27 August 2010-Okay, this will cover two days. By the time I got yesterday sorted out it was late, and since I had been sitting outside for a good broadband connection, I was too cold to work. Don’t you feel sorry for me…
Yesterday, 26 August, we left Port Augusta after Sue was almost 100% recovered from her viral sinusitis. It was a bit chilly, 12 C (53 F) and rainy off and on. The road was a good one. My partner asked, “Why are we going so slow?” “We Are at our usual 100 km/hr (63 mph), I replied. “Well speed it up!” she said. “This is a good road, and it is just going straight.” So it was up to the speed limit of 110 km/h (69 mph). We made good time, as there is only the road, and the only thing you have to stop for is petrol – and sheep, and cows, and wedge-tail eagles, and emus – haven’t seen any camels yet, although there are estimates of 30,000 of them roaming around. We rode through the Stoney Desert, one of the vast, and continuous series of deserts thru the north and west of South Australia. It is magnificent! Vast, rolling, arid plains alternate with low scrub brush, and occasional pockets of dense small trees. And every now and then you come across a huge dry lake bed. What is most unusual now is that many of these lakes now have water in them, a very rare sight to see. We couldn’t spend much time appreciating the hydrology, as the wind was atrocious! And amazing. When it was just a front left quartering wind it was just battering us around. But our course altered and we were then facing it head on. What a party. When we went through a gully it would press us down onto the seats. When we came out, it would literally lift the helmets up on our heads, and us a bit off the seats. Never enough to worry one, but definitely attention getting.
We made it to Coober Pedy, after 537 kms (336 miles). There is an algebraic equations that goes Coober Pedy/opals=shopping. So what is a girl to do? We went shopping. Even before showering!
While at dinner – lamb gyros and lemonade – we overheard many people talking about the BIG truck gathering in Alice Springs this weekend, and how it was absolutely impossible to get a motel room. I thought, rather smugly, “How glad I am that I got online and got one a couple of days ago, on-line, through hotels.com.” Then the talk ran to how all the motels/hotels/caravan parks in Alice had been booked up for five months! Not so smug now I decided to call the motel to confirm our reservation. And they had never heard of me, had no record of my reservation, never booked through hotels.com, and had indeed been booked up for this weekend since five months ago, as had every motel in the town! Not good!!!
Our plan had been to ride to Alice and visit with Colin and Lyn, the two who came to our rescue in mid-July when I had the electrical problem with my MC. It would have been a 693 km (433 miles) ride. A long ride, but doable, for as I mentioned the road is good, there is very little to slow you down, and what you set the speedo on is what you get for an average velocity. But then to arrive after all day in the saddle, and to find there was no room in the inn – indeed no room in any inn would not have been good. Sue is absolutely the nicest person I have ever know. But by calling I am sure I averted a major geologic implosion in the Red Center of Australia.
So we were lucky enough to get a room at Erldunda, 200 kms south of Alice, at the turnoff to Uluru, where we are headed next. It made for a much shorter ride today, and perhaps we can get into Alice and back tomorrow, and still see our friends. We are about out of chain lube, so must get some soon, and the MC shop there is open until 12:30. Always wanted to go to Alice….
Today, 27 August started of auspiciously. Came out of the underground motel room, looked at the sky, and announced to Sue, “Well, it is overcast, but I don’t think we will need the rain suits.” Turned back around, and noted that it was raining. And it did so, off and on, all day. Then when we rode out I turned right out of the parking lot to get to the Stuart Highway. After about five blocks the street ended in the desert, so I made a U-turn to go the correct way. But after that it was a glorious day of riding. No wind! And even a bit of sun! We were toasty warm, and completely dry, and had good chats with Aussies when we stopped for breakfast, and then for ice cream. I have long noted that Sue never seemed to meet a stranger. Now I see it is a national characteristic.
The desert continued beside us, thrilling in its stark majesty. On..and on…and on….and on….. I do fell blessed to have been here. Especially with my best mate. It is always good to see the broad smile on her face every time she pulls her helmet off.