The fundraising team from beyondblue sent an email today about how our fundraising challenge will assist their service
“By raising over $10,645 you have directly helped 222 people seek support from a mental health professional by either phone call, web chat or email through Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service. And for that, we are so grateful.”
Beyondblue Fundraising Team
Note to new readers: I travelled with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I often referred to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ had an amazing support team of family, friends, 22 sponsors and folk we meet each day. But it was still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.
What a team effort by The10desertchallenge community
“By raising over $10,645 you have directly helped 222 people seek support from a mental health professional by either phone call, web chat or email through Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service. And for that, we are so grateful.”
Talk about team effort!!!
Distance 38kms
TOTALS: Distance 8780km. Donations $10,645.09.. Days remaining 0. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami Desert and Simpson 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway, Diamantina Development Road, Eyre Development Road.
Note to readers: I have travelled with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I have often referred to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ had an amazing support team of family, friends, sponsors and folk we met each day. But it was still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.
It’s 6.41am on Tuesday the 7 September 2021.
I’m sitting with Banjo enjoying a cuppa out of the wind. It’s early and I have just had my last interview on the ABC radio Breakfast Show with Craig and Loretta. See the recording here
My family and I have started our road trip and are camped at Bedourie.
Sunday we completed The10desertchallenge cycling out to the “Big Red” sand dune from Birdsville. It’s 38kms west of Birdsville and the biggest sand hill in the Simpson desert. A fitting end to a big challenge. More so I was able to share this last leg with Dawn and Dylan who had arrived safely in Birdsville. It was so special to reunite.
Sunday morning was Father’s Day and my 54th Birthday. What a treat to wake up in our Deluxe Cabin all together. We called Mum and Dad to wish grandad a happy day. They had sent me a text for my birthday.
Good morning our Birthday girl 🥳 The beeps beeps are singing “Happy Birthday to youuuuu”🦜🕊 Reaching out and giving you the biggest Birthday hugs and flowers. Can you smell the freesias? Enjoy this magical time together. We want to offer another night for you in Deluxe accommodation. Love to the three of you…
Sharing the morning together was incredibly special for all of us.
To be able to stay another night in the cabin, meant we didn’t have to pack and set up our tents in the campgrounds. We could get ready and get into our last cycle leg out to “Big Red.” Banjo and I loved riding the last chapter to this challenge. Let’s see what the future brings. I’m already playing with the idea of an “Up Over Down Under” cycle down the track; so to speak 😉
10 deserts for $10,645.09 plus the donations made at Laurels Beauty Salon in Sandgate. Linda and the crew at Laurels were amongst the 22 sponsors who have supported our challenge from the get go. Linda offered to keep a donations tin at her salon collecting extra cash donations from her clients. Today, Mum and Dad are collecting the money to add to our tally. I’ll update the post once we do the math!!!!! They promise to give Linda the biggest thank you from me for all their love and support.
UPDATE
There was $130 in the tin. Yay!!!
We headed off on our road trip yesterday from Birdsville, taking the road I came in on. This meant we passed Kylie and the road crew who kindly paid for a deluxe cabin for me and my family. We met up on the roadside to say thank you and introduce her to Dawn and Dylan. How special!!!
The sun rises this morning to a new day. I am blessed to take all the experiences from The10desertchallenge into the next chapters in life. This includes writing a book about the story behind the story. Thank you for your following. I wish everyone health and wellbeing through the love and care of connection.
Loretta asked this morning why I would take on such a challenge and especially during the epidemic. I have experienced firsthand the power of connection and the importance of showing unconditional care for each other. This is especially so when social distancing has become our new normal and connection has never been more important to thrive together in challenging times.
TOTALS: Distance 8743km. Donations $10,245.09. Days remaining 1. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway, Diamantina Development Road.
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 1.30pm on Saturday the 4 September 2021
The choice was easy to make to push through to Birdsville. I felt a focus that was clear and determined. It was easy to accept and extra 9-10 hours of riding as opposed to an extra 4 days of hellish conditions.
I was able to relax into the ride knowing that however long it would take, I would wake up in Birdsville.
The countryside was a greener contrast to what we have seen for days and the freshness was delish!! Roadside grasses were greener and in springtime bloom.
There is evidently more rainfall in this area and the animals were making the most of it!! We had a break along a waterway that was teeming with cows and birdlife. I took this video thinking I was sharing the scenery. Very funny; I had to include it!!!
