Adelaide to Renmark - week 1

Day 1 Adelaide (Victoria Sq) to Gawler 43 km
Started off with repacking my gear 3 or 4 times and putting things aside that I didn't really need?? extra clothes etc 1st stop post office to send that stuff back.

10am at Victoria Square, overcast day and standing there by the fountain on my own, remembering the last time I was here was with dad before he passed away.
The TV and newspapers didn't make it as must have been more trajic news to report on. Phil Tarrant & Craig Hunter appeared from nowhere to wish me good luck and to send me off on this little journey up the road. After some words of encouragement and a quick prayer the clock tower struck 10.30 and I was off. Making my way up through the city and onto main north road. It took me a while to realise I was actually doing this and it wasn't until a lovely couple asked me what I was doing that it really sank in .... Ive begun.
Not wanting to make this about me or the fundraising Ive decided not to tout for donations, but just meet people along the way that want to speak with me and hopefully donations for the Mcgarth Foundation will follow.

The rest of the day was walking up north Road with a few cars stopping to chat and give donations. Arrived in Gawler late and set up tent for the night.

Day 2- Gawler to Truro via the Barossa Valley 46km approx

Started off early after some weatbix and restocking water at the community fountain, nice water. Walk through Barossa vally was lovely, winding road with not much to walk on the side but just enough to stay on tarmac most of the time. As the day was overcast again the cool weather kept the pace up and the views were wonderful, grape vines all over the place, a few magpies and some sheep.
I kept thinking all the way how much Dad loved his wine and that I should stop in for a quick glass at one of the vinyards but I guess the idea of getting stuck into some wine so early on was probably not the best way to kick of the trip.
Intended to get to Nurioopta for the night but when I got there it was only 4.30pm and I was feeling good no pains so I stopped for a chicken roll and chips and then decided to carry on an extra 15km to Truro. Just afterNurioopta came the turn off onto the highway, Aghhhhh the 110km highway with the big trucks.... this was the start of the rest of the trip. everything else had been a little stroll on country roads. The trucks fly past and the wind that comes off blows your hat off if your too close. I soon developed a tecnique of moving to the side and giving the truckies a wave so I knew they had seen me. Came into Truro as the sun was setting and i had no idea what to to about accomdation after walking all the way through the town with no caravan park or motel I decided another tent night would be in order, the rest area just out of town gave me a nice lttle spot amongst the trees and so as the sun was almost down I quickly set up my tent threw all my gear in and collapsed into the self infalting mattress. with the sound of trees, sheep and birds I closed my eyes and couldn't belive I was actually doing this walk and now camped by the side of th road.

Day 3 Truro - Blanchtown 46km Approx

Had a call from Alex, Nari & leo - As they were in Barossa for a little break away they offered to meet for breakfast on the road. we met up at the next rest point which overlooked the plains a great spot. Sharing Breaky and camping stories with Alex,Nari and their little boy Leo was an amazing morning a little windy but all the same almost sureal.
Continued on down the road for my first real taste of the dry arid roadside, with the lack of rain over the year everything is very dry and yet the birds a chirping and the scenery is beautiful, I guess as Im walking I have been able to take in the sights and enjoy each tree or bush - getting into a rhythm of walking and side stepping the trucks has been my main entertainment, listening out for cars coming from behind and watching out for the vehicles in front keeps the walking interesting and I have not been bored or wanted to put on any music as yet.
Getting hotter, had a long rest under a tree, keeping my feet comfortable by channging or airing out socks every 3 hours, also helps with preventing blisters. Knock on wood no blisters yet.
with the setting behind me I was wondering if I would make the next town, then seeing lots of rabbits bouncing around everywhere I started thinking about where I would put up the tent amongst all these rabbits?? No one stopped all day - nice to be alone in my thoughts but started to wonder what am I doing!!!!
Aghhh the BP roadhouse in the distance, busting for the toilet I pulled in to use the facilities and grab a cold drink, then the ladies from the bistro offered me dinner on them - Scnitzel burger and chips with a five fruits juice. mmmm its tasted great after eating dust all day on the road. then one of the ladies came over with a donation of some money and said "weve just done a quick whip around for your efforts" then other people that were dining or at the service station started coming in to see me with donations, I was overwhelmed , literally couldn't speak from the emotion of their generosity. Thank you BP Blanchtown.
They suggested to head down to the river to the camp ground, walking in the dark I found my way down the hill, thinking bugger I have walk back up this tommorrow. Met the lovely lady owner, set up my tent, had a quick shower and crashed.

Day 4 Blanchtown to Waikerie 42.3km

After packing up the tent refilled my water bottles from the rainwater tank and I was off for another day of fun in the sun.
Ahead of schedule now I figured I could reach Waikerie, a long straight road a couple of small hills it was back into the rhythm of dodging, waveing and listening to the birds and taking in the scenery.

