woah, where to begin...
In order I think, so firstly Benny! Dude, thankyou sooooo much, not just for your genrosity, goodtimes, amazing food and spectacular sunrise but most importantly for giving me the opportunity to completely relax. For the first time since leaving my mountains home I felt 100%, completely uninhibited Be! Hanging out withh you was like hanging out with someone I had known for years... no formalities needed! Loved it and loved you, keep sipping that tea:)
Then there was Mike. Wow. What an amazing soul! Your love, respect and curiosity for the land inspires me so much. It was so nice to meet someone whho just loves to be out there. I feel there was so much to learn from you and am sad we didn't track you down sooner. I loved bouncing my imagination off yours and the chats were such a breath of fresh air. Thank you and Andrea both for sharing your peice of teh world with us... know we'll see you again, hopefully under the stars in teh middle of nowhere.
So many more people and to you I send much love (greg, sorry we didn't catch you at teh second footy match...bummer! Might bump into you in Gunnadah eh?).
Alice Springs not sure what to make of her. Loved her and hated her. Like most towns she had her good and her bad. Being on bikes for 3 weeks and teh restrictions that come with this mode of transport, possibly made it hard to enjoy the surrounding beauty. However, when we finally did get out and see some sights we really appreciated them and their remoteness. Visiting Standley chasm gently placed a seed in teh back of my mind... can I fit the whole larapinta trail into the end of my trip and if I can not find another interested party, could I walk it alone?
My heart says yes, my head sayssave it for teh next trip! (any takers?).
Anyway we left Alice yesterday after a week off our bikes. A big day 90km! We were meant to get to Aileron but fancied sleeping under teh stars again... can't get enough of this amazing night sky. Very little energy in the morning but after second breakfast I felt back in the swing of it. Most of teh ride was a bit of a blurr, and the landscape was full of trees.
Sitting at the rest stop Mel and I sip cool jasmine tea (thanx Benny) and relax. The eat of teh day hits me like a massive wave and I'm left lying on the concrete seat, recovery needed. By mid afternoon Mels got coals ready for tonights dinner, we sit doing our own thing, occasionally flipping through the memories on our camera... wow, we are actually doing this. I know heaps of people have done it before us and are doing it now, but for us it is such a huge adventure. Challenging, mentally (must keep pedaling), physically (must keep pedaling). The sunsets as we eat dinner, cooked to perfection on teh coals. Night has arrived and we get our first flat! weird! Together we sit in teh dark and fix thhe damn thing... again a perfect partnership, despite the challenge of bike mechanics by torch light spirits are high and giggles are loud... too loud! After 3 shooting stars I remove my specs and dream the nighht away.
4 am- time to get up, damn it's cold.
Be xx
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Camping with mike and reflections of alice
Intoxication, social paralysis, yet socially acceptable. It seems nothing in this peculiar desert oasis can be complete with out it. Buildings whhere foriegn tourists come only to socialise with other foreign tourists, in a world where reality is at teh very least blurred, if not completely masked by the affects of multiple drugs (both legal and illegal).
Paranoia, aggression, ecstasy and lust... all I see are humans in distress. Conversations about "our indegenous peoples and their lack of respect and responsability". What, I ask, is so respectful about coming to a country driving to a rest area (for free camping), crapping in teh bush and not even bothering to walk 50 meters from your van to take in the amazing veiw. Where is the responsibility in coming to another country to kill off your brain cells in the pursuit of social acceptance and arrogance? Rant over.
And now to camping (out of Alice). Flies everywhere, but nothing a quick swish and swoosh won't fix. Sharing a campfire with beautiful souls, crows watch from teh branches, the wind gently slides through the trees and the wood crackles as the flames wrap around the branches. Birds are singing away as usual and the only other sound is the scratching of my pen... hmmmmmmmmm could stay here forever (or untill it got too hot;))
Be xx
Paranoia, aggression, ecstasy and lust... all I see are humans in distress. Conversations about "our indegenous peoples and their lack of respect and responsability". What, I ask, is so respectful about coming to a country driving to a rest area (for free camping), crapping in teh bush and not even bothering to walk 50 meters from your van to take in the amazing veiw. Where is the responsibility in coming to another country to kill off your brain cells in the pursuit of social acceptance and arrogance? Rant over.