There were lots of baby cows; a clear sign that spring has sprung its wings of new life!!
I really enjoyed cycling through long shadow o’clock where all the colours pop with an extra edge
Ian the truckie passed us again and stopped to check in how we were going. He mentioned there was a rest area about 80km before Birdsville with a mains road facility opposite in case we need to stop for the night. I reassured him we were hell bent on pushing through but appreciated the heads up!!! The information was a blessing in hindsight.
It was about 6.20pm and I was thinking about getting my lights ready. Then the wind changed to a southerly gail. It was so unexpected and not forecast. Ahead was what seemed like rain coming our way so I got the wet weather gear on as well. I was not excited at all to say the least!!!
It was not rain!! It was our first dust storm!!! I remember just repeating, “What the fu&$.” It’s blinding and it’s frightening. I was already elevated with the job at hand and went into response mode!!! “Right … where was that rest area!!!” I figured out it was another 5-8kms away and we head downed and tailed it. The rest area was exposed and across the road was the entrance to the facility. If was dark by the stage. The facility was workers from the Diamantina Shire Council, sealing the last sections of road from Bedourie to Birdsville. They were gruffly gracious and my guardians in the night. Before we could blow the dust from our noses, we had a bed for the night and a hot dinner and shower. It was the most remarkable turn of events on our challenge. My head was spinning with disappointment and relief. They also had wifi so I called the family to let know what had happened. I new they would have been following our progress to Birdsville closely.
Kylie was the bosses partner and she took me under her wing with care and a cuddle. I was feeling pretty fragile when the reality set in.
It was a wild night with dust blowing at gale force. Far out!! What a long night with little sleep. I kept checking bom from about 4am onwards. But deep down I knew we weren’t cycling any more kms into Birdsville. We met the crew at 6.00am muster. Nathan, a truckie at the camp, was doing a run into Birdsville and offered Banjo and I a ride.
Kylie took a bunch of photos that she later texted me.
I couldn’t believe we were in a Road Train heading into Birdsville. Nathan is a darling with a big heart!!!
As we walked into the campgrounds, a lady from reception came out and said, “You must be Maree!!! Kylie and the crew have shouted you a deluxe luxury cabin for you and your family tonight.” All I could do was burst into tears!!!
Thank you with all my heart to..
Kylie
Frog
Rick
Zac
Norman
Rodney
Wattie and
Phillip
I was shown to our cabin and my head’s been spinning since.
Dawn and Dylan arrive soon and It’s my birthday tomorrow. Happy 54th Maree.
TOTALS: Distance 8650km. Donations $10,245.09. Days remaining 6. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway, Diamantina Development Road.
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 12.20pm on Saturday the 4 September 2021.
What an amazing and crazy nuts day and a half. To try and do justice to the roller coaster events that unfolded, I’m doing my posts in Part A – To Bedourie and Part B – Onto Birdsville
TO BEDOURIE
We woke and packed up ready for our day.
The ride from Vaughan Johnson Lookout started off with a bang!!!
The tailwind and sealed road enabled us to sit back and really appreciate the countryside.
It reminded me a lot of when I cycled through Mongolia back in 2012.
The landscape was provocative and inspiring and I found myself reflecting on our challenge and feeling the significance of the journey.
I was passed a second time by Quinton, a truckie who works this route. Yesterday he threw me a buddy of coke just before our turn off to the lookout. Great timing!! He stopped again and shared another coke and a wrap. What a darling man!!!
The countryside changed as we neared Bedourie on the edge of the Simpson desert.
It was just after midday when we arrived and thinking we were done for the day!!!
TOTALS: Distance 8547km. Donations $10,245.09. Days remaining 7. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway, Diamantina Development Road.
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 8.20pm on Thursday the 2 September 2021
We had a later start today after sleeping in til after 8am. So nice in my cosy bed. I made a cuppa and called the folks. We had an awesome chat and could have easily spent the rest of day sharing stories. What a treat!!! While we were talking I had a visit from the resident pony and donkey. They were saddling up for a cuppa too.
