Monday July 29.

Day 3 Northam to Meredin.

162 km in 7 hrs 1 min @ 23.1 km/hr.
Climbed 1407 ft
Distance so far: 266 km.
Present Elevation 1060 ft ASL
AHR: 112 bpm.
Punctures so far: 0

Out at 8 am. In at 4.45.

Slept well last night in the tent. Cold wasn't an issue. Took a while to settle down but then slept comfortably till 6 am. Time to move. Took quite a while to pack up the tent (Still wet from the morning fog) had a quick nourishing breakfast from my foodbox (muesli, cheese, Hungarian salami, bread and coffee) and then ready for departure. There was 162+ km ahead and sunset around 5 pm.

Before departure I was brought down to the park perimeter to see an enormous kangaroo just outside the fence. Even the Australians were taken by its size. I was told to expect dead ones on todays route but none appeared.

 I left at 8 am (later than intended) and rode with John and we move d along at a fast pace to make up time and to warm ourselves. It was 6 deg and foggy when we left. Regretted not bringing my full-finger gloves on this trip, but by 10 am the fog had burned off and it was a pleasant 10 deg. from then till we finished it was a pleasant day's cycling. After morning tea at Cunderin (54 km) I paired up again with Paul for the rest of the day.

Today's landscape wasn't as undulating as yesterdays. No steep climbs but a few long up-hills near the end of the journey.

Today was through serious wheat country (wheatbelt) and some canola (rapeseed). Fields were as big as half-parishes with forlorn trees scattered about and plenty of corn silos in the few towns that we passed through.

Along the road there were many signs warning of flooding and posts indicating how deep they could be...up to 1 metre above the road surface (and that was already up on a raised bed.) To me it seemed impossible that such floods could occur but it happens when deep depressions move down from the north in summer (Nov) and result in violent thunderstorms. Flooding then can cover an area as large as a small country.

Again the Water Pipeline (steel) accompanied us all day on the left or on the right. A real feat considering that it is 600 km from Perth to Kalgoorlie ( like Mizen to Malin Head)

We also passed where Rabbit Fence No 2 originally crossed the highway. No signs of it now. We will pass No 1 tomorrow) These fences were erected to curtail the westward spread of rabbits destroying crops as they progressed right up to the 40's. Not the fences but the Miximytosis put a stop to their advance.

The number of road-trains on the road increased today. Still, we just saw ones with 2 units...there are ones with 3 units. They do create a whoosh as they pass but the noise announces their approach.

Meckering is the location of Australia's worst earthquake in 1968. At the fault line both sides moved 7 feet horizontally and 6 feet vertically in opposing directions. We crossed the fault line but no signs of near the highway.

There were very few towns/villages along the route and only a very odd habitation otherwise. it will take us 14 days to cross the state of Western Australia but it has only a population of 2 million with 1.8 million of that in the Greater Perth Area. very sparsely populated although I  am led to believe that it is the size of India. Incredible.

We arrived in Meredin Tourist Park at 4.45 after & hrs of cycling. (We cycle while you in Ireland sleep. We leave around midnight and arrive as you get up for work....then we're free for the rest of the day!!)
For Paul it was his longest cycle so far (a mile Century) so was memorable and high-fives all round.

For tonight 4 of us are booked into a cabin ( like a well-furnished apartment) and we intend enjoying the sheer luxury...electric light and dressing while standing up, etc, etc !
Really enjoyed the trip and no physical issues. What a way to spend a day.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
to the 32 km mark where we all took a short break.

Sunday July 28.

Day 1  Perth to Northam.

104 km in 4 hr 48 min @ 21.9 km/hr.
Climbed 3386 ft.
Average Heart Rate (AVR) 113 beats per min (bpm)

Left at 8.15 am. In at 2.15 pm.

Didn't sleep much last night, probably due to to excitement about today's ride.

But I felt relaxed as we assembled at Bell Tower where we had our group photo and directions for today's route.

Pulled out at 8.15. It had rained during the night but it was dry now and calm at 10 deg.

We left on the cycle/walking path alonside the Swan River and cycled as a group for the first 10 km. It felt great to be finally on the road. The waiting over the last few days was the worst part.

We picked up the Great Eastern Highway out through the eastern suburbs of Perth, and we made our first stop at Midland as a group and were treated to a snack at McDonalds.. After Midland we broke up into smaller groups and immediately faced into Greenmount, a 10 km climb mostly at 5 and 6%.
The day was heating up (reached 18 deg. For the rest of the day the road ahead was undulating, a series of long slow climbs like the road down to Cork. By this stage a helpful tailwind was assisting us. By the half-way stage we were well out of the built-up area and into a very rural setting.

