12/29/2013

Day 120 Flemington to Preston (Melbourne)12.7km

Spending 6 days in Benalla, the time has come when I have to say goodbye to Kyohei. Last night we talked drinking wine for hours.

 He had a hard time in his life and taught me some lessons through his philosophy. We drove back to Flemington. And I re-start my run to Preston, where I stay until 31. On the 1st of January 2014, I will leave Melbourne for Canberra.

 One more month, just 1000km to go.

 Looking forward to seeing Opera House. I'll never give up, will keep holding on and do my best!

 Just 12km today, but it was hard to follow the route which Google map showed to me.


 I am a member of JACC or Japan Adventure Cyclist Club. As soon as I arrived at hotel, another member of JACC was waiting for me.

 Mr.Debori is cycling around the world.

 He left Alaska 4 years ago, cycling across North and South America. On his way he was robbed of his belonging including his bicycle in Costalica.

 But he was strong enough to get back on the road again!

 He said he had started in Sydney and was going to fly to Tasmania.

 We'll meet again somewhere along the road someday.


 


*Today's Distance: 12.7km

 *Total Distance from Perth: 4113.0km

 *See More Photos  

12/28/2013

Taking a break in Benalla

On 23, Kyohei my friend picked me up at Flemington.

Arrived at his place in Benalla after driving about 3 hours.

I was invited to a Christmas party and had a really good time on 25.

On 26, Kyohei showed me around Benalla.  Benalla is a wonderful city.

The size is not so big but I feel like living here.

On 27, I attended the meeting of Benalla Pistol Club. I was just watching the members shooting. After that we had a BBQ at the park.

On 28,  we watched Benalla Triathlon held in Lake Benalla.

It's a small local race but very exciting!  I used to be a triathlete. I remembered attending some races held in Japan long time ago.

Tomorrow I'll be back in Melbourne in Kyohei's car.

And will stay in the city until December 31.

Then I restart my run on the 1st of January, 2014!










12/24/2013

Day114 Bacchus Marsh to Melbourne 52.1km

The day before Christmas Eve.

Left Bacchus Marsh at 6am. The sky was dark.

I wore rain suits just in case.


There are some orchards and winery in this area.

It also means there are hills here and there.


I followed Melton Highway, the local route to avoid freeway.

But as I got close to the city of Melbourne, the traffic became busier.

Also, I often had to check my googlemap not to get lost.

It's much easier to run in the outback. Because there were no alternative route. Only one highway I have to take.

20km to Melbourne, I ran on the sidewalk, which was safer.

All I had to to do is watch for cars turning at the intersection.

Sometimes some drivers were rude and careless.


Enjoyed running on the quiet and comfortable bike path in some part.

Had a hard time climbing hills even in the residential area.

12-13 percent grade slopes are the limit where I can push and climb.

Saw some beautiful parks on the way. Of course many cyclists and runners were see.



After 4:30, I finished today's run in front of Flemington Cycles.

I asked the owner Damien for maintenance and inspection of my buggy.

After closing the shop, Damien and other staff members made a toast with beer.

They were very friendly and nice to me.

I talked with them about bicycles and my journey.

Seems like they really loved bicycles so much


After that Damien invited me to dinner with his family.

He gave me a ride to his house about 10 minutes from the shop.

He lives in a beautiful house with his wife and 4
 kids (3 daughters and only one son).


I guess he is living a happy life even though he's busy working hard every day.

He's also a kind of motivated guy, I'm sure.

He must be the one who always keeps trying to express his gratitude.


He gave me a ride to the shop again and there my friend Kyohei came and pick me up in his car.

I said goodbye to Damien and Kyohei and I drove to Benalla 220km north east of Melbourne.

One of the longest day for me, I ran 52.1km today, 4100km from Perth!

Going to take Christmas holidays!





*Today's Distance: 52.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 4100.3km

*See More Photos  

12/23/2013

Day114 Bacchus Marsh to Melbourne 52.1km

The day before Christmas Eve.

Left Bacchus Marsh at 6am. The sky was dark.

I wore rain suits just in case.


There are some orchards and winery in this area.

It also means there are hills here and there.


I followed Melton Highway, the local route to avoid freeway.

But as I got close to the city of Melbourne, the traffic became busier.

Also, I often had to check my googlemap not to get lost.

It's much easier to run in the outback. Because there were no alternative route. Only one highway I have to take.

20km to Melbourne, I ran on the sidewalk, which was safer.

All I had to to do is watch for cars turning at the intersection.

Sometimes some drivers were rude and careless.


Enjoyed running on the quiet and comfortable bike path in some part.

Had a hard time climbing hills even in the residential area.

12-13 percent grade slopes are the limit where I can push and climb.

Saw some beautiful parks on the way. Of course many cyclists and runners were see.



After 4:30, I finished today's run in front of Flemington Cycles.

I asked the owner Damien for maintenance and inspection of my buggy.

After closing the shop, Damien and other staff members made a toast with beer.

They were very friendly and nice to me.

I talked with them about bicycles and my journey.

Seems like they really loved bicycles so much


After that Damien invited me to dinner with his family.

He gave me a ride to his house about 10 minutes from the shop.

He lives in a beautiful house with his wife and 4
 kids (3 daughters and only one son).


I guess he is living a happy life even though he's busy working hard every day.

He's also a kind of motivated guy, I'm sure.

He must be the one who always keeps trying to express his gratitude.


He gave me a ride to the shop again and there my friend Kyohei came and pick me up in his car.

