Day 27: Northampton to Port Dennison

The three riders left together this morning but it wasn't long before we get a call from Jill who has had a flat tyre. She had changed the tube but after pumping up the new tube, she pulled out the valve as she tried to pull off the pump. She was needing another tube. Collis has given her another tube so she still has one on the bike with her.

Collis decided to shout everyone morning tea in Geraldton so that they could have real coffee after so many weeks in the outback with just his colombian plunger coffee. Jill arrived a bit later than the others and wasn't going to bother as she thought it would take too long but we talked her into it and was pleased with the double shot she had but i'm not too sure what she thought of the huge carrot cake she was served. Jurgen, who knows Geraldton quite well was asked to lead the other two out.

We waited around for about an hour to give them a chance to get ahead of us before we followed. We had driven 45 kms and had not spotted any of them so a phone call was made. Apparently they had stopped at Greenough (on Collis' suggestion) and they were still there. They expressed concern regarding the traffic conditions.

It is the first day of the school holidays here in WA and also a Saturday. The majority of the traffic is going north but there is still quite a bit of traffic going south unfortunately. We waited a little over an hour for the riders to arrive for lunch and they were all a little concerned about the traffic. We discussed our options but there was no alternative route for them to take. We offered to take all three in the cars to our destination but all refused. There were high fives between them when they arrived in camp safely.

Dongara Tourist Park is beautifully situated on the beach and the surrounds are just lovely. The weather is cooling but the sun still has a bit of bite to it.

Day 26: Kalbarri to Northampton

Up early this morning as we have to pack our things up before Collis heads back into town by 7 am to give them all the briefing for todays ride before they head out. I'll stay behind here and will meet them out on the road later.

Collis arrived just as Jill was heading out so gave her a quick briefing before then making plunger coffee for the boys and then giving them the briefing. The group are really spread out today with a bit over an hour between Gareth and Jill with Jurgen in the middle. The scenery is quite spectacular at the moment as we are riding along the Indian Ocean with frequent glimpses of the water. Morning tea and lunch breaks were all pretty drawn out for us but then Gareth decided not to eat any lunch and just had a look around the penal colony before heading to our destination.

We were all in at Northampton by 2.30 pm and settled into the caravan park. After checking out all three hotels Jurgen decided he would rather cook himself so the other two joined him. Collis and I are sick of cooking so we decided to eat at the bottom hotel called the tavern. It has all these photos of bottoms over the bar as it is the bottom hotel. I ended up having the soup and Collis had the pork chops. The meal was huge but not cheap.

Apparently a small altercation occurred between the riders and another camper when Jill asked if he would turn his music down. Apparently not appreciated and he stormed off.

Day 25: Kalbarri Rest Day

Our last rest day for this leg. I hope the riders are making the most of it although we don't have any really long rides left. Collis and I have slept in till quite late and then decided to go for a quick walk down to the waters edge. WELL..... not quite so quick. It was supposed to be a 1.5 km walk down the drive but ended up being much longer (my guess would be 3 kms) and once through the farm gate we were walking through huge sand dunes which seemed to go on forever. I enjoyed the walk down there and the beach was worth the effort but the walk back nearly killed me. The sweat was pouring off me and the poor old heart was pounding. Collis kept stopping and waiting for me but then afterwards I find out this was because he too was struggling. Beautiful white sand but so many flies.

In the afternoon we went for a drive around to Port Gregory just to have a look. Nothing much there- it's just a sleepy holiday town with the general store gone out of business. Went past the Pink Lake which for some reason wasn't looking it's usual pink self.

Sunset tonight was a little better than yesterday but not spectacular.

Day 24: Bush Camp to Kalbarri

All riders denied touching food boxes after retiring last night and none of them heard anything. Nothing seems to be missing so we must have scared them off before they could take anything. We have a few sore behinds this morning and this seems to be making a couple of them a little cranky, which is understanding as they have about 140 kms to ride again today. Lunch at the Ross Graham Lookout.

Yesterday they had good winds most of the day but today they have not been quite so lucky. Also today's ride is quite undulating with lots of sand dunes to navigate. This should suit them as it will give them an opportunity to get off the seat throughout the day to relieve their tooshes. It also means lots of great downhills where they won't need to peddle. The day ends up being a bit tough for them and they are probably all wondering why they decided to do this ride.

