Gulf to Gulf
Submitted: Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 10:10
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Member - Fred B (NT)
Just been reading "Gulf to Gulf - The long walk". What an amazing character Jeff Johnson is; and we think we do it tough in our 4WD's some times. Although the book does have some "locality" and time errors ( due to Jeff not always keeping his journal up to date, and having to rely on memory); unless you knew the area in question, you wouldn't even notice any errors. It is a superb read, and I highly recommend it.
Another book I am reading is "Crocodile safari man". A very different style of writing to Jeff's book, but also an excellent tale. Reading the book, I definitely have to get the video.... Amazing stuff.
Have a blessed Christmas and awesome 2010 everyone...
regards
Reply By: Willem - Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 10:44
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 10:44
Hiya Fred
Yep them walking types are tough buggers. Last year Dave Phoenix re-enacted Burke and Wills' journey by walking to the Gulf and back to
the Dig Tree. Not for this black duck...lol I will stick to my modern day convenience.
Hope you have a good Xmas and undoubtedly a Wet one
Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 18:02
Monday, Dec 21, 2009 at 18:02
There is also a Video of Denis Bartel "Desert Walker" which is fairly interesting
Denis has walked the Simpson several times and did a charity walk from
Burketown to
Port Augusta alone.
I have read where he is reputed to have given "Big Red"its name.
At present he is writing a book about his travels to be on sale next year some time I think
In 2006 his daughter and 3 other ladies walked across the Simpson in a charity walk for Breat Cancer.
They raised about $130,000
see here
http://www.balloonartists.com.au/The%20Desert%20Mums%20email%20information.pdf
He also took a canoe down the Cooper when it was in flood.
Drove a solar powered car from
Darwin to
Adelaide
Interesting guy our old neighbour.
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Reply By: stretchlizard - Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 14:06
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 14:06
I also read about his trip and it was notable as for the first time I read a book with a netbook open at oziexplorer maps so I could do a 'Virtual" walk with him. It was a great way to polish up on some
geography of 'the middle bit'.
I liked his confidence in his abilities and how not much other than urban hoons upset him.
Cheers Stretchlizard
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396058
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 20:50
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 at 20:50
He was out in the north Simpson recently where he had found a humpy, a tree and some
tools about 10 years ago.
The humpy is still there but the tree had died.
He just got out before that big dust storm hit
He said it was so windy it was lifting him and his swag even though it was tied to the car. At 2 am he gave up and crawled into the car to try to sleep
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