It was taking my head a little while to kick into gear and I contemplated spending another day mooching with the farm animals. Another cuppa later I felt a clearer perspective. I had a challenge to finish and my family to meet. It was very special to feel this so deeply. With heart felt focus I got myself sorted, cleaned my donger for Mary Ellen and headed into town to buy a treat for dinner. In town I was waved down by folk who were very familiar. It was John, Kevin, Sandra and Trent who I met on the Great Central Highway before Warakurna. Trent had just bought himself a blue cattle puppy named Fate. What a bond they are already sharing. They have been following our travels and we chatted for the next hour. How wonderful to meet up with them again over 5000kms down the track!!!! So many stories to share. I later got a text from John with the photos he took as my phone was on charge. His words were felt deeply.
We headed off around midday with a sensational tailwind that’s forecast for our stint into Bedourie. Very different to yesterday and very appreciated 🤣
The countryside was flat and full of colour; oxide reds, browns and yellows, with fluffy clouds to add a dimension in the blue skies
It wasn’t long before we smashed out 60kms and reached the first of two crossings over the Georgina River. It’s a major distributary in this part of channel country.
My Dad, the Atlas Man, gave me heads up about the Georgina recently and we stopped to have a cuppa break and share the spot with him.
The wind eased off during the afternoon and the sun angled angled across the expanse of colours. It was one of my favourite riding days cycling the floodplains.
I just had a visit across my groundsheet from the huuugest centipede. Frightened the crap out of me. 🤣 I found him under my backpack and we were both keen to see him shimmy away. See you mate!!!!
We passed the monument for the Tropic of Capricorn so we’re in line with Rockhampton on the east coast of I remember my geography right. I need To check with the Atlas Man tomorrow.
The countryside was mostly flat flood plains with occasional waterways where birds were in numbers amongst the denser vegetation. What an oasis for life.
The clouds were heavy with showers on part of the horizon. Somewhere close the cows will have greener pastures to graze.
We managed another 50kms to our campgrounds at Vaughan Johnson Lookout.
We spotted the range from a distance and could see our camp in sight as we got closer.
It was a steep ascent but worth the push up when we reached the ridge top. A camp with a 360 view!!
It looks out over the flood plains we cycled through offering a great perspective.
Sunset was extra special as the colours grew deeper into twilight.
There’s so many bugs out tonight. No wonder the centipede looked so fat and healthy. On that note it’s time to share my fruit cake and cuppa with the moths. That’ll give an extra boost to the tailwind tomorrow, so to speak!! On second thoughts, I think it’s dinner in bed as there’s not enough to go round!!! Night and talk soon xx
TOTALS: Distance 8433km. Donations $10,245.09. Days remaining 11. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway (current)
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 10pm on Wednesday the 1 September 2021
Today was such a nuts down and up day. I’m not going to try and find the words express the experience. It’s late and I’m ready to crawl into my donger bed!!! I’ve spent the last hours updating my posts with media which is awesome. I’ve spoken to Dawn and they’re safe and camped at Chinchilla which is perfect. I’m clean and the boy is all packed and ready for us to head off for Bedourie in the morning. Yay!!! So tonight for a change I’m going to share the videos of the day. I’ve just checked them out and feel they capture the day better than words can!!! All I do want to say is Thank you Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen is the owner manager of Boulia Caravan Park. It’s a special touch of paradise as is her kindness and generosity. All the best for you and your family. Night and talk soon xx
TOTALS: Distance 8378km. Donations $10,145.09. Days remaining 11. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway (current)
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 7.30pm on Tuesday the 31 August 2021
It’s such a big sky night tonight and we’re loving it under the stars. Bugs have crashed the party but they’re good dancers and putting on a show!! I got the SkyView app out to check out the other party of stars and planets going on. The debating teams are Venus, Mercury and Mars to the west and Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune to the east. The topic is who’s the brightest threesome in the sky. It’s close. Old Man Emu is adjudicating and accepting bribes. Jupiter takes out the best and fairest that’s for sure!!! What a show. No wonder the bugs are in party mode!!!
It was an awesome start to the day. I packed up first and got some footage of the facility we stayed at last night.
Once we were good to go it was time to call the folks and have a decent catch-up. An hour later I had my fix of family and we were all up to date from the last days. It was wonderful having wifi. What a surprise and treat for all of us!! Dylan was doing some fathers day shopping at the school store this morning and they dropped round later for him to give grandad his pressie. Everyone loved the visit and last farewells before Dawn and Dylan get underway tomorrow. I checked in with them before and dawn doing the last bits and pieces of packing but otherwise they’re ready and very excited for their adventure out to Birdsville. I’ll call you from Boulia darlings and see how you’re travelling on your first day xx
It was a later start after 9.30am but all good indeedy. The crews were driving back in camp after days off. They were all curious about this lady on a bike at their facility. There were a lots of aboriginal workers which was great to see; all smiles and thumbs up with us experiencing the beauty of their country.
