Day 280, Saturday, 24.10.2009

 

We were driving about 3 km on the beach behind track, before we had to climb up the Wylie Scarp to reach the plains on top which lead to the Eyre highway.

 

To prevent cars getting bogged here on the steep up hill of the scarp, the sand is covered with two conveyor belts attached more or less solid to the ground with steel pins. This gave excellent traction, but as some cars already have passed this track since it was built, the middle was quite peaked up high and our car, having not extremely great clearance to the ground, was scraping over the rubber in the middle section quite a bit. But we made it up without having to stop! 

 

The following track out to the highway was quite rough, rocky parts changed with some red sand. Driving over the rocky bits was the worst, as frequently the bottom got hit by a high piece poking out too much. Slow speed, and Greg’s great driving skills brought us safely to the highway after about 4 hrs of slow motion driving. But I really enjoyed the ride, something different than being on the water all day! And for sure, I enjoyed Greg’s company in the car as well, and vice versa!

 

Nice “Road Train”…48 wheels!

 

We had to pick the closest roadhouse to refill our fuel, and this was the Ballabonia Roadhouse to the west. About 66 km drive on the highway, and we reached the roadhouse. We fueled up, paid 3 $ for a hot shower, refilled our water canisters and had a yummy ice cream!

 

We decided we would like to check out Toolina Cove, if it would be possible to land there after paddling 60 km along the cliffs. This would leave a 110 km leg to Twilight Cove, a bit less for one run!

 

 

We were looking for the turnoff the highway leading directly to Toolina Cove. Our maps said it was there but we could not find any sign of it so we rather kept on driving east to Caiguna Roadhouse, and then to the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, where a few km further east we found a turnoff for a nice private night’s camp close to a rock hole. No need to pull into an “official” campsite!

 

 

We had a relaxing campfire, cooked our last almost half moldy fresh veggies into a stew, and switched into holiday mode without having to paddle the next day!

 

Text message from Freya via satellite phone:

no paddling the 165 km long Baxter Cliffs until westerlies coming. Surf is massive and seas big after long strong easterlies :((

12 comments on “Day 280, Saturday, 24.10.2009

We are following Freya from Frenchman Bay, Acadia National Park, USA–another international destination for sea kayaking. We have also seen her in This is the Sea videos. She’s great!

Chuck H.

Excellent suggestion concerning rubber bands on clothespins. Beats trying to weaken the spring with my propane torch. Thanks, Edda!
PS: “Heath Robinson rules OK!” ?? Maybe it’s a Limey golf thing, which I certainly wouldn’t understand!
Over to you, Freya! Good luck with the weather.

Edda

Hillary/Chuck
if the clothes peg is too tight and hurts, try wrapping a rubber band on the other end of the peg, depending on size of rubber band, you can wrap it tighter or looser to hold the peg just that bit more open without it falling off.
Heath Robinson rules OK!
All the best

Watkins Crew (Esperance WA)

Knok Knok Knok,

Where are you Freya!

I imagine that Freya is on the water. The weather here in Esperance is “No swell and No wind”…..and this will be for the next couple of days.

David

Hi Freya, I took my 9yo grandson for his first paddle last weekend. He had a great time AND he’s now avidly following your trip.

All the best for the cliffs – you continue to inspire us with your endeavours

Chuck H

Interesting introduction to the Nullarbor Links, Edda. I particularly liked the story behind the seventh hole!

Edda

Just aswell you don’t play golf, if you wanted to try the new Nullabor course It’d take you five days to get around.
Congratulations to Don, he even made it on the BBC news.
So have a good day off and don’t start a round that’ll take a four wheel truck to finish…

hi freya.sounds like you gota day off.its been fun followling your adv,sure has made me paddle more.be safe and have great day.seaya steve

Abner

Hey Freya,
A very gutsy Lady, stay safe and pleasant paddling, Still wishing you all the best for the downhill run of your trip.
Bob

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