I could sing with happiness
Day: 11
Sunrise:
6:59
Sunset:
17:21
As the crow flies:
08.55
Daily kilometers:
15
Spencer Camp – 22.05.2000
Apparently it’s because we’re rested, because everything goes much faster today. However, we have agreed since yesterday that Tanja will pack her kitchen in the evening, except for a few little things. We also only have a quick breakfast. We start saddling the camels at 9.30 am and as everything goes smoothly, we are ready to set off just 1 ½ hours later, at 11 am. We are delighted with the new record and although we have only covered 17 kilometers since we set off 10 days ago, I can now look forward to our expedition’s future a little more brightly.
Before we start, however, I treat Sebastian’s knee. Now that he is standing and will be walking for the next few hours is the best time to keep his wound clean, at least until lunchtime. Our little caravan is on its way at 11.15 am. We cross under the Great Eastern Highway at Clackline. The camels are slightly nervous as a road train rolls over the bridge directly above our heads, but apart from opening their eyes anxiously, they don’t cause any trouble. Just a few hundred meters further on, we follow the little-used Spencers Brook Road for the next few kilometers. Tanja runs ahead again to warn oncoming traffic and I walk behind our animals to slow down everything that is coming.
It’s a beautiful day and I’m in good spirits. It’s good for my body to finally be able to relax and work out after the long preparation time. I breathe in the fresh air and could sing out loud with happiness. Large, beautiful trees provide shade. A small river babbles beside the road. We pass many small farms and encounter a wide variety of animals such as cows, bulls, donkeys, horses and even emus. An hour later, we reach the Heritage Trail again, which was once a railroad connection many years ago. If we didn’t discover rusty, large nails and weathered sleepers from time to time, we wouldn’t think it possible that a railroad once steamed past here. We set up camp at 3 p.m. and have covered no less than 15 kilometers. Although this is not a great achievement, it is a milestone for us.
Satisfied and in high spirits, everyone goes about their work. Around the campfire, we realize how quiet it is here. This camp is the first without annoying traffic noises since we set off. The only thing that wakes me up at night is a dull roar. It must be a big kangaroo bull jumping through the bush not far from our tent.