Collis has surprised me with a couple of nights away so we dropped off the riders stuff at the Tudor caravan park, gave them information on what is available around town then went to the shops. Collis decided to drop some milk off back at the riders camp before we headed out of town only to find 2 riders grumbling about the difficulty of the day and one had a broken spoke. He gave them the spoke tool but neither knew how to do it so we will look at it when we get to Northampton- it should be ok till then.

We are staying a bit out of town right on the beach with fantastic views of the Indian Ocean and the whales frolicking very close to the beach. The accommodation is a bit basic but we should cope for two nights.

Day 23: Hamelin Pool to Bush Camp

The riders left early today so that they could ride 28 kms to the Overland RH for a cooked breakfast. Jill and Jurgen left before Gareth who arrived at the roadhouse just as they were leaving. Apparently the breakfast was fantastic but the three of them still managed to have a coffee and chocolate muffin with us before heading off.

Lunch was at the Billabong Roadhouse and again Gareth arrived just as the other two were leaving. We stopped for a water stop 30 kms down the road before Collis and I drove off scanning the area along the side of the road to find yet another bush camp site around at 145 kms. We found a nice spot which appeared to be quite popular if you can go by the number of cans and bottles left lying around in the bush. It is such a shame people can't clean up after themselves.

Collis got a great fire going and I cooked the lasagne and then apple/peach crumble with custard. Sunset was a bit of a fizzer tonight even though lots of cloud around. Collis was the last into bed but there was a bit of noise around the camp. Just as everything had settled down, Collis and I heard someone or something at the food boxes but by the time he stuck his head out to look whatever it was had departed although there was definitely something there. It took me awhile to get to sleep after this as I was imagining all sorts of situations that could occur out here in the middle of nowhere.

Day 22: Wooramel to Hamelin Pool Station

Cool morning this morning with the riders heading off earlyish. The surrounds here are very relaxing and it would be nice to have a few days. A lot of the caravanners said they come for one night and stay for at least three.

Morning tea was at a pull in with lots of horse dung supplying a lovely aroma for our break. Jill and Jurgen rode together today and Gareth behind alone. Lunch was at the Overland Roadhouse. I got abused by a monkey who was too scared to overtake me (he was pulling a caravan) then started flashing his lights at me, right up my arse so I couldn't pull over even if I wanted to and then dropping back, then speeding up. I eventually pulled over so he could pass when he flew past with his hand on the horn. When we got to the Overland, there he was, stepped out in front of the car with his hand stretched out for me to stop. I gave him the finger and kept driving over to Collis. Quickly told Collis this was the dick and that he was following me over before I put all my windows up. He started banging on the drivers window yelling at me when Collis interfered. He got a bit nervous when he had to deal with a male driver and then puts his hand out to shake Collis' hand. I jumped out of the car to have my say but he just walked off ignoring me. Dead shit.

On we went to Hamelin Station and picked out an area for the riders to camp and then a spot for us. Beautifully run park with shell grit to camp on. The kitchen and dining area here is just great with telecom access in this area only. They also have dinner packs for sale with meat and veggies which you cook yourself.

The riders went down to check out the stromatolites but Collis and I have seen them a few times now. We had a great view of the sunset from our camp site and had drinkies and nibbles here before heading down for dinner. Jill and Jurgen made some new friends from Victoria and had drinks and dinner with them.

Day 21: Carnarvan to Wooramel Retreat

Beautiful morning for a ride. Not too far to ride today-118 kms. The scenery is still pretty blah ( John Tracey I am seeing what you meant last time). I mean to say it's not unpleasant but doesn't change too often. At the moment it is all pretty flat with scrubby trees everywhere. No dramas out on the road today.

We came into the Wooramel Retreat fairly early afternoon and picked a lovely spot next to the river bed under some huge river gums. There is plenty of room for the riders to spread out and separate from us (not sure why but they like to get away from Collis and I). We went for a walk and Collis had a swim in the river before we wandered up to the natural hot spas. These are really lovely with brown spa water filling a large tank with the temperature around 36 degrees. Strange occurrence that the 5 people in the spa all jumped out when we got in. Maybe I'm becoming paranoid but hard not to at the moment.

The retreat had home cooked meal packs available for sale at $20 a pack. Collis had Moroccon Goat and the others tried the lamb dish, pork and another goat I think. The mosquitoes were a bit nasty tonight so Collis and I jumped in the truck to read but the others made themselves a campfire and sat around chatting for awhile. Lovely quiet night.