I said goodbye to Damien and Kyohei and I drove to Benalla 220km north east of Melbourne.

One of the longest day for me, I ran 52.1km today, 4100km from Perth!

Going to take Christmas holidays!





*Today's Distance: 52.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 4100.3km

*See More Photos  

12/22/2013

Day113 Ballarat to Bacchus Marsh 60.7km

Today is a long day 60km run, some hills and 60 percent chance of rainfall.

About 100km to Melbourne.


Started at 5:45 before dawn.

I cannot run on the freeway, so I follow backroads or side roads.

Some scattered shower in the morning.

It became humid in the afternoon.

Had to take rough roads, gravel roads too.


Flies were so busy, about 100 were flying around here and there.

Even it rained, they were active.

Climbed up to 600m but the latter half was mostly downhill.



Just before 5pm, I checked in at a motel in Bacchus Marsh.

Today, total distance from Perth is over 4000km.

And tomorrow is the day I reach Melbourne.

Enjoyed shopping at Coles.







*Today's Distance: 60.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 4048.2km

*See More Photos  

12/21/2013

Day112 Beaufort to Ballarat 50.7km

After the hot day, chilly morning again.

12 degrees when I left Beaufort.

Just cloudy but I have to get ready for the rain.


Following Highway A8, where there are construction spots here and there.

Seems like they want to widen the highway.

Shoulders are closed in some parts.

To avoid heavy traffic I entered C805, Old Western Highway.

It's a quiet route to Ballarat.

Both sides are cherry trees over 3,000, each one was planted by someone, whose name was shown on the copper boards beside the tree.

Ballarat is a big city, 100km to Melbourne.

Tomorrow total distance from Perth will be over 4,000km.

Looking forward to finish in Sydney in about one month.







*Today's Distance: 50.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3987.5km

*See More Photos  

12/20/2013

Day111 Ararat to Beaufort 50.0km

12 to 32 degrees…Got to run 46km till Beaufort today.

I'll be in Melbourne on 23.

All the stores are closed on Christmas.


Had a hard time climbing two hills. Not so steep but hill climb lasted for a while.



About 3pm, I arrived at town center. Enjoyed shopping at IGA and headed to caravan park 1km away.

But when I arrived at caravan park, all the cabin was booked.

So I went back to downtown again.

Finally I checked in at Beaufort Motel.

Tomorrow will be cool because of the rain.









*Today's Distance: 50.0km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3936.8km

*See More Photos 

12/19/2013

Day110 Stawell to Ararat 30.1km

According to the weather news, it's going to be 39 degrees today.

19 degrees in the morning.

All I got to do is start early and finish early.


The temperature will be highest in the late afternoon.


Today, I run 30km to Ararat. Probably I'll finish by noon.


Left Stawell at 6am. But after 9am, the heat was coming around.

I don't run so fast but my heart rate rises so fast.

Drink water to cool myself down.

At 11am, I finished at Ararat Colonial Lodge.

The owner was so kind as to receive 50 dollars per night usually costing 115 dollars.

The room was large, gorgeous and clean with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

What is better, SAFEWAY the super market is just in front of the motel!!

I don't have to walk too far to do shopping.


200km to Melbourne.


I must run even in the middle of heated summer in order to arrive at the next town.

People often ask me why I dare do such a tough and hard thing.

I cannot answer the question.

I guess it's okay if they feel something when they see me running.

They should imagine what's in the runners' mind and how runners feel while they are on the run…it's surely important just to imagine.







*Today's Distance: 30.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3886.8km


*See More Photos 

*Planned route...

*Where Adventure Runner Kay is now...

12/18/2013

Day109 Day Off @ Stawell

It's getting hotter here.

Tomorrow will be 39 degrees.

Soon total distance will be 4000km.

Here's a track of my journey.



12/17/2013

Day108 Horsham to Stawell 63.8km

It's been a long day.

Chilly morning 15 degrees but 33 degrees afternoon.

Heat always slows me down. In addition I had a hill climb, not so steep but the elevation went up to 100m approximately.


Highway A8 was so busy that I was sick of the noise and the smell.

Road trains come and go driving faster than 100km/hour.

Headwinds also annoyed me. I was drowsy afternoon because of fatigue.

After all I arrived at caravan park in Stawell at 6pm.

I was glad there was a supermarket open until 10pm but…it's 2km from the caravan park. I had to walk 4km both ways again…

Take a day off tomorrow. It's been a tough week.







*Today's Distance: 63.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3856.7km

*See More Photos 

12/16/2013

Day107 Dimboola to Horsham 42.6km

Last night I was so tired that I fell asleep all of sudden.

Woke up twice in the middle of night.

The bar was open till late at night.

People's laughter and music were heard.



My headphone stereo got out of order yesterday.

No response if I turn on the power button.

Very sad...No music for a long while.


Before I start early in the morning, I had a hard time to carry all the stuff from upstairs to downstairs. 6 times in total.


I left Dimboola about 6am. Today too I followed the backroads of Highway A8.

It's nice to run all by myself, feeling as if I had been a ruler of the world.

Very calm and quiet with very few cars coming and going.



I arrived at caravan park of Horsham.

But I had forgotten to do some shopping at Coles before I came here.

So I walked to Coles at city center walking 8.1km under the heat of 34 degrees.

Tomorrow will be the long day, I have to run 60km.

Temperature will be high this week around 40 degrees!







