24th Jan – Leaving Adelaide for the dash home

We awoke with ringing ears and miming Foo Fighters songs at around 6.45am, the boys were in the car and we were on the road by 7.30am heading to Laura Bay (via Streaky Bay on Flinders Hwy) being our first camp for the return trip to Perth. Today was Foo Fighters day being this was the only band we were going to listen too during our trip!


We are now heading across to Perth over 4 days. We have had planned to head for the ferry across the Spencer Gulf from Woolaroo to Lucky Bay but unfortunately the terminal was being upgraded and therefore out of action, so we had to do the haul up and around via Port Augusta. The upside was we got to see the $650 million thermal power plant experiment, using solar energy reflected to a central tower it heats molten salt....yes.. salt @ 650 degree celsius, which is then pumped to a storage tank and heat exchangers to power a steam turbine, it produces a constant 135mwatt of power and up to 150mwatt if required. Following a stop for lunch we said our goodbyes to the Pink and Grey Gala at Kimba. Arriving at Laura Bay (view of the start of the Great Australian Bite) we parked up, set up hooked up to the car then jumped on our bikes. Long story short Chris’ derailer snapped and Chris and Riley road back whilst Aiden and I stayed with the patient!  Down to three bikes now! We will have the Nullarbor, Great Australian Bight with Australia’s longest straight to cruise along, the boys are keen to do some Gold Panning in Kalgoorlie if it is open (as its Australia day!). Along the way we will be staying at Olwolgin Bluff, so we will see what interesting things the stops bring to the table. Its been an amazing 10 week adventure, we have learnt lots about each other’s limits and just how much fun we can have doing the simplest things like a walk on the beach.


So here are some statistics to impress your family and friends with......

Arrive   Depart   Location                                   Km    Time
24 Jan   25 Jan    Laura bay                                  768    8.5   Hrs   
25 Jan   26 Jan    Olwolgin Bluff Rest Area           738    8      Hrs
26 Jan   27 Jan    Kalgoorlie Boulder                     657    7     Hrs
27 Jan                  Gwelup                                      599    6.5  Hrs

                                                           Total Km    2762  
               
In total we will have:
Travel Length: 10 weeks
Total Kilometres Travelled: 13770
Number Locations Visited: 27
Accommodation Costs: $4370
Fuel Cost as of 24th Jan:  $2340
Favourite Experience: Too many
Casualties: Put in insurance claim for camper (Kalgoorlie storm WA). Insurance claim for car break in (Broulee NSW). Chris' bike (Laura Bay SA).
Toughest Moment: After leaving family for Christmas and hearing of all the wonderful news back home with Jen and Troy’s first born Poppy (our niece) and Deb and Brendan’s engagement (wish we were there.)
Kayos Rating: Considering Kayos almost got taken out by the storm in Kalgoorlie, she did very well. We had early repairs and then she travelled smoothly. We learnt that our camper can’t be on more than a 3 degree tilt if we want to the fridge to work!
Prado Rating: She did well, had a service 23rd Jan and just needed the cabin filter changed! Our dust brushes have worked a treat to reduce the amount of sand and the pockets and esky bag in the back for the boys has worked a treat keeping food and entertaining essentials organised.
Sunday has us back at surf club. Lets hope that the long drive has not worn us out to much. Its amazing how sitting on your butt in the car for long periods wears you out. Hard to believe our two nippers are back at school in a couple days starting year 6 & 7. Thanks ‘Long Service Leave’ for giving us the chance to take our kids on an adventure of a lifetime.










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