Monday 4th May - Melrose to Home
4 Degrees at 7.00 am Nice and brisk as I packed up my tent and gear for the last time. It was quite hard to get away from the Ulysses mob, as they all wanted to chat, while I was keen to head for home. Most were interested in my great
adventure, and were keen to discuss what camping equipment I had been using, and it’s suitability for long term, all weather camping. I eventually said my goodbyes at 8.30 and hit the road for the last leg home. This ride was is through such beautiful country and I enjoyed every bit of the ride. One fuel stop, and a coffee and toast at Clare. There were endless road works north of Gawler and the going became quite slow. I finally rode into the driveway at 12.40. Judy and the dog were there to greet me. It’s lovely to be home with family and friends. It has been such a pleasure to travel this great country and to have met such a diverse group of other travelers.
Tonight I share a meal with my family, sit in a comfy armchair and watch the news, sleep in my own bed, and use a toilet which is not 100 meters away from where I happen to be. Tomorrow I will sleep in, put on some different clothes, and visit my parents. These are all things that I have missed.
Sunday 3rd May - Coober Pedy to Melrose
Breakfast with the Blackwood mob and farewell to Chris at 8.30 am and I headed south as they prepared to head north. Chris and I seem to keep passing like ships in the night on this trip, and I won’t see her now until next Sunday when our going in different ways comes to an end and we are both home together again. The first 200kilometers south from Coober Pedy is quite flat and uninteresting, and probably the most boring road on the whole trip. Through Port Augusta and into the spectacular Horrocks Pass, on the way to Melrose. This is the most corners that I have seen all in one place since leaving Cairns so long ago, and the Honda tyres have a nasty flat patch across the middle from so much straight riding. Horrocks Pass was a good chance to stretch the Honda and explore it’s capabilities through the great 12 kilometers of twisties. I nearly went back down to do it again! Melrose Caravan Park was totally
packed when I arrived, and there was a mass of motorcycles and caravans. Port Lincoln Ulysses Club were in town as were two other caravan clubs. I paid my $7.50 (cheap) was squeezed into a little spot, which after all was all that I needed, and was instantly adopted by the Port Lincoln Ulysses mob. We all headed to the pub for tea and I spent a most enjoyable last night, swapping stories with a bunch of like-minded and similar aged riders. It was a fitting way to spent the last night as my adventure draws to an end. A cold night loomed as there was chill in the air as we retired at around 10.00 (A very late night!!)
Saturday 2nd May - Yulara to Coober Pedy
I woke to a dingo snooping around my tent He had no fear of people and was not keen to be shooed away. He finished up grabbing an empty platic bag left outside another tent and disappeared over the sandhills.
I left Yulara just on sun-up, and rode straight into the rising sun on a cold morning. It was a slow first two hours as I was worried about the limitied vision and the chance of kangaroos and cattle on the road. Despite those problems it was a beautiful sight with the sunrise on the rock to my right and the beautiful crisp colours of the morning on the landscape. I had a rest and hot chocky at Erldunda, and then had an easy run all the way to Coober Pedy. A photo opportunity at the SA/NT border as I was finally in m y home state was not to be missed. I finally got in about 4.00 and it all feels very much like I’m heading back home as I’ve now in areas that I know quite well for a few days. I pitched my tent in the Stuart Range Caravan Park and bought some supplies. Chris is heading north with the crew going to Fregon will be at Coober Pedy tonight. I anticipated that they would arrive at around 6.30, but at about 5.30 the two vehicles rolled up. It was great to see Chris again, and it was also lovely to see my friends from Blackwood, Chris number 2, June, Carolyn, Jeni, Grant and Jonathon. It was lively evening as we shared stories and made friends with the usual mob of backpackers, including a French fellow riding around Australia on a bicycle for the fourth time. He was doing it tough as he was riding mainly on the dirt backroads.
Frida
y 1st May – Yulara
I had a disturbed night with someone in a neighbouring tent coughing their heart out all night. Their tent was gone before sunrise, and I presume it may have been to seek medical aid, as the person sounded very bad indeed. I saddled up and paid the $25 required to get into the National Park (excessive) and spent the day snooping about Uluru, Kata Juta and the Cultural Centre. I was unable to do any walking as I had no suitable shoes, and my riding boots make my feet hurt if I spend too much time walking in them. Instead I sat and just soaked up the impressive surroundings. It’s no surprise that it holds such an important place in the culture of the traditional owners. In the evening a met a fellow Ulysses member who was also camping in the Yulara Campground.
Thursday 30th April – Alice Springs to Yulara
I left Alice Springs at 8.00 am with a full tank of fuel and stopped for breaks at Stuarts Well, Erldunda and Curtain Springs. The road from Erldunda passes through sandhill country with beautiful desert colours. The clours are amazing with red of the sand against the gold of the spinifex, all set against the bluest sky that you could imagine. This is truly beautiful country. I arrived at the Yulara Campground at 2.00pm, still with ¼ tank of fuel after 470km of trtavelling. The range of this bike is impressive. I
was surprised to find the campground here was considerably cheaper than Alice Springs.
(Alice was the most expensive unpowered site for the trip, and I paid $31 per night. A family who were staying there had to pay $6 per night extra for each of their two kids, both of who were under five.) I spent the afternoon lazing around the camp, buying some groceries and wandering about the camp area. The camp kitchen was basic, but had no toaster, microwave or kettle.
own, the character of the trip completely changed. I certainly felt alone as the boys headed west and I continued on the long stretch north towards Cairns. That feeling did not last, as I quickly found that there were always companions and new friends to share the adventure wherever I stopped. The Camp Kitchens were full of like-minded travelers, all wanting to share their stories and hear mine. I met so many wonderful folk and heard some great yarns.
