Posted 10:26:16 AM by Don
16.2.02
PORT AUGUSTA - 2400KM! $15000 raised to date.

From Sophie:
?The morning run takes us through mountainous ranges and sparse plains, past massive concrete water tanks holding up to 800,000 litres (staging graffiti of all sorts) and connected to the above-ground water mains that run alongside the road. I imagine they cater for the needs of Port Augusta and beyond? not far out of Port Augusta we pass the El Alamein army reserve? a large training complex, surrounded by what looks like perfect adventure grounds? mountains to run up and down,. On the horizon the roofs of the city centre and the water of the port reflect the sunlight.?

My last hours as a teenager will be spent carving up another 60km.

From 15.2.02:
Wake to a superb hot pink sunrise?a cloudy and windy morning, initial thoughts of a cool front coming in? but this is disregarded by mid morning as the sun burns away any overhead relief. Not as hot as yesterday, but definitely warm. Approaching Iron Knob- a small community and the birthplace of Australia?s steel industry. A terraced mountain is our first sight of their quarrying needs? cranes and heavy machinery sit atop. Stop briefly to touch base with media in Port Augusta and Don powers on? He appears to be particularly focused and driven today. Having a point like Port Augusta (being the big smoke and turning point into the Southern state) must be uplifting for enthusiasm and morale.

From 14.2.02:
Nothing too romantic about the temperatures today with Mother Nature warming up the sauna. As the sun rises we know we?re in for a day differing from those experienced in recent weeks. It?s in the mid thirties by midday and by mid arvo, we?re informed by Katrina, our angel from the night before (who happened to be returning from Whyalla), that it?s now about fourty three degrees? not that we needed to be told, as we festered under the minimal shade found by the side of the road.

Don had a successful day and pumped out the kilometres steadily? churning through the water supply and our small freezer didn?t know what had hit it, shutting shop temporarily.
Amanda introduces us to the world of macrobiotic eating? cooking up some tasty meals. Many thanks to Macro Wholefoods in Bondi Junction, Sydney for their generous donation? the crew are a changing breed and particularly partial to miso soup!

The word puzzles make a come back (nice one Kate Maclurcan!), along with the new rule- the winner picks a word about which the loser must make a song and dance?.. you see how we entertain ourselves?.it?s marvellous really.
Getting to sleep that night was interesting whilst the pores worked overtime, gracing you with an all over moistness? the bugs were in full force and I wonder how much pleasure they received in divebombing various bodyparts. The only breeze to break things up, was that of the hooning roadtrains, leading to the ultimate question, posed by Don, ?Can you drown in your own pool of sweat??

Posted 7:33:58 PM by Don
The 'See Australia' national tourism initiative has forwarded $2000 for The Fred Hollows Foundation in return for coverage in relation to this run. From my limited knowledge of this initiative it holds similar aims to those of 'Year Of The Outback', being: realise the beauty of this country; Go and visit some of the marvellous places! We are delighted to work in conjunction with their scheme and hope that the benefit may extend beyond likeminded motives to household lounges.Please take the time to visit their website: www.seeaustralia.com. Coincidentally, The FHF has or had a program titled 'See Australia' involving work in indigenous communities. We are hoping that all these links may find a suitable tie for maximum exposure.

50 degrees, road temperature, at 4:00pm but time to run... anyone for eggs? Plenty of heat in these rubber soles. The low pressure is on the 'horizon' and another day of the heat should precede cooler temps for our arrival at Port Augusta in three days time.

Our latest crewing addition, Amanda, arrived in Kimba on a 2:30am bus, spending the day in the beautiful town. Kimba is considered the halfway mark across Australia according to the rising and setting sun from the far Eastern and Western points. Amanda bumped into a gorgeous lady, Katrina King, who works for the regional paper! Interview lined up, fruit from her Dad's farm loaded into our van and then... her husband invited me to speak at the fortnightly Kimba APEX meeting where a generous donation of $100 was forthcoming.

Absolutely zonked. Total km's to date: 2240, $14000!! raised for The Fred Hollows Foundation with the addition of $500 from the St Aloysius' College Student Representative Council - thanks guys.

From 12.2.02 cont.: Kyancutta more rocks between tyres,
Removed after curse and sweat of a tonne.
Andrew with crowbar tires.
With melting shoes Don fades in the sun.

Posted 7:53:14 AM by Don
FINISH DATE SET: 11:00 - 11:30AM, Wednesday, March 13th at the Sydney Opera House Steps.

After careful consideration this date has been finalised. This needs to happen so that the occasion may prove profitable for The Hollows Foundation, optimal promotion for ?2002 Year Of The Outback?, a fitting conclusion for the many hundred involved with the project and a great day for all those present. It is hoped that live bands and other entertainment will contribute to the day?s atmosphere.

These updates from the crew and I:

It?s 10:00am and we have arrived safely in Wudinna, a town of 600, 2140km from Perth. I ?cut-loose? a little, heading off-road to visit Wudinna rock, 12km North of town. The granite monolith (one of Australia?s largest) is as old as Uluru (70 million years) and offers spectacular views spanning lands we have traversed and lands yet to be endured.

Knocking out a steady 60km a day, though would love to spend more time in some of these beautiful towns. Our satellite phone ? 0416 240 721 - is operational on a limited level. We have allowed an hour (12:30 ? 1:30 EDST) in which the phone will be on. In this time it is possible to schedule calls for a later date. Our mobile phone ? 0421 770 754 ? is active as of Thursday.

