YEfYn-WQZFm1NIxhed2omaxWDHlwThgte8Pm47R_U4-avwzE0qBu7184Qo1jBA6nmcXgL5F7TwbYyj26ein1gd7_bdpU0DYKfzEVzqrjn27-K4duRxAdfvE5rjG1jsPsVZW_5Ohsd9/s320/day+69-79+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474372192045376562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One way of stopping the mice getting into our stuff. Kind of like putting the cookies on the top shelf at home to stop the kids eating them. Except replace kids with mice and cookies with anything semi-edible.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohWL2vJrBE6slr2PcL-rTBlSppZ3YLqOgKvhfBafGM4NaHc7slZC8oyS6CdUup2ikL9u0AdoeLr_jlkyXCYN9jANZtBlUe4YkmtZ5dAwv5Ye60mdxvMwarQMFZ30SXvzl_BMrjQU903af/s1600/day+69-79+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohWL2vJrBE6slr2PcL-rTBlSppZ3YLqOgKvhfBafGM4NaHc7slZC8oyS6CdUup2ikL9u0AdoeLr_jlkyXCYN9jANZtBlUe4YkmtZ5dAwv5Ye60mdxvMwarQMFZ30SXvzl_BMrjQU903af/s320/day+69-79+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474372190804046946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The GCLT, enjoying some alone time</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FEpMZoY7raIYBiQkRV8QF82eFm5VfJoeIuMN56dJkns-EhLt3ipDauvvN5Xx2rrK1GczS2mdJl6TyHCTt-SaAcNCEjlGUMaINyWdMhOmkuZ8cAkEPaL_eyEs51IiaXl4Qj9poUjM2XY2/s1600/carly+101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FEpMZoY7raIYBiQkRV8QF82eFm5VfJoeIuMN56dJkns-EhLt3ipDauvvN5Xx2rrK1GczS2mdJl6TyHCTt-SaAcNCEjlGUMaINyWdMhOmkuZ8cAkEPaL_eyEs51IiaXl4Qj9poUjM2XY2/s320/carly+101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474372180548259378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's a fresh looking Carly on day 1, equipped with Akubra.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5ys7ZTtoTXtLSRtmBRpgQWHM5h8Y0HrrOyuhOe9gCmKSLMhtnLxVNmAHAa9BHrJo4CutzxKJI0Uw8Cd2-hVHSV5NKHeEiH23Hjx-K5tXmGHj5OsAojuPTd3AMNuHO0pAV0NmkVLl_IDk/s1600/carly+122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5ys7ZTtoTXtLSRtmBRpgQWHM5h8Y0HrrOyuhOe9gCmKSLMhtnLxVNmAHAa9BHrJo4CutzxKJI0Uw8Cd2-hVHSV5NKHeEiH23Hjx-K5tXmGHj5OsAojuPTd3AMNuHO0pAV0NmkVLl_IDk/s320/carly+122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474372173301462306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And here's Carly day 2. One of the very few things Carly doesn't like is rain, so when she arrived I assured her "It never rains here"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Nicely done Leigh. She may never forgive me.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, that's all for now. Will be going off the main highway in 2 days time as I take a shortcut to Mildura. It will be the first time since leaving Perth that I've been off a main highway. So theres a really good chance of getting lost. Will let you know how it all goes.thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-64495871508642888812010-05-12T21:44:00.000-07:002010-05-13T16:36:02.804-07:00Plagues, Punctures, Packages and PitstopsBus blogging this time. On my way to Adelaide, a few days earlier than planned.<br /><br />Have had a tumultuous few days. The Trailer and I have been constantly at odds this week, trying to one up each other with silly pranks. After a long but fair fight the trailer ended up winning, by getting enough punctures in two days to completely deplete my tyre repair kit. That is 18 patches worth. Also, to give you more of an idea, leaving Ceduna there were the two wheels on the trailer, two spare wheels fully inflated, and in addition to that there were 4 spare tubes, all puncture proofed. And by the time I crawled into Kimba today I was down to one fully inflated tyre and the tyre on the other side I had to stop and inflate around every twenty minutes.<br /><br />So in 310 kilometres of travelling since leaving Ceduna there has been 7 punctured wheels. That is not including the 18 patches I have used to fix the already punctured ones. Unbelievable. Must give my thanks to people throwing glass bottles out their window. Not.<br /><br />Anyways in light of all that it was decided by the trip's executive committee (me) to leave the trailer at Kimba and go to Adelaide a few days earlier than planned, hopefully in the process securing some puncture-proof tyres, a lot of pizza, and a shotgun for anyone seen putting sharp objects on the sides of roads. That or a Taser.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, wasn't really planning on posting this early so have only got a few photos to share. What is lacked in quantity is easily made up for in quality though.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5qwA3yFMDJUk6BtzVpAD7yYBeWzpvPFDtusVc7TTBw-IpaN3qy_sH9P-qj36y8ojVeXib21vRttK-iVBnDBSap6FJ0nNT5NGqgK3HHOvYfSilL9Sz-gako2gZ8jGn4lm3OlT9HHanYb/s1600/beard+003.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBtoLH4mhJ5JJO8WvxEQoj3L_HMzFlYgS7QJEqdflTjbjLl5IXBR4FabWhjewBMGstpVMIQxYfsuu_ugEORQLOnUoqkeaxle1V68qQ9w3uRY5N9XMG8_K_yETJcxflJwODXEUekbhHTl4/s1600/beard+007b.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe4mxoxOJE5yHGkcYfwccElkMBJntl7NvE7Pg_YVlylURv-T0iaLY4Mr2_OK3sTnNfCkPMY_3SSXffKqNuV5ZpkuO79o-22TBU0Mrzzaen3byLxsQrvmepB36Cj9ZmqcNMAaEtgPR_B9M/s1600/day+67-68+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe4mxoxOJE5yHGkcYfwccElkMBJntl7NvE7Pg_YVlylURv-T0iaLY4Mr2_OK3sTnNfCkPMY_3SSXffKqNuV5ZpkuO79o-22TBU0Mrzzaen3byLxsQrvmepB36Cj9ZmqcNMAaEtgPR_B9M/s320/day+67-68+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470889702372940354" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">This is the 'letter' that was getting sent to me in Kimba. Unreal! Thank you so much Cath!!!! I am now the closest thing to a Woolworths that Kimba has! I also wont need to buy any food until mid next year. I felt sorry for the poor post lady that had to carry it over to me, she struggled to lift it understandably.... And dont worry, I will be finding a way to get you back for this Cath!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyqFUFGXNThbWv9D49XVnpVPyXj-DQsOy64MVtp6UCRHIOF-KSz99slyW6_pZfXdfU3YPDjlMiCjG-gWzkH6wpIN7kCYKOJnJbRHCKqffBCFyOwX3keMyAZtOFy4Hupj5MR_lLCTCey4X/s1600/day+67-68+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyqFUFGXNThbWv9D49XVnpVPyXj-DQsOy64MVtp6UCRHIOF-KSz99slyW6_pZfXdfU3YPDjlMiCjG-gWzkH6wpIN7kCYKOJnJbRHCKqffBCFyOwX3keMyAZtOFy4Hupj5MR_lLCTCey4X/s320/day+67-68+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470889694569652386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Still in the middle of a mice plague. A ridiculously huge mice plague. This poor little fella didnt quite fit out the same hole he fitted into the night before. Must've been all the muesli bars he had while in the bag expanded his little mice gut too much. Or he could've just been playing dead. If so, he did a good job at it while I kicked him 20 metres onto the highway, he didnt even flinch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5qwA3yFMDJUk6BtzVpAD7yYBeWzpvPFDtusVc7TTBw-IpaN3qy_sH9P-qj36y8ojVeXib21vRttK-iVBnDBSap6FJ0nNT5NGqgK3HHOvYfSilL9Sz-gako2gZ8jGn4lm3OlT9HHanYb/s1600/beard+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5qwA3yFMDJUk6BtzVpAD7yYBeWzpvPFDtusVc7TTBw-IpaN3qy_sH9P-qj36y8ojVeXib21vRttK-iVBnDBSap6FJ0nNT5NGqgK3HHOvYfSilL9Sz-gako2gZ8jGn4lm3OlT9HHanYb/s320/beard+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470894108975386338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, the crowd keeps asking, demanding, pleading for it. So here it is, easily the most commented on thing from this trip. The beard, 67 days in. Enjoy. Notice there's no ginger in the beard at all.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, so am actually taking a break for a week in Adelaide, hopefully not looking at a computer screen during that time! Then I'll be back to Kimba on the 22nd, where I'm going to be joined by another guest walker. So stay tuned!<br /><br /><br /><br />Until then,<br />Leigh<br /><br /><br /><input name="security_token" value="AOuZoY4ekPXSV9mxFt3hHQc8mg-ucCRH3g:1273725858225" type="hidden"><input name="postID" value="4534813783903952252" type="hidden"> <input name="blogID" value="6472860162879476302" type="hidden"> <div class="errorbox-good"><input name="securityToken" value="bP2cCRxf_xudYtVeMw9Vg-4c7Cc:1273725858260" type="hidden"> </div>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-61515157848479860842010-05-10T01:35:00.000-07:002010-05-10T02:51:21.720-07:00Believe it or Not, I'm Walking on EyreTerrible song, sorry.<br /><br />Well, Wudinna it is. Blogging outside the local supermarket. Blogging after cannonballing 8 Magnum icecreams in a row. I know, I have a problem, don't judge me. And Levi, indeed that is a new record. Don't try and break it, I'm not sure it's healthy.<br /><br />Currently in a fantastic mood as from now I am back going through towns with roadhouses that offer free showers again. Will definitely be making a beeline towards them as have once again managed to dodge showers for around a week, admittedly not as bad as over the nullarbor but still quite pungent.<br /><br />As for the walking, well, it's been quite erratic. Kind of like the person doing the walking. Since walking solo I have been enjoying 'sleep-ins', being able to stay in bed until 6 in the morning instead of 4, and although it hasn't especially affected the distances covered each day it definitely has affected the finishing times, in some cases not finishing walking until dark. But I definitely prefer that to getting up and packing up in the morning dew and cold. I don't get paid anywhere near enough for that. And as Danny Glover once famously said- I'm getting too old for that stuff.<br />But the walking has still been good, and the legs quickly recovered after the last blog. It was, as it turned out, a combination of mild muscle soreness and severe complaining about the mild muscle soreness.<br /><br />Looking at arriving into Port Augusta in 7 days, and getting quite excited. I have been away from big towns for so long that I'm starting to forget what a Pizza Hut looks like, or a Woolworths, or anything that isn't a roadhouse for that matter. Did manage to snaffle 4 bags of dirt-cheap licorice bullets today though. The fact that they were a considerable few months out of dates shouldn't matter. Much.<br /><br />Sorry this blog isnt too insightful, but unfortunately my already faulty brain is failing me further and my ability to recall events is not what it was. It could be the mice keeping me up all night by crawling on my swag. Not sure if I'd want them to leave though as it is quite enjoyable punching them off and hearing them getting launched many metres in the air. Hopefully that provides a nice mental image, and hopefully nobody reading this is a mice lover. Apologies if you are. I'm sure all the mice are fine.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, here's the pick of the photos that I've taken in the last week. By pick I mean all of them. Yes, I've only taken 5 in a week. Whoops.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufLhDFuY2C0xBK-zYDVRYG_uOlmGBvBUcy0eKgn3dvSicUtCOEc_hVnbFeMgZduu_WiK5AJngJcKPgYjTehppZvZdpi3NSsiJuorWvEHYUrJpLKLqYtxdHh8oOHvTK3fzyisMQOuyQUJ/s1600/day+64-66+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufLhDFuY2C0xBK-zYDVRYG_uOlmGBvBUcy0eKgn3dvSicUtCOEc_hVnbFeMgZduu_WiK5AJngJcKPgYjTehppZvZdpi3NSsiJuorWvEHYUrJpLKLqYtxdHh8oOHvTK3fzyisMQOuyQUJ/s320/day+64-66+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469559740277127730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">First town without my walking buddy. Tried a pose, but it wasn't the same.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuBA82agwJUMTjSPsjmJHNC1BYB52PywC2z4LXiLSoxqluvj89heettTFnGOPt9fZX-Fp8xmCkx8vxb04hc6ZviASaUSE2CLfXTuevDz7TxTHuJSLodGrRqAWVMqHvtn-_x2O__Q3pyh6/s1600/legs+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuBA82agwJUMTjSPsjmJHNC1BYB52PywC2z4LXiLSoxqluvj89heettTFnGOPt9fZX-Fp8xmCkx8vxb04hc6ZviASaUSE2CLfXTuevDz7TxTHuJSLodGrRqAWVMqHvtn-_x2O__Q3pyh6/s320/legs+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469560733903487794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After the loss of my walking partner, the trip could have either gone two ways. I could have become very philosophical, introspective and deliver some extremely insightful theories about the meaning of life and the sorts. Or I could take photos of my new super-toned Bob Kelso walking pins. That ones for you Jon.