The roads had a good surface but the hard shoulder disappeared in places.

At lunchtime we sat about with coffee and cakes at The lakes as lots and lots of red-tailed cockatoos noisly flew above us.
For a long period today I cycled with Paul fron Sydney, but originally from Belfast.

Alongside the road for miles and miles ran the Kalgoorlie water Pipeline - an engineering feat by a Limerickman to bring fresh water from near Perth to the emerging goldfields of Kalgoorlie. Unfortunately he didn't live to see his completed project....suicide. The pipeline is overground (occasionally it drops down) and snaked overthe rollinh hillsides ahead.

Today we have climbed well over 3000 feet from the limestone plain of Perth to the sandstone land surrounding Northam. It took a while for us to locate Northam Caravan Park due to a detour in the area.

It was still warm and sunny as we set up tents and headed off for the hot showers.
A lovely day's cycle and also getting to know the other members of the group

.Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.

Pre-ride (1)

Spent a while this morn (Fri) addressing issues with blog, Ipad and phone. I think I have them sorted out now.

Went for a cycle up to King's Park overlooking the city. Some lovely viewpoints, also botanical gardens and memorials.

 Boab tree.

While up there, the rain moved in from the coast and I beat it back to base

Visited the Perth Mint just down the road. WA's economy is largely founded on gold and minerals. I actually handled a 12kg bar of gold - love to slip it into the pannier but it weighs 25kg.

Met up with Tom Tierney and a few other Irish lads in Queens Tavern on Beaufort. Enjoyed the night but I hope that I didn't undo any of the training I did for this trip.

Forecast isn't great for tonight - stormy.

Pre-ride (2)

Saturday July 27

Today was wintry as regards wind and rain but temperature was 18 deg. I had planned to cycle out to Fremantle but conditions put paid to that.

I met up with the cycling group at 3 pm ( dropping luggage and orientation). There are 15 in all for this section. 7 of them have been on the previous sections and 8 of us are now joining in for the last leg of the circuit... 'Across the Paddock'. Most are from Australia with 5 internationals ( 2 from US, 1 from NZ, 1 Germany and self. Age ranges from 30's to 70's.

Meeting up with the group eased some anxieties that had surfaced over the last few days (usually happens to me). I received the official T-shirt that we wear on the first and last day at least.

Had a last walk around the streets of Perth that are a mix of traditional and modern.

I feel anxious right now to get on the road and enjoy the lovely helpful westerly wind that's going our way.

We meet at 7am at Bell Tower ( just down the street) and push pedal at 8.

Acclimatising.

Thur

Morning was devoted to organising utilities - phone SIM card, bike requisites and other trip necessities.It was 19 deg with a westerly warm wind blowing. 

My hotel is smack in the centre (CBD) of the city and all facilities are within walking distance.

Old and new.

 Modern office blocks mingle with the traditional. Plenty of street entertainers on both Hay Mall and Murray Mall

.

After lunch I went for a spin on the bike (30km) out along the cycleway by the Swan River and back. Dolphins and black swans adorned the river.

 Lovely and balmy and great to be turning the pedals again after the plane journey.

 All traffic on the left and all kilometres so it feels familiar. Must do a few tourist visits tomorrow.

Departure and Arrival.

The final few days before departure were ones of nervousness and a touch of panic. Mostly regarding luggage. - have I got all I need; have I got anything that I could do without? Trying to balance between checked and hand luggage. Despite my earlier weighings, I was now on (or a little over) the limit of 30 kg checked (including the bike) and 7 kg by hand. Then the bike got locked into the garage with the garage-lock broken and that didn’t help to calm the situation.

Leaving on Tuesday morning (8.30) was a bit sad leaving our 4 grandchildren behind. Saoirse, Oisin and Eimear have been home on holiday with us for the last month and Helen (our youngest) is domiciled nearer home. Big hugs all round. I’m sure they’ll follow Grandad on this adventure.

Reached Dublin airport in plenty of time and no problem checking through with the oversize luggage. Waiting to board was a welcome period of relaxation after the craziness of the last few days. I’ll be glad to start turning the pedals next Sunday

Arrived in Dubai (7 hrs) in good time and met with heat of 36 degrees. Only a 2 hr spell there before continuing on.

Bit of turbulence on the second flight to Perth (9 hrs) but arrived safely at 5 pm (dark) with temperature of 16 deg. Felt like an autumn evening. By 6.45 I was in the hotel in the centre of the city and the bike all re-assembled within the hour. A few days now to acclimatise (get used to this standing upside-down!)

One more posting and a few photos before hitting the road on Sunday.