Sunday, August 4.

Day 8.  Norseman to Bush Camp (2).

141 km in 6 hrs 37 min @ 21.4 km/ hr.

AHR: 98 bpm.

Distance so far: 929 km.

' Climbed': 1624 ft.

Elevation tonight: 813 ft  ASL.

No of punctures so far: 0

Left at 7.30 am.     In at 3.00 pm.

Today is for our youngest granddaughter, Helen, our only Irish resident grandchild. Now almost 7 months old, Helen, you'll be grown so much by the time I get back to Tipp.

As we left Gateway Caravan Park this morning at 7. 30, it was a sunny chilly morning at 8 deg. But no need for leggings; the day would warm up within an hour or so. It was 24 deg from mid- day on. We rode out into the rising sun and faced east all day. We'll do this for the next 1000 km.  

Almost immediately after leaving Norseman we were facing into gentle rises, just 1 or 2%, but they went on forever. Vegetation on either side was much the same as yesterday. We had our first of encroaching wildlife along this road. I notice that diesel here is $1.66/ lt which transfers into €1.30/ lt approx.

Norseman is often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Nullarbor'. If it's the gateway, There is very long avenue; we are not on the Nullarbor proper yet and we have done 141 km.

The road today was much quieter than the Great Eastern Highway into Kalgoorlie. Some road- trains passed but they were of the shorter variety 2 units. A large number of motorcycles loaded with camping gear came against us at various times. Every time, we got a wave and recognition back from them.

I have been asked to include more of a botanical nature in my posts. Where we stopped along the way I captured a few images and I'm sure the experts will fill us in with details. It'a bit early for the fabulous spring flowers of the area.

We passed through the world's largest eucalypts hardwood forest today, virgin forest. In places, older trees seem to have been burned with much younger ones growing up around. I show one picture of the Salmon Gum...check it out.

Tonight we are in Bush Camp 2 just short of Balladonia. We are about 1 km off the highway and there should be no interference from growling trucks during our sleeping hours. It' a beautiful spot just by Newmans Rock, a spot special to the aboriginal people as there is a lake here. After putting up the tent, I went down for a bit of a wash. So peaceful.

Lovely dinner again about the fire- pit prepared by Cathy - meatball stew, potatoes followed by apple crumble. We're being we'll looked after. All hung around the dying fire for a while, but now (8.30) all camp is quiet. For a roof above us we have a magnificent show of stars.

For the first 100 km today we cycled through sandstone country ( as we have for the last number of days). At 100 km we started to climb the Fraser Ranges which is granite. It is not a mountain range, just an area of higher ground- no great climbing involved. But the shape of the landscape changed- more like home. Down by the lake at Bush Camp is a vast expanse of granite slab. When we get to the Nullarbor proper, it will be limestone.

Another long day in the saddle, but for the last 20 km it was mostly a series of long 2 or 3% descents with a warm wind helping us along....glorious.

NB. No phone/ Internet service at this spot. Hope to upload along the route tomorrow.

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