Well, here i am in Esperance staying at Pam's place,a friend of my sister (Jackie) from way back in the Kalgoorlie days, when they used to work together some 25 yrs ago. Her husband Mick is in Kal at the moment helping out with the grand kids.Pam's really going to town on me and looking after me as one of her own.Cooking and fussing over me and helping me recover so i can start peddling up to Norseman then right onto the Nullabor.Let me now state the obvious,good reception will not be possible from now on and the only blogging i will be able to do is answer your comments or questions when i get to certain roadhouses with coin operated Internet machines. Feeling quite nervous about this as it is the unknown weather patterns (wind, rain, cold and heat) that plays on your mind being so isolated. Its funny when i read a comment how i think about it all that day so feel free to write whatever you want to fill my head with thoughts.lol
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| The night before Esperance camping with 7 foot Kangas. |
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| Pam cooking up a storm and with desert. |
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| Pam's only one still at home, Ted playing throw the stick down on the Esperance beach with me. Has anybody seen my coach? |
Pearl would like a roadtrip to visit Ted!! What a cutie!!
ReplyDeleteThere is now a guy with a caravan and 4 sausage dogs heading your way.One of them is 19 LOOK OUT
DeleteThanks honey!!! We take visa, MasterCard & Amex.
DeleteHello Grant, Well I say you have done extremely well. Its amazing! I can't ride therefore following you covering those distances encourages me as well. Go! Grant Go!
ReplyDeleteTheres no limit what the body can take Roadsrunner.i think!!!!!!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...one guess as to who anonymous is!! Lets keep the language nice - this is afterall an international high standard blog!! We don't want to discourage people from reading it...and certainly not from putting in a positive, encouraging comment whoever they may be!! There must be lots of people watching the blog as there have been 4101 hits....don't hold back if you want to put in an encouraging comment!!
ReplyDeleteGo JACKIE
Deletehi cuz, well done on getting to and past day 13. we took the kids to Warhole one time and they re-named it 'Hellhole", as we found it to be a rather dingy little place (hope the Mayor isn't reading this!).caught up with Grandma Peg & Marty 2 weeks ago, all well....don't think you will find a Peggy sign..who knows? up to Mildura this weekend for a few days, should be good. Jeff had to walk home from the station last night at 10pm as he had lost his Bike-locker Key somewhere in the city, maybe when pulling out a hanky from his pocket. he has gone down today to see if the train station keeps duplicates so he can ride back home. thinking of you, love from us Marshians...glenda.
ReplyDeleteMy mission is to find a Peggy Sign,good to hear from you
DeleteHello Tillack, great to watch your progress across the little map of Australia !!!!
ReplyDeleteA little thought for the day " Those who can ......cycle around Australia. Those who can't...... Just read GRANT'S blog and his progress "
So keep going for us that can't . :-) You are doing Fantastic !!!!!!
Joe
You mean ,little progress across a big Australia dont you.
DeleteThe french connection: What a huge effort so far and in only twelve days!!!!!!!! Well done Grant! I see the Nullabor is giving you food for thought at the moment.... and so it should but here is a quotation that should help you remain focus as you roll it in your head when contemplating this vast expense of nothing: Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning. Winston Churchill
ReplyDeleteWhat about ,I GIVE YOU 8 HRS A DAY FOR RIDING AND THATS IT,NULLABOR. Private joke HeHe
DeleteGrant just got home from work to see your just south of salmon Gums, absolutly amazing achievement so far, hope the body continues to hold out cheers.
ReplyDeleteNow thats a bit better mate,last comment they made me take it off because you mentioned H and A. Hey where is Brendon ,your mate who i really appreciated that he took it on board to jump on and get involved. The blokes got a pulse,good on him.
DeleteWhat an amazing effort!! Good luck on the long and lonely stretch. Keep smiling :)
ReplyDeleteAllways smiling, sitting on a concrete bench ,pitch black tapping on my laptop comments 70 kms from Norseman. First time ever i will say this ,good on Telsta. Thanks Carrie, any gossip about the cruise with Italian Gay guy.lol
ReplyDeleteCruise was really good. Ask Joe about the elephants!! Wow, who would have thought it, two elephants on a boat!!