It’s so flat, so sparse, so desolate. But it’s raw and beautiful and inspiring.
I was thinking about Frank from Yuendumu today “nowhere is somewhere.” It’s a challenging concept in this part of country.
But then I see a turn off sign to one of the stations out here and realise nowhere is an important somewhere for others.
Its easy for my thoughts to get lost in the expanse. I quite like that feeling. But Banjo and and I were keen to stay focused for the next 30kms and keep his tyres safe from sharp rocks until the sealed road.
The countryside remained the same for the best part of the remaining unsealed road.
We passed a yard with some cows in. It was sad to see them without anything to graze. But that’s my city perspective. There are lots of cattle yards by the roadside where cattle are held and moved onwards to greener pastures literally. They just look very wan in transit amongst this seemingly empty landscape.
We welcomed a visit from Brian and Sharon from Redlands. They stopped further ahead of us and got out their camera and drone to take some footage of us approaching. We had a chat and exchanged details so they can email me the video and photos of Banjo and I in action. Yay!!!
By lunchtime we hit sealed road and celebrated with a cuppa break under a shady tree.
The countryside also change with vegetation bringing a sense of relief. Roadside bushes also mean ‘beep beeps’ and they kept us company again for the afternoon. It makes for a lighter feel and more relaxed ride with their liveliness and interaction.
We managed to push through a bunch of kms for the afternoon without any debacles which is always a bonus 🤣 The weather was sociable and we were able to ride into long shadow o’clock. It was a beautiful time of day to enjoy the last kms and find a camp for the night.
With just over 50kms Boulia, we found a camp behind shrubbery along a floodway. The ground is red dirt and clear of dreaded burrs. So Banjos happy and resting with his tyres intact. We were set up to enjoy the colours around camp over sunset o’clock.
All going well we should get into Boulia by later morning. It’ll be good to have time to do some have tos and prepare for our next stint to Bedourie. Time for dinner and bed. Night talk soon xx
TOTALS: Distance 8265km. Donations $10,145.09. Days remaining 12. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway (current)
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 8.15pm on Monday the 30 August 2021
We woke this morning to galah o’clock!!! Oh my goodness, nature’s alarm clock went off ⏰ It was time to pack up and get our backsides into Queensland!!!
Two Brolgas turned up to wave us off from Tobermorey Station. Thanks for having us!!!
5km into our ride, we were met by a cow patrolling the border crossing. It looked like Queensland Government has taken the next level in budget cuts.
My sister Katie suggested she may have been self isolating and to check if she had a mask on! 🤣
Mrs Cow was doing a fine job nonetheless and checked we had done our border declaration!! Well my partner did it for me as we’ve had no reception since leaving Gem Tree. Thanks darling!!
We had no ‘Bananas, Mangos or Sugar cane” on board so the cow let us pass over the cattle grid and back into Queensland. It’s so nice to be on home soil again!!!!
We were welcomed to the Shire of Boulia, home of the Min Min lights. Min Min is a light phenomenon that has often been reported in the Boulia Shire. We’ll keep ours eyes open for Mim Min spotting over the next 120kms.
The countryside over the border continued to be vast with an intense remote feel. We saw very few cars in our travels aside from the occasional road train mustering cattle. The horizons are flat and it’s very arid and desolate .
There was a short stretch of sealed road over the border but otherwise it’s been gravel. The roads in good condition and we had a particularly strong hot northerly blowing. It gave us a side tail wind for the morning and we had smashed out 80kms by mid afternoon.
I was hoping to do another 40kms but unfortunately Banjo got a flat on the sharp rocks. He doesn’t like those sharp granite stones on gravel that’s for sure.
I disassembled him and checked out the tyre but couldn’t find any gashes. My first thought was that it just needed to be pumped up and let the sealant do it’s thing. Mmmmm wrong call!!! I spent the next hours stopping and pumping up his tyre again. Then the foot pump stopped working. Bugga!!! By this stage we were both over it and covered in red dust from the wind. Katie texted the right advice!!!!
I took a deep breath and reset to change his tube and use the hand pump to get enough air into the back tyre. A fella from a nearby cattle station stopped and said there was a mains road facility 5kms down the road where we could get access do a compressor. Good plan!!!