Coming into Waikerie was like an oasis after km's of dry brown land, some green fruit trees, oranges.....mmmmm would they miss one if I picked one of the tree, no I decided to keep walking and hope for a fruit stand to buy one. almost into town some men were having drinks on the balcony of a beatiful house, we exchanged waves and hello's, they asked what I was up too and then if I wanted a drink - a beer?? OK why not that would be great. and it was I can't remember if I just sculled it in one but it went down good. We talked some more and then I was asked to stay for a BBQ - An amazing family - I'll wright all your names soon Ive left my note book back at camp Dughhh!! Thank you for the BBQ dinner and inviting the local reporter, I hope the photo turned out OK in the end.

camped up for the night near the river.

Day 5 Waikerie to Cobdogla 42.3km
The next morning was still, woke early and packed tent up and headed up to tables by the river for some quiet time thinking about how much Brony would have loved this spot by the river had breaky (wheatbix) with the birds and the morning sun. continued out of town for another day on the road, one step at a time. its funny how many hours can pass by as you make your way along the road taking in all the scenery that is changing and yet doesn't really change. the sound of the birds and noise of wind through te tress is very threapuetic. kept a good pace along a straight road for most of the day stopping on the side of the road when things got a little too hot. not too many people stopping today. coming into Cobdogla along the river front is lovely and had wanted to just jump the guard rail to get down to the other road but was so tired i could lift the baby jogger over and there was no break in the barrier till town, tired hot and hungry I walked past the Club in town, a man was outside so i asked if the food was good?? he asked what i was doing and that was the start of a nice night, making my way in John put the word out as to what I was doing and all of a sudden people where coming over to say gday and offer donations, after a good feed from the bistro I asked about a place to camp and they said - its taken care off at the camp ground we have a spare cabin for you - no sheets but a bed and air con- I was blown away with the offer and the hospitatlity. Thank you to john and Pauline Gilbert, Helen and Dennis Britten, Im sorry i forgot your name the lovely lady that took me to the camp ground and looked after me, Thank you Cobdogla and really nice place to spend the night.

Day 6 Cobdogla to Berri 20km

After fixing a punctured tyre - got moving to Berri - should be easier day today. Thoughts of Brony are always at top of mind and feeling her missing at all these wonderful spots is agonising but I look at the Gum trees and know she is around. the road in was easy and scenic enough, was stopped afew times along the way by well wishers and some donations. The heat was getting to me as I slowed down, the motivation was starting to waver, then as I rested under the shade of a tree a lovely lady stopped and had a long chat with me and she envigerated me to keep going she also asked if it was OK for her to give my info to the local radio. As I pulled into the BP at Glossop to get a cold drink I was met by Angela and Jim they were so welcoming and offered to buy me lunch and a cold drink, they were wonderful, then Allen came in with lady from national foods and they had done a quick collection and he presented me with the donation and some fruit juice - such nice people I really enjoyed meeting them in Glossop. the rest of the way into Berri I wondered if I should take up an offer the I had met Nicoli with her kids in the car a couple of days ago and she mentioned if I wanted a place to stay in Berri to give her a call, so I did, she said stay at their place. I detoured to the Riverland cycles store to see if I could get help with the puncture met Neil - (motorised bike) that was so helpful, sorted out the tyres with heavy duty tubes and goo - Max & jennifer the owners were kind enough to donate all teh materials and labour - after some tears and a chat I headed off to find Nicoli's house. they found me wondering the streets of berri lost - gave me directions and went to there place had some great conversations with the kids Cody, Shaynee & Brett, really lovely family Im so glad you took me in and hope your xmas was wonderful.

Day 7 Berri to Renmark 20km

Left a little later after Breaky and made the road into renmark - had a radio interview on the way on the phone, lots of people stopping, tehn had local TV WIN news stop and do an interview for the news, also contacted by Renmark local paper teh Pioneer for a photo rendevous on the road outside town. A really full day of stuff going on. Met some wonderful people on the road and took my time getting into Renmark, then did some banking and internet stuff sat by the river and made my way down to the campground were Klaus greeted me with a crown lager and a lovely camp site on the rivers edge. Yep rest day here tommorrow 7 days on the road deserve a little break. jumped in the river and soaked the body for a long while. Met Alison and Maurice from Deniliquin and shared some quiet time by the river with them. was pretty shattered and hadn't had dinner yet so Klaus had mentioned a pub around the corner over the bridge about 500m so I walked over to find it closed, bugger, walked back and opened 3 cans mixed beans, tuna, corn - dinner sorted. asleep before head hit pillow (clothes stuffed in small bag).