New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

The entire east coast of Sri Lanka (and parts of its south and west coast) were affected by the Tsunami of 2004. This monument is in memory of those who died around ‘Dutch Bar’ in Batticaloa.



The remaining three sides of the monument had the names of those who perished, many from the same family. Mostly the young and the aged. Most everything is written in three languages in Sri Lanka....Shianese, Tamal and English.



This monument had a photo of a mother and her two children who perished with their home in the background.

[Digger]

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Two nights before I left there was a local street procession celebrating Christianity with lots of chanting, blessings and praying. Not sure if it was a ‘village thing’ or some other notable date on the calendar. This was Saturday 10th Feb.


[url=https://stevebly.smugmug.com/Sri-Lanka/i-cTVcC8m/A]
The main beach at Batticaloa, Kallidy Beach. It was clean and reasonably well presented but nobody swims there because of the dangerous rips and currents. Even the local Kids would play on the streets rather then be at the beach.



I didn’t allow enough time to cross the country again without putting myself under pressure so decided to catch the night train to Colombo. Not all trains will allow the bike so my options were limited. No sleeper cabs or first class available so I had to settle for second class. Train departed Batticaloa at 5.20pm and arrives at Colombo at 4.00am. Horrible journey...simply horrible.



The train arrived on time and the Station cleared quickly of passengers. I was able to collect my bike straight away (one employee said I would have to wait until 7am when the Parcel Office opened) and I was clear of the station within 10 minutes. Rode for an hour to clear the city (no traffic, bonus) and had my breakfast (muesli) while waiting for the sun to rise before continuing on.

I am now inching my way northward to be closer to the airport and will fly out on Saturday 17th Feb. that will give me a couple of weeks in Perth before departing for GS Safari held in Australian High Country. Have I ever mentioned there is ‘so much to do, so little time’.

Distance cycled to date - 1,562km.

SPOT Link is here:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

Back to work Slackers.

[theape]

Digger, big THANKS for all the time you take to post up your journeys including this mighty effort.
Alex

[Digger]

G'Day Slackers,

In keeping with my New Year's Resolution, a group of us are heading Outback on a 4WD trip. Although not Motorcycle related, it is certainly in keeping with the Adventure spirit shared (and enjoyed) by so many in the club...and besides, everybody loves an Adventure don't they?

The route will include Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Anne Beadell Highway, Coober Pedy, Kingoonya, Googs Track, Fowlers Bay, Old Eyre Highway (including Ivy Tanks and Koonalda), Old Coach Road and Hyden to Noresman Road.

The trip is planned to take 3 weeks. Depart on Saturday 5 May and slab it to Laverton. The Adventure starts from around noon on the Sunday when we leave the blacktop.

SPOT Tracker link is here;

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

I'll update when I can.

[Digger]

One week on the road....currently at Coober Pedy after crossing on the Anne Beadell Highway.
The story so far...



We camped the first night just west of Kalgoorlie at Lake Douglas and got last minute supplies from Kal. We also linked up with some Club country members who joined us on the outskirts. 9 cars; 14 people. Jacki will join me for the first week.



Slabbed it to Laverton and then headed for White Cliffs Road toward Yamarna Station (abandoned). Yamarna use to be an Aboriginal Community many years ago....not much left today.



There is mining activity near Yamarna (new....wasn’t there a few years ago) and so the road conditions were ok to there. There is a gas line going in parallel to the road and a few vehicle movements in both directions. This ol’ truck hasn’t pumped water for a while yet the tanks were full and it looked like potable water.

[Digger]

The junction at Yarmarna. The road splits here. North takes you to Cosmo Newbury on Great Central Road. Veer right and you are on the Anne Beadell. Not much infrastructure after this turn.



Lake Yeo Homestead between Yarmarna and Neale Junction. There is a permanent water well here, a long drop dunny and a bush shower. We were hoping to make it here for our second night but the Trip Leader underestimated the conditions. From here, any timetable went out the window


Our bush camp on the side of the ABH. The two parallel lines are the optic fibre cable (?) and the “Highway” (looking East).

[Digger]

Bishop’s Pulpet (?) west of Neale Junction. Just a short climb to the top. Zoom in and you can see Club members on top of the feature. They are an energetic lot.



Neale Junction. North/South is the Connie Sue Highway (named after Len’s daughter) which goes to Warburton on Great Central Road and East/West is the Anne Beadell, named after his wife. The Connie Sue starts at Rawlinna to the South on the Trans Cont Railway.



A light aircraft from Kalgoorlie Air Services which crashed in 1995 east of Neale Junction. Apparently, they walked away. The only thing salvaged was the engine. The rest was abandoned.

[Digger]

These camels (in front of lead vehicle) ran on the track for 4 km...they tend to take the path of least resistance. Get too close, and your car gets covered in slobber as the camels look over their shoulder while cantering.



The only place for respite on the journey of 1,300 km is an Outpost west of the WA/SA Border named Ilkulka. There is not much here but most travelers would need to refuel here. Diesel was $3.00 a litre but I’m happy to pay the price cause it allows Outback travel without overloading the car. I carry an extra 40 litres in jerries. Refuelling here cost me $218.



A replica of the original plaque placed by Len at the border of WA and SA. Most of the originals he placed were nicked by souviner hunters. No fruit fly or quarantine inspection out here.

Further update tomorrow...

SPOT Link is here:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Cookie]

Hello Digger
Looks like you are having another fantastic adventure and the weather has been in your favour. Try not to work too hard, relax and enjoy the drive.. LOL

[Digger]

A Thorny Devil....never seen one before in the wild. I think he was a little stunned with all the activity going on around him. I cooked it over an open fire....tastes like chicken.



Emu Airfield (abandoned) and the reason (or one of them) the Anne Beadell Highway was constructed. This was to allow atomic testing to be conducted by the British Govt in the 1950’s. The airfield still looked in good shape. I’m not sure if it is used by RFDS. There is no other infrastructure left.



One of two totems at ground zero. Bit eerie. The vegetation still doesn’t look like it has recovered compared to the surrounding bushland. There is twisted steel everywhere which is from machinery at different distances from the blast to determine impact and different ranges.

[Digger]

You have been warned...



Other then the change to the vegetation, there does not seem to be any other long term effects.



I’m glad that’s over....bone jarring corrugations and an average speed of 40kph for the journey. Coober Pedy and pizza await (and a shower).

[Digger]

An old Landcrusier Troopy busted a spring hanger bolt...not surprising. A bent steel tent peg got him to Coober Pedy. We hope to have the parts early tomorrow (Monday) so we can get back on the road.



The opal fields near Coober Pedy....looks like a scene from a movie about the Worlds End.



Coober Pedy looking East.

[Digger]

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Like the sign says...welcome to Coober Pedy.


[url=https://stevebly.smugmug.com/Anne-Beadell-2018/i-vmK5ZsN/A]
Jacki could only get one week off from work...she returned to Perth via Adelaide. REX (Regional Express) operate 33 seater twin engine planes to do milk runs in regional areas.


From here we head for Ceduna via Kingoonya, Tarcoola and Googs Track.

See you on the other side.

SPOT Link is here.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Bozo]

Digger

The flat top feature is called Bishop Riley's Pulpit, which Hann named in 1906 for the Anglican Lord Bishop of Perth.

The crash was in January 1993. The track was put in in 1995. The plane was flying from Warburton to Kalgoorlie when its engines failed and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. Luckily the pilot and passengers all survived, although some were seriously injured.

The pilot came back and salvaged most of the cargo and fittings from the plane.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Digger

Emu was a buzzing place in 1953 with over 400 scientists and military personnel.


Bozo