Day 117 (Canarvon to Bush camp)

April 28 (Sunday)
Day: 142km
Ride time: 5hours 43minutes

This morning was great. I had brekky with a few other campers and enjoyed some free local fruits. A few French people are here and have been job hunting, but all they keep receiving is free fruit! They palmed a bit of it off and I was more then pleased to eat it up.

The ride felt very easy compared to when I pulled into Canarvon. The heat was there but it felt bearable throughout the day.

I pulled into the free camp area earlier then I expected. As soon as I pulled in I drank a litre of water within minutes. This was a lot, compared to the three litres I drank over the 150km, or just under 6hours ride time.

It feels weird being at the same camp site that I was at with the Germans only a few nights ago. There a few other campers around so it doesn't make the isolation feel as bad.

Now to make up a nice dinner (bake beans and cous cous) as I prepare for another big day tomorrow. The birds are very active also making the solitude more bearable. Another beautiful night in the bush!

Day 116 (Bush camp to Camarvon)

April 27 (Saturday)

The Aboriginal centre was closed today so we didn't end up getting a chance to see it. My German friends dropped me off at the caravan park and we said out farewells. This was hard as not only am I aware that I won't have company for another few weeks, but also that it will be a long time before I see these two great people again.

I stocked up down at the supermarket to get all my bits and pieces before I shoot off tomorrow morning. I also went over my bike for the final time, making sure all the screws are tight and everything is up to scratch. I gave the chain a goo clean and everything a good lube. I also did some reparations to my tent as I have been concerned over small holes economy larger. Last thing I want is a nest of ants crawling in my tent whilst sleeping..

I was very surprised as I was again in tied by the park managers for dinner. They are really impressed by my journey and in particular the cause I am supporting. They have not only put a small donation in they have also given me a whole lot of pointers to get the story more out to the public. I explained to them that I'm not great at selling things, in particular something orientated around my self. I realise this is something that needs to be improved as the potential for fundraising is a lo higher than I realise.

I contacted a few papers from further north and received good feedback from the Pilbara echo news paper. Hopefully a few more do a plug and donations can rise. I also contacted a community centre to see if they were keen for a community BBQ where donations could go towards the charity.

Day 115 (Coastal area Exmouth on way to Canarvon)

April 26 (Friday)

We have headed back towards Canarvon today. It was hard to leave, for all three of us, as this place has been absolutely beautiful. We went for one last swim and then head back to a free camp area half way to Canarvon. This is actually the same camp ground I will probably camp at for my next leg on the bike. In a sense its been good to check it out, but I also like keeping surprised so to give me more eagerness to keep going on the bike.

It was a very fitting send off tonight. Not only did my friends make a great dinner with fresh local sea foods, but we also had the pleasure of a nice bright full moon directly above is. Apparently along the Tropic of Capricorn the moon sits directly in the middle of the sky on two occasions during the year. That is not at the moment, yet it certainly looks close to directly above us!

Getting close to Canarvon tonight also means we will get into town early tomorrow. This is good as I want to check out the Aboriginal cultural centre before I leave, and having time I can also get my stuff ready before leaving early the next morning.

Day 114 (Exmouth to Coastal area)

April 25 (Thursday)

We decided to go to a national park area along the coastline to camp tonight. It is a great set up here with toilet facilities available at each different camp site. In total tere is nine or so camp sites. As it is a busy holiday period we had to get in nice and early with the ranger to book our spot. There is no power on site but this hasn't bothered any of us.

We had a look through the different sites and really enjoyed the day. This landscape was unbelievable. This day is something I will remember for a very long time. There was one particular spot where it was a sort of gorge, containing a river running into the sea. After hiking around I convinced my German friends to jump in the water with me. This was extremely refreshing.

It is Anzac Day today I soon realised Essendon vs Collingwood would be playing. I tried explaining to my German friends the game of AFL and also the significance of this particular game. Being German, and also quite older, the topic of wartime heroes was something out of the ordinary for them to talk about. I couldn't find the game on the radio and was a little annoyed. As we were driving my friend tried again and to my good fortune it was on. They went snorkelling some more whilst I spent my time listening to the second half of the game. I can tell you I was very happy, and I think a few travellers close by could also tell.

Day 113 (Exmouth)

April 24 (Wednesday)

Today was great. I didn't so much and that's perhaps what I loved most about it. I went into the small town of Exmouth and utilised the local library. I ordered a new tyre from NSW and arranged for it to get sent to Port Hedland. The tyre was very good value and put me in a great mood to find it so cheap, and also arrange for it to get sent roughly 900km away. After going over the map I've figured this should have plenty of time to get there and a local caravan park has kindly offered to hold it for me.

I was also pleased as the town has a brumbys bakery in it. I figured this would mean left over bread out in skip out the back. I was correct and managed to score two big pizza breads. I did a bit of reading for the rest of the day and waited for my German friends to come back. I must note the amount of wildlife around town here. There seems to be a lot of emus just casually strolling through the streets and also a few small kangaroos, possibly wallabies. The sunset here is also incredibly beautiful. It is made even more beautiful as the moon is also as bright as anything and it just so happens to be close to a full moon. We are roughly a few hundred km's north of the Tropic of Capricorn and have noticed the transition of sunset and moon rise is becoming quicker and quicker.

Day 112 (Exmouth to Coast area)

April 23 (Tueday)

Today involved more swimming and relaxing. We went to the coastal area just outside of Exmouth. My friends are doing a whale shark tour tomorrow so I will be hanging back to catch up on a few things. The tour sounds great but something I will have to push aside to when I have a budget for travel.

Day 111 (Coral Bay to Exmouth)

April 22 (Monday)

Today we snorkelled and had a great day. I must admit I slept for a lot of it. My German friends are great cooks and take much pleasure in making me as full as possible. Perfect weather and a great feed makes for perfect resting. I still can't believe my luck to meet such great people who are so easy to get along with.