Amazing day. An easy 120kms. Feet uncomfortable at times, but not sore. Started out in my riding shoes, but had my tivas on after 25kms or so. Rode in them for the rest of the day.
Slept very well. Started packing inside the tent about 7:00. Felt good. The pleasantness from the night before was still with me. It was cool but not cold. Bright sunny day. There had been a heavy dew overnight. Perre and Vero woke as I was packing. Breakfast was first on their agenda. It was back to the diner. I ate up. There was internet so Vero had to check things. It was a slow morning. We didn't get going till around 10:30.
About 20 kms out of Marla we met wil going south. He was in his mid 20s I guess, london born, Oxford raised, riding around the world on an old chrome molly hybrid that he had bought through Gumtree. He had ridden from the UK to Mongolia, to Bali, to Darwin, to where we met him. Darwin to us took 15 days. He was on a mission. Wanted to be in Sydney by June 13 for the start of the World Cup. Down to Pt Augusta, east to Broken Hill then on to Sydney. There was nothing fancy about Wil. Basic bike, basic clothes, a battered pair of New Balance runners, no front brake. Impressive.
We rode on slowly. Vero was expecting a roadhouse 40-50kms from Marla. I didn't realise she hadn't brought much water. No roadhouse and a bit of panic. 50kms down and we started working. I wanted at least 100. I was looking for that 'easy' 100. In mind was the Marryat rest stop 120kms from Marla that I had noted on the distance sign as we had left Marla.
With the 100kms down and still daylight the rest stop seemed possible. Get to the 110kms and if there was a sign announcing the stop then we'd go for it. We found the sign so it was decided. Lights on and go.
Made the stop soon after dark. Rode in to the most enthusiastic welcome imaginable. Some folk who had passed us earlier greeted us like girls going crazy for the latest boy band. They were four couples and a single bloke from Adelaide travelling with 5 caravans to Darwin. The single bloke when he wasn't travelling lived permanently in a caravan in Aldinga. Bought one after his wife died four years ago. He was a pommy guy who came to Australia in the early 70s.
These were the dinky di grey nomads going north for the winter. First to Darwin for a couple of weddings and then across to Queensland and up to Cooktown to meander south for 6 months back to Adelaide.
They thought we were amazing and fell over themselves to tell us so. A bit embarrassing, especially after our encounter with Wil. They had their vans drawn into a circle like the Americans wagon trainers of old. Vero didn't know what to make of it as they kept offering things. She found it hard to deal with. Anyway Pierre and me had a hot drink. He coffee and me tea.
Havinf\g downed our drinks and knocking back the offer of a shower we headed off to wash and prepare tea. This time rice and tuna.
Over tea we discussed tomorrow. Only 60kms to Kulgera. should we stay there or push on. Only 320 kms to Alice. Could do it in 3 days from here. No decision, but I think we will stay in Kulgera and get to Alice in four days time.
It has now been a fortnight on the road. Our grey nomad friends had left Adelaide 3 days ago.
We have been very lucky with the weather. Been a ripper today.
...go to day 15 - May 24
P.S. Wil told us that there had been a storm in Kulgera two nights ago. It appears we stayed on the southern edge of the activity catching bits and pieces of it.
The country has changed since leaving Marla. Hillier, rocky outcrops, more vegetation. Seems slightly richer country. Certainly more interesting. Lots of fencing. Lots of green grass. Tussocks. Don't know if it is any good for stock.