From 11.2.02 :
?7 km out of Poochera, before turning around to use the phone for a radio interview? that didn?t eventuate, again. Feeling the temperature rising today and a real taste of the summer that has blessedly escaped us for several weeks. Stopped in Minnipa for lunch. Not long after arrival, Ben, the friendly gardener of the region, made a generous donation? followed by others whilst in the picturesque main street of a well facilitated town, population 80. Have a ?cold one? and get done again playing pool with Andrew at the local hotel. Stacked vintage and modern beer cans on the wall keep the eyes entertained. Wonderful views out onto the horizon in afternoon and something we haven?t seen for a few weeks, a salt lake. Making some pancake mix in preparation for breakfast tomorrow and Shrove Tuesday.?

The food has been commendable. Budding scientists will be interested to hear that our diet has been quite ?relaxed?. We have not ?carbo? loaded despite a high content of rice, pasta and oats. Rather we eat as we please - an assortment of canned vegetables, chocolate, cereal, nuts, sandwiches of all varieties and plenty of mayonnaise.

The record is now well out of sight. This is not disappointing nor discouraging as this run has not been about records. However, I would like to pay special credit to Serge Girard for establishing this mark. Although crossing via a shorter route in the cooler part of the year and without the prevailing head-winds, Serge ran with less aid points (along the train trail) and averaged 76km a day. Serge?s experience with past continental crossings would have held him in good stead.
The record could have been broken, I know this now and I knew this before I began, but safety, sanity and my future would have been threatened. The pace we have maintained is more than enough physically. Mentally I have been pushed. The sense in our pace is that I will still be running ten years from now.

From 10.2.02 :
?Pass through the outskirts of Wirrulla - Andrew and I have a quick nosey around, before joining Don back out on the road. The sight of silos, in this neck of the woods, is becoming an everyday vision. Dominating in size and sitting on the edge of most towns we?ve been through, they appear to be the mainstay of economy, alongside cattle and sheep farming.

The flora changes somewhat, with pine trees making sporadic appearances - fondly reminding me of parts of the Mediterranean. Black (fatality) and red (injury) markers are dotted along the road? a reminder of lives lost or jeopardised. Heavy winds cutting up the atmosphere?it?s in conditions like this, it gets near impossible I find? but not for ?Forrest?. Don finishes the day off striding beautifully into the Poochera roadhouse, despite the ankles giving him grief. Icepack in effect and elevation a must.?

From 9.2.02:
?It?s a HUGE day? a monumental magnificent milestone- HALFWAY!!!! I actually missed the event? when looking for my camera ( an expensive piece of equipment borrowed from a friend- Shelley if you?re reading this I AM A GOOSE and now have it under 24 hour surveillance) so I could photograph the event I suddenly realised it was no longer travelling East with us, but had been left in the schools public library, the day before.

Hmmmm, spiralling into panic mode? I approached some local road workers for use of their mobile phone and came across my guardian angel (otherwise known as the boss) who insisted on driving me into town (now 35km away). A tense journey inside my mind? saying numerous Hail Mary?s and pleas to St Anthony, whilst conversing with Eddie ( on ya matey)- my driver. Arriving 5 minutes before closing time at the library was great, but the sight of the camera on the library bench was sensational. A huge sigh of relief- thanks all round, a victorious leap to signal to Eddie it was all good and within the hour, I was back out on the road with Don and Andrew? to witness the next milestone 2000km? Don seemed to be a little exhausted and my thinking is after some time off the highway and in civilisation , getting back into a rhythm was proving challenging, but as always feasible, as he ventured on with the strength of Samson.?

This fatigue is true. I ascertained it was for the following five reasons: Pete?s departure has left Andrew as sole driver. Tough, as his company whilst running is invaluable ? I have to remind myself this is a solo run; Allowing yourself to ease back in to civilisation, as we did for 12hrs in Ceduna, made it difficult to return to a good rhythm; The time changes? From Caiguna (Eastern WA) to Ceduna, you are expected to change from Perth to Adelaide time. Despite running on our own clocks for a while we concurred for ease of conversion with radio stations. Consequently we turned our clocks forward an hour in the space of the two days surrounding Ceduna. Thus, I found myself running at 7:00pm and with an outstretched arm, the sun a good hand?s width above the horizon. (We now run from 0600 - 2100). The biological clock needs time to adapt; The ankles are shot and; The headwinds are atrocious.

8.2.2 Continued:
?Don did a tremendous job in hosting a full lesson at the Ceduna Primary school for years one and five? he talked about his mission, the value of sight and what it may be like to suffer from blindness? showed his route and progress on a large Australia map, plus various running shoes and supplies to aid his journey. He then concluded with the wonder of dreaming and the need to believe in yourself so you can accomplish anything you set your heart on. The children were gorgeous, attentive, especially the older ones, who asked question after question. Amusing moments aroused in response to the question? what do you dream of being when you?re older?? After hearing of the desire to be a butterfly, bull, dragon, Don readdressed the question?? Is there anyone who doesn?t want to be an animal?? with some sound responses of budding sportspeople, travellers, etc . Andrew talked abit about the role of a crewmember and I captured more video footage to add to the collection. The class was finished up with a treat, courtesy of Uncle Tobys (nice one)? a choc chip chewy muesli bar each and the kids went on their merry way.?

We are developing quite a compendium of tapes found by the roadside. Some have a justified existence in the gutter, other?s are just inspiring ?quality?: Phil Collins - Serious Hits ? Live; You?ve Never Been This Far Before; Blue Ballads Volume 2; 30 All Time Favourites of the War Years; Highwayman - W.Jennings/W.Nelson/J.Cash/K.Kristofferson (highlight - ?Have Another Tequila Sheila?); The Sensational 70?s ? Various; Tanita Tikaram; Country Chartbusters; The Best of British (1930s Swing); The Favourite Melodies of the 50?s and 60?s; The Greatest Romantic Songs of All Time; Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mining
+ 3 illegible tapes.