*Today's Distance: 42.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3792.9km

*See More Photos 

12/15/2013

Day106 Nhill to Dimboola 40.4km


A herd of galah kept twittering until 9pm last night, so noisy!

This morning they started gathering and singing at 5am.

I pitched my tent under their trees.

Seems like there were more than hundreds…

This might be their territory. I must have invaded here without permission.

OMG! When I got out of my tent, I saw their drops on its flysheet!


Sunny. 9 degrees in the morning but 27 afternoon.

Today I met several people and they gave me donation.

66.60 today! 1004.65 in total!!

I'm raising money for 2011 Tohoku Tsunami and Earthquake relief.

Runners have to do something good through running, that's my policy.

I keep on running to help kids in Fukushima and to make my dreams come true.

This is the way I can make my dreams come true!







*Today's Distance: 40.4km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3750.3km

*See More Photos 

12/14/2013

Day105 Kaniva to Nhill 40.7km

Today I tried to follow the backroad of A8 to avoid heavy traffic.

Seems like a quiet, peaceful route.


9 degrees in the morning but 26 degrees in daytime.

Got to be flexible both in mental and physical.


Just after I left Kaniva, I took Broughton Road.

Paved but partly unpaved.

Unpaved road was rough, sometimes sandy gravel…it was the hardest part as I had to keep pushing.

My buggy VIENTO got out of control.

Felt as if I had been running on the beach.


Gravel road ended later.

After that I enjoyed a calm country road.

Some hills and some road was surrounded by eucalyps wood.

Finished today's run at caravan park in Nhill.

They say there was no cabin available, all of which were booked.

The owner said that it's free on tent site.

So I pitched my tent for the first time in a while.

I have to camp out so that I can remember the hard days in the Nullarbor Plain.


Sometimes I have to eat only canned sardines, crackers and water for dinner.







*Today's Distance: 40.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3709.9km

*See More Photos  

12/13/2013

Day104 Bordertown to Kaniva 44.4km

11 degrees in the morning. Cloudy...Still cool.

Wind blows from West-southwest, mostly tailwind.


19km from Bordertown I entered Victoria.

I lost 30 minutes as I entered Eastern Time Zone.

2 hours ahead of Japan Standard Time.



Dukes Highway changed its name into Western Highway at the state border.

The scenery looks like desert again.


The first town in Victoria was Kaniva.

I checked in at a motel after running 44.4km.

The owner was kind enough to give me a discount.

Usually double room costs 85 dollars but I paid 20 dollars.

And he added continental breakfast 7.50 for free.

Also he allowed me to use free Wi-Fi.

He said he had seen me running in Adelaide.







*Today's Distance: 44.4km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3669.2km

*See More Photos  

12/11/2013

Day102 Keith to Bordertown 45.6km

2 weeks till Christmas…it doesn't really matter to me though…

Had scattered showers several times.

10 minutes shower and soon the sun came back but windy day.

Mostly west wind, partly tail wind blew.

There was nothing but rest areas along the way.



About 2pm, I arrived at caravan park in Bordertown.

VIctorian border is about 20km east from here.


The owner of the caravan park was kind enough to me.

He gave me 15 dollars discount as I said I was running across Australia.

Clean and beautiful cabin. This town is also kind of neat.

Everywhere I go in town, it's a walk distance.

Going to take a day off tomorrow!







*Today's Distance: 45.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3624.8km

*See More Photos  


12/10/2013

Day101 Tintinara to Keith 39.2km

Chilly days…12 degrees this morning.

Is it really summer now?

Today's my father's 82nd birthday.

Both my parents are fine in Osaka.

They have nothing to do with the word digital.

All I can do for them is write a letter or talk on the phone.

Three weeks left by the time the year 2014 starts.


There are some small towns along the highway A8.



I visit those pretty towns every day.

Today I'm in Keith, population about 1000 but very quiet in downtown.


Tomorrow I'll be in Border Town, getting closer to the Victorian Border.

And Melbourne is within 500km zone.

At earliest 10 days to get there.

I'll be able to get there before Christmas.





*Today's Distance: 39.2km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3579.2km

*See More Photos  

12/09/2013

Day100 Coonalpyn to Tintinara 27.8km

Finally Day100 today!!

Funny how time flies…

Looking back these 100 days, I really feel how fast I have run the stream of time.

But there are still a long way to go.

I have to run across New Zealand too.


Day by day I enjoy each and every day just like going far step by step.


I was going to Keith, 66km from Coonalpyn but it was too far and I had no reason to hurry.

This is not a competition, just a running journey.

Slow and mellow just like a snail…but got to hold on, never give up.

So I finished after running 27.4km in the town of Tintinara.



About 500km to go to get to Melbourne.

Wondering if I'll be there by Christmas.







*Today's Distance: 27.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3540.0km

*See More Photos  



12/08/2013

Day99 Tailem Bend to Coonalpyn 64.5km

It was a bit warm and humid because there was a river running in the town.

Tomorrow will be Day100 but the journey never ends still continues.

National Highway A1 changes into A8 in Tailem Bend.

Shoulders are wide enough for me to run.

Traffic is a bit heavy but I don't mind.


About 200km to the Victorian State border.

The scenery looks like the plain again.

Before noon I ran 34km but I had some power left.

I made up my mind to run 63km to Coonalpyn.

Tail wind was blowing and the road is almost flat.

Just kept going on and on.

No time for talk, no time for checking a smart phone.



Finally about 5pm I finished today's run at the Coonalpyn Hotel.

60km is too long…that's what I've already known.

