Team A

Early this morning I walked to the top of the Eucla hill, overlooking the sand dunes, fields and ocean and had some quiet time in nature. Actually, nature was quiet as it was before sunrise and no one was around. After half an hour whilst looking into the valley below me, I saw many kangaroos jumping across the fields in groups of a dozen or so. Then a pair of them became 'boxing kangaroos' as they balanced on their strong tails, bringing themselves up to their full height, with white chests pronounced and fought for a full round in the ring, boxing and kicking with both powerful legs simultaneously! I had heard about these behaviours and seen it on TV but this was the first time I’d witnessed 'boxing kangaroos' live – in the wild. A powerful image to behold!

Retelling the story later to Nataliya, our member from Ukraine, provoked the question she always asks: “How many kangaroosies?”

When running today, an wedge-tail eagle was right next to me, perched on a tree. You really see up close how magnificent and huge these birds are!

We saw several more eagles throughout the day, and some kangaroos jumping alongside the van. We spotted a sign notifying us that we have entered an unfenced area with emus, kangaroos and camels (we haven’t spotted a camel yet.)

As we had parked the van and were waiting for a runner to arrive, a lady in a campervan stopped right next to us for a chat. Dee Clifford and her cute little mini fox-terrier Alice had a photo taken with the Torch, using her camera, as ours was temporarily out of action.

Another car and another lady now stopped and we all chatted together. Dee said she camped on a bluff overlooking the ocean last night and the two ladies became inspired to talk all about the peace you feel whilst camping here. Dee said, “No one knows where I am really, I’m on my own and sometimes even I don’t know where I am! Everyone camps across the Nullarbor to experience nature fully. It’s so peaceful here.”

Thanks ladies for stopping to meet us alongside the road. It was great to share our journey with you. We agree with you, the peace in the outback and the friendly people we meet really make our journey around Australia all the more memorable.

– Kylie Williams (Australia)

Team B

The Nullarbor Plain is very fascinating and we are getting a full tour of its charms, starting out our run today 55 kilometres from Madura: the liquid shimmering effect of the heat on the road stretching out before us had a magical effect.

Running along we saw signs telling us that this particular stretch of roadway is periodically used for airplanes landing and taking off again for medical emergencies;

and although no planes landed on the plain today it was entirely common for us to wave to the passing cars and trucks as everyone along this stretch of isolated territory offers a gesture of friendliness to each other, perhaps as a reminder that we are all one family, especially should anyone be in need of a helping hand.

The brush around us was very diverse and unique as these plants have had to adapt to the harsh surroundings.

Eagles soaring overhead...

parched earth and the bleached bones of many unfortunate animals baking under the sun ...

as well as stunning views of the plains, everything interesting in its own way.

We would like to thank profusely Rasa Patupis whose generosity during our stay in Eucla was unforgettable – thanks, thanks, thanks Rasa!

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

A feature of our journey across the Nullarbor has been the frequent road trains we encounter.

Road trains are large, imposing trucks pulling several trailers, hauling goods between the state capitals.

The drivers have invariably been friendly and encouraging, waving and tooting – one even took a photo on the fly of our runner today as he passed.

At Cocklebiddy (permanent population – 6) this afternoon we met Tony Marks, enjoying a brief break in his haul from Perth to Adelaide.

Tony had passed our runners two days earlier at Yalata on his previous trip to Adelaide, and was happy to hear more details of our journey.

Tony was driving a 9-month-old Kenworth truck for Disibo Transport Pty Ltd of Adelaide.

This impressive machine is drawn by a 620 horse-power engine with 18 gears, is carried by 64 tyres (not counting spares), weighs in at 82 tonnes, and carries 2,500 litres of fuel. At today's prices that's around $5000 to fill the tank!

A few of our boys were thrilled to climb on board and start the engine, though that was as far as they went, for the journey ahead of us is on foot!

– Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

Team C

Vaster than the sky,

Deeper than the sea,

Purer than the moon,

Man's God-Oneness-Tree.

– Sri Chinmoy

(from From the Source to the Source by Sri Chinmoy, 1974)

Today we well and truly entered into the vastness of the Outback.

Our team's task was to run 91 km from Madura to Cocklebiddy, two roadhouse settlements situated on the Eyre Highway (Highway 1) along the Nullarbor Plain.

Madura is nestled amongst a rare outcrop of trees at Madura Pass with spectacular views of the Roe Plains below, almost exactly halfway between Adelaide and Perth (1300 km in each direction).

Madura Station was first settled in 1876 and originally served as a horse stud, breeding horses for the British Army in India. But now with the fading of the British Raj and the advent of the motor car, Madura is now best known as a place to fill your car with fuel and buy some snacks for the onward journey.

From Madura we set off westward across the plains to Cocklebiddy. Unlike the previous days we had a strong tailwind which pushed us onward to our destination. Our Russian-speaking pair of Misha Kulagin (Russia) and Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine) lead the charge today with 21.1 and 23 km respectively making the day very simple for the rest of us.

Before we knew it Cocklebiddy appeared like an oasis on the horizon. An opportunity to relax and replenish for the day ahead.

– Veeraja Uppal

Team Members:
Kylie Williams (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Angela Muhs (Germany), Friederike Makowka (Switzerland), Elke Lindner (Germany), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Colm Magee (Ireland), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Shapathanal Daly (New Zealand), Veeraja Uppal (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Edi Serban (Romania)

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