Broome2Perth 2011: Day 9 Fortesque River to Nanutarra 157 kms

Firing up the stove.

Best time of the day!

Up early again this morning but at least we weren’t disturbing anyone else except each other. Collis & I were first up around 0400 hrs- no sleep ins on this holiday or you may miss the riders. I also like to complete my ablutions when no-one else is about as it is much easier & you never know what animals you may come across although it was very quiet this morning- it was probably all the snoring coming from all the tents that scared off the animals.

Gayle complained she was disturbed most of the night by the frogs playing in her wash bowl outside her tent so she spent a lot of the night texting her family & friends. Jacqui & Peter complained that Gayle’s phone was bee\ping all night and probably needed to be charged- little did they know it was working perfectly. Sheila made herself a lovely cup of tea using a sugar sachet as a tea bag (accidental)- forgot to put her glasses on.

The early risers were on the road just before sunrise with the stragglers making a move around a hour or so later and then proceeding to eat a hot breakfast at the roadhouse down the road so once again we had a large gap between the front & tail of the pack. This makes it quite difficult to cater to the whole group but thank god for Norm & Anna who we could not have done this trip without. Anna does a water run first & goes picks out a morning tea spot then Norm follows up in the middle with more water and the tea supplies while Collis, Gayle & I finish packing up and meet the back half of the group and so the day progresses until we reach our destination.

I’m starting to feel slightly out of the picture in the Crew as Gayle & Collis are getting quite close. He is even calling her “Love” all the time when I am only getting “Kath”. I have decided to take a stand and telling him to get “Love” to help him as “Kath” is quite happy to sit back and watch. Although I did say when he started calling her “Dick” then I was leaving and heading home to Jack (Gayle’s husband).

Still looking happy!

Looked like rain but didn't happen.

Stayed tonight at the Nanutarra Roadhouse which had a lovely grass area with very welcome showers. The food area was very expensive with small packets of chips costing $5.00, and one beer, one lemonade & one meat pie costing $22.00. Needless to say most of us cooked our dinner but the ones made of money -Mark & Richard) ate in the diner. Best night sleep ever that night- did not hear any of the snoring. The group are working out who they can sleep next to & who they can’t. Tina & Woody took dongers for the night.