Tomorrow too 66km to Keith.






*Today's Distance: 64.5km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3512.2km

*See More Photos  




12/06/2013

Day97 Callington to Tailem Bend 49.6km

An accident happened last night…when I was sleeping in my tent.

The owner of the bar keeps a shepherd. He's as big as one meter.

Usually he was out of the back yard beyond the gate, but he came around my tent and when I turned on the headlight he jumped onto my tent!

As soon as I opened the fastener of the inner tent, he tried to rush into my tent!!

I tried hard to stop him holding his body.

He must have been happy to play with hime.

How strong his power was! I rushed out of the tent with him with barefoot.

I unlocked the gate and opened it showing him the way out.

Luckily I made it!


But the next problem was…

One of my shoes was missing. I couldn't find anywhere.

Looking around in the dark, I ran around with my headlight on.

For about 30 minutes, I finally found it beside the door of the backdoor of the bar.

The bar was still open and I told the owner about it.

He said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I will move him to the kennel so that he cannot go beyond the gate."


I was lucky. If I had been in Alaska and if the dog had been a grizzly bear, what would have happened?



Today I followed Old Princes Highway, quiet and not so many cars come and go.

Around noon, I passed by the city of Murray Bridge.


Then I took National Highway 1 for the first time in a while.

I remember running the same highway in the Nullarbor Plain too.


Another accident happened in Tailem Bend.

Mammoth Soon-Soon which I had picked up on the roadside near Kimba was missing!


When I arrived at the motel, I saw him nowhere around.

After shopping at Foodland in town, it was gone…


I took a picture of him at the entrance of the town.

It was the last time I took a picture of hime.

Hope he will find a new owner...







*Today's Distance: 49.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3447.7km

*See More Photos  

12/05/2013

Day96 Stirling to Callington 37.6km

Chilly morning.

Some isolated showers…wind is also gusty.

Just like a winter.



After breakfast I said goodbye to Aenne and Michael and I drove to Stirling in his car.

We arrived in Stirling in about 20 minutes.

I had everything loaded and I said goodbye to Michael.

He really tries to understand my project and was very cooperative.

His wife Aenne also wishes WORLD PEACE. We talked about it last night.

I first met them in caravan park in Salmon Gums, WA 2 months ago.

Meeting is a treasure. Every meeting has a meaning.


I left Stirling for Melbourne before 8am.

When it was sunny, I felt better but some isolated shower made me feel cold.


I stayed at bus stop or under the roof of some shops as a rain shelter.




Handorf was a pretty town, which made me feel like I was in Germany.


After that I followed Back Callington Road.

Gravel road, so hilly with lots of 10 percent or more grade hills.

This mountain route reminded me of Aparachian Mountains which I had conquered in 2011.

It took 10 minutes to go 100m. This is a mountain climbing, actuallyy.


Especially down hill was kind of scary because the gravel surface was so slippery that once I fell down my heavy buggy would pull me down to the end of the downhill.


About 4pm, I arrived in Callington.

I asked the owner of the hotel and the bar but he said the hotel was not open any more. Only bar is open to public.

There's a caravan park or motel the next city Murray Bridge but it's 20km east of here.

I had no energy left and wanted to finish. What could I do?


While I was at a loss what to do in front of the bar, the owner came out and said I could pitch my tent at the back yard.


How lucky! I pitched my tent on the green lawn.

It's a bit chilly but free accomodation!



Everything will be all right anyway!






*Today's Distance: 37.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3398.1km

*See More Photos  

12/04/2013

Day95 Adelaide to Stirling 20.3km

Just 20km but pretty tough and hard mountain route.

As soon as I left Adelaide, hill climb started.

Google map told me to get into mountain track.

It was named Bullock Track.

Gravel road, the grade must have been about 10 percent or more.

It took me 10 minutes to go 100m.

Gravel road was slippery so I had to be careful especially downhill.

I had to take a deep breath many times, elevation rose up to 500m.


About noon I finished my run in Stirling and Michael found me across the road.

We drove to Woodside where his house is in his car.

We had lunch at Mt.Lofty Summit.


His house is so pretty that I really felt like living such a house someday.

At the back was a vineyard. His house is surrounded by a big garden, not a yard.


I received two packets from Japan.

New wheels and tyres, gloves, shoes and suppliment.


Michael had to go out for table tennis match at night.

I enjoyed dinner with his wife Aenne.

We talked about Australia, Germany their country and WORLD PEACE.

For the first time I was invited to a house in Australia.

It's nice to have a house. I'm a traveler, always moving around with no house.

















*Today's Distance: 20.3km

 *Total Distance from Perth: 3360.5km

 *See More Photos 

12/03/2013

YouTube Movie

Here's a YouTube movie I made. PEACE RUN Running Across Australia...Ceduna to Adelaide Music by "SUMIRE ROAD" by Tenkyu PingPongs

Adelaide

Here I am in Adelaide, 93 days after I left Perth running 3340km.

Still 1700km left to get to Sydney, my final goal.

Probably I'll finish by the end of January.

See the track I have taken so far.





12/02/2013

Day93 Gawler to Adelaide 45.4km

It's 15 degrees in the morning but it will be warm in the afternoon.

It's about 1700km from Adelaide to Sydney.

5000km is pretty long and takes time. Even if I run 50km each day, it takes 100 days.

As it is too long, I have to enjoy myself.


When I return a key at the office, David, the owner of the caravan park, asked me to come over to the office.

