Broome or Bust, with new tyres - 31st July 2013

Well, all my plans as to where I would hide the bodies of the workers at Beaurepairs were wasted as the tyres arrived as planned. Well the plan B after the first guy forgot to order them and the nice Kiwi girl said I could kill her if they didn't arrive on Wednesday. I think she was as relieved as I was. It was funny to watch a massive Maori guy changing the 12 inch tyres on the trailer.

The only thing now stopping us from the next 600+km to Broome was how little Olly was coping after her surgery. After a few phone calls back home we decided we would move the next morning - early! On arrival back at our tent after tea in the camp kitchen we found a Toyota Troop carrier with the engine running next to our tent. It had been like this for at least an hour already, with the noise and diesel fumes drifting into our tent. It didn't take long and my little Trishy was on the warpath again. With memories of the tap battle in Brisbane under her belt I could hear her outside banging on the side of the Toyota and asking "Is anyone home?" No reply, next thing I hear the car door open and the engine turn off. Figuring that all was well now and someone got the hint I relaxed, there was not going to be another WW3.

Next thing I hear a voice next door ask his mate if he had turned off the engine. Quick bit of maths by me; two plus two = Trish. Yes she had turned off the engine. Then it started up again so time to put my two bits in and stick my head out of the tent and ask how much longer they intended to keep it running and would I have to speak with the Camp management. When asked "Did you turn the engine off?" I was quite happy to honestly and convincingly say No. With the engine running and the fumes from the diesel and from my Trishy building there was a knock at our door from the duty manager, the guys had gone to complain that we had turned off their engine. The management woman seemed to think that it was OK to run the engine for an extended time to cool their fridge, as it was not a generator. Duh! It wasn't until a couple of other campers finally got the balls to say something and complain that the duty manager decided it wasn't such a good idea and had them turn it off. Peace at last, we haven't had a good stoush like that since Brisbane.

The bully boys next door were up and off before first light. We were out of bed also before first light, with a pack up and 610km to ride before the caravan park in Broome would give away our site to someone else at 5:00pm. Tent packed up, new tyres on the trailer and extra fuel on-board in case Trish's bike needed it on the 300km section without a roadhouse. Broome here we come!

Our first fuel stop and leg stretch was at Pardoo Roadhouse, then on for Sandfire Roadhouse. 90km before Sandfire we came across the two German Ladies riding their bicycles. They had left Port Hedland 3 days before and were now a couple of hundred km out on the way to Broome. We slowed to chat with them but caravans looming behind meant we had to get moving for safety so on we zoomed as they peddled slowly North. After Sandfire the winds were favourable and Trish's bike didn't need the extra 5 litre of fuel I was carrying. We rolled into Broome and the Cable Beach Caravan Park tired but well before our cut off time for a tent site.

Just to finish off a long tiring day, the ground was like concrete and driving pegs was extremely difficult. Finally after bringing out my big guns, the strongest thickest, sharpened at the point pegs did we finally get the tent up. We were b*****ed! Luckily the tent site, apart from the concrete like ground, was beautifully shady and well located next to amenities and the camp kitchen. Time for "Wine o'clock" then tea and a much anticipated sleep.

Hammer Drill Dave