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_CsPi1Rsc0Q0o1n4D_3M1PV7WFczC9rbEuBOz8pwwYFWZ-_NIBsIg35Gvpj_Gdq_mFfQkhrJ2fZThyxladAJOJE59RjXB4vh1by6HNaxrCjF6rfH5d79eQLnrQ-Q6hZVMTBIWFWiO-VM/s1600/day+64-66+018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_CsPi1Rsc0Q0o1n4D_3M1PV7WFczC9rbEuBOz8pwwYFWZ-_NIBsIg35Gvpj_Gdq_mFfQkhrJ2fZThyxladAJOJE59RjXB4vh1by6HNaxrCjF6rfH5d79eQLnrQ-Q6hZVMTBIWFWiO-VM/s320/day+64-66+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469559767915286114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A photo of me pretending to do this blog. Taken upon two milk crates stolen from the bakery next door. The computer isn't even on at this point.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVOGBcg0erBlun_JMaLuHMS2j9IaiL-TWiP0LGWTfDqVCmYYnBDH_yY72QstBfbAGIXYyOxROGLydwuPqAqGN6mV5awu-SVa37-y6fBcXWj4bBGA4ngG84rEvr4Lkiej-QSlV1c08mGQz/s1600/day+64-66+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVOGBcg0erBlun_JMaLuHMS2j9IaiL-TWiP0LGWTfDqVCmYYnBDH_yY72QstBfbAGIXYyOxROGLydwuPqAqGN6mV5awu-SVa37-y6fBcXWj4bBGA4ngG84rEvr4Lkiej-QSlV1c08mGQz/s320/day+64-66+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469559752731560546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The further into South Australia I get, the more proud they are of their ablutions, specifically their public toilets. Behold the Thunderdome, Wirulla's prized WC.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5__4zdqyaqOlRlVIDs1B2VFRL5ABnu0TqBtfEJDTYCTxhHI4IJ6LGQxY5_PMt_wv3-fqzsdIgUAfk-RgICCXM4uY5HfIwqjYJ6pXeO8AGX7K_3jxYTQyhs964L1phGQQlktypqYod0yp0/s1600/day+64-66+015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5__4zdqyaqOlRlVIDs1B2VFRL5ABnu0TqBtfEJDTYCTxhHI4IJ6LGQxY5_PMt_wv3-fqzsdIgUAfk-RgICCXM4uY5HfIwqjYJ6pXeO8AGX7K_3jxYTQyhs964L1phGQQlktypqYod0yp0/s320/day+64-66+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469559762413858514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Minnipa's answer to the Thunderdome. Enough said. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That's it for now. By the way, if anyone knows where I can stash a trailer for a few days in Port Augusta please let me know, my number is 0419307323. Thanks! And if anyone says the tip I probably won't talk to you again.<br /><br /><br />Oh and also was almost through an audio book (which took 3 days!) when my mp3 player went flat, and I can't find the charger for it. So if anyone knows how the Scarecrow book by Matthew Reilly finishes, feel free to let me know. It's kind of driving me nuts. Wasn't even that good of a book either.<br /><br /><br />Will try to post again in Kimba (Halfway across Australia), just so I can upload a picture of a dirty old galah there. Might even get one of the Big Galah as well, but that might be a bit too touristy. Will of course be posting after I check the local post office for a much waited-upon letter from Melbourne. Thanks Cath in advance!<br /><br />See ya!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikufLhDFuY2C0xBK-zYDVRYG_uOlmGBvBUcy0eKgn3dvSicUtCOEc_hVnbFeMgZduu_WiK5AJngJcKPgYjTehppZvZdpi3NSsiJuorWvEHYUrJpLKLqYtxdHh8oOHvTK3fzyisMQOuyQUJ/s1600/day+64-66+004.JPG"><br /></a>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-5595680581449815802010-05-04T18:35:00.000-07:002010-05-04T19:48:07.160-07:00The Eyre from the AirAnother day of forced rest, so another blog.<br /><br />Like I said before, so much has happened in the last week that there was no way I could possibly have fitted it all in one blog. So this is the rest of it!<br /><br />I brushed pretty quickly over it in the first blog from Ceduna, and a couple of people asked how I got the awesome shot of the Eyre Highway from above or if it was copied from somewhere else. Well, all these photos have been taken from my $100 Pentax, and it no longer has a viewscreen. Or any reliability. So that is my excuse for the quality of the photos.<br /><br />But anyways the photos were taken only because Dad took us up for a flight, taking us over where we had walked as well as getting a brilliant look at some of the cliffs of the Bight, something very few people are lucky enough to see from that perspective. So having a Dad who has a pilots license definitely comes in handy sometimes!<br /><br />Anyways, the few who commented were pretty impressed with that shot, so I thought I'd post a few more that I took. While I was up there I took 350, unfortunately only around 10 came out really well as just after wer left it became really cloudy. That plus the photographer was a dud.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But here are some of the better ones, and even they do it no justice.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjr7Dmy5-U88mp15IZDQDrZe0cg1zQ3IONMWNeQ8mZQrJP1oWgXZp_pJs3MU5e5Qjejpp2Cq8HkUuAcmbAR2l66RM5S20BOs0_HSRU8GPIQ11M5LPKt2bWpqONx-Ti65UZ4Dg3IPg0hT_/s1600/Day+57-58+183.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjr7Dmy5-U88mp15IZDQDrZe0cg1zQ3IONMWNeQ8mZQrJP1oWgXZp_pJs3MU5e5Qjejpp2Cq8HkUuAcmbAR2l66RM5S20BOs0_HSRU8GPIQ11M5LPKt2bWpqONx-Ti65UZ4Dg3IPg0hT_/s320/Day+57-58+183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467601137713762338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ceduna from the air. If you squint you can see the hotel we stayed at. Or maybe not.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFcK91RO0059t61B2Xyrvk8HLrVCMS3KTtsMFzJ55D1phprShEwoXdsdEvR0utbjlUP7F5o2cIOvMjggcrlJs1I1ZLtnB__d3B7xQiYFgBzkQl1mWNAuzfQnAotSMiPk5Q2z_sU_p18o/s1600/Day+57-58+180.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFcK91RO0059t61B2Xyrvk8HLrVCMS3KTtsMFzJ55D1phprShEwoXdsdEvR0utbjlUP7F5o2cIOvMjggcrlJs1I1ZLtnB__d3B7xQiYFgBzkQl1mWNAuzfQnAotSMiPk5Q2z_sU_p18o/s320/Day+57-58+180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467601123854100546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yep, very flat. To get here in the plane it took 35 minutes. To walk it took 3 days. Bit disheartening really.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J0qUBFvPZRd5i275AQnUbsAvTZQHf23ZA2c1YD71vFzhyphenhyphenqEYFVt3of8ypmNXyMC-pMWTxhmNMum8KBnVNY_jU73lnplohtJJqi_nm6J7w3qP01xOOQHgoGX9-KXOK-6O35H6C-Ugnppo/s1600/Day+57-58+125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J0qUBFvPZRd5i275AQnUbsAvTZQHf23ZA2c1YD71vFzhyphenhyphenqEYFVt3of8ypmNXyMC-pMWTxhmNMum8KBnVNY_jU73lnplohtJJqi_nm6J7w3qP01xOOQHgoGX9-KXOK-6O35H6C-Ugnppo/s320/Day+57-58+125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467601112472589906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the many shots of the cliffs we got. Unfortunately some of the really good shots were ruined a bit by the weather.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH9DFIKhIhC308aDa8qEBVkcXq0YWuv7oDQuGrBNkDYeZRc02tkL_ix-fvlQWr2wuw_mXRwl-Z87-LEoU8jAJkjwbvloFioSradECK4OsX7cElwXg55Kr1AMwIoLno8kM0xiL-ZI8q2Dq/s1600/Day+57-58+170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH9DFIKhIhC308aDa8qEBVkcXq0YWuv7oDQuGrBNkDYeZRc02tkL_ix-fvlQWr2wuw_mXRwl-Z87-LEoU8jAJkjwbvloFioSradECK4OsX7cElwXg55Kr1AMwIoLno8kM0xiL-ZI8q2Dq/s320/Day+57-58+170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467601131838095250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Planning on claiming this Island. Found one for Sam too, unfortunately his was underwater. Wouldn't expect the situation to improve for him either, you know, with all this global warming.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFcK91RO0059t61B2Xyrvk8HLrVCMS3KTtsMFzJ55D1phprShEwoXdsdEvR0utbjlUP7F5o2cIOvMjggcrlJs1I1ZLtnB__d3B7xQiYFgBzkQl1mWNAuzfQnAotSMiPk5Q2z_sU_p18o/s1600/Day+57-58+180.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J0qUBFvPZRd5i275AQnUbsAvTZQHf23ZA2c1YD71vFzhyphenhyphenqEYFVt3of8ypmNXyMC-pMWTxhmNMum8KBnVNY_jU73lnplohtJJqi_nm6J7w3qP01xOOQHgoGX9-KXOK-6O35H6C-Ugnppo/s1600/Day+57-58+125.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiENvG5Z0tyWSK4CrJs6FIiKzLaSAJLDyS387NyCEz-uD9V-r4RThsmFNhKGS-gzLqTQbytJz06QBx6NEMhbIUuiJpyy_qf1Y3VYbdDgF7-FeUw5nD7CgtCpJjXK9MjYyIcTGUigjabGB/s1600/Day+57-58+060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiENvG5Z0tyWSK4CrJs6FIiKzLaSAJLDyS387NyCEz-uD9V-r4RThsmFNhKGS-gzLqTQbytJz06QBx6NEMhbIUuiJpyy_qf1Y3VYbdDgF7-FeUw5nD7CgtCpJjXK9MjYyIcTGUigjabGB/s320/Day+57-58+060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467604014312181250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Just so you know, this is the kind of quality the rest of the 350 shots were like. Well, they can't all be gold. Or even silver.</span><br /><br /><br />I said it before, but these photos dont do the views any justice, especially given Sam and my attachment to the area we have gained in the last month.<br /><br />I also said this before, but this last week has been just fantastic. My legs haven't liked it at all, but for the sake of a few days of being crippled it has been worth every bit of pain. It definitely gave us a great perspective on what we just completed and made the trip so far a lot more memorable!<br /><br />So thanks a lot Dad! I'm pretty ordinary with words, but hopefully you know how much we appreciated the whole time. Especially that pavlova. And I will hopefully be seeing you again in a month or so, although at the rate I'm currently walking you might want to add a few more months onto that.<br /><br />Oh, and I guess it was good seeing you too Shaun. Download some Stargate for me.<br /><br /><br /><br />As for me, this time of enforced rest I might be able to do a few things I havent been able to for ages. Like read that book Brock gave me that I'm still only halfway through. If he asks though I'll lie and tell him I finished it ages ago, just to see if he reads this. Because he probably isn't.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETgFZwwOhdH-SuFN0sfwxfvXUyw0JQlOYWB8NyryCdlxuE9-Ler99nK1wUgVKp8zKS_wLjJQewvAY558YZ8TnVX1fgRVVLYiio3SKtjkbWFnW1pdVnm-30yoWuwRx5kpSqpInAttGA9_E/s1600/Day+57-58+039.JPG"><br /></a>Ok, well now I'm going to try and stand for the first time in 24 hours. Wish me luck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiENvG5Z0tyWSK4CrJs6FIiKzLaSAJLDyS387NyCEz-uD9V-r4RThsmFNhKGS-gzLqTQbytJz06QBx6NEMhbIUuiJpyy_qf1Y3VYbdDgF7-FeUw5nD7CgtCpJjXK9MjYyIcTGUigjabGB/s1600/Day+57-58+060.JPG"><br /></a>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-61644123349070389172010-05-03T19:25:00.000-07:002010-05-03T20:50:08.956-07:00Slammin Good TimesAfter fooling my legs into walking with half a tube of Deep Heat and some really loud rock music they quickly saw through the deception and realised that they were still, as my Aunty delicately put it in an email, cactus. So have pulled up lame again at Ceduna Airport, around 3 k's out of town. Planning on staying here for a few hours, plugging the laptop into whatever power point I can find and doing another blog before putting on the rest of the tube of Deep Heat and fooling my legs into getting a couple of more k's down the road, at least to the point where there are no more footpaths! Still don't understand how the human body works, I have been nothing but good to it and it is throwing me lemons at the moment. Might have to even bite my lip and spend a few more days resting, even though it was the rest that did this to me in the first place!<br /><br />Anyways, enough about me. I enjoy whining way too much and would do it all day if I had someone who would listen to me. It's another problem I'm working on.<br /><br />This blog is for Sam.<br /><br />It's not going to be a big one, but just a bit of a review and a few embarrassing photos, as he is no longer here to stop me posting them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sam's Stats</span><br />1855 Kilometres travelled in 52 days<br />36.4 km Average Walking Distance including breaks<br />43.8 km Average Walking Distance excluding breaks<br />6.9 km/hr Average Walking Speed (according to his speedo, and thats also having to slow down for me!)<br />1 State border crossed<br />1 Nullarbor Plain destroyed<br />153 Hills walked<br />153 Hills complained about being walked<br />21 Roadhouses attended<br />21 Roadhouse restaurants patronised.