Day Six - From the shores of Googs Lakes to the shores of Streaky Bay.
Today we finished off Goog's track and hit the coast in a day of transition. Goog's Lake was salty, the sea at Streaky Bay is salty, and so were we after three nights out camping and some hard graft in the hot sun.
The day started well with everyone in good spirits and no injuries or hangovers from the day before. The morning rituals of fixing things (the BBQ) and awards were held. Carl got an award for hanging in and finishing when all looked lost (he got a handle that we found on the side of the trak that was carbon dated and confirmed to have come from Goog's original dozer when he built the track), and Uncle Gary got the spring award for sheer brilliance in his demeanour and effort when he was being flogged by the track and the sand and the heat but he kept on going with a smile on his face.
We broke camp and stopped breifly at the memorials where Goog and his son Dinger are buried; we spoke a few words and Hector played a moving version of Waltzing Matilda on the pipes. A moving moment; Dinger preceded his fther by a year or two in a car accident. We then went on, finding the track much easier today, with some runs along the swales and easier dunes, despite there appearing to be more lose and soft sand at the tops. We made the dog fence in good time, stopping there for a drink and a good onya boys, and to pump up tyres.
We continued on to Ceduna where we had a date with Amanda at the Parks Office and lunch at the foreshore. Scotty and Hector braved to water for a dip while the rest of us looked on keenly.
After luch we shot down the coast, weading estwards now to our 'camp' for the night at the Streaky Bay Hotel-Motel (nice place, click here).
All in bed relatively early after a thrilling two days of sand riding, and challenging ourselves. More adventures tomorrow.
Today we finished off Goog's track and hit the coast in a day of transition. Goog's Lake was salty, the sea at Streaky Bay is salty, and so were we after three nights out camping and some hard graft in the hot sun.
The day started well with everyone in good spirits and no injuries or hangovers from the day before. The morning rituals of fixing things (the BBQ) and awards were held. Carl got an award for hanging in and finishing when all looked lost (he got a handle that we found on the side of the trak that was carbon dated and confirmed to have come from Goog's original dozer when he built the track), and Uncle Gary got the spring award for sheer brilliance in his demeanour and effort when he was being flogged by the track and the sand and the heat but he kept on going with a smile on his face.
We broke camp and stopped breifly at the memorials where Goog and his son Dinger are buried; we spoke a few words and Hector played a moving version of Waltzing Matilda on the pipes. A moving moment; Dinger preceded his fther by a year or two in a car accident. We then went on, finding the track much easier today, with some runs along the swales and easier dunes, despite there appearing to be more lose and soft sand at the tops. We made the dog fence in good time, stopping there for a drink and a good onya boys, and to pump up tyres.
We continued on to Ceduna where we had a date with Amanda at the Parks Office and lunch at the foreshore. Scotty and Hector braved to water for a dip while the rest of us looked on keenly.
After luch we shot down the coast, weading estwards now to our 'camp' for the night at the Streaky Bay Hotel-Motel (nice place, click here).
All in bed relatively early after a thrilling two days of sand riding, and challenging ourselves. More adventures tomorrow.