After so much planning we finally left this morning at 11.00 on our trip. As no trip can happen without the last, last, last, last minute hiccup.... Mum and Dad's faithful Engle (camping fridge/freezer) chose last night to quietly pass away (filled with our frozen food ready for the trip). We consoled each other with the thought that it could have happened half way across the Nullabor when filled with King George Whiting!
After packing the house and last minute farewells we finally hitched up Fred (my Beast) to Ginger (his girlfriend, the trailer) and set off. We battled some farely fierce winds which seemed to come from every direction, but I was really pleased with the way Fred and Ginger behaved - Fred pulled well and we managed just over 7 km to the litre. The conditions today were probably going to be the most fuel guzzling of the trip with non stop uphill climb and strong winds. This probably means that at the worst, Fred and Ginger's consumption will be about 650 km per tank.
We have the beautiful, but slightly shabby Paddy the bear with us. Paddy is well travelled, having been with me in Britain (twice), Europe and India. I am sure he will enjoy our trip... though I am knitting him a new hat as he is looking a little the worse for wear.
We had lunch at Ebor and then stopped at Armadale to get a new Engle (rather an expensive but necessary step). We arrived at Bendemeer at about 4 o'clock and have booked into the caravan park - we are the only ones here. We have decided to stay at a caravan park so that we have power for heating etc. to keep me warm - I don't have enough padding on me and am not far enough recovered to stand the cold yet.
Tonight I am sleeping in my swag (under the protection of the awning of Mum and Dad's caravan). We are hoping for an early start tomorrow as we have a huge day travelling to Nyngan (about 500km).
That's it for today, the first day of our epic adventure.
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