<br />2 Madura Gutbusters consumed, consecutively<br />79 different poses in front of signs<br />1 brother who will miss you being there on the trip. Oh, and even I might a bit as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgKmf04a1wbKmvB615JSqntNY2z9Ena5IAVGknSVeJ7wo747GKEmF3FmCY6qs0xAdlL7-LPqDLDqS_waZKcDNpvDLxjjQpnypALBQA4-NjEsfMEtUbtOkyon1Tttkr6FvG3aD-jmvBdU9/s1600/day+4-5+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgKmf04a1wbKmvB615JSqntNY2z9Ena5IAVGknSVeJ7wo747GKEmF3FmCY6qs0xAdlL7-LPqDLDqS_waZKcDNpvDLxjjQpnypALBQA4-NjEsfMEtUbtOkyon1Tttkr6FvG3aD-jmvBdU9/s320/day+4-5+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467242312113704210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">First day! Arrived in Northam as a quick replacement for the departed Mr Pearson. 4 hours and three cramps later, he quickly worked out how tough this trip was going to be.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9AaGmSXSPy9qI8Mq8DXIOXKaDlmwfj_-nLWJ9X9GYTMZHe1FPdYFcPMtAvktkEnn3-ps1hUKUNsozG23RWXtF6ZxJRr_q7JhuHj3rLPzJueEy2T7l7pD1s_We53DpIDJnHgTWMW9miMf/s1600/day+20-24+043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9AaGmSXSPy9qI8Mq8DXIOXKaDlmwfj_-nLWJ9X9GYTMZHe1FPdYFcPMtAvktkEnn3-ps1hUKUNsozG23RWXtF6ZxJRr_q7JhuHj3rLPzJueEy2T7l7pD1s_We53DpIDJnHgTWMW9miMf/s320/day+20-24+043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467242348777344482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam looking refreshed. Reason being it was his first day. He quickly got to looking like me.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO5Od3tqqN0WOavEOmrRUboD59IK8LU2fzYseU5TFmcr3r07n79Da-7WSIkR587ydZXaWpuMQ26e1P81j3oQUHX7ygyMx58B3LrMNgNjdU62FZMO35-Nba56_UobG0jiF_whWOAsOOOka/s1600/day+4-5+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO5Od3tqqN0WOavEOmrRUboD59IK8LU2fzYseU5TFmcr3r07n79Da-7WSIkR587ydZXaWpuMQ26e1P81j3oQUHX7ygyMx58B3LrMNgNjdU62FZMO35-Nba56_UobG0jiF_whWOAsOOOka/s320/day+4-5+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467242326382515954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">What Sam looks like after doing 45 k's on his second day of walking. Knackered.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1fp4WuRDQH6PrEmLxByAUGwJioggNvv723BiX3PjEK0jEcWMC3lhovhKF-2uBbonnZbx6pFjdMNKuhSL3wXY222md-25twUxLhmHZEuTM2RXYByGjS17SdarLz4foUnpF_xuLydzcfYm/s1600/day+20-24+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1fp4WuRDQH6PrEmLxByAUGwJioggNvv723BiX3PjEK0jEcWMC3lhovhKF-2uBbonnZbx6pFjdMNKuhSL3wXY222md-25twUxLhmHZEuTM2RXYByGjS17SdarLz4foUnpF_xuLydzcfYm/s320/day+20-24+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467242340526295314" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Sam trying to fly into a sign.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2y0VTNBFH0p9OgM9kmgnJBwLCn0RpXQpZjvXRQUw00WvjFNV9hzLcfEuZMshCryCuLX3AaZYtOyFvCHs_grOu1Ct0CkV1qWeBo1Zeu5D6g_YKDc_K1DzBOpq_VnW-U8a-gxMpq80w91z/s1600/day+9-11+041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2y0VTNBFH0p9OgM9kmgnJBwLCn0RpXQpZjvXRQUw00WvjFNV9hzLcfEuZMshCryCuLX3AaZYtOyFvCHs_grOu1Ct0CkV1qWeBo1Zeu5D6g_YKDc_K1DzBOpq_VnW-U8a-gxMpq80w91z/s320/day+9-11+041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467242332658988786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam going up a hill. He's probably swearing.</span> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgKmf04a1wbKmvB615JSqntNY2z9Ena5IAVGknSVeJ7wo747GKEmF3FmCY6qs0xAdlL7-LPqDLDqS_waZKcDNpvDLxjjQpnypALBQA4-NjEsfMEtUbtOkyon1Tttkr6FvG3aD-jmvBdU9/s1600/day+4-5+006.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EwsRkCaSVqvmon0lU8I3KVDEDvrHCYvXrbKSMeoop1_K5mXckwRTJ1FwlLMKEDQFvmwilEz5yElEfTz2t4SbnMmv-xoJNL1c4qCjpXLiFQK2BP8Jr6I8A9oobXdaLbOwDSWb_r5aAJgx/s1600/day+35-42+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EwsRkCaSVqvmon0lU8I3KVDEDvrHCYvXrbKSMeoop1_K5mXckwRTJ1FwlLMKEDQFvmwilEz5yElEfTz2t4SbnMmv-xoJNL1c4qCjpXLiFQK2BP8Jr6I8A9oobXdaLbOwDSWb_r5aAJgx/s320/day+35-42+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467253340978579378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Near the end of his trip, Sam took this photo to show everyone how much his beard has grown as he hadn't shaved for the whole two months. Enough said.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfktPxirUGW721y5HkXzr2V-Zwy-O8mYTsB_78B4Rbn_S70LkOC6MTXTkUxgh1ftXjrvI_IL7rLPN4bO6wLsROXRNy6gmfq170Zf3T5M_pBxJsbS9Hrgcv7igpSTGLCigROhXnt5QOXPks/s1600/day+26-29+040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfktPxirUGW721y5HkXzr2V-Zwy-O8mYTsB_78B4Rbn_S70LkOC6MTXTkUxgh1ftXjrvI_IL7rLPN4bO6wLsROXRNy6gmfq170Zf3T5M_pBxJsbS9Hrgcv7igpSTGLCigROhXnt5QOXPks/s320/day+26-29+040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467253323277507842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One last photo of Sam hugging a random sign</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well I wish I could say more about how good this trip has been with him and less about the state of my legs, but to be fair they are quite sore!<br /><br />But I am going to miss Sam more than properly working legs thats for sure. Sam, thanks for being such great company, I am really glad you came so far and would have gladly wanted you to come the whole way as well. Things are going to be a lot different now, and I cant help but feel that the trip lost all it's sex appeal at 9:30 this morning on a bus to Adelaide.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, thats it for now. Will make sure to keep you all updated on how much pain I'm in. I'm sure you'll all love to hear about it.thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-6752571831615265392010-05-03T01:41:00.000-07:002010-05-03T07:52:08.960-07:00Sam 1, Leigh 1, Nullarbor 0Firstly, I have no idea where to start this post. It's been a huge week. Biggest of the trip. So it's going to be a massive post. Well, relatively speaking.<br /><br />But we've done it! The Nullarbor has been beaten by two odd characters from the east, quite convincincly too. Unfortunately even with the easiest wins there are sometimes casualties, and in this case there are two.<br /><br />My legs.<br /><br />They have seized up to put it simply. Like one of my uncles old racing cars (thats for you Shaun, you know what I'm talking about). Well, either they have seized up or someone has managed to shorten my hamstrings by half overnight. And unlike normal muscle soreness, it has only got worse each day. Today when I went for my big trailer refill at the supermarket I used my trolley as one of those walking frames you can sit on so every 50 metres I could stop to take a break. Would've been hilarious to watch I'm sure. Especially seeing that the supermarket was only 150 metres down the road. But my sense of humour is limited to other peoples pain, so havent really had a good laugh about it yet. The people of Ceduna have though, and probably will even more when their newspaper comes out on Thursday and they see how far I have left to go.<br /><br />But to be honest that is not the main news of the last week. Not even close.<br /><br />Will put a separate post up later just for it, but the big news of the week is that the guest walking stint of Mr Sam Davidson Thomson-Mathews has finished, ending here in Ceduna after a month dominating the mighty Nullarbor and another 3 weeks previous to that tearing up and down the hilly roads of Western Australia.<br /><br />Right from the start of the trip I knew this time would come, because as he kept on reminding me- he was only here as a temporary substitute and was here for a good time, not a long time. Well, he ended up being here for both.<br />The initial plans were for him to accompany me to Kalgoorlie and head home from there, but he quickly picked up the taste for highway power-walking, roadside camping and of course roadhouse burgers.<br />But the lure of the real world and actually getting paid for doing twelve hours of physical work a day eventually has tempted him back to the dark side. My constant bribing with sugar, chocolate and jars of Nutella has only delayed the inevitable, especially when he remembered he could actually get all that stuff back in Brisbane as well.<br />As said before, I will do a separate post some other time to commemorate his journey, but his efforts over the last 7 weeks probably deserve to be posted more than once!<br />It is going to be very different without him, and I am definitely going to miss him. We got along phenomenally and he has really turned this trip into something amazing. Thanks my brother, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. I'll be seeing you again in a few short months. Please, send him a congratulatory message, his number is 0413076964. He left his phone in Brisbane, so it'll be really nice if he has a few waiting for him when he returns, even if he doesn't know you! That kid just loves his phone messages. And his phone. And Mandy.<br /><br />Owing to another bout of blatant good fortune, Shaun (my brother) and Dad had already decided to make a fly-in visit to Ceduna, even before anyone knew that Ceduna would be the SlamWagon's final stop. We were understandably getting quite excited as we neared Ceduna. The time was deinitely no let-down!<br />I have realised that my ability to describe good things happening on this trip is limited to two words- amazing or brilliant. I am sorry about that, it's something I'll have to work on.<br /><br />But these last few days have been brilliant. Amazingly brilliant.<br /><br />It was the perfect way to celebrate Sam's trip with Sam or I having not seen either of them for too long, and has made it just that much more memorable being able to properly catch up for the first time in ages. So what ended up initially being planned as a one night stopover has turned into a four day holiday at a surprisingly very nice redeveloped beachfront hotel, only ever walking to go to three things, the buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, or buffet tea. The pub was also conveniently located next to the buffet, so that was frequented many times throughout the three days.<br />And as though all that wasnt enough, just before having to leave Dad booked Sam and I in for another night at the hotel. I'm worried we will get used to all this luxury. I might want to upgrade my swag.<br /><br /><br />Due to the big news all the rest was a blur, so it will have to be bullet-pointed.<br /><br /><br />- Enjoying a mice plague at the moment, they were running over swags at night just to make sure we were awake. They also enjoyed many of our muesli bars. Who could blame them.<br /><br />- Mice also enjoyed about half of a parcel that got sent to us at Penong, filled mainly with chocolate. Once again, who could blame them. Didnt stop me from finishing off what they left.<br /><br />- Got a nice surprise at Penong. Went into store to pick up parcel and had $50 credit to spend on food, groceries when we arrived. Was paid for by a couple we had met a few days before. Just wish I had of got your numbers so I could ring to thank you! The money wasnt needed, you had already given us food the day before!!! It was definitely put to good use though, and we were very well fed for the next few days!<br /><br />-Met up with two bicyclists, one from Germany and one from Canada. Sean and Johnny (I.... think) Met them twice and were great company, and shouted us pizza when we arrived in Ceduna. Not just any pizza, Bill's Pizza. We had been hearing about Bill and his amazing pizzas since Eucla, so trust me, anticipation for it was huge. Didn't disappoint, with the exception of the $5 surcharge for eating in. At Ceduna. Anyways Sean and Johnny, I hope you're reading this and keep in contact! And apologies for eating pretty much all the pizza, it'll be our shout next time, and we shouldn't be eating as much by then!<br /><br /><br />Photos. Yes, only five. I really take so few that you see most of them anyways.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6OyXmMcXBNRra-zUqnSm9J35g8mDAPm1-9Czdp9-qB2SfwC22txguae5QjcFfLCmw2RL1EpS-f0HF4EbB1dlXXFyFyamWsPQcPjpN_eI_ii9La8yVaJz_QJv09XEzJg8r-k0aZ5CLOA/s1600/Day+51-52+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6OyXmMcXBNRra-zUqnSm9J35g8mDAPm1-9Czdp9-qB2SfwC22txguae5QjcFfLCmw2RL1EpS-f0HF4EbB1dlXXFyFyamWsPQcPjpN_eI_ii9La8yVaJz_QJv09XEzJg8r-k0aZ5CLOA/s320/Day+51-52+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467020768150852466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Penultimate pose of the Slammer. Saved the best for second last.