"tanks" NOW THE East to West trip. PART 2 EAST to WEST

[dapope]

Tanks is near Norseman, had a text earlier.☺

[Keith Morris]

"tanks" here---
WOW !
What a trip this has been so far. I have caught up with friends I spent several months with at 40 Mile Beach WA. and got to meet a few new friends along the way as I ventured around the country. Dot and George gave me maps and directions to avoid the SA bush fires and that part of the journey went without any problems.
I tried to post this last night however the post is out there in cyber space. I think the "time out" gremlin got to it so now I will go into the word programme and then copy and paste to update.
Watch this space.
Keith

[Keith Morris]

I have crossed the WA/SA Border and the nice man asked me if I had any honey or hession bags, fruit and vegatables, he came into the motorhome and took my carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, rock mellon and fruit, however he left me with the coldslaw to go with my ham sandwich.
He gave “Russell” a pat and a word of encouragment with instructions to “look after the old bloke, and gave me a big welcome back to WA.

The journey from Eucla to Norseman was just a long drive with little to interest me. Norseman to Coolgardie was on the Great Eastern Hiway which was a rough road. It would shake the gold fillings out of your teeth and the speed was down to 70 km/hr most of the way. Only a few vehicles passed me and also two pushbikes ridden by Japanese tourisrs doing it the hard way, while I was parked-up making a cuppa. [I said “oregata” and checked if they had sufficient water].
We had a bit of a chat while sitting under the shade of a gum tree—as far as my sign language would permit-- and introduced them to Camps Australia No.6 publication. They did express to me just how big is Australia and having ridden their pushbikes from Broome, I am sure they were seeing much of the country that most of us take for granted or ignore as we speed past on our merry way.
The Gt East Hiway is being rebuilt west of Coolgardie and there is restricted speed and several detours for many kilometers. My taxes at work. I think of the East/West road train drivers who cover this part of the highway on a daily basis to earn a living.

I am have parked upfor the night at a trujck stop somewhere west of Coolgardie just past Pump Station No. 7. “Russell” and I had a chat with a roadtrain driver who has been doing this run for ten years..........He has a Winnebago 'Leisure Seeker' almost identical to my rig but with the electric bed instead of the rocking chairs. He and his wife go for weekend trips when he is not doing the road train thing. I have found that you do meet up with a lot of interesting people along the road if you take time to chat.
Well, today is today, and another drive to get back to Wyalkatchem to do the washing in a machine instead of a bucket. I did not find a “companion” to share my travels, do the cooking, wash the motorhome, and other household duties in exchange for a trip around the country. Perhaps I'm asking too much.

I have to return to the East to bring the Sprinter back to Perth for the grandkids to play with. I have looked at February 3rd as a possible date to fly over to Sydney or Brisbane, either by Qantas or Virgin, and then a ride on the electric train to Newcastle NSW. I may leave “Russell” in Perth with Pam and Jeff for this trip. I have to be back in Perth for eye surgery on 17th February, so it will be a fast trip back from the East Coast.
I may have to forget my plans to be at Gum Tree Lake for Easter, but time will tell depending on the Opthamology Dept of Sir Charles Gardner Hospital, and how the 'new' left eye responds to the operation. Once we get the eye working again and I can see things in a different light so to speak I can make plans for another venture around or across this great country with “Russell” in tow to visit with friends. T1-Terry in on the books, as is Newcastle George, Bob & Bev [and Jackie], and I can't go East without another visit to Dot and George and the 'Lion Tamer'. [ Bruce-S]. I would like to catch up with Ash and Wendy again, and a few of the other 40 Mile mob, Bob & Bev should have the Commando wagon up and mobile and ready for another great trip, plus visit with Forumites and friends in Broome WA.

If I go clockwise around Australia next time I will see a lot of things with my 'new eye', and “Russell” will loose his status as a seeing eye dog. He was not fully trained in this aspect of a dogs life as all he did was take me to the closest tree and make me wait till he did his thing.

Well folks it is time to get back on the road for the final part of this trip and make arrangements for the flight over to the East. Thanks for sharing this adventure with me, and the encouragment I have received from the Forum. My kindest thoughts to all.
Keith.

[Chuck]

I may have to forget my plans to be at Gum Tree Lake for Easter,

Keith.

Keith,

Our gathering at Condobolin - the lake free camp - is NOT rpt NOT over Easter, that is the first weekend in April !!

We are meeting around the middle of MAY rpt May.

That gives you another month at least to get your eyes uncrossed.

[Dot]

Bump your gathering Chuck some old farties need to be reminded.

[generdawg]

...I did not find a “companion” to share my travels, ... Perhaps I'm asking too much.
Keith, you have to stop at every pub in every town and look at the keys on the bar in front of the stool chicks - look for a tag on the keys that say, "If you're rich, I'm single". Or you could could get one for your keys to put on the bar that sez, "If you're single, I'm rich".
If I go clockwise around Australia next time I will see a lot of things with my 'new eye',

It's *cheaper to go round anticlockwise.

dawg (*cause it's a shorter distance8-) )

[Keith Morris]

...I did not find a “companion” to share my travels, ... Perhaps I'm asking too much.
Keith, you have to stop at every pub in every town and look at the keys on the bar in front of the stool chicks - look for a tag on the keys that say, "If you're rich, I'm single". Or you could could get one for your keys to put on the bar that sez, "If you're single, I'm rich".
If I go clockwise around Australia next time I will see a lot of things with my 'new eye',

It's *cheaper to go round anticlockwise.

dawg (*cause it's a shorter distance8-) )

Hi there "dawg"
I have been around both ways but I prefer the shake, rattle, and rol, of the Gt. Eastern Hiway at the end of the trip. It is a matter of turn Left at Perth and head to Broome, or turn Right and head to the Nullabor.
Keith.

[Keith Morris]

...I did not find a “companion” to share my travels, ... Perhaps I'm asking too much.
Keith, you have to stop at every pub in every town and look at the keys on the bar in front of the stool chicks - look for a tag on the keys that say, "If you're rich, I'm single". Or you could could get one for your keys to put on the bar that sez, "If you're single, I'm rich".
If I go clockwise around Australia next time I will see a lot of things with my 'new eye',

It's *cheaper to go round anticlockwise.

dawg (*cause it's a shorter distance8-) )

Enough about KEYS mate. I'm not letting them out of sight. Perhaps a Green Note on the counter might do the trick, but only if she buys the lunch.
Keith

[Keith Morris]

"tanks" here---
I AM HOME AT LAST, ARRIVED AT 12 NOON.
First thing was to let "Russell" run around the yard and christen every plant and tree. The next thing was to water the outs and other plants that are still alive, but in very poor condition.
I will now have lunch and read thru the mountain of mail and sort out my e-Bay items which I forgot about. The P.O. lady was kind enough to hold them for me instead of sending them back to the sender, and then to have a nanna nap.
Dot, don't forget to turn out the lights tonight.
Keith.

[Dot]

Well done to you both. Enjoy your nap and now relax. Go and meet Bill & Ricki when you can