By this stage it was close to 6pm. We arrived at their facility and asked if we could pitch our tent and use their compressor. I met Pete, one of the workers. He offered me one of the dongers to stay in. Oh yay!!! His compressor did the job and Banjos set for tomorrow. There’s only 30kms left of gravel before we hit sealed road so here’s hoping I don’t have to use the hand pump again 🤞🏻
I’ve been able to wash off the red dust from the day and upload my posts using their wifi.
I was also able to call Dawn and had a great chat with her and Dylan to catch up on the last days. What a wonderful bonus!! They leave now for their road trip to meet us in Birdsville so it was perfect timing before they head off Wednesday. Talk to you from Boulia my darlings!!! Safe travels when you get underway xx Time now for some dinner and bed in my cosy donger!! Thanks Pete!!! The perfect imperfections of this challenge strikes again!!!!
TOTALS: Distance 8106km. Donations $10,145.09. Days remaining 14. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway (current)
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 7.30pm on Saturday the 28 August 2021
We woke this morning to the sound of birds tap dancing on top of the bore tank. There was a hard plastic rim around the top that amplified their little steps. I watched them bob for water with the bottoms up over our morning cuppa; so cute and a beautiful way to start the day. Dad’s a bit partial to a latte or two and I sent him a satellite message about the birds having a Saturday morning latte at the Bore Tank Cafe 🤣
We got underway after 9am and eased into our day. The countryside is so arid; probably one of the most we have cycled through so far. This is surprising given we’re far from a desert; the closest being the Simpson further south. The land is a vast expanse of red sand, dotted with low lying trees and Mitchell grasses. There’s a remote feel that’s interesting and intoxicating.
We had our fist break at 15kms stopping at Rocky Hill, a landmark on WikiCamps. It was a small pinnacle shape mound close to the roadside.
Our first car stopped during the break to check we were okay. We met two friendly young guys on a road trip along the Plenty. One guy had been in and out of hospital with mental health issues. He spoke about the space in this countryside being so good for his head. I can also vouch for that one mate!!! He’s looking forward to getting back into mountain biking and was very impressed with Banjo. The boy was glowing red dust and all smiles with the compliments.
We passed another bore tank with a drinking trough out from a smaller tank alongside. We spotted two brolgas high stepping to the trough to get their belly full of water. My next mission from Dylan was to spot a brolga so that’s a big tick for you mate ✔️. I got some footage to share with the little man and sent him a satellite message to give him an update. My next message is to spot a cockatoo. Major Mitchell’s look out we’re on our last mission for The10desertchallenge.
Cattle thrive in the Mitchell grasslands. At the same bore there were a number of poddies, yearlings and mummy cows, some very fat with calves on the way. They too seemed happy to hang out around the tank.
It’s all about water for the grazing animals and the bores are an amazing source for all critters, including us humans. My tummy is well adjusted to bore water now. There’s a lot of calcium in the water so the bones will be happy 😃
We had our cuppa break before tackling our first haul of bull dust for the day. Mains road workers had watered and rolled the middle road so it was okay to navigate. Very dusty but, and I was a right red mess at the end of the day 🤣
We had a second car stop which was wonderful. I met Anita and a friend travelling in convoy with a guy who had just retired from policing. They were so impressed about our challenge. “Woman can do anything” said Anita. I don’t know about that, but it was fun to talk with the folk who were all full of positivity. It’s so contagious. They’re excited about their road trip linking the plenty with the Tanami. They said the Tanami border into WA opened two days ago!! I find that surprising. Have a great trip fine folk!! Anita took a photo of our web page to share on her socials and donated $20 before getting underway again 🙏
There was a northerly blowing hot today which made for a sweaty ride. The hydrolyte was dug out to top up on the good stuff during our next break. It gave us a chance to have a closer look at the trees in this area. They’re low lying and stunted with gnarly trunks. They seem very old with lots of age lines and stories to tell. I can’t imagine what tough conditions they’ve weathered over the years.
With 68kms done I was feeling weary and ready to stop. We came across Limestone Rise on WikiCamps and checked it out. It‘a on top of a ridge line with views out over distant ranges and grasslands. What an amazing spot.
Although it’s a rest area we’re the only ones camped here which is delish!! The ground is paved with limestone rocks and the same old trees are dotted around camp. There’s lots of dried timber so we collected a supply of wood for fire o’clock.
