Distance Thursday 110km at 20km/hr average
TOTALS: Distance 6817km. Donations $8570.09. Days remaining 46. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert. Tracks: Birdsville Development Road, Birdsville Track, Oodnadatta Track, Red Centre Way, Great Central Road, Goldfields Highway, Wiluna North Road, Marble Bar Road, Great Northern Highway.
Note to new readers: I am travelling with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I often refer to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ have an amazing support team of family, friends, sponsors and folk we meet each day. But it’s still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.
It’s 815pm on Monday the 2 August 2021
Can you get more civilised. Halls Creek ladies and gentlemen- yeahhhhh!!!! 1925km – Wiluna to Halls Creek… ‘tick.’
We’re so relieved, so happy and so comfortable in our demountable room at the local motel. We’ve picked up and unpacked our postal boxes, cleaned and reorganised our gear and now posting in bed watching the Olympics. Ohhhhh bliss! I’ve made use of every bit of space and Banjos cheering on the female Socceroo’s in the background. Happy boy!!!
It was a headwindy day but we didn’t care. We were focused on arriving safe and sound in Halls Creek and enjoying every moment of the 110kms here. Banjo’s tyres have lasted the distance and tomorrow he gets a brand new set to tackle the Tanami. The morning will be all about pampering the boy and the afternoon will be all about getting our head around Stage 8. To be continued…
Today started with a cuppa over sunrise and waking up with the birds at Mary Pool.
I was super happy to be on the track out to the highway by 7am. We said our goodbyes to Mary Pool along the Mary River, and loved every bit of our stay at this special place. It gave me the chance to reflect on stage 7. I feel so ready and excited about getting back on desert tracks starting with the Tanami Wednesday.
We were on our way to Halls Creek and counting down the kms in 20km blocks. The day was partly cloudy adding texture and contrast to the arid colours in the landscape.
Early on we disturbed a couple of wedge tail eagles by the roadside. I caught a glimpse of them on the video.
30kms into the ride we went through a floodway with a small range of flat top bluffs on the horizon. It was tricky riding but the views were beautiful and part of the diverse scenery for the day.
We were ready for a cuppa by 60km and stopped behind a guardrail along a river bed with shady gums. Great spot to reset and enjoy the last of the bananas from Sam and Verell.
One of the highlights of the day was riding across a flock of black cockatoos flashing their red tail feathers in the gums. I loooove black cockatoos and they’re the first I’ve come across on this trip. It was a magic wow moment.
Our next break was had with 40kms to go. It was nice to focus on the ‘little things big’ by the roadside and give the head a break from working through the windy conditions.
With 20kms remaining we stopped for our last break to appreciate the milestone
I was soo excited to see the sign to turn off for the Tanami. We will be back very soon!!!
We stopped to check out a camper van heading off down the track. Alice Springs here we come!!! It looks like we will be able to cross the border from WA to NT. I’ll complete the online NT border crossing details over my morning cuppa.
The 5km sign into Halls Creek brought tears of relief and joy!!! We’ve worked so hard through this stage. It’s been mentally and emotionally challenging and I’m very proud of our effort and learnings. The challenges have enabled me to gain better insight into the importance of my communicating respect unconditionally, as a way of being. This invites interconnectedness with fellow humans and nature and is essential for me to sustain mental health and wellbeing. “If it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you.”
What an awesome day that’s really special to share. Posting has been a celebration 🎉 Time for a late dinner and snug up cosy in bed. Night and talk soon xx
The 10 desert challenge 
Awesome day of massive achievements 🤩
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2 weeks later the Tanami Travk spat us out exhausted, rickety and richer from the experience. Some things I only ever have to do once though 🤣🌵
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