Recovering in Geraldton! Friday 31st August

Del's been a great nurse, showering me, changing dressings and issuing medications. Didn't realise how restricted one is with one arm out of use!
Feeling a little more comfortable and planning to fly back to NZ some time next week.

Meanwhile, thank you so much to everyone who has been following us on our journey, for your support, for your lovely comments and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Special thanks and appreciation to the donors to our GiveALittle Page. The page will stay open until the end of October.

What a journey this has been!
We've had exhilarating times, exhausting times and frustrating times, but Australia still remains to us a vast, wild and amazingly wonderful country, and Australians, considerate, helpful and generous.

As soon as we can, we'll break down the statistics of the ride as a summary.

It's been fun sharing our journey with you and we've made so many Facebook friends in the process.
Thank you, everyone.

Plans Change! Bush Camp to Somewhere 40kms North of Northampton

The day began so positively. On the road by 6.45am — and a tail wind. Rain clouds developed and we were caught in a couple of showers.

Had intended a bush camp at 70kms, but tramping through the wet bush and putting up the tent on wet, red soil didn't appeal. We agreed to battle on to Northampton, 103kms away.

We entered the wheat belt. Hectares of green wheat stretched to the horizon in every direction.
Hill climbs were rewarded with  welcome downhill runs.

On the last downhill, I hit a pothole.
The handlebars were thrown off course and the heavy trailer began to go into an uncontrollable wobble. I was thrown onto the road at speed and face planted on the bitumen. 

Del came to my aid immediately, as did a couple of passing women, who phoned for an ambulance from Geraldton Hospital. 

Everyone was so wonderful - the ambulance medics, the nurses, doctors and specialists.  I have stitches in elbow, brow and lip, fractured shoulder and multiple grazes. Not a pretty sight - but things could have been much worse.

Looks like our Cairns to Perth Cycle ends here, I'm afraid, folks.
We'll spend several days getting organised. My bike and trailer are in Binnu. Del's are in Northampton. We'll have to organise getting them to Geraldton. We've arrived here with nothing but the clothes we stand in - cycle knicks and shirts. Should be back in NZ in a week hopefully.

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page

6,000kms! Billabong Roadhouse to Bush Camp - 77kms

Left at daybreak after a fruit salad and yoghurt breakfast bought at the roadhouse.
Minimal wind but a continuous series of hills had us working hard with our heavy, water filled trailers in tow.

Roadside shrubs are beginning to flower adding more colour to the way sides.
Spotted another convoy of caterpillars crossing the road, nose to tail. Two seconds after photographing them, the convoy was decimated by a passing caravan. Those not squashed were blown high into the air by the vehicle's draft.

Flies are getting more numerous and progressively more of a nuisance the further south we travel.

Thick, bushy landscape now. No sign of animals.

Decided to begin looking for a suitable camp spot at 70kms.

Murphy's Law - That was when all the thick bush disappeared leaving low lying scrub. 7kms later, with no success, decided to take pot luck and tramped into the scrub anyway. Found a straggly bush for cover and, after Del had removed grass clumps and rubbish, we set up camp.

It's 5.15pm and time to prepare our meal before the sun goes down. 

And the flies have disappeared at last!

Completed 6,000kms today! Yay! 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page

A Short Ride! Overlander Roadhouse to Billabong Roadhouse - 48kms

Slept in until 5.00am this morning. With a short ride planned for today, we leisurely packed and loaded the trailers. 

Watched a beautiful, red sunrise as the moon slowly slipped out of view. Enjoyed our complimentary Continental breakfast in the roadhouse, then off at 7.00am.

The road, a long, straight, roller coaster, unfurled in front of us as we reached the top of each hill. The hills soon sapped our energy and we were glad that we had chosen a shorter ride today. 

Saw more goats - one healthy one in the bush - and dozens crammed together in the two storied trailers of a road train. 

Carpets of wildflowers eventually petered out except for the occasional patch. Piles of rocks and enormous boulders littered the bush.

Flies quickly became a nuisance. A smearing of "Bushman“ on arms and legs helps to deter them and we're cycling in our fly nets daily now.

Reached the roadhouse by 11.30am. Took a donga, then grabbed some lunch. Will load up with bottled water from the roadhouse in preparation for a couple of consecutive bush camps coming up. 

We'll be carrying 18L of water berween us. Hope we lose the hills soon!

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page 

 

Wildflowers! Wooramel Roadhouse to Overlander Roadhouse - 76kms

Left the roadhouse at 6.30am as day broke. Light crosswind allowed us to make good speed on a flat, straight road.

Barren, tree less landscape continued until we reached a range of low lying hills.

Then the road became a roller coaster of humps and dips as we made our way through.