DeleteItalian guy was in his element...fine dining, whisky tasting, great shows, casino :)
Fab time xx
well coach well coach well old cock what do i say a man on a mission, a man with a goal ,a man with nothing to prove but desires to enjoy life, this is different in many aspects, i know you will see this through to the end if your body permits. i think to my self are you just crazy or lost your mind but you are the only one who knows the answer lol, good luck from the water boy symsy !!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Grant didn't Pat ever tell you about sitting on concrete benches - gives you piles - raining in Perth hope its not down your way, oh well worse things can happen than a wet ars and piles enjoy your solitude and look forward to Norseman. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteYou think you've got it tough!
ReplyDeleteJude and I are at a 4.5 star resort, just out of Melbourne for 2 days. We leave this arvo, (Sunday 29th) for Yarra Valley. I am sitting on third floor typing this as sun streams in on a cool, windless day. No Kangaroo waiting to kill me, not even driving my own car, as we have a council car. Latest Hyundai.
Dees nearly won last night. Fin is 2 in a day's time. Nothing to keep your mind analysing in this lot, though.
However...here is a quote, in part, to consider, as you ride.
"I have seen things
You people wouldn't believe..."
You can now add to that, but it must be succinct.
What's a .5 of a star hotel, does that mean they change the sheets once a week?
DeleteThanks Linds but the only thing ive seen so far is a white line painted on the road.Not seeing a lot but doing a lot of thinking.
DeleteDoes it have a business class section in the truck :-)
DeleteGrant i do not want to state the obvious though you need to watch out for UFO'S on the Nullabor as they are known for taking the odd stranger and conducting anal probes. ( Saw this on a OBS channel). Well it was some strange American channel and you know their shows are serious and factual. Come to think about it i've just realised why my long standing mate Simon,from my old school days has had an strange obsession for riding across the Nullabor. GO FIGURE! Sounds like your screaming forward and hanging in there, good to hear mate. Hopefully Paul can make contact on wednesday though it seems as though you might be out of range.Never the less,remember to go forward is to come home. (Stay safe mate and God speed).
ReplyDeleteDeano
hello Grant,
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your trip across the nullabor. They say the nullabor is quite unique, so the journey is going to be unique for you. I was reading the comment on UFO,s maybe when you are in the warm closet you can ask for a meal and beer and they can probe the good aussie, amazing grant, well done.
say hi to dad and keep him close, this his chance to peddle the road with you in his latest years.
Keep warm keep well
Grace
Checking the 'Tracker', in Norseman for the night??
ReplyDeleteTried to 'App' the blog on my iPhone, need the Wheelman's help?
"I'm watching you big fella"
Cheers,
Yes ,you certainly are Bluce,lined up now on the starting blocks twitching and sweating like a muscle rippled house waiting for the gate to open and go like lightning.Thanks for the comments and if i dont return you can have the waste truck.
ReplyDeleteHang on ,i Imust be tired ,i ment" muscle ripped horse" ha ha
ReplyDeleteIt replied to Lins blogg, "Does the truck have a Business class section???"
DeleteHi Geggie i am writing on behalf of Sister Deborah since she is technologically challenged she has ask me to pass on her sincerest apologies she has finally got hold of a map of OZ and realised how far away Esperance is from Perth especially with full on head winds and coastal hills. (So much for the private schooling) Well done you for making it this far in such a short space of time. She had to have a cup of tea a bex and lie down when she realised how far you had come. Deb has decided to channel herself through me due to her current blogitis (inability to find the site) and i agreed to this as i believe that i am a more interesting person. I went overseas once. The truth is she is always working and cant access the blog but will do so next days off. I have decided as a Registered Nurse to take on the role as your Tour De Aussie health advised. I cover all things from blister to roids. First suggestion is for Poweraid to replace the electrolyte on the long sweaty rides i have been told this also helps with chaffing. Watch this spot for further health
ReplyDeletehints these suggestions will be useful to all bloggers. (Because i am such a interesting person remember.) Geggie i want you to see me as your new friend any health problems you have no matter how personal please contact. ( no one else can read this blog can they) Stay safe, keep regular and keep riding.
Megsie
Well Megan,sounds good to me your offers of help and i will also channel myself through you to Debs when i arrive so LOOK OUT.