And now to camping (out of Alice). Flies everywhere, but nothing a quick swish and swoosh won't fix. Sharing a campfire with beautiful souls, crows watch from teh branches, the wind gently slides through the trees and the wood crackles as the flames wrap around the branches. Birds are singing away as usual and the only other sound is the scratching of my pen... hmmmmmmmmm could stay here forever (or untill it got too hot;))
Be xx
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
katherine
made it to katherine!!
swam with waterlillies in the bush springs yesterday-hheaded to gorges and waterfalls for a week up to darwin!
sorry noi new posts, have heaps but no time. will do as soon as we have time, space and chheap internet.
love toad and mole
xx
swam with waterlillies in the bush springs yesterday-hheaded to gorges and waterfalls for a week up to darwin!
sorry noi new posts, have heaps but no time. will do as soon as we have time, space and chheap internet.
love toad and mole
xx
Monday, April 6, 2009
go down like an ape
PHOTOS UNDERNEATH BLOGS LOADED ON TEH 6TH OF APRIL... CHECK THEM OUT!!
WE LOVE YOU ALL BUT HAVE NO RECEPTION, WE'RE ON THE ROAD.
TOAD AND (WINDY) mOLE XX
OI BRUCE WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU???
WE LOVE YOU ALL BUT HAVE NO RECEPTION, WE'RE ON THE ROAD.
TOAD AND (WINDY) mOLE XX
OI BRUCE WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU???
alice...
Wow.cant believe im here. Sitting in the afternnoon sun. The landscape is red and green (a kind of musty, teal green mind you) and long. In a backyard who's backdrop is a massive stoney ridge-better known as 'the gap'. In the streets of Alice (to quote Be) we have big dogs (short fences) and homemade potato schnapps-not American guns!
Its a funny feeling being back in a town again. We've rested for 2 days and ventured out not much!! Aiming to get all our admin done today (hence all the blogs up at once!) so we can begin to explore the ranges and the land outside of town. My craving for flavoured milk has subsided since being still and out of the elements. Ive had 2 grumpy sessions. It's such a rollercoaster. Not only physical, but mental and emotional too. Be is incredible and im so grateful i can be so honest with her. none of its taken personal-its all just part of the ride. being amongst internet, phone, houses brings something back that i love being away from. the last little while weve been cooking on fires-not bothering with cookers. and you feel somewhat confined ina town where it seems all you can do is spend money (even if you have none?!! how?!!) i also start to miss people in town setting-who apart from Be know me real well. I guess its that relaxation silence you can have with friends. but we are being so spoilt. the people we've met and have been looking after us-too incredible to ruin with words. just under halfway...incredible. i close my eyes and feel the warmth of the sun being soaked up by my skin..delicious. the wind blows my hair.have to keep reminding myself that this is all real. remember it and experience it for what it is: indescribable.
(toad)mel x
Its a funny feeling being back in a town again. We've rested for 2 days and ventured out not much!! Aiming to get all our admin done today (hence all the blogs up at once!) so we can begin to explore the ranges and the land outside of town. My craving for flavoured milk has subsided since being still and out of the elements. Ive had 2 grumpy sessions. It's such a rollercoaster. Not only physical, but mental and emotional too. Be is incredible and im so grateful i can be so honest with her. none of its taken personal-its all just part of the ride. being amongst internet, phone, houses brings something back that i love being away from. the last little while weve been cooking on fires-not bothering with cookers. and you feel somewhat confined ina town where it seems all you can do is spend money (even if you have none?!! how?!!) i also start to miss people in town setting-who apart from Be know me real well. I guess its that relaxation silence you can have with friends. but we are being so spoilt. the people we've met and have been looking after us-too incredible to ruin with words. just under halfway...incredible. i close my eyes and feel the warmth of the sun being soaked up by my skin..delicious. the wind blows my hair.have to keep reminding myself that this is all real. remember it and experience it for what it is: indescribable.
(toad)mel x
daydreaming by bike
After a short break from our bikes my bum finds itself back on the familiar narrow saddle. Again tired, yet I feel as though my legs are strong. After a short distance my mind wanders from the spectacular stars overhead to more personal and irrelevant things. Pointless distractions from the distance we are trying to make. I think about: returning the panniers to Duncan
living arrangements in Sydney
centrelink business in Alice Springs
Then to my right the suns starts to glow, her rays washes away all these trivial thoughts and again I'm left with nothing but awe at the diverse landscape. Not what I envisioned the desert to be. The ant hills which were sitting on the horizon are now standing tall on either side of us, strange trees line the ridges sporadically. As it does to so many, the landscape appears prehistoric. My imagination takes over...