Fortunately, he refunded 90 dollars that I had paid yesterday and he said, "Help kids in Fukushima."

I was so happy to hear that. I took a picture of David and his wife Mary.


From Gawler, I ran on the side road and back road and then got into A20.

Quite heavy traffic. I felt headache and it smelled exhausted gas so bad!

I found a bike path and enjoyed running on a quiet road.


Main North Road had no side walk and no shoulder either.

Three lanes decided highway, almost motor way.

I found a back road at the outer edge of residential area.


Bike route was available in some part.


There was a bike lane on Main North Road but I'd like to avoid heavy traffic.

Temperature rose up to 36 degrees in the afternoon.

At 3pm, finally I arrived at Adelaide Caravan Park 2km off from city center of Adelaide.


I ran 3340km from Perth. Ran 350km in 8 days in a row from Port Augusta.


Adelaide is the 5th largest city in Australia with population 1.12 million.

Walked about 1.5km to shopping center to enjoy shopping at Coles.







*Today's Distance: 45.4km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3340.2km

*See More Photos

12/01/2013

Day92 Riverton to Gawler 52.2km

Here comes December!

Day100 will soon come.


I ran across Japan twice in 2010 & 2012 but both took about 100 days, covered about 3400km.

While I was running I felt as if it would have lasted forever.

This time I'm running across Australia. It'll take about 140 days covering as far as 5000km, almost the same as the distance between LA & NY.


Today I left Riverton following Highway A32.

Fortunately I had tail wind and enjoyed mostly downhills.


Shoulder was wide enough for me to run comfortably.


Rain started to fall about 10AM but it didn't rain much.


About 3pm after running 52.2km I finished my run in Gawler.

Checked in at caravan park.

I talked to the owner about my journey and he gave me a discount.

Cabin usually cost 115 dollars but I paid 90. Still expensive though.


In town center are Woolworths and Coles. What a big town!

Tomorrow I'll be in Adelaide just 40km south of here.


Took a shower and had dinner watching TV.


Have been running for 8 days in a row.

Take a day off in Adelaide!!







*Today's Distance: 52.2km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3294.8km

*See More Photos


11/30/2013

Day91 Clare to Riverton 41.0km

Cool morning again. 12 degrees but it will rise up to 29.

Tomorrow 35 degrees but rain.

Weather can be changeable and unpredictable.


Traffic is kind of heavy in the morning hours.

Adelaide is about 100km south.


Following B82 taking a look at winery, vine yard and grape hills.


I enjoyed some shopping IGA, Auburn.

It's Saturday, most of the stores are closed in the afternoon.


An accident happened again!

The shaft of the front wheel has been broken down in Rhinie.

The same thing had happened on the highway near Esperance about 2 months ago.

Running on the gravel road, I got to be careful.

This never happens on the paved road.

When the wheel is glassed by the gravel, it cannot go forward smoothly.

I was lucky I had a spare shaft given at a cycle shop in Esperance.

In Adelaide I will get some spares sent by Mr.Ueda the owner of the Pleasant.

After 3pm, I arrived at caravan park in Riverton.

I can sleep on bed for the first time in 2 days.

Need to have some batteries charged at cabin.


Final day of November I ran 1024.2km even if I took some days off.

3239.6km from Perth.

Approximately 1700km to Sydney from Adelaide.

Total distance will be about 5000km from Perth to Sydney, I guess.





*Today's Distance: 41.0km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3239.6km

*See More Photos

11/29/2013

Day90 Yacka to Clare 44.8km

90 days from Perth.

Clear up in the morning. 15 degrees.

When the sun shines, I'm happy enough to smile under the blue sky.

What I see is wheat hills and sheep farm.

Head wind blew all day, which slowed me down.

When tail wind blows, we don't notice most of the time.

We just got to go on even if head wind blows.


After the rain, there are lots of flies bothering around.


Rolling hills still last. Not too long but it lasts repeatedly.


And I got to be careful for drunken drivers because there are lots of winery around here.


Clare is a big town. I guess it's a town which became famous for wine business.

I was surprised and glad to see Woolworths.


Traffic is becoming a bit heavier.


In Clare, some people talked to me.

They said they had seen me on the highway.


Caavan park is at the edge of the town, 5km from town center.

Kind of exhausters but I made it.

Just before the caravan park, a police officer stopped his car and told me to run on the side road. I just said yes with a smile.


Yes, the traffic is quite heavy. So when two cars coming both from ahead and behind I try to get out of the paved highway.


Yesterday another police officer stopped and asked me to show my ID.

It's along journey. There are so many things along the way.



Arrived at caravan park, but I heard cabin cost 114 dollars at office. I gave up. Decided to sleep in my tent tonight too. Tent site cost 19.80.

I'm glad it's not so hot today.


3days to Adelaide, running for 8 days continuously.






*Today's Distance: 44.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3198.6km

*See More Photos

11/28/2013

Day89 Laura to Yacka 48.8km

Last night I was so exhausted that I fell asleep at 7:30.

Got up at 3:30 today.


Cool enough this morning to run.

Where on earth has the heat gone?

Chilly south wind is blowing.


The scenery was all golden wheat fields around here.

Oats, barley, vetch, rye as well as wheat…many varieties.

I heard that Japan imports lots of wheat from Australia.

Kagawa Prefecture (which is also called Udon-Ken or Udon noodle Prefecture) , where local people eat lots of udon noodles, too.


A few years ago, the price of the wheat was risen because of the drought weather in Australia.


Grape hills can be seen here and there.

