On a long drive there are always those places that you get curious about. Or, in some cases, wish you had never spotted.
For visitors to Australia, thoroughly terrified by the signs on every beach, some are quite off-putting.
We pass the National Reptile Park. ‘Why on earth would anybody want to go there?!’ The speed of Joy increases to 107 km/hr, speeding its contents to a safer place.
The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park causes equal consternation. ‘Who or what is supposed to be walking about? And what are the chances of walking out alive?’ We give it a miss, too.
Piles Creek passes in a blur. ‘Is that a place or just a statement?’
The National Motorcycle Museum and Winery, however, causes a different reaction. In combination, another hazard to life no doubt, but at least a self-induced one. ‘No! We must push on. No time for frivolity.’ There is a small quivering of lower lip in disappointment.
Lips quiver for other reasons too. After a moderate breakfast beside the pelicans I ask about morning tea – mornos – and lunch.
‘Lunch? you’ve just had it. Next meal is supper.’
There must be something about the English adjustment to temperature that causes my friends to stop needing food – particularly vegetables. I explain the risks of scurvy and am allowed to consume four small tomatoes on the next stop for tea.
Arrival at Jeanie’s place on the northern outskirts for Sydney is a blessed gastronomic relief. She invites us in for wine and nibbles and I manage to stave off incipient starvation.
The weather continues to make life interesting. As we pass through traffic lights and Sydney congestion, bits fall of trees and hit us. We pitch camp in Jeanie’s driveway, battening down against the stiff southerly and gusty breeze. Our promised outside dinner to our host looks like a charmless affair.
But the wind drops and Guy’s excellent chicken tarragon, potatoes and peas is delicious. I get the blame for eating all the chocolate and digestives which would have provided apple crumble, but at least I’m still alive.
It’s clear from the comments to previous posts that someone alive is actually reading this! I’m thrilled! Because it’s an opportunity to spread the message about the real reason for this trip; to raise funds for four charities. I’ve said before that Onside, The Smith Family, Mates4Mates and Combat Stress do great and much-needed work for the young people and veterans’ sectors that mean so much to us. So please, if you can, share the story with your friends and let’s together see if we can contribute more to their work.
loving the blog. well done peeps keep it going
James and Guy, great to see your smiling faces. You don’t look a day older…
I’m tracking your adventures from Brisbane. Sadly I missed your send off; I arrived from Melbourne on the 14th.
Looks like the roads out west are opening up again so hope the Desert is still on the cards.
Simon.