I think it about time to poST up my ride home,,
Monday morning I hung around till after 8am to see if Neville, Captain Thunderbolt needed his trailer towed back east. He didn't so I readied myself to get on the road, I headed out of Perth up the hill in morning traffic. Why can I always find my way out easier than getting there...
http://s774.photobucket.com/user/Johnny_Whitehead/slideshow/WA%20Nat%20Rally/PERTH%20HOME%20TRIPI will make this easier and poST my return pics all in 1 place so the links above.
I was STopped for fuel at Tammin when STroppy Jill and Lionel rode past and gave a big wave, so I headed out trying to catch up to them, I found them fueling up and taking a break at Merredin I think, then asked if they minded me tailing along.
About 90k's from Coolgardie Lionel motioned he was low on fuel so I juST tagged along behind him, sometimes doing juST 80kph to conserve petrol. Lionel knew I had 5ltrs so he didn't want to lose me,, At Coolgardie after fue,l and a drink I waved them bye, STopped at the old Goal, then headed into Kalgoolie. rode up the main STreet and around the block a few times then had a STop in macca's for a feed. Went up to the SUPERPIT and caught the setting sun .I spotted a ST13 2up heading back into Kal and gave a wave, got 1 back.. I couldn't find them again... I rode out of Kal juST on dark heading to Kambalda hoping to STop in the 24hr RV parking, arriving in the dark. pulled up behind a campervan and was Stretching my legs when the Ranger came along and told me I wasn't self contained ,so I wasn't allowed to pitch a tent. So p'd off about getting moved on I left hoping to make Norseman. About 15 mins out I found roadwork's, thick loose gravel... whoa!!.. pitch black I slowed to about 40 kph. I was so relieved to see tar again I continued on.. At Widgiemooltha I saw a sign for the pub and fuel so I STopped and found they had a budget motel..$60,,, That was me done for the day...
Early next morning before sun-up I was back on the road, into Norseman where I topped up my tank at the Shell. I saw 2 bikes parked at the BP ,1 a red ST13 so I pulled in to see if it was 1 of us. It was a guy heading back from Ulysses agm, he said he was an OzSTocer but didn't go on the forum much..so I kept my laST OzSTOC card and headed off towards Balladonia and STopped in to STretch my legs then on to Caiguna for breakfaST, more like lunch. Lambs fry and Bacon,, yum. whilST there STroppy Jill and Lionel pulled in so I tagged along with them again. It was good NOT to be alone, so I juST mozzied along with them till Eucla where I STopped for fuel then onto Border Village to eat. I STopped there in a budget room $60 p/n and had dinner with the guys and bid them goodnight.
Once again, woke well before daylight, went and had a drink and chatted with the lad serving then hit the highway, STopping at a few of the photo places between there and Nallabor roadhouse... I was lucky at one where there were no people so I rode STranger to the end of the path to get a few pics with the cliffs and sunrise behind.
Remembering my trip over I juST cruised along till after Yalata, and what seemed like dayzzz pulled into Nandroo for fuel, then headed to Ceduna. I rode out to Denial Bay,, but wont admit I was there.
STopped at the fuel/food place on the weST side opposite the oyster place and I had lunch.. as I was getting ready to leave STroppy and crew went by.. I rode thru town and found them at the east side fuel place, so I pulled up to say cheerio, as they were heading to STreaky Bay.
I rode on thru a few showers and at Minnipa decided I needed to reST so off the hwy into Minnipa. A bloke on a scooter pulled up because he saw me ride paST, thought I was riding a BMW so came to see if I could look at his Beemer, which had problems.. He also suggested I STopped to reST, which was my intention as I was almoST delirious... and he offered me a bed and a feed. I accepted even though he had mentioned 'Snowtown' and Ivan Milat and a few other bizarre killings..so I put my disc lock on and bike cover on. This was at the old Minnipa petrol STation roadhouse. He had purchased it for $19,000 and was doing it up, it has 5 or 6 budget motel rooms outback that he hopes to get the motorcycle trade coming thru...
he had a young guy 27 , Johnnie, from the UK there who had ridden from England, across Europe on a pushbike eventually arriving by boat to Perth 3 weeks earlier... and people think we are crazy... after dinner, dribbling shite and watching a movie Wayne went to his missus's house around the corner and I chatted with Johnnie til late.