Deletegday grant this would be a surprise i have been following your ride to your surprise keep it up tiger symsy
ReplyDeleteWell ,well ,jolly good to hear from you Symsy.On these long hard days on the road i often think about you and i slogging it out on the shovel side by side and just taking it and shuting up about it. This is just another one of those challenges that is a carry over from the good old Sewerside days. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteI have had a call from "anonymous" tonight - he feels he has been discriminated against as we was deleted from the blog!! He wants to appeal the decision but does not know who to appeal to.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you last night and hoped that you don't experience the rainfall that we had here - 38mm of rain over six hours...would be hard going on the bike let alone trying to stay afloat in the tent. You are making great progress..be careful of white line fever.
Computer says Nooooo :)
Deleteoops that is supposed to read "he" not "we" was deleted from the blog.....
ReplyDeleteAnonymous ,is the same guy who got taken off last time as the RAT.
DeleteFinally worked out this blogging process, please find our original comment on the "one week to go " page!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! Sylvia and Simon
OKY DOKY
DeleteThere is food for thought in what Lindsay wrote even if he did not see it...if the Dees can almost knock over the Saints then what you are doing is very achievable. The Dees went for it from the get go and did not give up. They never lost faith and they will win a game soon. Given that Jackie got 8 out of 9 for her footy tipping this weekend everything and anything is possible!! Just take it day by day.
ReplyDeleteHi grant,just fantastic to follow you on the blog, keep your chin up mate and keep on that white line (not much else to do there is it..) I don't know that I would have enjoyed the company of a 7 foot kangaroo doing his own interpretation of a Masai warrior's dance that close to my tent...... Somehow I can picture you in there bracing for the next landing.....So maybe you sleep with your bike helmet on from on.....
ReplyDeleteSorry, I meant from now on
ReplyDeleteHiya Grant another day home early, and to see your over halfway between Norseman and Balladonia. I cant help feeling as though I'm achieving a lot less in a day." Tremendous effort ".Brendon is a mate from the club, good to see he commented, I'm going to put up an article on the noticeboard on Saturday. you'll probably get a cult following.
ReplyDeleteHey Kelvin,had a tiger snake for breakfast the other day, do you think im in the zone yet.
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI see by the map you're near Baladonia Airport. I recall a long climb into Balladonia, I hope you get wind behind you for it. Dearest motel in Australia.
Have you settled into your zone yet? It's something you'll have to do for the next 5 months, I guess. Make the most of the empty Nullabor for when you get over to us, it will be non-stop traffic all along the East coast.
Here's another thing to ponder as you ride...an old one, but...Does the light go off in the fridge when you close it, and how do you check it?
Mate, dont you think i have other things to worry about than a bloody fridge light lol. How do you check it ?
DeleteWell, about the fridge light.
Deleteafter one week of constant study and scientific endeavour, I can tell you, "it goes out."
Hi grant you might not see this for a few days , a fantastic effort today !!! We all know how your mind works , you had to go past that bend on the road , there was no way you were going to stop before that bend even if it killed you !!once again well done .
ReplyDeleteWe received Jim's Celebration of Life DVD from Pat in the post today. We have been thinking of Jim and you a lot today. We hope that you are in a good place, feeling fit and strong! Maybe you might reach the next bend in the road tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHello Cyclops,thanks for mentioning Jim because no one has sent him a comment yet to ask how he is going under my seat.
DeleteHows it going mate. I hope the body is holding up and your spirits are high. Keep safe. I am riding to Mandurah next week with Peter Baldwin ( a mere speck compared to your huge effort) you have inspired me heaps and i am sure others to get into life and show others that it can be fun and healthy. It may take me a while to get there though, as i have not rode a bike that far everrrrrrrrrrrrr.Keep up the good work and keep inspiring people. --- Oh not sure about the bike shorts! I said no to that one.
ReplyDeleteDont forget to load it up with 50 Kilos of wieght and sleep in a tent the night before plus set off into 23 knt head winds to make it real. Good on mate. And tell your wife to stop ringing me.
DeleteMy bro is not only a radio star he is now the cycling Dalai Lama ...inspiring others to brush the cobwebs off their two wheelers that have been sitting at the back of the garage waiting for the day to be noticed by their owner. Dean, not sure if you realise that you will need to ride back from Manadurah as well or are you planning on catching the train?
ReplyDeleteHuloo Grantis
ReplyDeleteWell thought I better pass on my ol Fave F100 (Brokeback ute) has moved onto it,s new home,bought by an Old Harley Davidson biker from the local Rebels Motorcycle Club.Kate and I flying down to Melbourne for a bit of a jaunt in a few weeks so I be looking out the window to see if I can spot you heading across the Nullabor.Have you started shedding those Thailand kilo,s yet??Hope you are getting the best of the weather and wind at your back.JONO N KK
Mate by the time i get to your place after heading into these winds on the Nullabor my body will consist of two huge muscled legs and two small arms which a tiny head will sit between consisting of blood shot eyes. Good to see the old ute gone,should of listened to me a long time ago.
