Blog 8

Saturday April 29th

Dear All

I am in Nundroo and wll leave Sunday ,heading for Yalata, the aboriginal community where I have been invited to visit via Macca

I am in serious territory now.  I passed through Penont 3 days ago, where the store sign says “last shop for 1000 km”.

I had an encounter with Telstra yesterday.  On a public phone I spoike to 5 different people; all very polite but they could not grasp the concept that I am 2000km from a Telstra shop.  They sold me a phone in Melbourne 17 February 2011 which has not worked for a month.  they established that it was faulty and gave me a number.  But they insist that I have to take it into a Telstra Office  After 105 (!) minutes I suggested that they connect me to someone in Australia who could understand my situation.  All I wanted was a phone, new or secondhand, sent to me; I would pay the postage.  They hung up on me after we went through the whole team.

(Ah, that feels better!)

People continue to be kind to me, like Chandra and Brian Sanball of Dianella.

I had an evening at a truck stop with Westy, Woodsy and Smithy’ they transport oversized dongas from Minamata in SA to Perth.  The were very entertaining – a little like the 3 stooges.  Unfortunately I left my camera at the place they cook their food on the truck.  If they find it they will drop it back on theri return.

I met up with Terry and Lorain Wisner who will call home and get my Fuji camera and return on their return.  They also met up wih Lyn and Julie and made a happy foursome.  We had a picnic on the side of the road having cake and tea.

I met Brendon Stoner and Kate Stoner, brother and sister.  They are cycling Port to Port: Port Fremantle to Port Macquarie – pleasant company.

I met Dams and Andy cycling for UNICEF http://www.bigbikeback.co.uk; they kindly gave me a snickers bar.  They said the trip was part of a midlife crisis; they looked like children to me.

Colin and Jill Wills, whom I met 2009 and earlier this year, have been cycling with their grandson Jesse across the Nullarbor while Hill drives the caravan.  Lovely to meet them  Hesse is a very engaging young man.

We ahd a cup of tea at the side of the road with a family – Steve and Jenny and their two sons Jacob (4) and Zachary (2).  We spent a nice time and Jenny made me a sandwich to take.  They have a blog: http://www.the greatwesternescape-twge@blogsport.com

French and German contingents will probably descend on Mary Ellen for one of her famous Freo tours: Quentin and Jean (Fr), Claudia and Julie (Ger).

I stayed at the Foreshore Caravan Park, thanks to Darren Beck.  Nan and Craig run the park and I cannot thank them enough.  Nan did my washing; that requires a bravery medal and industrial strength rubber gloves.  She has tone to the post office every day to pick up the parcel which still has not arrived from Kimba.  I will probably get my business cards and receipt books after the walk is complete.  Nan will arrange them to be sent by Grey Nomad courier when they show.

Patrick brought me a Mars Bar from Mrs Roberts somewhere in Adelaide.  He rode out on a motor bike and turned around when he delivered it.  Incredible.

I met Joy, a theatre nurse from the hospital in Richmond/Melbourne heading to Perth.  She made tea and gave a donation.

I apologise to the people I’ve missed as I do not have all my bits and pieces with me.

The weather is bloody awful at the moment, expecting thunderstorms.  Otherwise life is wonderful.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mike