I saw winery and vine yards here and there.


Georgetown is a pretty town.

It is a small town, actually on my map the name of the town is written the smallest letter.

I opened the door of the grocery store which was opened in late 1800s.

Tusch, the owner used to teach English in Japan.

He lived in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture.


Late afternoon, rain started to fall.

Put on rain suits for the first time since I did in Penong.

This rain will be important water for life of local people.

They use it as drinking water and they wash their hands with it.


After 3pm, I arrived at Yacka.

There was a caravan park.

15 dollars for tent site.

I saw a camp site covered with green grass for the first time here in Australia.

I remember camping in the desert in the Nullarbor Plain.

The ground was red-browny sand.

I had desert storm, rain storm out there.

Wondering how many wild nights I spent…

Now I can camp out after having such an experience.


It was windy and flies were very quiet.

I didn't use mosquito net today.

When was the last time I spent the day without mosquito net?


Isn't is nice to sleep in my tent for the first time in a while.


I'm out of network in Yacka, the population 90 is too small a town.

There used to be more people and I saw a grocery store closed maybe long time ago.

Even if it's a small town, it is sometimes very atrractive.

Town is where people live but not only for people to live but also for people to enjoy and live active lives.







*Today's Distance: 48.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3153.8km

*See More Photos

11/27/2013

Day88 Melrose to Laura 45.7km

I'm following Highway B82 instead of A1 but it was a right choice.

B82 is a quiet highway with a wonderful view.

The shoulders are narrow but the traffic is not heavy.

I can enjoy running on the country road everyday.

While I'm running per day, there are some towns on the way.

It's not a desert any more.


There are no rest area and parking area but in towns there are parks, toilet picnic tables and bench.

There were no shades in the desert plain but now I can take a break under the shade of big tall trees.

Actually it was very hot this afternoon over 35 degrees.

I had to cool myself down several times. Water bottle is warm enough to call it hot water.


Today I visited Murray Town, Wirrabara and Stone Hut.

Those are really small town but pretty.


After 3pm I finished my run in Laura Caravan Park.

Population about 500. But there's a super market IGA.


Tomorrow I have to camp out because there's no service between Laura and Clare. Clare is about 90km south of here.

It will be cool tomorrow because of rain.





*Today's Distance: 45.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3105.0km

*See More Photos

11/26/2013

Day87 Wilmington to Melrose 22.5km

Hill climb yesterday gave a muscle ache on me in both arms, neck, back and shoulders.

It means my upper body works so hard when pushing VIENTO the buggy.


Today was a short run day because the next accomodation was too far to one day.

Since I left Port Augusta, there has been some small towns every 20 to 30km.

Finished my run in Melrose today.

This is also small but pretty town which makes me feel like living.

Very tidy and neat. The population is not so large but this is the town which has every function necessary as a town.  

Walking around downtown, time is passing so slowly here.

I really felt like spending a couple days here if possible.





*Today's Distance: 22.5km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3059.3km

*See More Photos



11/25/2013

Day86 Port Augusta to Wilmington 44.2km

Summer is just around the corner.

The temperature is around 30 degrees this week.

Today I will enjoy hill climb.


Said goodbye to Highway 1 and I chose country road.

Old Wilmington Road was pretty quiet only one lane with no shoulders.

I saw several cars passing by.

Elevation was getting higher and higher.


As soon as I entered North Main Road, real hill climb started up to 500m.

I conquered Horrocks Pass after all.

I sweat a lot but feel really refreshing.

Desert plain was over with lots of green here and there.



After 4pm I arrived at Beautiful Valley Caravan Park, Wilmington.

The owner gave me 10 dollars discount.



It's Day 86. I covered 3000km from Perth.

I run 1000km per month constantly.

Not so fast a pace because I took lots of day-off.


VIENTO the buggy is already a part of my body.


Step by step, I can go far.





*Today's Distance: 44.2km

*Total Distance from Perth: 3036.8km

*See More Photos




11/24/2013

West Coast Sentinel

Here's an article about PEACE RUN & Adventure Runner KAY...





>> Japanese peace run pays Ceduna a visit

http://www.westcoastsentinel.com.au/story/1905343/japanese-peace-run-pays-ceduna-a-visit/?cs=1547

11/22/2013

Day83 Nuttbush Retreat to Port Augusta 39.8km

Cool morning but sunny blue sky today too.

After running 13km, Eyre Highway makes a turn left at the intersection.

Then traffic is getting busier as cars come and go so often.

26km to Port Augusta. The shoulders are too narrow to run with my partner VIENTO the Buggy.

When two cars come from ahead and behind at the same time, I have to get out of the paved road onto the gravel shoulder, which is very stressful.


The scenery I see reminds me of the one in the Mid-West of the US when I ran across in 2011.

It's a desert but some mountains around the highway.


Wind blew from behind…yes! Tail wind pushed me.



After 2pm, I arrived at a caravan park in Port Augusta.

About 2km away from city center but it's in a quiet place.


Here I am in a big city, 10 days from Ceduna, crossing Eyre Peinsula.

Going to take 2 days off and will go down in south for Adelaide.


Almost 3000km from Perth in 83 days. Seemed like I took too many off days but I feel happy I'm here sound and safe.


Enjoyed shopping in Woolworths for the first time since I left Esperance.

Here in Port Augusta, we can enjoy shopping at Coles, Woolworths and Foodand…3 supermarkets.

Great! There are so many kinds of food and the prices are cheap.

I couldn't help buying something unnecessary.

