Another warm welcome in Port Hedland

After finishing yesterday 65km’s past 80 Mile Beach it was decided by all involved to head back there and stay for another night at the caravan park that had made us feel so welcome. We were invited to a BBQ hosted by the Vietnam Vet’s and then found that they wanted to donate $500 to our cause. With other donations from holiday makers and grey nomads we left there this morning with $750.

Again I got on the road early at 4am and cycled through a thick blanket of fog for the first two hours without seeing any wildlife or traffic. The roads were still flat and the surface had slightly roughened up, but relatively comfortable to ride on. Around the 100km mark the landscape changed slightly with piles of large boulders randomly forming piles over the vast plains.

I clicked up 157km before stopping outside Port Headland around 10.00am for the mandatory second breakfast of 8 pancakes with maple syrup. I managed to catch up on an hour’s downloading of pictures before joining about 20 locals for a 10km run into the Port Headland Army Barracks. John Russell from the army up here had organised runners from all different work places to join me and then enjoy a lunch time function at the barracks. During the luncheon they raised $1674 from raffles and donations. We also received a brilliant painting of 80 Mile Beach from a local painter that is worth around $2000 (this will be sold at our Moby’s function). Today is our last time of seeing the ocean for about 20 days as we head into the back of the Great Sandy Desert.

Have a nice weekend, Craig

Nearing Port Hedland

 

Craig's entourage for the 10km run into Port Hedland

 

Half way there

 

Beautiful painting of 80 Mile Beach donated by a local artist

Day 25 – in Camooweal

Another good afternoon with the grey nomads yesterday at the Sunset Caravan Park, Mt Isa. The $375 we raised last night came at a cost as I had to play the bass! Olly was on the bottle top stick and the caravan park manager was on guitar.

We left Mt Isa at 4.30 this morning and the boys dropped me off on the highway where I finished the previous day. I cycled for about three hours and reached the small town of Camooweal where I am about to attend their school. Today’s blog is being done early as we won’t have reception for the next three days as we cross the border into the Northern Territory and head towards “Three Ways”.

The temperature is rising each day now and it is noticeable at night with only a light cover needed instead of 6 sleeping bags.

I haven’t been using my ipod lately and I’ve had plenty of time to think over the lonely stretches of roads. This time ten years ago was the hardest week of my family’s life, watching Jessica suffer from cancer.

I know that what we are all doing here is worth all the pain.

Regards, Craig

 

Speaking to the students at Camooweal State School

 

Everyone shows their support!The kids love the Hummer

newest members of the support crew?

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