We have arrived in Perth

10^th December

Hyden to Perth

The end of our Australian leg having ridden 3,926 ks

 There was thunder,lightning and rain all night at Hyden.   Next morning we woke to find we were surrounded by water, the rotunda an island.   Pat, one of the ladies from the opp shop arrived with a cup of tea and the news that the roads were flooded and rising rapidly, she was going to Corrigin and suggested that we take up her offer of a ride through the floodway or we might be delayed at Hyden for up to a week.  Pat is 71 years old and real trooper,  Mike went with her to get her trailer and we loaded the bikes and our gear on to it.  Through pouring rain and flooded roads we drove to Corrigin where Pat left us to go to her meeting.  We packed the bikes ready to find the local campsite when the rain stopped and the sun came out – just like Melbourne weather.    We spoke to a man who had just driven from Quairiding who assured us the roads ahead were clear of water so we headed off to ride the 68ks there.  The road was off the main route to Perth so there was very little traffic and no trucks.  Again we passed through wheat fields with many birds, the wheat provided them with plenty of food.  There were lots of large hills, one with a lovely 5 ks downhill, no need to peddle . 

The township of Quariding was a nice surprise.  A neat place with a variety of shops.  We know now we are close to Perth.  The campsite was friendly, people sat around talking and had cuppas together.  We learnt that the Hyden road was closed because of flooding and we were glad that Pat had given us such good advice and assistance.

The next day we rode to York, an historic tourist town where we spent the day sightseeing.

Our final day of our Australian leg of our trip saw us out of the wheat belt into lovely countryside covered with tall gums before we came upon small towns where we bought cold drinks and lunch which was a novelty for us. As we joined the main road into Perth we stopped to have a drink at our last roadhouse before coping with traffic, a thing we have not had to do for a long time.   There is a long downhill ride into Perth with lots of fast traffic, Heather got off and walked on the steep parts as it was just too scary to ride after travelling on outback roads for so long.    We finally arrived at the Perth caravan and it was hard to believe that we had arrived and that the next time we would ride our bikes would be in Asia.   It was hot so after booking in and having our photos taken we jumped into the pool to cool off and begin a couple of weeks of holiday while we prepared for the overseas part of our trip, like getting injections and servicing the bikes.   While we were in Perth we took the ferry to Freemantle and visited Kings park which we loved.  We were also shown the sites and had a swim at Cottlesoe beach with Heather’s  cousin Jane and her husband Pete who we bumped into at the caravan park – neither of us knew the other was staying there.  Jane and Pete are working their way around Australia and have been away so far for two years.

We are feeling very homesick.  It is almost Christmas and we are missing the granchildren.