June 7th, 2011
Esperance
Distance: 8km
Total distance: 5073km
After the intense workout yesterday, I treated myself with a well earned rest day. A proper rest day with no side tour that is. This would be my last until I reach Albany, about 500km away. Spent my morning hunting for cheap and fast Internet around town. Turns out the public library do offer free Internet service. Their system is confusing. Apparently if I use the Internet for basic researching its free, but if I use it for email or banking, there’s a rate. The maximum use per session is 1 hour. But I was there for 3-4 hours, even checking my emails since it wasn’t blocked and the staff didn’t say a single word. The public shouldn’t even have to pay to use this computers in the first place, it’s a PUBLIC library afterall.
Glad I didn’t leave Esperance today, as there were a few showers throughout the day. Checked the weather forecast and couldn’t believe what I saw, moderate to strong EASTERLY winds over the next 2 days, gradually shifting to NORTH EASTERLY after that! My journey from Esperance to Albany would be west and nearly midway the road turns south west. If you’re confused about what I’m talking about, that just means I’ll be getting a tailwind all the way down to Albany! I nearly jumped in joy (resisted cause I was at the library). Now I just need to make sure I stick to the schedule and leave Esperance tomorrow.
Today was meant to be a relaxing day and it was. Spent some time this evening chatting with Kiyo. I got to know him a bit better today. Kiyo is a work hard, play hard type of person. His passion for surfing is on par with my passion for riding, but he is somewhat a thrill seeker, probably explained how he managed to climb Frenchman Peak with a pair of thongs! On a side note, he even went right to the very top, which was a small boulder wide enough to fit only one person. “Scary” he then added “but very fun, I like!”. He’s very determined to improve his English too, spending hours every day listening to radio and reading children books. The important lesson learnt today wasn’t about discovering how great the strength of the human spirit, but how spending a little more time just to know a stranger better can make living more meaningful.
Fantastic effort mate, I’m getting more and more inspired to attempt this trip solo, but in the reverse direction of Psrth to Sydney. keep up the great effort.. God speed n fair winds.
Hi Melvyn we met you at the Blue lake lookout in Mt Gambier after passing you several times on the rd (pre flag and post flag) We are the couple travelling around Australia in our motorhome and had brief chat with you about the spider webs. It’s been great reading about your journey and congratulate you your on your initiative. We hope that this is just the start of many more great adventures. Should anything be started please let us know. Cheers Jonathan and Toni
Hi Jonathan and Toni! Yes I remember you the moment you mention Blue Lake at Mt Gambier. I have completed the cycling tour about 2.5 weeks ago and (as you can probably tell) I’m slowly updating this blog. It’s been a great adventure, loved every single moment of it and I hope to do it more in the future!