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtFRknffKNgdSlY6Tf_lYUC-iux0QAWru942S4JLfGN6iH_8OU2OwVs6FL_U75QrC1fCjr4Yge09yKCdJ8p8_SL7X_pXJWZfBQtBBsfw7K92Y4jVnJW9Vu2q_bnJMzNwE5ZulRB5m26v0/s1600/Day+53-56+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtFRknffKNgdSlY6Tf_lYUC-iux0QAWru942S4JLfGN6iH_8OU2OwVs6FL_U75QrC1fCjr4Yge09yKCdJ8p8_SL7X_pXJWZfBQtBBsfw7K92Y4jVnJW9Vu2q_bnJMzNwE5ZulRB5m26v0/s320/Day+53-56+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467020787743411714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Arriving at the Ceduna fruit fly checkpoint where they inspect thoroughly every single vehicle for fruit and vegetables to confiscate. Except ours. They didnt want to go near those things, and by those things I mean us, hadnt had a shower for two weeks at that point. We could've had a fruit fly farm in the trailers for all they knew, they did not want a bar of it.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtJCjKnFjmuOioK5F5Jm85isjGoet54untwT5TXVBlpsBSx48eL5YaK-s15ETmOIqrUq24S_2LwiYI9pcld3XMfkkDYuBW7735VWIzQzuDyzUhsazQDHxGXvgaR-32hbs6fcmOL7cLigN/s1600/Day+53-56+025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtJCjKnFjmuOioK5F5Jm85isjGoet54untwT5TXVBlpsBSx48eL5YaK-s15ETmOIqrUq24S_2LwiYI9pcld3XMfkkDYuBW7735VWIzQzuDyzUhsazQDHxGXvgaR-32hbs6fcmOL7cLigN/s320/Day+53-56+025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467020778573000130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This photo does these pizzas no justice, or the two guys Sean and Johnny who shouted us them! They are about twice the size of a normal sized pizza, so they logically assumed that three of them and three garlic breads should be enough between four. Well, they were wrong, dead wrong. Not sure how much they got to eat, but I know that the front one was exclusively eaten by me and the other two were Sam's domain, which he dominated. Was up to that point the most delicious thing I had tasted on the trip.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN62gEoBk9E5HUDBW5dt93RUDTSMO-Y7pf67clcqNBCiB78t0Nw1JJSFalghAC5zfM4L8fRTN4P9ipBJtBVwZC_zjWBvaCfDWfxSfrYlWPQNvHKXVzZW5nrDR9EshfBMWZRxbimRZKELj/s1600/Day+57-58+047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN62gEoBk9E5HUDBW5dt93RUDTSMO-Y7pf67clcqNBCiB78t0Nw1JJSFalghAC5zfM4L8fRTN4P9ipBJtBVwZC_zjWBvaCfDWfxSfrYlWPQNvHKXVzZW5nrDR9EshfBMWZRxbimRZKELj/s320/Day+57-58+047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467046210247574610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Pre-Flight posing. The weird dude in the middle is Shaun, our eldest brother.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1IkvQAK7GDBazrVnPm0VCqfningkPXk3Ih98xVEBpL1yvhkwfjoKWfOR_v69Zs9dJ-l0Xs_bjJKu05pGpbGCJGWiEUkA7fARRMgsONPCgvqgZySVztcHRkrUKOLRg5PDQskitusoyqss/s1600/Day+57-58+088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1IkvQAK7GDBazrVnPm0VCqfningkPXk3Ih98xVEBpL1yvhkwfjoKWfOR_v69Zs9dJ-l0Xs_bjJKu05pGpbGCJGWiEUkA7fARRMgsONPCgvqgZySVztcHRkrUKOLRg5PDQskitusoyqss/s320/Day+57-58+088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467046206047761282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Eyre Highway, arial view. This view confirmed our suspicions that it is quite flat, quite straight, and there's not really much surrounding it.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, well I'm off tomorrow morning after Sam catches the bus out of here. Have just put some Whitesnake to play on the way out of Ceduna to set the mood. Will be in touch again soon though, starting to actually run into reception that actually lasts for over half a day now.<br /><br />Until next time,thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-86510112620165185612010-04-22T19:28:00.000-07:002010-05-02T15:00:40.662-07:00Eyre Loss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfN2i5Hh7KRwhTRt_t0FqgyUL1yi4SR-xpXnu6vtPIs83zCJzvLmrMyjx4aLHautHADXhmAkhb3e6gR16lnEEEx1M5AnBU3g6GdDt6xoydKc88kbe5ykwjJRZL5ddO_-FjHnKggHA4oc3/s1600/Day+45-48+038.JPG"><br /></a><br />We are on the Eyre highway and we've had a lot of punctures lately, so was too good a pun not to take. Yes, I did get 'blessed' with my mothers sense of humour unfortunately.<br /><br />After only having 2 punctures on the trip in total previous to arriving in Eucla, we inexplicably ran into 6 in the 3 days after. Admittedly 2 of those came from me doing an extremely shoddy repair job on the tubes, some would even say not repairing them at all, but still it is a high increase in flats, and something that has caused many a choice expletive to be shouted by me, some of which I'm not sure have even been invented yet. Nevertheless, quite impressive. Sam is still recovering from the shock.<br /><br />But as seems to be a constant theme on this trip, good things always happen to more than balance the day out. The views have been absolutely amazing, getting to walk for 2 straight days no more than 300 metres away from the ocean and just beautiful surroundings. Definitely not the scenery we were expecting when we were about to start the Nullarbor.<br />And the day when we had the majority of our flats (and I was about to start puncturing more than just the tyres) we had yet another visitor, this time from people we had not met before. They got told about us from the "Hadgkiss Mob" (wouldn't have remembered that, but took a photo of your name on the car!!!). Ray, Chris, Pam and Heather (I hope thats right, you met us so you know how dopey we are!) met us at the Eucla Roadhouse on our day off and were on their way home after a 7 week trip in their Hot Rods around the bottom of Australia. They were extremely entertaining, at one point making Sam laugh so hard the spaghetti he was eating came out his nose. If only I had the camera....<br />Anyways after treating us to an all you can eat breakfast they then must've got these other guys to deliver us a huge bag of chocolate and cokes. Was definitely amazing and not to be outdone the other guys brought us less exciting but probably more valuable stuff such as fresh fruit, canned foods and rice crackers. Everyday we still get amazed at how lucky we are. We're guessing that by now we are looking so scruffy and homeless that people think we need the food or something! Well whatever it is we are very grateful for it, as we are both eating literally 3 times the amount we were before the trip started, and trust me, we used to eat a lot! Plus chocolate tastes so much better now for some reason.<br />Ok, have to leave as we are now a couple of days behind where we would have wanted to be, as we've lost almost two full days due to the tyre problems. That and we still are carrying a few extra kilos in our stomachs from Eucla. Too much chocolate, not enough walking. Speaking of which, been told theres 3 extra kilos of chocolate waiting for us from mum in the roadhouse here, so might have to go grab that. That should all be gone by tonight all things going well...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfN2i5Hh7KRwhTRt_t0FqgyUL1yi4SR-xpXnu6vtPIs83zCJzvLmrMyjx4aLHautHADXhmAkhb3e6gR16lnEEEx1M5AnBU3g6GdDt6xoydKc88kbe5ykwjJRZL5ddO_-FjHnKggHA4oc3/s1600/Day+45-48+038.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOImc8jaFWxLmjs8UhpTb18oIMlNNYobdZz5LHcr1qk6VFOYzkvor-XwzoM858UeG2212KfQ1QyakY9bCx1T3q4wFQqt_CAcEXzdgrBwyRNjn0I_Lnxkw-1BO4KLIV9mYeeL6wk-xa4Hho/s1600/Day+45-48+045.JPG"><br /></a>Photos!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa54PS_w7fI8x_uDfodueW1nudqV28EORawaTyMGcj-K83oyfdf1GmDLBb1GoYcYr3OnSlFCB_tOwvQPYQOAg5wrAkL4aLEZcCX1pmX-YUUA9T37Evc0AivM5dWCBeWdyAHKpbcDClFvR/s1600/Day+45-48+063.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7g7TCzzAazTlE6UsuLsNNvAH2b5Pa9xVV-qpvUJIvrRxJ0Tlj-rMRTsyr70L68cmi_1eSS86QsIUNXa5bY0GiWA3eG_9hFADAYnvGyt3XX7UP0FSi4AIo2SD2TPLGPmsGGymk5nbjoQe/s1600/Day+45-48+051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7g7TCzzAazTlE6UsuLsNNvAH2b5Pa9xVV-qpvUJIvrRxJ0Tlj-rMRTsyr70L68cmi_1eSS86QsIUNXa5bY0GiWA3eG_9hFADAYnvGyt3XX7UP0FSi4AIo2SD2TPLGPmsGGymk5nbjoQe/s320/Day+45-48+051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463190577025018338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Me stuck in a shrub. This area was now closed to vehicles as the rocks were becoming unstable. But of course I thought it was a great idea to go sit near the edge. Well thought through.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOImc8jaFWxLmjs8UhpTb18oIMlNNYobdZz5LHcr1qk6VFOYzkvor-XwzoM858UeG2212KfQ1QyakY9bCx1T3q4wFQqt_CAcEXzdgrBwyRNjn0I_Lnxkw-1BO4KLIV9mYeeL6wk-xa4Hho/s1600/Day+45-48+045.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOImc8jaFWxLmjs8UhpTb18oIMlNNYobdZz5LHcr1qk6VFOYzkvor-XwzoM858UeG2212KfQ1QyakY9bCx1T3q4wFQqt_CAcEXzdgrBwyRNjn0I_Lnxkw-1BO4KLIV9mYeeL6wk-xa4Hho/s320/Day+45-48+045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463190594889681730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This could've been a shot of any of the first 3 days after Eucla. At pretty much any time of the day too. Bloody tyres.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfN2i5Hh7KRwhTRt_t0FqgyUL1yi4SR-xpXnu6vtPIs83zCJzvLmrMyjx4aLHautHADXhmAkhb3e6gR16lnEEEx1M5AnBU3g6GdDt6xoydKc88kbe5ykwjJRZL5ddO_-FjHnKggHA4oc3/s1600/Day+45-48+038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfN2i5Hh7KRwhTRt_t0FqgyUL1yi4SR-xpXnu6vtPIs83zCJzvLmrMyjx4aLHautHADXhmAkhb3e6gR16lnEEEx1M5AnBU3g6GdDt6xoydKc88kbe5ykwjJRZL5ddO_-FjHnKggHA4oc3/s320/Day+45-48+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463190600932141666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Do you remember the time when High-Vis vests, fisherman pants, fully buckled up backpack, odd looking knitted beanie and a headlamp in full sunlight were trendy? No? Neither do I. Nobody does. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa54PS_w7fI8x_uDfodueW1nudqV28EORawaTyMGcj-K83oyfdf1GmDLBb1GoYcYr3OnSlFCB_tOwvQPYQOAg5wrAkL4aLEZcCX1pmX-YUUA9T37Evc0AivM5dWCBeWdyAHKpbcDClFvR/s1600/Day+45-48+063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa54PS_w7fI8x_uDfodueW1nudqV28EORawaTyMGcj-K83oyfdf1GmDLBb1GoYcYr3OnSlFCB_tOwvQPYQOAg5wrAkL4aLEZcCX1pmX-YUUA9T37Evc0AivM5dWCBeWdyAHKpbcDClFvR/s320/Day+45-48+063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463190585230535762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And for something different, here's one of Sam posing in front of a sign</span><br /><br /><br />Ok, thats all for now. Two more roadhouses until we've done the Nullarbor!thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-83273948124462180162010-04-17T23:12:00.000-07:002010-04-18T01:28:09.967-07:00Part 2- Eyre TimeFirstly, greetings from SA. Just crossed the border then.<br /><br />Secondly, Part 2 of the last three weeks.<br /><br />Will keep it short because of time constraints, having to try and steal another 15 kilometres today before it gets too dark.<br /><br />Ok, so from Caiguna is where our pace slowed and settled just a little bit, as for the last week Sam and his mutant-like walking speed literally beat my legs into submission, developing some serious shin-splints in the process. That slowed our walking pace down from around 7 k's an hour to 5, but it didnt really affect the distance covered each day as we just went for that little bit longer while my legs were being nursed back to health.<br /><br />But at every stop we kept on being warned about this Eucla Pass we were having to go up just before Eucla, with the Pass taking on epic proportions as we closed in on it. But as we kept on being told, Eucla was right there at the top of the Pass, so it wasn't all bad news. Well, it was the biggest let down as it was hardly even a hill, and certainly no match for the SlamWagon and his mutant-legged master. I took a big longer naturally, but thats only because I wanted to savour the experience. Either that or I was knackered after chasing Sam all day. And there was Eucla, literally 50 metres after the Pass finished.