DeleteHello Grant. Went to visit Joy & Pearl on saturday. Had a little run with Pearly at the back yard hahaha..You are one courageous man Grant. Look after yourself well. I've been challenged by just looking at the distances you've ridden already and omg..indeed. Take care..Mary
ReplyDeleteHi Mary ,keep the good work up with Pearl because i coudnt imagine Joybells running around the backyard. I reckon Pearl would just grin at her.lol
DeletePsst Grant... Psst Grant, where does one get some of that Lactic Acid your on ? and does it really make your legs climb up the wall at night ? Red wine is getting expensive although it gives the same effect, so jono says.. Can you get it Locally or is only available on your route. Keep Positive or else you'll be down to Earth and enjoy the wide openness of your thoughts - cheers to ewe GW.
ReplyDeleteDave ,you can get it by being on a bike for ten hours pulling faces and waving to everyboy who dosent to you and not waving to people who do wave. Cant seem to get that right yet
DeleteHey Grant how the hell are you? I heard you were riding a bike around town. I suddenly found this blog and OMG its you going around Austraaaaaaaaaalia..
ReplyDeleteHopefully all is well and you have put many miles from the start point by now. Good luck and keep up the good work
Grace Versace
I think thats the third blog you have put on Grace. You are on fire.
DeleteGrant, I hope the parcel is express.....
ReplyDeleteI see you're at Cocklebiddy, great going, young fellow.
ReplyDeleteI want you to think of something as you ride...
What advice would you give our Julia, so that all Ostralyans can see how she is much better than Toni Rabbit, and is the best Prime Minister since Robert Mendhelson?
Tell her to spend a million on an advertising campain promoting the blog to see how one person can be seen MOVING FORWARD
DeleteHeard you on the radio this morning Grant - it's probably the earliest I've been awake in a while! Good to know everything is going well and the blog is looking good! Grandma's progressing well on the iPad, so she's watching you too. Perhaps I could catch up to you in the car once I've done a few more driving lessons?
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
Dan
Let me know when your coming up behind me so i can get off the road,and why hasnt Pat been taught by somebody to put a comment on. And can somebody tell Pat to stop telling me she loves me every second sentence because its costing me a fortune on these pay phones.lol
DeleteJackie definitely a train back as we will take little steps. Its actually 176 km ride there and back.So just there. Cant do that just yet. Missed the radio Grant as i was in a hole plonking sewer, though will tune in next week. I will ring Paul today to find out how it went.Stay strong and safe.How much weight have you dropped since taken of? When you come back looking ripped and healthy , we will have to lock up our wives! Cheers Deano.
ReplyDeleteDaniel
ReplyDeletesorry to ignore you, Grant, but Daniel...GET YOUR BLOODY LICENCE.
Shiver on hearing those words.....
DeleteAnyhow
ReplyDeleteI shudder each time I pull back and look at the picture of the whole of Australia, Grant. I suppose you could vouch for the "one day at a time" approach so espoused by football coaches. Then after lots of days, you will pedal back to Joy and Pearl?
My bro in KL is following closely, too.
Note my pic from 38 years ago
Hi Grant ,I remember you saying you had a strong headwind coming across the Nullabor from Adelaide and now there is that great big high pressure system sitting in the bite dishing out strong headwind again....no luck for you mate.......must be pay back for your sins.......Keep up the good work mate we're riding with you
ReplyDeleteThanks John and everybody else for your comments ,ive read them all but have no time on this money machine to reply. Will blog when i get to Eucla whenever.Really appreciate everybodys imput.I feel pumped again.
DeleteHello again Grant, this is more than 4 comments now.. Guess what still impressed and still behind you a 100%.. The fitness must be up by now and again, took guts to start from the Thailand holidaly look.
ReplyDeletegood luck keep riding, looking forward to hearing about your journey, not the start and finish line.
Grace Versace
G'Day mate how are you holding up. Cant wait to read a post soon. Only when your ready,as i know time is a factor. Keep it up -- Born Free man Born Free.