It’s great to feel elevated with a stunning view and it made sunset a dream.
The dried timber makes for a crackling fire that’s been blazing while I’ve posted my day.
It’s another 68kms to Tobermorey tomorrow and I’m keen to get up early and be there by lunchtime to enjoy the campsite. The boys were saying today that the campgrounds at Tobermorey Station are awesome; even better that Jervois and that’s saying something. The sky is again stunning tonight with old man emu right about us. The planets are also showing off with Venus and Mercury to the west and Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune to the east. I love the SkyView App.
Time for dinner and beddy byes. I’ve pitched the tent tonight without the fly to fall asleep under the stars. Oh bliss!!! Night and talk soon xx
TOTALS: Distance 8035km. Donations $10,145.09. Days remaining 15. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami 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, Tanami Road, Plenty Highway (current)
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 7.30pm on Friday the 27 August 2021
I’m camped amongst the Mitchell Downs grasslands. It’s fascinating countryside much like prairies in the states and savanna in Africa. The area hasn’t been cleared. This is the biodiversity of the land. It’s an expanse of flat horizon with low lying Mitchell grass and few variety of sparse tress able to be dormant during the harsh times of drought. The area is named after the Mitchell grass which is edible for the native fauna like kangaroo and emu as well as cattle. Hence it’s station country with huge properties operating.
The vastness of flat horizon also means an amazing night sky. We’ve enjoyed some beautiful nights but tonight is an exception. Old man emu is having a party up in the Milky Way. I managed to capture an image using the SkyView app. You can see his head under the southern cross and his neck, body and legs following.
Saturn and Jupiter are also crashing the party with Jupiter the main attraction. What an amazing blanky to sit cosy under while I do my post and share with you our day.
We woke this morning to the glowing light of sunrise and started packing up camp.
I had a visit from the resident Shetland pony. He also visited last night and got growled at when he tried to kiss banjo. He got a warmer welcome this morning and enjoyed a scratch in between packing up.
I think he was more interested in the selection of fruit that Ross and John shared for our travels.
We hit the track in time for a road train passing. It was mustering cattle and leaving a wake of dust that was impressive.
The track was tricky this morning with alternating sections of bull dust and hard rocky base. It was a tough on Banjo and I and the mood was a bit low with the slogathon.
We stopped at the turn off to Bonya community to get rid of some layers and have a wee break.
We passed through a warmer up of bull dust that wasn’t very nice. Banjo called it terrible names. Or maybe that was me? 🤣
Lots of breaks later, we finally reached our lunch time stop at a massive roadside termite mound. It was time for a cuppa sitting under its shade and to toast our 8000kms milestone. Big yay !!
I got a satellite message from Dawn ….
This was the perfect injection of perspective and positivity that I needed to ground myself and focus for the afternoon. What a difference!!! I can’t wait to see you both too my darlings 💋
With a lilt in our peddle, we chipped away at the afternoon enjoying some cool points of interest.
We crossed Arthur River which was really interesting to see it in the dry season. Like many other rivers we have crossed, it was wide and shallow with metre high debris and sand in the river bed. There were piles of sand that had been excavated after the wet; an indication of the amount of silt that moves with the water.
Later we came to a high point with a 360 degree view of the Mitchell Downs Grasslands and ranges in the distance. There was an information plaque to help orientate and appreciate the unique countryside. It’s worth zooming in on the information to read more about the area.
It’s very different landscape to what we have seen so far in our travels and the high point gave us an awesome outlook.
I checked out the area for a camp but the ground was covered with spiked grasses no good for the boy.
We headed a bit further on and found a spot behind a bore tank on the edge of a cattle station. It’s a fabulous spot with a dirt track leading off the road. Banjos safe and sound leaning up against a barbed wire fence and we’re tucked behind the tank out of sight. I’m sure the farmer won’t mind. The cattle are visiting the trough in the neighbouring paddock and very curious about the guests on their property 🤣
Is so still tonight and the sky is clear and magnificent. Perfect for a dinner under the stars. Tomorrow we hit the notorious section of bull dust which will be interesting to say the least. We did an extra 15kms today as I imagine it’ll be slower going albeit lots of pushing. Hopefully the watering of the track will take the edge off. Let’s see what tomorrow brings. Time for noodles. Night and talk soon xx
The 10 desert challenge 