<br />We really had a great time there, meeting some great people who, as has been the custom on this trip, been far too generous and just do too much for two idiots walking on a highway. Also had some brilliant mail waiting for us, including three ridiculously huge care packages from mum and my very first love letter. Kim, I am surprised that we have put off marrying for so long. Do they do internet marriages yet? Anyways, didnt really want to leave that place and had to force our trailers out of Eucla. And two hours later we are here at the border and another roadhouse. After spending sometimes up to a week in between roadhouses having two within 12 kilometres of each other feels kind of like cheating. The burgers still tasted great though, as will the customary Magnum icecream we have to share afterwards.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvP3yJhOG8rMR1HvuPqHsjqK5lmhOperkYU3eU03uARe4pBTAHq_S9m_vMLNvcWgwHhXlK84ZY7DTg3JVJmh5tmSqK3hTnQXA-3f5jtjd0VA7lRy2kSEpo7jVwuEOMKe-Yd3W1u3t3HJE/s1600/day+35-42+056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvP3yJhOG8rMR1HvuPqHsjqK5lmhOperkYU3eU03uARe4pBTAHq_S9m_vMLNvcWgwHhXlK84ZY7DTg3JVJmh5tmSqK3hTnQXA-3f5jtjd0VA7lRy2kSEpo7jVwuEOMKe-Yd3W1u3t3HJE/s320/day+35-42+056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461367886539168898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Although he was already quite fond of the place, due to the well timed chocolates and soft drinks George now loves Canada. Especially Barry and Noreen!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlaZpq3w5gu5sOanbaTd59B1AnhYYuR2b1Lc2OY7trS3J4gVbe7Hxr9fYWDqsr3PXCbx50oKklO7rHZRoiM8twwy-cAiMZCqPVlQMPEBFhWiNNgdNLpkICwytEkEVaHkfP72u4MVuwRLT/s1600/day+35-42+067.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlaZpq3w5gu5sOanbaTd59B1AnhYYuR2b1Lc2OY7trS3J4gVbe7Hxr9fYWDqsr3PXCbx50oKklO7rHZRoiM8twwy-cAiMZCqPVlQMPEBFhWiNNgdNLpkICwytEkEVaHkfP72u4MVuwRLT/s320/day+35-42+067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461367904962558514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Beautiful and sunny all day, then as we neared our final hurdle before our highly anticipated break, the thunder rolled in, the sky darkened and lightning started all around us. Felt like I was 12 again playing Nintendo and this was the final level of Super Mario Bros. Sort of. Eucla Pass was obviously Bowser. Bowser turned out to be a sissy.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssK-8pBMU2TmKs5W2MQNSh3H6sIE-E3CGbUGrA8xansxHRVEkZxeqs2rb9KFdgffZkqEYicR0xcafpWM5c9OA4BXTJRBLqJJZ_dJeQzuJzYKi43lv10BXMDJoWiJDfFSWqY3H_gFE0aaD/s1600/day+35-42+070.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssK-8pBMU2TmKs5W2MQNSh3H6sIE-E3CGbUGrA8xansxHRVEkZxeqs2rb9KFdgffZkqEYicR0xcafpWM5c9OA4BXTJRBLqJJZ_dJeQzuJzYKi43lv10BXMDJoWiJDfFSWqY3H_gFE0aaD/s320/day+35-42+070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461367897760998002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Right it is then, good to know. That could've been costly.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiJh3A64DB2ppexsqCpAazOUGAUalzHUd0Jfet6vqXlGUjTIzX4ZPl3YbNPupIpZ8LZEW-GcOtJT9EB9oS7bdsQGbC6WaSkyjiWneqW_hj3tmaZxICnph4tJ1FpuH_jsU7vPS-3i_ae44/s1600/day+35-42+058.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiJh3A64DB2ppexsqCpAazOUGAUalzHUd0Jfet6vqXlGUjTIzX4ZPl3YbNPupIpZ8LZEW-GcOtJT9EB9oS7bdsQGbC6WaSkyjiWneqW_hj3tmaZxICnph4tJ1FpuH_jsU7vPS-3i_ae44/s320/day+35-42+058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461376895641558914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam levitating, again. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_fQoqp2q0YyzhTECKGYa1aCkgtrJdaCA6WJlEQBqTuayzqMerdLNPOg5GVRkrrA-eUQU5r05zGZIfPoYCa5HQZ5X7HxvDTTf1C-X_VXMP6nDqgdaVM_XXGDu69L5hPj_tnKCczG3huK2/s1600/Day+43-44+036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_fQoqp2q0YyzhTECKGYa1aCkgtrJdaCA6WJlEQBqTuayzqMerdLNPOg5GVRkrrA-eUQU5r05zGZIfPoYCa5HQZ5X7HxvDTTf1C-X_VXMP6nDqgdaVM_XXGDu69L5hPj_tnKCczG3huK2/s320/Day+43-44+036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461376887548030706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam on the border. Pretty sure he's tossing up whether or not to upgrade to the trailer behind him. It might be slightly heavier but on the plus side it'd hold all the chocolate mum sent us.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_fQoqp2q0YyzhTECKGYa1aCkgtrJdaCA6WJlEQBqTuayzqMerdLNPOg5GVRkrrA-eUQU5r05zGZIfPoYCa5HQZ5X7HxvDTTf1C-X_VXMP6nDqgdaVM_XXGDu69L5hPj_tnKCczG3huK2/s1600/Day+43-44+036.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br />And there you are, up to date. Pretty sure I wouldn't have missed anything. Will be back in reception at the Nullarbor Roadhouse, around 5 days down the track. Until then.thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-20313051902279626102010-04-17T03:22:00.000-07:002010-04-17T18:12:05.763-07:00Part 1- Forward MarchRewinding back three weeks is tough, especially if you are blessed with the memory of a goldfish. But there are a few things I remember quite well from the first nine days from Norseman to Caiguna. I definitely remember the first day and the last. The first being possibly the worst day on the trip and the last being up there with the best.<br /><br />Day one was tough, as we knew it would be. Forced to overload our trailers to the absolute limits of what the wheels would allow us to take always was going to increase the chances of something bad happening. Nothing really did, except another wheel blew off the trailer, spraying ball bearings all over the road. At the time this was the second wheel wrecked in 40 kilometres and given the current weight being carried and distance still needed to go, I started having a trademark Leigh breakdown, a beautiful sight to anyone who has been lucky enough to witness it before and I'll just leave it to the imagination what it involves for people who haven't. We continued on regardless but for Sam eventually the combination of hills and pulling the equivalent of three and a half extra Sams took its toll and we had to finish up early, stopping at around 30 kilometres for the day, much less than we were hoping. The day was brightened by Therese, the lady from the Norseman Hotel, who somehow managed to enlist a backpacker to deliver a missing tail light off my trailer and a big block of fruit and nut chocolate (which Sam decided that he then liked after 21 years of insisting he doesn't).<br /><br />The first 200 kilometres was extremely hilly, and we were told otherwise leading up to Norseman so we got rather disheartened by that and left us wondering how long this was actually going to take to get to our next actual town, Ceduna, only some 1170 kilometres away at the time. But the good news was it rapidly improved and with us eating and drinking around 15 kilograms of weight out of Sams trailer each day we started averaging 45 kilometres a day, actually an improvement on any of our previous speeds. Arriving at our first stop, Balladonia, 190 kilometres down the road, was a relief more than anything as we knew we had got through the worst of it for a while. The kitchen staff were quite busy during our brief stay cooking us up 5 days worth of missed junk and comfort food.<br /><br />From there we landed on the flat, straight roads including the 90 Mile Straight, Australia's longest straight road and thats when things really got going. 4 days it took us to get to Caiguna, and waiting for us there was a phone call from an Aunty and a pre-paid meal. Was quite strange getting in there and they already knew who we were and said we had a call waiting for us, and that we already had our meals paid for by an anonymous caller, my guess was correctly mum. After our meal we ran into the Carpinteyro family who introduced themselves and then gave us $40 to pay for our NEXT meal, as well as a box of RedBulls which were gratefully recieved and strategically used. Thank you so much, hope the rest of your trip went well! Was a perfect finish to a really great few days.<br /><br />And that is the first half. Might do the second later tonight if we're still in internet reception, but might not be. As I used to tell my school teachers, I'll have it in soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw86zA3YoZZ5-tlNjrq-qC13zgRB2ZiZQSuePdXvl5wDmQAVYYa5p3fOgId2u9JR4dwIF6pSU9rV3JiAW8CHVG22yAmuoNe5OUTWZOFA0mGyQTp3kZ24soyiy5YHx0KXZYCl6OENkIjrb/s1600/day+26-29+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw86zA3YoZZ5-tlNjrq-qC13zgRB2ZiZQSuePdXvl5wDmQAVYYa5p3fOgId2u9JR4dwIF6pSU9rV3JiAW8CHVG22yAmuoNe5OUTWZOFA0mGyQTp3kZ24soyiy5YHx0KXZYCl6OENkIjrb/s320/day+26-29+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461084655238930418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> Road upgrades. For the record, Sam and I approve. Best road we've been on, hands down.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHhmTuptWODmh-WHd38L8mrO2xP47HQwPS-FpcEw1loJHWjhy2DHd-N139keRWSc4KGwaVO1EbqpRZclCKfmO9jLx60rqlhy8bX5lN-XqDJ7wipL-i-OqmEAWXW7gGjtFJFvz-ftLk5ZS/s1600/day+26-29+034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHhmTuptWODmh-WHd38L8mrO2xP47HQwPS-FpcEw1loJHWjhy2DHd-N139keRWSc4KGwaVO1EbqpRZclCKfmO9jLx60rqlhy8bX5lN-XqDJ7wipL-i-OqmEAWXW7gGjtFJFvz-ftLk5ZS/s320/day+26-29+034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461226306894103154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This might be a beautiful scene for motorists or to the untrained walking eye, but for Sam and I this is heartbreaking stuff. Especially at 2 in the arvo with plenty still left to do. 10 kilometre hill and we had to finish it that day. Its going to be even tougher for Sam with him heading for the trees like that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPjNFlO0e9RS5nCCoOjhPUcD6EIB2LD5DgEfabHJ1xuiyIcrM7G5gcukKCBvVIjfvPbeiWxwkOMKPq5baRehQZMrixMlJ-cjWWgH6nMsLAk8Mb4OIbwLt2OWvRlqhC_blBwboRYQP5Bq-/s1600/day+26-29+027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPjNFlO0e9RS5nCCoOjhPUcD6EIB2LD5DgEfabHJ1xuiyIcrM7G5gcukKCBvVIjfvPbeiWxwkOMKPq5baRehQZMrixMlJ-cjWWgH6nMsLAk8Mb4OIbwLt2OWvRlqhC_blBwboRYQP5Bq-/s320/day+26-29+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461084665671656434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Been told that we must be having pretty good weather. Well, yes, but it rains a LOT. We obviously just dont like using the already temperamental camera in the rain. Here's Sam looking like a banana.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0yV9bXn69pucaSzfWbe62DlNfIf-AVKuCJ893puRlTttSvy59J704H7gWOp1VuFxU2Tu6DNeLGAizaJWOpEDgDZNQU6BOtqcOk0eQyb3ySvxLrXo5wJkSEZcYbkouxEWPw0SoYNU1Y-G/s1600/day+26-29+030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0yV9bXn69pucaSzfWbe62DlNfIf-AVKuCJ893puRlTttSvy59J704H7gWOp1VuFxU2Tu6DNeLGAizaJWOpEDgDZNQU6BOtqcOk0eQyb3ySvxLrXo5wJkSEZcYbkouxEWPw0SoYNU1Y-G/s320/day+26-29+030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461226301782481826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And one of me on a hill looking ponderous. I'm pretty sure I'm pondering 1- How Sam got the camera and 2- Why is he taking a photo of me when he knows he'll pay dearly for it later on. The answers never came.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExAgorhI8kZcRv24SIXlyyxe1553-VtTy6qqbuq1nzqduXUhTneK2QLr2-TbAJkvfJtN4zoYUg0dccfOGY1-_hS5kLFYRexTBFXkkcKIUNotkjeM1OXX9p62GNAZiCHgMriPNCMnuDAyn/s1600/SlamVision+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExAgorhI8kZcRv24SIXlyyxe1553-VtTy6qqbuq1nzqduXUhTneK2QLr2-TbAJkvfJtN4zoYUg0dccfOGY1-_hS5kLFYRexTBFXkkcKIUNotkjeM1OXX9p62GNAZiCHgMriPNCMnuDAyn/s320/SlamVision+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461270448605636482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Us at Balladonia Station. Someone wanted a photo of Sam and I together, and we thought we might as well make them useful and take one with our camera as well.</span>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-4621065686892577612010-04-16T09:35:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:48:37.125-07:00Eucla, babyEucla, baby.<br />Those two words has been the answer to pretty much every question we have asked each other for the last 18 days.<br /><br />For instance it has answered all of the following, in some cases many times....<br />- When are we getting back into phone reception?<br />- How about internet reception?<br />- Any chance of taking a day off soon?<br />- What are the chances of having a shower?