Next Stop - Perth
Tuesday, 18th April 2000
Booked out of the hostel and checked the tour was still going. Suggestions were that we might have to take the long route across the Nullaboor. Whilst waiting for the truck to arrive at 11am, a phone call came to the hostel, it was in for repair on the starter motor and we wouldn't be leaving until 2pm.
2.15pm, and we left Alice Springs, the Todd River flowing micely, a privelige to see such a thing. Rain followed us on our trek down the Stuart Highway. De ja Vu! as we revisited roadhouses at Erldunda, Curtin Springs and Yulara.
We passed Uluru in the dark, a menacing black mass on the horizon, before heading to Kata Tjuta, equally intimidating against a grey, moonlit sky.
We were going to chance the short cut, and turned onto the Dock River Road, a dirt track that takes you to the WA border. We finally stopped at a Telstra communications tower to set up camp at 10.45pm. Good news, the rain had stopped!
Wednesday, 19th April 2000
A restless night, interrupted by light rain, and I was first up at 6.15am. We continued along the Dock River Road, joining the Great Central Highway, and into Western Australia, where we took a coffee break.
we briefly joined the Gunbarrel Highway, pushing steadily to Warburton Roadhouse, where our driver, Bob, was keen to get further down the track before it was closed.
The rain made for an eventful drive, slipping and sliding around through plenty of waterholes. When we finally stopped for the night, Bob announced he would do some repairs on the rear brakes in the morning. Had a barbecue about 11.15pm, then we settled into our makeshift tents and swags.
Thursday, 20th April 2000
Thankfully, the rain heldoff overnight. Bob did the repairs and we were on the road about 8am.
Along the route we stopped for tea with another Travelabout truck going the other way.
By 1pm, we were back on tarmac for the remainder of the journey. This didn't do any favours to the truck, we had to stop at Leonara for lunch and more repairs!
Left Leonara about three, pushing through Kalgoorlie about six-thirty, and onto Coolgardie for dinner at a roadhouse. Suitably fed, we carried on for another couple of hours, stopping for the night at yet another Telstra tower, and set up our swags. The lack of firewood made for a cold night.
Friday, 21st April 2000
By 2am, I had given up trying to sleep. Too much shut eye had been done on the road. I got into the truck, and put my headphones on, spending the night wrapped in my sleeping bag, listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
We were moving again around 7.30am, stopping at a roadhouse for some eggs on toast.
The kilometres to Perth slowly decreased, and we arrived in glorious sunshine around midday. A far cry from the weather in Alice!
Got the train from Central Perth to Edgewater, where my Uncle, Reg, picked me up. Grateful for a shower and change of clothes after 3 tough days.
Evening relaxing.
Saturday, 22nd April 2000
A lie-in today, then off to Perth centre in the afternoon to try and change my flight in addition to looking at some swags.
The QANTAS office was closed, and the range of swags was so varied, I took the brochures and decided to return next week.
In the evening, went with my cousin, Rob, to the Leederville Hotel, to see his elder brother, Mike in his band, Greenroom. a heavy Metal band, they were playing an unplugged acoustic set. I thought it worked well enough, they have improved sincce I saw them in 1996, but they weren't that happy with their performance.
Returned home about midnight.
Sunday, 23rd April 2000
Lazed around all day, did nothing!
Monday, 24th April 2000
Bank Holiday Monday, nothing open, so not a great deal to do except soak up the sun, update my diary, and play around on the internet.
Tuesday, 25th April 2000
Anzac Day, and another holiday for the residents of Australia, as they remember their war dead.
Spent the day watching the Aussie Rules games, updating the website. Another quiet day.
Wednesday, 26th April 2000
Went into Perth in the morning, and got my flight changed. I would now be flying home from Perth.
Also bought a swag, paid for with the discount I was given on the All Terrain Safaris Tours I had booked.
Got back home around midday, and continued the long task of updating this website.
Thursday, 27th April 2000
Rain set in, so continued with the web site in the morning.
Afternoon, and some shopping to be done, when the weather brightened.
Friday, 28th April 2000
Last minute buying, change some travellers cheques, finish off the pictures for the website, and then pack the bare essentials for the tour tomorrow.
I would be back here in a month, so it wasn't necessary to cart everything up to Darwin, thankfully.
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