Passed over the 26th Parallel. On the other side of the range, pink/salmon coloured soil replaced the red and ground covers and shrubs became more evident.  We spotted emus and a herd of goats amongst the undergrowth.

Also saw a brilliantly blue lake as we came out of the hills. Signs of recent flooding of road floodways.

Then - wildflowers! Yesterday nowhere to be seen! Today everywhere! Hectares of bare, pink land were blanketed in yellow flowers with occasional patches of pink and white. A wonderful sight!

Arrived at the roadhouse in time for lunch - a rare treat for us - then settled into our cabin for a relaxing afternoon.

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page 

Getting There! Bush Camp to Wooramel Roadhouse - 50kms

Had the quietest night in our little tent, with minimal road noise. 

Yesterday, because of the straggly growth, we had to push 100m into the bush to get decent cover - a bit like tramping through the jungle. Del cleared the way - lots of dead, broken shrubs and tree trunks - and marked it with arrows in the sand. Pushed our way out at 6.30am and just about to go when we discovered that Del's trailer tyre had developed an instant flattie. Puncture fixed, we headed off. 

Started with a light crosswind that quickly developed. No cycle speed records today!

Very soon the landscape became barren with a few low lying shrubs and grasses struggling in the red soil. 

As we entered the Wooramel region, little greenery was visible in a red 'desert'. It was like a large, dry, red dustbowl. 

Saw a herd of goats and, later, a small group of sheep (the first we've seen), some with tails. Don't know how anything survives in this environment. 

Eventually reached the Wooramel Roadhouse, and relieved to get off the bike seats. 

Took a room, did our washing and prepared for the next few days.

Not far to go now! Around 800 kms to Perth!!!! 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page    

 

Hard Yakka! Carnarvon to Bush Camp - 74kms

Left the motel at 6.30am. It was cold and windy - a cross/headwind as we'd expected.

At 6kms the Carnarvon Road rejoined the highway. Unlike the cultivated gardens we saw as we entered the town, the landscape was dry and barren, and in some areas just red desert. 

Apparently, Carnarvon draws its water from the Gasgoyne River, a "dry river" that flows beneath the town. 

The strong wind made progress really slow and we had to work hard to keep moving. Stopped every 5kms for a butt rest! Saw a couple of pretty wildflower beds but very few appearing now. Short, stunted plants seem to be the only things that survive the wind.

At 70kms we began to look for a suitable camp site. Found an area of spindly shrubs set back off the road. We'd had enough of the headwind and decided that this was more preferable than cycling on.
By the time we'd chosen the spot, put up the tent, unpacked and prepared everything for take off in the morning, it was 4.00pm. Just enough time to write our journal/blog before preparing our evening meal of noodles and salmon.

Oh - Yes! Did all of the above while fighting off dozens of annoying flies!!

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page    

Relaxing! Rest Day in Carnarvon

Had an undisturbed sleep in our lovely unit. Enjoyed a good continental breakfast in the restaurant, then took a walk around town.

Carnarvon is a large, coastal town, not a city as I first assumed. With 7 caravan parks and 5 motels, I suspect that the number of visitors outweighs the residents. 

The central shopping precinct consists mainly of Woolworths, a pharmacy and a few shops, with several cafes near the waterfront. A compact CBD and easy to get around. 

We indulged ourselves with drinks and a Paris Brest (correct spelling! ) for morning tea. 

An attractive town with very reasonable house prices ($150,000 - 250,000) but so far away from anywhere. 

Bought essentials from Woolworths, then spent the afternoon trying to fit it all into the trailers!
 

A strong southerly wind today. Hope it improves by tomorrow!
Approximately 900kms to go!!! 

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page    

 

Bloomin' Lovely! Bush Camp to Carnarvon - 56kms

Slept well and woke at 4.30am to a fog and a soaking wet tent fly. A little frog had wandered into the annex where Del fires up the camp stove, much to our excitement.

Packing done, we pushed the bikes and trailers out of the bush, along a track that Del had carefully prepared the day before.

Had a good run until the last 20kms when a headwind developed and slowed us down.
Lots of mass wildflower plantings on the roadsides - whites, yellows and purples being the predominant colours. So pretty!

Occasional signs of recent rain/flooding.

Carnarvon is heavily horticultural. 

20kms from the CBD are hectares of outdoor grown vegetable farms - like Pukekohe but growing behind waysides of native bush. 

Banana plantations everywhere.

Located our motel (Carnarvon Motel) by 11.30am and settled into our room straight away. Then off to nearby Carnarvon Central (shopping centre) for today's food and a well earned lunch.
Chores and a rest planned for this afternoon. 

We'll take a rest day tomorrow, stock up on essentials and investigate our surroundings.

➽ TO DONATE to our chosen charity, the Neurological Foundation of NZ via our GiveALittle Page