<br />- Can we wash our clothes soon? I've been wearing the same clothes for 2 weeks straight.<br />- Where is mum sending my bike pants to stop my mammoth chafe?<br />- Will we ever get time to fix all the tyres we have busted?<br />- Is mum going to send us any food, because we are eating like horses.<br />- I'm hungry. Whats the closest place that we can buy even half decent supplies?<br />- Are we actually ever going to stay in a proper Caravan Park and not roadside like homeless bums?<br /><br />And so on. And we are finally here!!! It has been such a hectic couple of weeks that I'm only going to put one general post up now, then jog the memory banks and split the last 3 weeks up into two parts tomorrow.<br /><br />But for the record, it has been an excellent few weeks (which was definitely not what we were expecting!) People have only got impossibly friendlier as we go along and whenever Sam and I are beginning to have a bad time, something or someone good always pops up at the right moment to brighten our day. Special mention to Noreen and Bill (I am REALLY hoping that is your names, you have to forgive us as we're both terrible with remembering anything, let alone names), the Canadians who have come to our rescue at the perfect moments twice now with soft drinks and chocolate, reinforcing our belief that 1- Sam and I are currently two of the luckiest people in Australia and 2- Canada is home to the best-natured people on the planet (Australia a very close second, of course!)<br />But they are by no means the only people who have helped out. Every day without fail someone always stops for a chat, photo or to see if there is anything we would like. It's a very warm feeling sometimes, although that could be just the 35 degree temperatures as well...<br /><br /><br />Other news, caught up with the support crew of Alan Bate, a guy attempting to break the world record of cycling the globe in 99 days. They of course gave us some food and drink, including some sweet sweet chocolate and were pretty interested about the whole trek. Anyways they posted us up on their site. I cant find my way around it as I am computer illiterate, but heres the link to a photo they put up of me. Sam didnt make the cut, I think they were just pretty impressed with my beard to be honest.... <a href="http://www.worldcyclingrecord.com/gallery/?file=Australia%2014%3A04/">http://www.worldcyclingrecord.com/gallery/?file=Australia%2014%3A04/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And of course we have gained more photos, even with our trusty $100 camera on the fritz. She is currently quite picky as to when and where she will actually work. I can relate to that.<br />Heres the photos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC-NBIzzZI3KoQrWHoEGa8TD9lW9F8ThBU1-MhJTKtYY9edjZdqmvWUAzehYxcgv6vpH589-Ze9gVySMySljtSI7GTnigy5OuT9lXiPvlj_3n41CQadm5ZdJDAWa-9s5-OSB_yf6DwzXN/s1600/day+35-42+069.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC-NBIzzZI3KoQrWHoEGa8TD9lW9F8ThBU1-MhJTKtYY9edjZdqmvWUAzehYxcgv6vpH589-Ze9gVySMySljtSI7GTnigy5OuT9lXiPvlj_3n41CQadm5ZdJDAWa-9s5-OSB_yf6DwzXN/s320/day+35-42+069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797216295418818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Making it to Eucla, baby. Understandably quite a big moment for us, hence the tacky photo. Apologies.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6YzV78Bx1uu2Xf8DhcrbYSXOt-G-SVfgf-65dOco3FkEHqgN7sqraygQPL_kmBhKRlEuWwUw2iYGsNdftsXI9us5z7tv7wcKN-UDfk24GLmSPJ6x3DdzAfU6_BN0dzRDsXP1dqnl1I8V/s1600/day+35-42+037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6YzV78Bx1uu2Xf8DhcrbYSXOt-G-SVfgf-65dOco3FkEHqgN7sqraygQPL_kmBhKRlEuWwUw2iYGsNdftsXI9us5z7tv7wcKN-UDfk24GLmSPJ6x3DdzAfU6_BN0dzRDsXP1dqnl1I8V/s320/day+35-42+037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797212964533554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam pretending he's a tree. There was so many of these trees as anyone who has crossed the Nullarbor would know (shoe trees, bottle trees, hat trees, glove trees... etc), but unfortunately not a towel tree which would been great seeing that we have lost both our towels. Using a singlet instead, not as nice but considering the rate of current showers its not really a huge issue at the moment.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTLqufjW0XeOATWPPtEdANBEk6W95JamcrkMWCc-e5GGToT2eiuU1mLHYCkEQmR0saKrulV1E-3LxSxUMB972cWqBg2h4mCDNvziL23Rn0Pn8_WitMPxnfr-E4yehZ2AgN1ht0_TGV_4K/s1600/day+35-42+024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTLqufjW0XeOATWPPtEdANBEk6W95JamcrkMWCc-e5GGToT2eiuU1mLHYCkEQmR0saKrulV1E-3LxSxUMB972cWqBg2h4mCDNvziL23Rn0Pn8_WitMPxnfr-E4yehZ2AgN1ht0_TGV_4K/s320/day+35-42+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797202451216418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The famous Madura GutBuster. Unfortunately it didnt come close to busting Sams' gut and he graciously offered the communal (my) wallet up for a second helping. The four burly lads at the next table were suitably impressed given none finished theirs.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo0yUENkSJbLBWafxYeNPyOjlw8tp4moS9VApsOR9Dt2HuNyT81MhghjYpzulFvFsdvK51dXmpyX0PYLswAn6MW_9GdoomVrA7kbv6spTZOovRmlGS68kXGJ0_WtC4HbF2Hw8cRATu2QZ/s1600/SlamVision+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo0yUENkSJbLBWafxYeNPyOjlw8tp4moS9VApsOR9Dt2HuNyT81MhghjYpzulFvFsdvK51dXmpyX0PYLswAn6MW_9GdoomVrA7kbv6spTZOovRmlGS68kXGJ0_WtC4HbF2Hw8cRATu2QZ/s320/SlamVision+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460799077557309330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">For anyone who wants to know what I'd look like right before I strangle you, this'd be it. Sam knows how I get around cameras...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSnOgekaVavP8I4TcmcWyC_EygjBhVojk9YMBjpHPBKZI7f-CHS-a0YXRGAYwMq6iyigJaYSxp8h9eTeH9GRZtQhMc2vghF2idZSSAxzNVlsj4BSs9EGiWkPq2GrHhJB5TXM-C9lBhpf6/s1600/SlamVision+504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSnOgekaVavP8I4TcmcWyC_EygjBhVojk9YMBjpHPBKZI7f-CHS-a0YXRGAYwMq6iyigJaYSxp8h9eTeH9GRZtQhMc2vghF2idZSSAxzNVlsj4BSs9EGiWkPq2GrHhJB5TXM-C9lBhpf6/s320/SlamVision+504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460799070852418866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Charmaine, Dave and their great family, who caught up with us twice, once bearing half a trailer load of goodies including a few cans of liquid gold...soft drink. Add to that an hour of great chatting and you really made our days! Oh, and apparently I'm off to a boxing match just after the photo.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, heres a draft result of a bit of a project I was attempting while doing the 90 Mile Straight. Was going to take photos of all the straight, but interest quickly faded. So heres two days of life walking the 90 mile straight.<br /><br />I need your help to make this work properly as I couldnt get the background music I wanted for it (Once again, computer illiterate!)<br />So <span style="font-style: italic;">please</span>, open up this website first in another window -------- <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cogrockmusic">http://www.myspace.com/cogrockmusic</a> , then play the second song down called "Bird of Feather"<br />Then flick back to this page and play the video below.<br />The music will run out towards the end, but you know what they say, you pay peanuts you get monkeys. It's close enough!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwY3BlaCxSeozn9Ix78PnAk7aLr4SlcB6NVR6E4MC4kstzWCnSs0t0tlC9Y_NEe1ZlSSsBKoldmemNIyjySzQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SlamVision! 90 Mile Straight</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Song choice dedicated to friend currently being missed more than clean clothes and supermarkets</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, hopefully that was worth the pain. Will probably be back tomorrow for less interesting, more detailed junk.<br /><br /><br />Oh and Bec, that was probably the best comment I have had, like ever. Well worth the 18 day wait. Thug life indeed.<br /><br />Ok thats definitely it now. Bye!<br /><br /><br />And I love you mum :)<br />(Wasnt even blackmailed into saying that or anything, she's just pretty ace)thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-66551984805002762752010-03-30T05:12:00.000-07:002010-03-30T07:56:27.722-07:00Nullarbor Bound<div><div>Ok, quick one before we leave, as it could be up to a month until the next post depending on reception over the Nullarbor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just had a final shop for groceries today, totally clearing out the local IGA. The poor girl at the register looked heartbroken to see us coming to her aisle. $375 later and we are now pretty sure we've got enough food for the next month, if only we could say the same for the people of Norseman now weve emptied their only supermarket of all their good stuff, leaving the poor kids without any lollies or muesli bars for the next while.<br /><div> </div></div><div>Its going to be a tough few first days as have to cross a hilly range before we actually hit the Nullarbor, towing probably about 170kgs each. If all goes well there, then hopefully it'll be a smooth trip for the next month as it becomes a lot flatter and we'll be eating/drinking down the weight of the trailers gradually as we go.</div><div><br />That's all since yesterday, so goes without saying that theres not too many photos worth posting between now and then. But heres some anyways.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454418177414522434" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd1v7i8NyDu4k49O-YjCMvGubcpvjmB3Oeqb5649laU0HCrrjYrlrG_cPP7Ckje28u8LVmVwqcAu9xoSsKjJOFnF52K5As4BTG_HKvX7cp7DAkcOyqQc-WKpFOTOFujIJWPR1aTVFZy_v/s320/Day+24-25+004.JPG" border="0" /><em>Therese (and Audrey), thank you so much!!!! After following through on a promise to pop in from a random biker in the first week of walking, we came in to Therese's hotel in Norseman just to say hello. At least $50 dollars worth of groceries, some great cooking ideas and one of the best lunches in history later and we left with pretty big smiles on our faces. One of the nicest people I've ever met, cannot say how shocked we were at the generosity you shown us. Please keep in touch!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></em></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454419277945721074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiBSEmik3nDBxISyHokLrYgu8wDmgFvJZY9k9e0ImfyvXvj6ZI2D9Nt4ZqM9ynfiV-crQqXrzQLKKffR1BPgnwQXP5EWMUkzWLA1epjjkq5WoCvb3fjTUA6M1wkA7h0k390dUu26rEez/s320/day+24-25+025.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Was going to post the actual load of food we bought, but forgot. Heres the shopping list instead. Didn't actually get it on the photo but on the bottom of the docket it suggests we saved $52. My card countered that suggestion, suggesting instead of saving $52, we had actually spent $400. Shall bring the docket into the next Commonwealth Bank to have my account checked.</em><br /><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454418172258097746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxvMwcsFpw7-VgKxaDVUbKrg7JtLvcxBwzcLY9iXK6Plic_Qb7sdax2O7gG-ayqoFUsrKjFqiJ8cZF4l5lP-b2Em5QfGjcDxhSnSCgWqR5wI9pH2Ajc3hN5uP2kNtmjw0wCe7t18U_y83/s320/Day+24-25+008.JPG" border="0" /><em>Getting a few last minor parking infringements out of the way before the Eyre highway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></em> <div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So goodbye, if you dont hear from us for the next few weeks it means we're taking it a bit slower than we planned. If you hear from us in the next few days it means we hitched a ride to the next town. Either way, you'll hear from us soon. Bye!</div><br /></div></div>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-80581254945417471172010-03-28T23:55:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:10:17.657-07:00Trailer Mechanics 101Still quite bad at knowing what people find interesting or not about the trip, I have got a few emails from people wanting to know what the trailers look like, how they work and all that. But most people just want to see more photos of us walking.