But 2km is kind of too far to walk. I walked between caravan park and city center with heavy plastic bags in both my hands.

I should have been with my buggy.






*Today's Distance: 39.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2992.6km

*See More Photos



11/21/2013

Day82 25km West of Iron Knob to Nuttbush Retreat 55.1km

17 degrees, cool morning.

This campsite is 20m away from highway.

So noisy with road trains I woke up several times during the night.


Scenes of the desert plain like the Nullarbor again between Kimba and Port Augusta.

Especially around Iron Knob, all I can see is the scenes of the Nullarbor Plain itself.

It was unfortunate that road house, motel and caravan park of Iron Knob had been already closed.

That was almost a ghost town. Only visitor information center and public toilet were there.

When people don't come around, the town won't be worth visiting.

Where there's no people coming around, there'll be no service.

There used to be a lot of people living here because it was the birthplace of Australian steel industry.

It is just like towns in the midwest of the US, which used to be busy with gold miners in the late 19th century.

The difference between big cities and isolated small towns is getting bigger.

The same is true in Japan.

I don't like to live in big cities. I prefer small quiet towns.

If we just seek for the convenience living in big cities, we might lose something important in life.


In a small town in the desert plain, I tried thinking about it.


Ran 55km and checked in at Nuttbush Retreat Caravan Park.

About 40km to go to Port Augusta.







*Today's Distance: 55.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2952.8km

*See More Photos


11/20/2013

Day81 Kimba to 25km West of Iron Knob 63.3km

Cloudy. Weather forecast says it will rain today.

Left Kimba after 6:30.


Windy but cool. Totally different from yesterday.

Next town Iron Knob is 88km away from here. Port Augusta is about 160km.

Hope I'll get there in 3 days.


Rolling hills repeated again and again today. But today, mostly downhill.

And to make matters better, wind blew from west, tail wind sometimes.


Some people stopped in front of me and gave water, food and donation to the Tsunami & Earthquake victims.


It was hard to find a camp site today. I was running in the conservation park area with both sides of the road fenced. Even rest area was difficult to find.


I guess South Australia has to spend more money on maintenance for the highway.






*Today's Distance: 63.3km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2897.7km

*See More Photos 

11/18/2013

Day79 57km West to Kimba 56.2km

Cool morning. Full moon was so bright I could read a book under the moon light.

No one was coming in this rest area. Seemed like I was the only camper


As soon as the sun rose about 6am, I started.

What rolling hills! After I entered the District Council of Kimba, hills after hills knocked me down.


Heavy buggy made me feel much heavier.


Around noon, a car stopped and here comes a lady.

She said, "Do you remember me?"

"Yes! Jodie! Of Ceduna Caravan Park!!" I said.

She happened to visit Port Augusta and on her way back to Ceduna, she was wondering what had become of me.

It was the law of attraction, wasn't it?

Miracles happen everyday, that's what Forrest Gump often says.


Another car stopped when I was taking a break.

Neil's family was driving around Australia.

Two kids, both go to primary school but it's going to be a great experience to them, I'm sure.

Travel is a part of education. Hope they will become adults who can dream of challenge and adventure.


The temperature rose up to 32 degrees afternoon.

So many times I took a break under the shade to cool myself down.

What really knocked me down was rolling hills as well as heat.

I had to slow down when climbing hills. Not so steep but it lasted a little too long.

Once I reached the top, downhills were short and another hill started.

Drank plenty of water. Sweat more.

FInally when I arrived in Kimba Motel / Caravan Park / Roadhouse at 5pm, my legs were totally worn out. My heated head was almost melt down.

After check in, I rushed to IGA, the supermarket.

This is the first IGA since I enjoyed shopping at Norseman on October 8.


160km to Port Augusta. There's a town called Iron Knob between here and Port Augusta.


Take a day off tomorrow. Tomorrow will be 34 degrees but cool weather comes back the day after tomorrow.





*Today's Distance: 56.2km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2834.4km

*See More Photos

11/17/2013

Day78 Wudinna to 57km West of Kimba 46.8km

Sunny, cool morning.

First stop was at Kyancutta, where there's a grocery store.

After leaving Kyancutta, there's no supply until Kimba 89km east of Kyancutta.


Took a rest for a while.

Heat comes up and rolling hills knock me down in the afternoon.


Kind of tough and hard day. Took a break so many times under a shade of the trees.



It's important to feel at ease while running.

If I forget about this, I often feel tired and sometimes got exhausted.


After running 47km, I pitched my tent at rest area 57km west of Kimba.

Tomorrow's going to be a long day but I guess I can make it.

The sun sets about 8pm. It's not a good idea to pitch my tent as early as 4pm.

Too warm to stay in a tent before the night comes.





*Today's Distance: 46.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2778.2km

*See More Photos

11/16/2013

Day77 Minnipa to Wudinna 38.8km

Some cars stopped to offer me some water on the highway.

One of them said he had seen me on a paper (West Coast Sentinel) on which I appeared.

He said he was a resident of Ceduna. He read the article which introduced my journey the other day. I haven't read it yet though.

Some people offer me food and water from time to time but they don't even tell me their names. They do it from their own good will.

I really appreciate their kindness.

And I'm so glad to have encountered them at the very place and the very moment.

Life is a travel, we meet someone special living day after day.

Hope we have a good one.


Cool and beautiful sunshine in the morning.

Lots of head wind in the afternoon.


Today too, I arrived in the town of Wudinna.

The population is about 500, a local small town but I like it.

