Day 2 - Port Augusta to Wudinna

Started off from Tina's house, and went to fill up with fuel.  Really had to park my bike at the roadhouse like a moron, just to get the kick stand down.  But I got the job done, and got the Air freight express guy to help me hold the bike to get the kick stand back up.. boy did he have a funny story to tell!  (As I find nearly every time I stop for fuel!  I actually don't think I have filled up without somebody coming over to talk to me!!... I think my bike is a man magnet... ;-)

Now past Port Augusta, it's off into the Outback.  I felt a bit queezy looking down that long stretch of road with red dirt.  Very scary at first to think, I'm going OUT THERE - ALONE!!!

I really was worried as all heck, but then that fear was overtaken with the fear of a Roadtrain trying to overtake me.  And the wind, wasn't really bad, but enough for my 2nd day nerves...

I stopped at Iron Knob.  Iron Knob!!  I never stop there!  But glad I did..  Very quiet desperate mining town, so me and an old park bench had a gander..  Once I had my juice, I decided to tackle the next bit.

My goal was to get to Wudinna..  I knew there was nowhere I wanted to camp after that.. was a perfect place to stop.

As I was setting up my tent, a lovely couple pulled into the next site.  They remembered me, because on the road, I PASSED THEM!!  This is a big deal, because I am so slow.. for me to pass anybody is unheard of.  But they were going 75 mph, which is even slow for me.  (Now that I am currently in Margaret River, I can add that out of this whole trip I've passed a total of 2 vehicles... )

Just in case Mr. Sam is reading, he would be happy to know that I found myself speeding on the Nullabor, 113 KM/hr!!

Anyway, summary to Wudinna... a successful day complete..

Day 1 - Adelaide to Port Augusta

Lots of update catching up to do!!  It's been a lot to get used to, and of coarse no mobile reception across most of the barren country.  But now in WA, I can get to work!  Well, sort of... I'm still 2 days away from Perth...

So!  Day 1!!  Woke up at 2:45 AM, in my empty house, from sleeping on the floor in my sleeping bag.  With all that was happening the day before, still hadn't managed to pack up the bike.  I was worried and decided at the hour to get to it...

Darn good thing I did!!  It took every bit of that time to get it all together..  I had asked my property manager how much time I had in the morning the previous day.. he said they won't pick up the keys until 9 AM, so probably to 9:30.  Well at 8:00 AM, the moving van showed up... panic!!!

Really nice guy/tennant, and very understanding.. so I showed him around, and they left me to finish.  I threw a pile of things into the shed I intended to bring.. they just didn't fit.

Then I was off!~

Scary, nervous - the works!!

Made it across the city and started up the big road to Port Augusta.  Very careful riding the bike with both fuel tanks full and my load... I kept it slow and easy, and luckily, there are double lanes long enough for me to get up to speed.  Couldn't wait to get to Port Wakefield for lunch.

First stop, and the bike nearly fell over when I got off.  The kickstand is way wrong... (more on that later, as it limits me every stop I make including fuel stops)

Got my now favorite and standard toasted cheese and tomato sandwich.

Then on to Port Augusta.  Went really well, got used to big trucks, even the road train that passed me, and how that wind was trying to pull me forward!  Learned then and there, even though I was warned, you gotta stay AHEAD of those trucks!

Finally about 3:30, I pulled in to P.A., to my friend Tina Haigh's house.  It was so good to see a smiling face after that very long day.

She is has been my friend for many years, and hadn't seen her or family for about 3 years I think?

Sophie and Willam home from school, off to feed the horses and watch sophie train hers with jumping.

I'm so exhausted ready to pass out, Tina offered to make Steak and veggies, but kids and I voted for macaroni and cheese with ketchup on top - ya!  It was super duper delicious!  I only lasted til about 8:30, and off I went to bed and passed out immediately.

More blogs updates coming.. but out of time, really need to hit the road again.. Should have more time in Perth to do a proper catch up.. see ya!