14317 klms in 48 days.
Went to every state in mainland Australia, except Victoria,( I will go there in November with any luck).
Two great trips back to back. First, a west to east crossing of the
Simpson Desert. Called in and saw Ruth at
Birdsville, what a lovely person. Sorry I didn't see you before I left but when I called in at the office you were not there and I had to get going.
A big thankyou to the Nurse there at
Birdsville. The muscle that I tore on my ribs did get better, they would have healed a lot sooner if the crew on the trip didn't keep me laughing.
One thing that I did't like to see on
the Desert crossing, was the number of drivers and passengers including kids not wearing
seat belts.
On a postive note. The highlight of the trips would have to be snorkelling of
the beach at
Cape Leveque with my daughter Eliza. In 20ft of clear
water we could easily see fish swimming on the bottom. To all you Dads, get out there with your kids, even if it is a weekend
camp. I hade a fantastic time with Eliza, we hade so much fun together. When we got home she had growen another 12mm. 160cm or 5ft 3" and is only 11yo.
I tried a coulple of new things out on this trip. The dual wheel carrier I made just before I left surived the corrugations but the Cell X9 shocks from TJM failed.
TJM have now recalled the shock because of the high failure rate. The new batteries are still working and the new LED tail lights on the rear bar have not fallen off or blown a globe.
In 4 weeks I am off again to cross the Simpson, I think that the yellow flowers that covered
the desert in July will all be gone by then, but the challenge of
the Desert will still be there.
Wayne