We began as biminisculeherbosaurus', over time we have evolved into biminisculeomniosaurus'! As we make our way across the land in search of greater food sources or a more satisfying climate we are passed by some caravaners. Ahh the inquisitive and generous - these I imagine are brachasaurus', also making the pilgrimage north. The cars, who move with speed and stealth, should always be treated with caution - much like the raptor. Finally the fiercest predator of all, the Tyrannasaurus Rex (AKA the road trains).
I love allowing myself to fall backwards into the arms of my imagination, bringing with me the landscape and teh new day. Another T.Rex roars up behind us, you can hear them miles away. The roar grows louder and we wobble off onto the gravel for protection. Safe. Back on the road. SNAP... an impressive sight brings me back to reality. A wedge tail eagle soars overhead. I love this country. I love my bike and the places it can take me.
Wow, only 5 km to stuart wells, my legs are strong and all I can think of is flavoured milk.
Be (windy Mole) xx
living arrangements in Sydney
centrelink business in Alice Springs
Then to my right the suns starts to glow, her rays washes away all these trivial thoughts and again I'm left with nothing but awe at the diverse landscape. Not what I envisioned the desert to be. The ant hills which were sitting on the horizon are now standing tall on either side of us, strange trees line the ridges sporadically. As it does to so many, the landscape appears prehistoric. My imagination takes over...
We began as biminisculeherbosaurus', over time we have evolved into biminisculeomniosaurus'! As we make our way across the land in search of greater food sources or a more satisfying climate we are passed by some caravaners. Ahh the inquisitive and generous - these I imagine are brachasaurus', also making the pilgrimage north. The cars, who move with speed and stealth, should always be treated with caution - much like the raptor. Finally the fiercest predator of all, the Tyrannasaurus Rex (AKA the road trains).
I love allowing myself to fall backwards into the arms of my imagination, bringing with me the landscape and teh new day. Another T.Rex roars up behind us, you can hear them miles away. The roar grows louder and we wobble off onto the gravel for protection. Safe. Back on the road. SNAP... an impressive sight brings me back to reality. A wedge tail eagle soars overhead. I love this country. I love my bike and the places it can take me.
Wow, only 5 km to stuart wells, my legs are strong and all I can think of is flavoured milk.
Be (windy Mole) xx
mt Ebenezer
Hitting me @ Mt Eb
Its hitting me every now and then what an adventure we're on. Everday so different. Be's buzzing and amazing and awesome and living up to her name-windymole so well.only tears thus far have been onesof unbelief @ the generosity and goodness we ahve been shown. feel slightly lonely after 3 days @ Mt Eb, but being back on the bike felt amazing....woooooooo!!!!!! Mel xx
Mt Ebenezer - 200km from Uluru
Freedom to sit, lounge, daydream and sleep. I feel as though all are welcome to come here and drift away. Still over stimulated and excited to meet some of Chevvy's friends. Smiles, high energy and loud words explode from us as we approach the counter. Every roadhouse we visit we take over, staying 4 times as long as most. Here though it is madness! Bus loads of tourists, on their way to the rock, stop here. Tour guides usher them off the busses. Surging forward the masses sit inside and devour their sandwiches, salads and sweets. 15 min later and the round up begins, piles if plastic, cardboard and food scraps fall thoughtlessly into the garbage bin. Silence. Bewildered. Shrugging it off (what else can I do, I too am apart of the transient hoards) Igo and check out the local gallery. Women from the local community come to paint and design, food is their central theme. A special moment... "come, come watch" and we are invited into their creative space. No need for too much verbal communication. Such an honor, to be asked to share their art. "Photo", Rosie* mimes the action of taking a photo. Usually a no no or an exchange for money, but nothing more than a beautiful gesture and a memory. However rules are not meant to be disregarded and we are asked to leave. Humbled.
Be xx
Daydreaming by bike
After a short break from our bikes my bum finds itself back on the familiar narrow saddle. Again tired, yet I feel as though my legs are strong. After a short distance my mind wanders from the spectacular stars overhead to more personal and irrelevant things. Pointless distractions from the distance we are trying to make. I think about: returning the panniers to Duncan
living arrangements in Sydney
centrelink business in Alice Springs
Then to my right the suns starts to glow, her rays washes away all these trivial thoughts and again I'm left with nothing but awe at the diverse landscape. Not what I envisioned the desert to be. The ant hills which were sitting on the horizon are now standing tall on either side of us, strange trees line the ridges speratically. As it does to so many, the landscape appears prehistoric. My imagination takes over...
