There's No Place Like Home! Esperance to Perth

Saturday 24 Nov 2012

Last night we got a worrying call from Adrian my son, the father of little 3 year old Orlena who has been badly head-injured in August. She wasn't doing so well with her health, and so of course we were worried sick. Also Dave's dear little 88 year old Mum is having a hip replacement in Bunbury next Wednesday on the 27th November, so we both realised it is time to finish our holiday for now and to head for home. Charity begins at home!

So Saturday morning saw us packing our tent up for the final time for a while. Our plan was to ride from Esperance to a hotel room probably in Wagin, as the trip back to home in Kelmscott was going to be over 700km.

But the weather was so lovely; cloudy, wind-free and cool, that riding our motorbikes was a dream. I loved riding through the Great Southern Region, through to a morning tea fuel-up at Ravensthorpe, then on to lunch at Gnowangerup, then onto Williams for a quick fuel stop and cool drink. We decided to phone Adrian and tell him we'd be home by 6pm, as we were travelling so well. The 711km trip felt like a piece of cake to ride, which is strange to say. This has been the longest day's ride in our journey since February, but it felt easy.

In South Australia a lot of the country areas are totally denuded of trees, thanks to the pioneer farming practices of yesteryear. But I noted that riding through the Great Southern Region of WA was different; a lot of the farms had many stands of trees having been re-planted, making the countryside look so much better, and healthier! It was a pleasure to see this country, and the 700+ kilometres slipped by effortlessly for us Intrepids on our mighty metal steeds.

After Williams we headed along Albany Highway to Armadale. What beautiful country this is! After almost 29,000km of riding around Australia, I realise how lovely our own home territory is. I'd forgotten how good it is to see jarrah forest again, and for years I guess I've taken this part of the country for granted, because it is at my backdoor, so to speak.

The ride down the hills to Armadale was spectacular, as a summer storm was brewing and the skies over the coastal plains were full of interesting colours and patterns. I felt amazed by my own home country….I won't be taking this place for granted any more.

We rolled up our home driveway just before 6pm. Helen our daughter in law came out with 18 month old Sophie, our gorgeous golden haired granddaughter, so she could be photographed with us by our bikes. Sophie is in the photo at the start of our big journey in February, so she had to be at the end of it! Our beautiful little poppet has grown since we saw her last.

Within minutes of us getting inside the house the heavens opened up and we were treated to a magnificent summer thunder and lightning storm, with lashings of rain. We timed that right!

The next day we went into Princess Margaret Hospital to see Orlena. She has lost a lot of weight and looked like she was in pain, but on seeing us she cheered up and looked a lot more relaxed. I am so glad to be back home so I can be at the hospital daily to have more input into her therapies. She is talking a bit now, which given her brain injury, is amazing. On the 17th December the surgeons are hoping to replace her skull part that has been removed, hoping her immune system is strong enough for this. It breaks my heart to see such a tiny little child suffering, and having to tell her that she "will get better" and that she is being a good girl with all her treatments.

Dave is going down to Bunbury tomorrow to be a support for his Mum with her big operation, and to help look after his 90 year old Dad. I was going to be there, but now we realise we need to divide ourselves between our 2 special people who are 86 years apart. May they both be happy and well soon!

We are hoping to continue our Australian exploration next winter in 2013, riding up the WA coastline to the Pilbara and then on to the top half of the Northern Territory. This time of the year will be perfect for exploring the Big Top of Australia.

So, that's it from the Mighty Intrepids for this year! It has been a wonderful, awesome journey all the way, making us realise that no matter how beautiful the scenery is, family and friends are the most important features in life. And we are so lucky to have been able to have a great journey and great folk around us in our lives.