Super Storm, Super Pit and Superman - Kalgoorlie, 11th July

All our research into our new tent paid off last night when a big thunderstorm hit Kalgoorlie. Beautiful lightning and tremendous thunder followed by a very impressive hail storm. We were in the camp kitchen at the time cooking tea when the hail hit and there was no way that we were heading back to the tent during that. The ground became white with hail and when it finally abated we had to be careful, as we walked back, not to slip over on the slippery hail. All was well on return to the tent, dry as a bone.

By morning all the rain had soaked in and the sun was out. We have a knack of bringing rain to Kalgoorlie. The last time we rode bikes up here in January 2006 we rode up in 45 degree heat then followed by 24 hours of rain. Our little crawl in tent did not survive and we got soaked, finally relenting and taking a cabin. This time 15 degree ride and a major hail storm with a tent that held up well.

First port of call was to visit Trish's sister Mary who lives in Boulder. Then off following Mary to a day care centre to see our Nieces son Aiden who we have only seen in photographs. He was dressed as Superman and after the obligatory sit on the ST1300 Superman had a few tears in realizing he was not going home from day-care right away. This shattered my whole idea of superheros, they aren't supposed to cry. I recovered from this by checking out the real statue of Paddy Hannan and enjoying the architecture of the Kalgoorlie Town Hall. The original statue is housed indoors and the one with the drinking fountain is outdoors. Last time we were here Trish had a lovely long drink from outdoor Paddy's water bag only to be told later "What every you do don't drink from Paddy Hannan as people piss on it at night." Unfazed Trish claimed "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Obviously she thinks she is strong enough now as she didn't drink from the water bag this time.

After a couple of tasty treats from the G and R Hot Bread Shop it was time for more sightseeing. Just happens that Trish's niece and her husband own and run the shop. Not that we are biased but the cakes were yummy. You can't come to Kalgoorlie and not look at the Super Pit as it just gets bigger and deeper every time you look. We had gone two up on the ST1300 so at least I did not have to hear Trish hyperventilating when we went on to the dirt road up to the Super Pit Lookout. Dirt and gravel are NOT her choice of surface for riding and I have been called a few choice names over the intercom when I have led us both onto gravel roads.

A quick visit from Trish's nephew before cooking up tea in what is a very good camp kitchen. Finally settling in for a bit of email, Facebook and blogging before bed then disaster struck as our faithful little fan heater that has kept us cosy in our yurt spat out a few orange flames followed by a pungent smell of "I'm not going to work anymore". It has kept us warm through minus 5 degrees in Canberra and many other nights and will be sadly missed. Well at least until we buy another tomorrow. Looks like it is long johns and thermals with a bit of friction to keep warm tonight.

Shivering Dave