Birthday
N 23°22'32.9" E 150°24'01.3"
Day: 254 Stage three / total expedition days 645
Sunrise:
05:31
Sunset:
18:48
Total kilometers:
6897 km
Temperature - Day (maximum):
39 degrees, sun approx. 52°
Temperature - Night:
24°
Latitude:
23°22'32.9"
Longitude:
150°24'01.3"
Paradise Lagoons Camp – 25.01.2003
“Happy birthday, my darling,” Tanja’s soft voice wakes me up. “Three years ago, our expedition and the desire to walk the entire continent was still ahead of us,” she continues, beaming at me. “Today we have crossed a large part of Australia and are almost at our destination. I would like to congratulate you not only on your birthday, but also on the enormous inner strength you have to explore this beautiful, endless and dangerous country. I would like to congratulate you on your excellent navigation skills, which always took us where there was water and where we wanted to be. I wish you a healthy strong heart, legs and back, a healthy body and the wisdom to take breaks whenever you need them. Above all, I wish you lots of fun, success and the fulfillment of your dreams…” “You said that beautifully. Thank you very much,” I reply, ashamed.
It doesn’t take long for the aroma of oven-baked food to waft through the airy room of our accommodation. Before we set off to explore the route to the coast, we enjoy Tanja’s delicious nut cake and fresh coffee.
Early in the morning, we set off to explore the most convenient running route through the city. Robert, the manager of Paradise Lagoons, lent us a jeep for the trip. As we cross the busy bridge over the Fitzroy River, we get quite scared. “We don’t stand a chance here without a police escort,” I say. “And look, we even have to pass a few traffic lights,” Tanja notes in horror. “If we get the police escort, it won’t be a problem,” I say confidently.
A few hours later, we have an accurate picture of the obstacles ahead of us, such as railroad tracks, traffic lights, bridges, bottlenecks, people, bends, about 50 kilometers of highway and much more. This is probably the reason why my initial slight sore throat has increased considerably. To end the day slowly, we go to the movies again for the first time in a long time. As a movie fan, I find it a wonderful change from my life of adventure. Unfortunately, I get one hot flush after another and there’s no doubt that I’m coming down with a bad cold.