ReplyDeleteHi! Grant Good Morning Mate, The weather is doing not too good for you. Hope you run into another church somewhere for cover? Anywhere warm regards.
ReplyDeleteHi Grant, raining in Perth as well, so there you are, but I'm sure easier to deal with from behind my keyboard than sitting on your two wheeler across the "big empty space". A good day though to do a little existing....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the reflective time and the solitude as you'll hit the rat race soon enough.
Hi Grant i hope yopu get this message or you call me tonight . I have just given the parcel to Mick the truck driver ,he is leaving this arvo and will be going past Mundrebilla road house at about 7am saturday morning . I told him that if you miss each other for him to take the parcell to the border village road house and you will pick it up later . Good luck .
ReplyDeleteGot it mate. Bit dissapointed that he said two days earlier that he would be there at 7 and he arrived at 4 minutes past. More to that int he next blogg
DeleteLooking at the satellite shot on Google Earth, there's not a lot for you to see where you are right now - guess that's why it's called the Nullarbor huh? But the weather man says you've got NW-SW winds at your back, so hopefully you'll get to Border Village on the weekend? Fantastic effort to get that far in the time. While you were in the middle of nowhere last night, Pat and Jack were at the Ellington watching the man put on a good show - I paid $14 for a glass of wine, couldn't believe it (that's Nullarbor prices!). Take care...
ReplyDeleteDoc what planet are you on. i havent had a S or W in my wind direction for 55o kms.Take care...
DeleteI see the weather has turned bad...even tho some slight westerlies. Friday evening, the 4th.
ReplyDeleteI also see you've stopped...take rest days if the weather, or you, or the political scene demands it. Poor Queen Julia.
No prizes for speed, we're all hanging in with you for WHAT you're doing, not the SPEED you're doing it at.
''Victory belongs to the most persevering" - Napoleon, I found this note in the cupboard today, not sure if you had left it for the spiders in there :)
ReplyDeleteIs this quote right, Joy?
DeleteIsn't it..."the most preserving"??
I wouldn't have the slightest clue! Perhaps the author of the note might know.
DeleteI think it's persevering...
DeleteWhat's with this obsession I now have with the weather in Western Australia? Well looks like I can now focus on S.A. Fantastic effort to reach the border.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jude on my computer
Jude,great to hear from you at last. Memories come flooding back when i most needed support on my last adventure as i passed thru Mildura. Behind every great man theres a great woman. Cheers
DeleteGrant you can do it. Nullarbor will be a challenge but am sure you'll be right. As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the TOUGH gets going... :):):) mary
ReplyDeleteMary,time to Pray for me BIG TIME NOW .Thanks
DeleteHooray! I can finally get rid of my obsession with the weather in Western Australia.Congratulations on reaching the border, last fuel stop for a while!! I have been incredulous of the distance you have gone over the last few days, must be now time for fair weather and a tail wind. I am now tuning into BOM S.A.with my fingers crossed, thank goodness for the tracker as you will really be out of touch once you leave the Village.Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteYes, your on the money Jude, the weather is changing hopefully for the better ,wind wise.Linds advice to conserve energy has played on my mind "dont be a hero,its a long way to the finish line " Well something like that.Very good advice but i must put in some good days and take advantage of the wind when it does turn.While im at it sorry to hear about the vote on the hospital feasco the other day,i could tell you where upset. Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteThis might be for the coach.
ReplyDeleteDo we have the map of expected journey easily available?
The RAT? Is that who I think it is?
No map of the future but have requested a map of the past,dont like projecting the unforeseen too much. But let me tell you this much...ceduna,port lincoln,port agutter,adelaide,strathalbyn,wellington ferry,meningie,policemans point,kingston. The RAT is the guy who sprays a whole lot of droppings everywhere and then runs away for everybody else to pick them up. Last time i saw him though he looked like he had swallowed a bate and was ready to explode.
ReplyDeleteWell coach here is your official weather report there is rain on the way its windy and cold ( do we have to work today and as allways you say lets do it ) well words from a wise and self driven mentor off mine grant william kelly. that never gives up . keep it up coach the weather is just an obstacle that we push aside as if its not there and strive ahead to get the job done......lol....the water boy!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello - well are you not doing the miles now. impressive.. keep it up September is around the corner and you will flying down that famous hill towards home..
ReplyDeleteJust remember to keep enjoying doing what you love most..
PS still wondering what that is - riding your bike across the never never ( I think they call it Australia)
Grace..