<br />So here it is, the first and only trailer tutorial.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73kcZWMwcl7fP-SU8BG9pCkBQxEQR2RFAorRkBg-jr5jzepNB182kwIpOMgaTHsrAxQj7h19SgHHexNZWByIH5VLXbWoqZ2wpNsQraRCN2XAEB9ijtGPaIuHyL8uQVsuRENCZVVBQeKWe/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73kcZWMwcl7fP-SU8BG9pCkBQxEQR2RFAorRkBg-jr5jzepNB182kwIpOMgaTHsrAxQj7h19SgHHexNZWByIH5VLXbWoqZ2wpNsQraRCN2XAEB9ijtGPaIuHyL8uQVsuRENCZVVBQeKWe/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453949566407600274" border="0" /></a>My trailer, the 'GC Love Trolley', almost fully packed. It fits 2x20L watertight food containers, a 10L container for toiletries, a portable butane cooker, 3x20L water containers and a milk crate (hidden) for all our clothes. All this was kindly and unknowingly donated by the Regatta Hotel.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLZK1B1zU41-BlSbVj654d6wfp5dt9phkTAJlMqUQr33i_8eTfR_-3-eNA2eDgjQJntHfEtjfzfgt8yo3n12W3p-1rP86EXRzfUxWeNTJNqKvdJ6xLGIVALaGhqhHBsqW8RKLmEAi7zpF/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLZK1B1zU41-BlSbVj654d6wfp5dt9phkTAJlMqUQr33i_8eTfR_-3-eNA2eDgjQJntHfEtjfzfgt8yo3n12W3p-1rP86EXRzfUxWeNTJNqKvdJ6xLGIVALaGhqhHBsqW8RKLmEAi7zpF/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453949558188221202" border="0" /></a>The SlamWagon 12000 comes equipped with much the same but with a few added extras. The Solar Panel is connected to a battery, which is used to power most of our electrics. Also included as a built-in feature is the SlamoMeter, a standard speedo, the only difference is it's attached to the SlamWagon. The SlamoMeter's current reading says we have done 645.3 kilometres at the healthy rate of 6.7 kilometres per hour since his arrival, tallying the total trip up to around the 750ish mark. Mercifully it doesnt take into account our numerous breaks during the day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AshzEP6hJvnNkjW3cL5vGKz_QozQYjar2z1SQobDazgzF1Cx_w2p-LGyqBJjUIZeKKyz4ByeQUBqavHiEBpeMoj2J9ygTWXqCoU5LrXhqO-cJqr87iZysNzS3ddKBZHYUhpfg_-SPvlV/s1600/day+18-19+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AshzEP6hJvnNkjW3cL5vGKz_QozQYjar2z1SQobDazgzF1Cx_w2p-LGyqBJjUIZeKKyz4ByeQUBqavHiEBpeMoj2J9ygTWXqCoU5LrXhqO-cJqr87iZysNzS3ddKBZHYUhpfg_-SPvlV/s320/day+18-19+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453953710217882610" border="0" /></a>Walking in the early morning, we have put a lot of reflective tape on the trailers so traffic can see us. To be honest we might have gone overboard and now it probably just blinds them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M-47PnGR7YijUV6ZyisyJM6FB9dWD9-h_h0LR9Zhl8xnl3agHCkbQB1GHaaH9wyEMZ1taRz3iDEdGoUNK0SrgeAybz2sVDm4Hc-j8Ogcv9VB1X0kuWk44rJyNUqYNjD1t9R7cBWCceMu/s1600/day+20-24+033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M-47PnGR7YijUV6ZyisyJM6FB9dWD9-h_h0LR9Zhl8xnl3agHCkbQB1GHaaH9wyEMZ1taRz3iDEdGoUNK0SrgeAybz2sVDm4Hc-j8Ogcv9VB1X0kuWk44rJyNUqYNjD1t9R7cBWCceMu/s320/day+20-24+033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453953674141126802" border="0" /></a>This is how we move them around. Around our waists are elastic belts, and they carry 90% of our load. We loosely hold the handles just so they dont fall, as well as making us look pretty pro. The photo would've been pretty epic if it was taken on Abbey Road, not next to a random salt lake.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxT3O430uIHF3S5iAoDM_jfR0FUDqRwiaPNAmFlOuG0y_2WVtnaiqF3K4gytBaoXCp6oXSlpcVeaLaQzJQzw9cFO5NLMKjrpauY1R_WOkcqwHGRqW1ncYREJxg41kWnprp9xpMy6oV2AZ/s1600/day+20-24+021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxT3O430uIHF3S5iAoDM_jfR0FUDqRwiaPNAmFlOuG0y_2WVtnaiqF3K4gytBaoXCp6oXSlpcVeaLaQzJQzw9cFO5NLMKjrpauY1R_WOkcqwHGRqW1ncYREJxg41kWnprp9xpMy6oV2AZ/s320/day+20-24+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453948151143909650" border="0" /></a>Not to say theyre not quick. Here's Sam dragging a truck up a hill.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcGQ5uYmza70AD62xaXUbt9QW-zgeMs_FTGW7VrQXLmySWQR5u-05mmMEdvsuJj8NqonmDmre0dhE4cRWLsFvU4mZLvX1IZXtTNNjTO_HFnrz-qPz1K4ha0rPkuoixsij9chRVEULAHgi/s1600/day+20-24+018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcGQ5uYmza70AD62xaXUbt9QW-zgeMs_FTGW7VrQXLmySWQR5u-05mmMEdvsuJj8NqonmDmre0dhE4cRWLsFvU4mZLvX1IZXtTNNjTO_HFnrz-qPz1K4ha0rPkuoixsij9chRVEULAHgi/s320/day+20-24+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453948147303561890" border="0" /></a>After dusting the truck quite easily, he decided to take on a ute, with a 30 metre head start for added challenge. It turned out to be a no-contest, again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So thats it. They're pretty simple, as is the premise of the trip. They're built for walking, we're going for a bit of a walk. It's a pretty good match. Any other questions or whatever, just send me an email at thomson-mathews@connect.qut.edu.au<br />I'll keep on posting that email address until I start getting some more emails! Either that or our phone number is 0419307323.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Leighthejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-12460944686782468932010-03-28T20:13:00.001-07:002010-03-28T22:11:50.687-07:00Last Stop to NullarborAfter opting out of a late arrival into Norseman yesterday and staying 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">k's</span> out of town, thereby saving Sam's already overused wallet from more roadhouse related <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">spendings</span>, we ended up walking into town early this morning.<br />In the last few days we have finally ran into a few serious issues after very trouble free and blessed initial run. The first was a little problem with the power outlet connected to the solar panel (we totally fried it) and secondly was a wheel rim not just buckling, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">combusting</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wouldn't</span> call it spontaneously combusted as it was a build up over 2 weeks of running off the road into steep ditches whenever there was oncoming traffic. Looking back it was lucky that worse <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">didn't</span> happen considering how much those poor trailers have had to deal with. Once again, big thanks to Steve from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Aly</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tek</span> for making such awesome trailers!<br />Anyways, to be safe we felt we needed to have both those things replaced before we went over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Nullarbor</span>, and as there is nowhere even remotely close to replace those things we thought we'd be in some trouble.<br />But luck always seems to be on our side. Well, luck and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">supermum</span>. So yes, she managed to find and express post us a power thing as well as some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">easter</span> eggs for a nice added touch. And as for the tyres, we thought <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">that'd</span> be a bit tougher as they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">couldn't</span> be sent by post in time. But a recommendation of a bike store in Kalgoorlie from a chance meeting with a guy cycling from Sydney to Perth a few days before led to us ringing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hannans</span> Bikes, and they were brilliant. Managed to send us the tyres as well as some other needed parts within the day, all for much cheaper than expected as well. Not to mention the fact that they also ran around town just to grab us some things they themselves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">couldn't</span> stock! Thanks so much, you guys were brilliant!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ok</span>, anyways this is our final stop before the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Nullarbor</span>, and it is 1200 kilometres or a bit over a month until we see our next town! So spending the next day brainstorming and working out how to fit a months worth of supplies into our already <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">overpacked</span> trailers. If anyone has any ideas for cheap, easy and lightweight food that we can pack please let us know, otherwise its going to be a months worth of rice, pasta and cereal for us!<br /><br />Starting to run into a few interesting folk, some extremely helpful, some not so much, but all at least very entertaining. The backpackers we met in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Coolgardie</span> who gave us pretty much a trailer full of food for our trip, an awesome camping guidebook and our choice of downloaded TV shows and movies to keep, I have forgotten your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">names</span> but you were amazing. All of that will come in handy, especially the entertainment as we are going to get incredibly bored over the next month! Write us an email at thomson-mathews@connect.qut.edu.au and we'll let you know how all your food tasted! Same for the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Timboon</span> 4", the guys we caught up with doing the fund raising trip by playing the "Worlds longest golf course", a 1350 kilometre golf course over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Nullarbor</span>. Was great catching up with you- provided great entertainment in an otherwise pretty boring day!<br />Less helpful was the guy who insisted on giving us a lift into Norseman at 6am in the morning so we could go drinking with him, even though he looked to have already been drinking quite an amount and I'm pretty sure had stolen his work's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">ute</span>. Thanks anyways though.<br /><br />Still getting random donations by people into our two money tins taped to the trailers, even though we are not saying its for any charities or causes. People might just think we cant afford the food. Either way, it has brought the totals to the Workers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">GGCC</span> and the Fred Hollows Foundation to a very unimpressive $55.20 and $34.50 respectively. Still, its better than nothing.<br />Could almost buy a cricket ball with that...<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Ok</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">that's</span> it. Will post one or two more times before we leave, because after that there will be no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">internet</span> reception for probably around three weeks.<br /><br />Photo time...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7_ahujhym6PHMZi3T6awnJxoON_YyuQOniawSV5chmhlD66V8Y6m6t_YlLCODrE55KM7CI4A0xcfm_2hgWy88GKSwj5_hCkQs-32S2lQGa0o_xC8oO-i1JmbIj0N6EvPxiwd9K2wC8Gg/s1600/day+20-24+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7_ahujhym6PHMZi3T6awnJxoON_YyuQOniawSV5chmhlD66V8Y6m6t_YlLCODrE55KM7CI4A0xcfm_2hgWy88GKSwj5_hCkQs-32S2lQGa0o_xC8oO-i1JmbIj0N6EvPxiwd9K2wC8Gg/s320/day+20-24+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453906616728189234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam and I with the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Timboon</span> 4", the guys playing the worlds longest golf course and raising $10,000 while doing it.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJWNFAqB84YmOng7EI1pYfXmWVi8cJ5-qWVPRQYSoF9kPZjYybFn4mog0Rab1jr-hHcQoUhUiAa6zFTnyq2QBB36y5kzjWdNZK57OQvo9CClR6kTYqwjRnEcolCalp33s9BGguWVZ_gSc/s1600/day+20-24+041.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQaKH3XOO5QPTSzkL-SuFWEZsLx5hv3fWO3Y3OHqKiSlz9evGJkPqVXbYQ3h83UZXaaWfwPr2rkGtnvnHlH7ubaMo0_Qr1dHVd2v65F2DFyFeMxEmIAmAQ3sObw-PeQlpgp3q6oTL5Yhf/s1600/day+20-24+023.