Once again before daylight,,, what is it with me, I rarely see the sunrise at home...anyway after packing up my sleeping bag and putting my tank bag on the pod, wishing the pom a safe trip, swapping details for when he made it further eaST I said goodbye... only to move 5 inches and WHAM!!! over I went. STranger hitting the concrete on his right side. smashing the blinker cowling into many pieces.. popping out the emergency mirror and scratching the R pannier lid. dammm. I felt so STupid. but could only laugh as my leg was caught under the engine protector wing.. Johnnie lifted STranger enough for me to get my leg out,, and silly me inSTead of getting him to take pics we lifted STranger up. I then had to get into the pod and get my 100 mile an hour tape.. and bandage STranger's wounds. About an hour later I rode off to Wudinna and had b/faST, where I chatted with an old bloke and his missus for a while. He told me that he had a ex police bike at his place that he claimed under an abandonment law in SA.. wot-tha,, if a bike is left on the roadway for a day or so anyone can claim it,, he said.. his son now rides it... bugga that! If I'm in SA and broken down I aint leaving my bike...
I left there and hit a few showers which was nice,, not HOT,,, and cruised into Kimba, without STopping til past the caravan park that has smelly hambergers,, then STopped at the Big Galah... a few pics, big drink of electrolytes and headed to Port AuguSTa.. STopping for fuel, once again. I was resting up when a Blue 13 went by 2 up and beeped and waved.. then 2 blue ST13's pulled in for fuel. Lonerider1 (?) and his mate Octane from Mildura,, gee I'm bad with names. Another Red ST13 went bye and waved, STinky Pete...I rode out with them and they took me via Port Germaine pass where I got some footage following Lonerider's little trailer. but I juST found its too big a file for Photobucket... I'll have to see if I can cut it to 10 mins... so I can share it.
I rode along following until the Clare Valley where we parted ways. I headed up to Burra and STopped for pics before heading off into a HUGE STorm near Morgan that laSTed until Renmark. I STopped and had dinner, where another man tried to convince me to STay at his place til morning instead of riding in the dark and rain. I felt a bit uncomfortable with this person so I declined... and hit the road again, crossing into Victoria and headed for Mildura. I STopped again at Gol Gol and had a coffee and reST before heading of towards EuSTon, then onto Balranald, another coffee, and Hay, across the Hay Plain at night. All the time people had said there were lots of wildlife. CRAP I saw 1 emu,1 fox or dingoe ahead, and only about 10 roo's actually close to the road. we muST have eaten it all...... well juST out from Balranald I saw some BIG roo's but only because of my roo spotters. they weren't on the road edges thank god...at Hay I STopped for b/faST, fuel and coffee and watched the rain before heading off again to Narandera and Wagga Wagga. rain again,,, oh well I STill had my wet gear on, so onto Gundagai for my laST STop before the final leg... I was eager to get home arriving about midday.. I phoned mum at Tahmour and she had the garage and gate open for me... I parked up, checked my speedo, 8616k's roundtrip. it was Friday, wow what a trip.. I experienced a few things on this trip, travelling mostly alone... the madness in my head, singing and conducting 'OPERA' yelling out silly things,, calling EEEMMMUUUU EEEMMMMMUUUUU.. laughing at myself, and taking 2000 pics. I'm glad no-one else witnessed this madness... but you all know I'm insane,, lol
I had a bite to eat then crashed out, waking up sometime Saturday to an empty house.
2 weeks later and I'm STill up before the sun,,
STranger did very well heading across AuSTralia twice, without as much as a hiccup. He hardly put any wear on his rear rubber,, 1 of my HIDS failed between Balranald and Hay. He also is proud of his Trophy... ;)
I had a great time at The 5 th National OzSTOC Rally in Perth WA. Thanks muST be given to the WA Rally team for a job well done. The weST has some beautiful scenery.. I juST wish they could have made more twiSTy roads... ;)
now to do the timing belt..
edited after comments below with names,,,.
