Seven weeks faster than on stage one
N 21°57'11.9" E 146°31'52.4"
Day: 209 Stage three / total expedition days 600
Sunrise:
05:23
Sunset:
18:50
As the crow flies:
22,9
Daily kilometers:
30
Total kilometers:
6166 km
Temperature - Day (maximum):
38° degrees, sun approx. 58°
Temperature - Night:
11.1° degrees
Latitude:
21°57'11.9"
Longitude:
146°31'52.4"
Moray Downs Camp – 11.12.2002
On the other side of the Great Dividing Ranch we leave the land of poisonous plants and are happy to have mastered another challenge of the outback without any serious consequences. Safe and sound, Sebastian, Hardie, Jafar, Istan, Edgar and Jasper follow us. For almost two years, the Desert Poison Bush has threatened the lives of our boys and kept us on tenterhooks. Now this poisonous plant is a thing of the past. What a feeling of liberation. Lively and cheerful, we follow the track that leads us through Lamboda Station. The temperatures are ideal today. Yesterday’s terrible wind seems to have driven away the low pressure area. A refreshing breeze blows at our backs. We meet a few station workers with whom we exchange a few friendly words and continue our walk with brief interruptions.
“We’ve covered 2244 kilometers since we left New Haven,” I say abruptly. “What, so we reached our first milestone two years ago today?” Tanja asks. “No, we’re two days faster. We reached Anna Plains Station on 12/13/00, but we left on May 12 and from New Haven on June 22.” “So that means we needed seven weeks less to cover the same distance?” “Yes. We were definitely faster. However, as this leg is a lot further, I’m beginning to doubt whether we’ll reach our expedition destination this year.” “When did we actually arrive in New Haven? Weren’t we already in Alice Springs by that date?” “According to my logbook records, you’re right. We reached New Haven on 27.11.01. and enjoyed the fantastic sunset at Ayers Rock a year ago today.” “Ah, I’d like to be there now. But I’d even rather be on some beautiful beach right now. I can really imagine lying in a hammock and relaxing from all the exertion.” “Oh yes, that’s a fantastic idea. I don’t think I’d move a meter for at least two weeks. Just sleep, enjoy good cocktails and let the sea water wash over my aching body from time to time,” I reply, looking around for a place to camp.