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYfidRxz7CTUVEXBnsvwZZPQqXHOy-YrTAGJRmNemIgIbkplMRloqjyJVcuqZ8mBeGXtXhRljqYLc3XYwQLRsk9vMHhYovCHBwZocq-QpJvE5M93l8pdzPIlg2EZxDeIYV0CHOGalQZwy/s1600/day+20-24+015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYfidRxz7CTUVEXBnsvwZZPQqXHOy-YrTAGJRmNemIgIbkplMRloqjyJVcuqZ8mBeGXtXhRljqYLc3XYwQLRsk9vMHhYovCHBwZocq-QpJvE5M93l8pdzPIlg2EZxDeIYV0CHOGalQZwy/s320/day+20-24+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453902705775767410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Flies at 5:30 in the morning, before they wake to do kamikaze runs into people's mouths. The reason we needed to buy fly nets and look even dorkier than normal.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG7Rxi6y1PWVomGnZRJsaLf6clsVT4vgSm610tooVrqiilwhUddjhancCAIHjUWa1BFX-Yn8JEUNYxhP8S9FL0rufTgiP3Ispue9aLSUufBoS4DCRqrdp2-jm5nsCPlSXLEmiCw0lSukY/s1600/day+20-24+029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG7Rxi6y1PWVomGnZRJsaLf6clsVT4vgSm610tooVrqiilwhUddjhancCAIHjUWa1BFX-Yn8JEUNYxhP8S9FL0rufTgiP3Ispue9aLSUufBoS4DCRqrdp2-jm5nsCPlSXLEmiCw0lSukY/s320/day+20-24+029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453900664825602834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam doing a sneak photo of both of us. Unfortunately it's probably the best photo taken of me in many years, hence my reluctance of taking photos. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA-l_qQGFihkuPQqAUcaoVHWbIiMGLruEV0J5xUQBqlhiFvGe1ErNzaAakhCPPRW3uygH3-VkmYGwK64360XcQlwVjbs4Awz-MoZawKrtFsZ1BZvKA0ro3d1wu9AkyykBP65f2uvPr1fo/s1600/day+20-24+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA-l_qQGFihkuPQqAUcaoVHWbIiMGLruEV0J5xUQBqlhiFvGe1ErNzaAakhCPPRW3uygH3-VkmYGwK64360XcQlwVjbs4Awz-MoZawKrtFsZ1BZvKA0ro3d1wu9AkyykBP65f2uvPr1fo/s320/day+20-24+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453900658851720210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our much anticipated return to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Widgiemooltha</span>. There was a roadhouse there as well, but we found the level of service and helpfulness in this fake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">dunny</span> much better. As always, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Widgiemooltha</span> has done their best to underwhelm.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQaKH3XOO5QPTSzkL-SuFWEZsLx5hv3fWO3Y3OHqKiSlz9evGJkPqVXbYQ3h83UZXaaWfwPr2rkGtnvnHlH7ubaMo0_Qr1dHVd2v65F2DFyFeMxEmIAmAQ3sObw-PeQlpgp3q6oTL5Yhf/s1600/day+20-24+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQaKH3XOO5QPTSzkL-SuFWEZsLx5hv3fWO3Y3OHqKiSlz9evGJkPqVXbYQ3h83UZXaaWfwPr2rkGtnvnHlH7ubaMo0_Qr1dHVd2v65F2DFyFeMxEmIAmAQ3sObw-PeQlpgp3q6oTL5Yhf/s320/day+20-24+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453905141483138546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">In front of a massive lake on way to Norseman. Even though it had rained for most of the previous week, the lake remained strangely dry.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Notice whenever both of us are in the photo the camera shot is taken from really low. Two options I can give you for that. Either we are really artistic and its a really powerful angle, or we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">don't</span> have a tripod and we have to rest the camera on an empty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Powerade</span> container. Only one is true.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJWNFAqB84YmOng7EI1pYfXmWVi8cJ5-qWVPRQYSoF9kPZjYybFn4mog0Rab1jr-hHcQoUhUiAa6zFTnyq2QBB36y5kzjWdNZK57OQvo9CClR6kTYqwjRnEcolCalp33s9BGguWVZ_gSc/s1600/day+20-24+041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJWNFAqB84YmOng7EI1pYfXmWVi8cJ5-qWVPRQYSoF9kPZjYybFn4mog0Rab1jr-hHcQoUhUiAa6zFTnyq2QBB36y5kzjWdNZK57OQvo9CClR6kTYqwjRnEcolCalp33s9BGguWVZ_gSc/s320/day+20-24+041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453905730039197186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam hugging a tin horse</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />After a couple of emails requesting to see more of the trailers, I'll be putting up a separate blog in a few hours to give the lowdown on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">SlamWagon</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">GC</span> Love Trolley.<br /><br /><br />Apart from that, its going to be 48 hours of preparation before we are off. Wish us luck....thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6472860162879476302.post-41880099017545889692010-03-23T01:09:00.000-07:002010-03-23T02:45:14.512-07:00Checkpoint 15 days and 189 kilometres later, we have made it to our first major point in the trip, Coolgardie. Major as in distance travelled, not in size. Coolgardie is unfortunately much smaller than we hoped, with probably less people in the town than a standard student share house. But still it is a time to celebrate with a day off and some excellent food at the main restaurant in the town, the Caltex Roadhouse. And by excellent food we mean dim sims and chips out of the Bain Marie. No sauce because thats extra, a lot extra.<br /><div><div><div><br />Having the day off has given me some time to see how far we've gone and its starting to look pretty impressive, with 600 kilometres already under the belt and only 18 days in, with apparently easier walking to come.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgABzOBks8wb5wHHSef0pi18Ywq_Yz6XfH-7YYSBVeo4N2Ouha2pkT3SjuZfDH9HSjrXpbJ-D-jnq72GdkvaYiN5tMcQqPuaWTDldIGbLpFO68vh8WOUHL6xDZQHBW4m5lo6LM8saCULuf/s1600-h/perth+coolgardie+map.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgABzOBks8wb5wHHSef0pi18Ywq_Yz6XfH-7YYSBVeo4N2Ouha2pkT3SjuZfDH9HSjrXpbJ-D-jnq72GdkvaYiN5tMcQqPuaWTDldIGbLpFO68vh8WOUHL6xDZQHBW4m5lo6LM8saCULuf/s320/perth+coolgardie+map.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451747880419999250" border="0" /></a>This is what we have done so far. This looks really great until....<br /><br /><div></div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451746789892324162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxu1xq6g_1JcglZvlLCNvxiH-528UOjSv64B_Gyzd4i4fHbuMO3tWT_oJHAyKFbbk01J5mLQzMaTXlunOwyZ022G3kM2jNtwooV7ybqzztaFKQAmSB__CUdmem2eHIXx4Zc-l8Rx5TYEx/s320/perth+sydney+map.gif" border="0" />You see this view. The orange line is the route we have to take to get to Sydney. Still, at least you can see a bit of blue at the start.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>But back to the last five days. The trip to Coolgardie from Southern Cross takes you through a Nature Reserve and two National Parks, making it both interesting and challenging in equal parts.<br />With forever narrowing roads, larger sized trucks, increasingly frequent and more steep hills and no roadhouses for us to spend all our money in, it has been our first true challenge since that first day.<br />Apart from the odd interested individual, most people have tended to steer clear of us in the National Parks, probably due to a combination of our smell and our unkempt look. Very wise choice really. Luckily for Sam, he seems to be quite happy with our daily routine of long periods of nothing, interspersed with flies, traffic and random quotes from favourite tv shows, mainly Stargate and Scrubs.<br /><br />From here we are off to Norseman through the great town of Widgiemooltha, a family favourite from many years back.<br />Norseman is about 170 kilometres south of Coolgardie, and from there it is pretty much 6 weeks of just Sam, me, and the Nullarbor Plain. The Nullarbor will be a big test of the depth of our TV show quotes, many might have to be recycled I'm afraid.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5JSVgKkO10Bx4qov7eYnCOGtl45s5LmnugYTJSM9hDL5KcYvSba1mY9JHG4It3m4xJJgfLNpcsPQdaaX8VULgJkYKejrS9npZlQ4xLitOPvpR6AYIrbS6i8vYB91J8BJZQo4V4mHz4Ex/s1600-h/116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5JSVgKkO10Bx4qov7eYnCOGtl45s5LmnugYTJSM9hDL5KcYvSba1mY9JHG4It3m4xJJgfLNpcsPQdaaX8VULgJkYKejrS9npZlQ4xLitOPvpR6AYIrbS6i8vYB91J8BJZQo4V4mHz4Ex/s320/116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451753276815400034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our first mildly daunting sign. 131 kilometres before the next roadhouse. In other words, four days.<br /><br /><br /> </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qx6NOZbNO7wvaFaXh5XyLkQB8LjM8_NRctUcIE6HMt1OnUerGaqJtngjQ1WjtYQtoOjapPriUKbJHGdzM6nqXLgox0j5eJMtcZdNYKSZmTAFQC-eo9PgT9MjB0O7dqYJAWa0P9W03XHn/s1600-h/day+12-15+022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qx6NOZbNO7wvaFaXh5XyLkQB8LjM8_NRctUcIE6HMt1OnUerGaqJtngjQ1WjtYQtoOjapPriUKbJHGdzM6nqXLgox0j5eJMtcZdNYKSZmTAFQC-eo9PgT9MjB0O7dqYJAWa0P9W03XHn/s320/day+12-15+022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451750987856943746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Some dude passed out over a pipe</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvH9wmIYEzoWBi76C-Y3VAtXpmvlEAvWBTcGuzlNr4Vp8MKcGZWVbhiM1bi7BV1qkPfk_4uSrMA-N2A9cWv4Gd5W2f-lyozOX4yYOGxuYQlQlpfjbJgCyj1xukZh_-Mb6Iqopi29hWNR8/s1600-h/day+12-15+021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvH9wmIYEzoWBi76C-Y3VAtXpmvlEAvWBTcGuzlNr4Vp8MKcGZWVbhiM1bi7BV1qkPfk_4uSrMA-N2A9cWv4Gd5W2f-lyozOX4yYOGxuYQlQlpfjbJgCyj1xukZh_-Mb6Iqopi29hWNR8/s320/day+12-15+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451756654692091202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam getting a bit excited about making it to Coolgardie. Didnt matter to him that the actual town was still 120 kilometres away.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD53dE1O8vwcAgsp3kPvA231MI-jUrCDt5Yovz6II5xk7BDTWIoZpsiprlbOfPKZq1AgaE9-jCyCWl2xpvjKSU_sP7u4_TmmmLGkUST7S-_k4I8naAisoFoPoDntfwbrdTvTbimEiiK5-/s1600-h/day+16-18+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD53dE1O8vwcAgsp3kPvA231MI-jUrCDt5Yovz6II5xk7BDTWIoZpsiprlbOfPKZq1AgaE9-jCyCWl2xpvjKSU_sP7u4_TmmmLGkUST7S-_k4I8naAisoFoPoDntfwbrdTvTbimEiiK5-/s320/day+16-18+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451750424516746962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">After four days of walking we finally get to what we hoped would be a megastore. In some ways I guess it was mega, just not in the ways we were hoping.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRldBpbaRHZw8q_XI3zjcladLOA00ldGuHa8-rxzqN4vfD0-3DPFrpa-IkHepNOa9Hv_A5zhtUI_dBYG8YVV3dQj2CA9B01KMj5C5ADitnLhZbjbAE4362VgmmWIPK0CuIhEEtmXjX2S-/s1600-h/day+16-18+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRldBpbaRHZw8q_XI3zjcladLOA00ldGuHa8-rxzqN4vfD0-3DPFrpa-IkHepNOa9Hv_A5zhtUI_dBYG8YVV3dQj2CA9B01KMj5C5ADitnLhZbjbAE4362VgmmWIPK0CuIhEEtmXjX2S-/s320/day+16-18+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451758498788898226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The inside of the Bullabulling Tavern, the first stop in four days. Including us there were six patrons in the Tavern, the six being us, the Barman's Grandmum, a dog, cat and a dead snake, freshly killed of course. Sam's just talking shop with the cat.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">The barman after some gentle coaxing managed to microwave us up some frozen pies, The microwave didnt manage to unfreeze the centres unfortunately.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />So thats all we have got here for now. Anyone who has my number, don't bother calling it for the next 2 months as I'm pretty sure Virgin Mobile doesnt recognise the Nullarbor as a part of Australia.<br /><br />We have a Telstra number, and we should get mildly good reception over the next few months with it, definitely a better bet! It is 0419307323. Either that or send me an email, my address is thomson-mathews@connect.qut.edu.au<br /><br />Will throw a few more photos up when we get to Norseman, but from there the updates might be a little less frequent due to anticipated lack of reception and power.<br /><br />Until then,<br />Leigh<br /><br /><br />To Sister Tess, thank you for your prayers, mum has been telling me you are reading our blog. Keep her on the straight and narrow please, she is a real worry!<br /><br />To 10 High street, I miss you all, you should all just come walking, gingerbread too.<br /><br />And to our Aunty again, one of these days I will answer when you call! I should probably turn my phone off silent, that'd probably help a bit.<br /></div></div></div>thejaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15689722937660412114noreply@blogger.com3