We began as biminisculeherbosaurus', over time we have evolved into biminisculeomniosaurus'! As we make our way across the land in search of greater food sources or a more satisfying climate we are passed by some caravaners. Ahh the inquisitive and generous - these I imagine are brachasaurus', also making the pilgrimage north. The cars, who move with speed and stealth, should always be treated with caution - much like the raptor. Finally the fiercest predator of all, the Tyrannasaurus Rex (AKA the road trains).
I love allowing myself to fall backwards into the arms of my imagination, bringing with me the landscape and teh new day. Another T.Rex roars up behind us, you can hear them miles away. The roar grows louder and we wobble off onto the gravel for protection. Safe. Back on the road. SNAP... an impressive sight brings me back to reality. A wedge tail eagle soars overhead. I love this country. I love my bike and the places it can take me.
Wow, only 5 km to stuart wells, my legs are strong and all I can think of is flavoured milk.
Be (windy Mole) xx
Its hitting me every now and then what an adventure we're on. Everday so different. Be's buzzing and amazing and awesome and living up to her name-windymole so well.only tears thus far have been onesof unbelief @ the generosity and goodness we ahve been shown. feel slightly lonely after 3 days @ Mt Eb, but being back on the bike felt amazing....woooooooo!!!!!! Mel xx
Mt Ebenezer - 200km from Uluru
Freedom to sit, lounge, daydream and sleep. I feel as though all are welcome to come here and drift away. Still over stimulated and excited to meet some of Chevvy's friends. Smiles, high energy and loud words explode from us as we approach the counter. Every roadhouse we visit we take over, staying 4 times as long as most. Here though it is madness! Bus loads of tourists, on their way to the rock, stop here. Tour guides usher them off the busses. Surging forward the masses sit inside and devour their sandwiches, salads and sweets. 15 min later and the round up begins, piles if plastic, cardboard and food scraps fall thoughtlessly into the garbage bin. Silence. Bewildered. Shrugging it off (what else can I do, I too am apart of the transient hoards) Igo and check out the local gallery. Women from the local community come to paint and design, food is their central theme. A special moment... "come, come watch" and we are invited into their creative space. No need for too much verbal communication. Such an honor, to be asked to share their art. "Photo", Rosie* mimes the action of taking a photo. Usually a no no or an exchange for money, but nothing more than a beautiful gesture and a memory. However rules are not meant to be disregarded and we are asked to leave. Humbled.
Be xx
Daydreaming by bike
After a short break from our bikes my bum finds itself back on the familiar narrow saddle. Again tired, yet I feel as though my legs are strong. After a short distance my mind wanders from the spectacular stars overhead to more personal and irrelevant things. Pointless distractions from the distance we are trying to make. I think about: returning the panniers to Duncan
living arrangements in Sydney
centrelink business in Alice Springs
Then to my right the suns starts to glow, her rays washes away all these trivial thoughts and again I'm left with nothing but awe at the diverse landscape. Not what I envisioned the desert to be. The ant hills which were sitting on the horizon are now standing tall on either side of us, strange trees line the ridges speratically. As it does to so many, the landscape appears prehistoric. My imagination takes over...
We began as biminisculeherbosaurus', over time we have evolved into biminisculeomniosaurus'! As we make our way across the land in search of greater food sources or a more satisfying climate we are passed by some caravaners. Ahh the inquisitive and generous - these I imagine are brachasaurus', also making the pilgrimage north. The cars, who move with speed and stealth, should always be treated with caution - much like the raptor. Finally the fiercest predator of all, the Tyrannasaurus Rex (AKA the road trains).
I love allowing myself to fall backwards into the arms of my imagination, bringing with me the landscape and teh new day. Another T.Rex roars up behind us, you can hear them miles away. The roar grows louder and we wobble off onto the gravel for protection. Safe. Back on the road. SNAP... an impressive sight brings me back to reality. A wedge tail eagle soars overhead. I love this country. I love my bike and the places it can take me.
Wow, only 5 km to stuart wells, my legs are strong and all I can think of is flavoured milk.
Be (windy Mole) xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