Unfortunately, the grocery store had been closed when I arrived.

Yes, it was Saturday afternoon.


I'll keep going with no day off until I get to Port Augusta.

I'm looking forward to shopping at Coles or Woolworths some day!






*Today's Distance: 38.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2731.4km

*See More Photos


11/15/2013

Day76 Poochera to Minnipa 34.6km

Rained a bit during the night, but my tent was dry.

Flies were quiet in the morning because of the cool wind but late afternoon they appeared and we had fun together.


When there's no one to talk with, flies are good companies.

I never thought about being companies with flies in Australia.


Today's a short day, running just 35km to Minnipa.

There are small towns in this area every 30 to 40km.

Probably they are towns with population less than 100.

There are a motel/hotel, pub and grocery store but no one visits.

No attractions and events that people are interested in.

And towns will become just a town with only the name. It's too sad.

Why don't some people of populated area in Japan move to Australia?



After 2pm, I checked in at motel in Minnipa.

Early finish makes me feel good after taking a shower.






*Today's Distance: 34.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2692.6km

*See More Photos

11/14/2013

Day75 Wirrulla to Poochera 49.1km

Wind blows always from the east.

Cannot remember when the wind last blew from the west.

Just kept running with no words to murmur.

Took some break under the shade of trees.



Flies are good companies as is usual.

About 50 flies are around my face after it gets warm.

Wonder why they don't get into the room and my tent.

They are just shy, aren't they?


After 3, I arrived at the town of Poochera.

There must have been the only one hotel& caravan park in town but it is now closed. They say a few months ago it was open.


Unfortunately I pitched my tent at rest area nearby.

It's about 30 degrees. I feel like I'm in the green house.



Calm and quiet day…it's good to live a silent life.






*Today's Distance: 49.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2658km

11/13/2013

Day74 48km West to Wirrulla 48.5km

Woke up at 5 with no wind blowing.

Out for a toilet and looked up to the sky with millions of stars twinkling.

I recognized the Southern Cross in a second.

15 degrees, but felt so chilly.

My left calf is OK now. My special treatment seemed to work well.


Started at 7.

Flies are still active. Not so many as there were in the Nullarbor.

Very friendly as usual though.

When I have no one to talk to, flies are only companies.

Rolling hills annoys me, pushing hard but it takes lots of work.


After 4, I got into the town of Wirrulla.

The town is a little far from highway 1.

There are hotel and caravan park.

I chose hotel to stay in a single room.


A network was available but the speed is too slow.

Just checked an e-mail and browsed some pages.







*Today's Distance: 48.5km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2608.9km

*See More Photos

11/12/2013

Day73 Ceduna to 48km West of Wirrulla 45.8km

Took 3 days off in Ceduna.

Ate a lot and drank a lot, remembering how tough and hard days I spent in the Nullarbor.

Got back on the road again.

Even if the Nullarbor was over but I keep running in the plain.

Carrying 16 liter water and some food, I got something wrong on my left calf.

Met a cycling team who are riding across Australia from Perth to Sydney. We took photos together.

I'm running on Eyre Highway, across Eyre Peinsula to Port Augusta.

There are some long stretches about 100km with no supply till I get there.


Tonight I completed my run and pitched my tent at the rest area.

Treated my left calf well. I can recover myself by the time I wake up next morning.





*Today's Distance: 45.8km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2560.4km

*See More Photos

11/10/2013

I've Made It!!

Here's a certificate Across The Nullarbor, which is 2 dollars, just a piece of paper available at Ceduna Visitor Information Center. It is something like an award to me.

But I had to spend whole one month running 1,200km in the desert plain until I got this paper.

Although everything is going to fade out of my mind as time goes by, what I leared  or what I was taught here should be etched into my soul and I guess I must put that to use in my travel, run and life from now on.

Now I'm trying to realize something I didn't know when I first traveled across the Nullarbor Plain by bike in 1995. It's not a philosophy, not a religion, either.

Now something necessary and essential in my life is being built inside me

Thanks, Nullarbor.  Thanks, Australia.


11/09/2013

Across The Nullarbor (YouTube Movie)



Adventure Runner KAY Katsuhiko Takashige successfully completed his two-legged trek running across the Nullarbor Plain (desert plain which stretches about 1,200km from east to west between Ceduna and Norseman) on November 8.

 It is a part of his mission PEACE RUN 2013 Running Across Australia and New Zealand, which is also the 2nd stage of PEACE RUN Running Around the World Running 40,000km(25,000miles) on 5 Continents Around the World

See also the website below as for PEACE RUN and Adventure Runner KAY

KAY'S WORLD

PEACE RUN

PEACE RUN 2013

Peace Run Official Site

Peace Run Running Around the World

Peace Run Supporters Club


Music: "Sora(The Sky)" by Tenkyu Pingpongs


11/08/2013

Day69 32km West to Ceduna 33.5km





I got up late. I was so tired I didn't hear the alarm of my wrist watch.

Rain stopped, just a bit of blue skies were seen.

Everything got wet. Rain suits and shoes are still wet.


late start at 7:40.


Soon the sun came up and got warm.



Since I left Penong, I've seen some farms here and there.

Part of the plain was field and farming area, where there are sheep.



As I got close to Ceduna, the traffic gets busier.

I feel the word wilderness is not adequate here any longer.



The end of the Nullarbor finally caught me up.



The view of the blue sea got into my eyes.

Ceduna!!

At 1:20pm, I was welcomed by a signboard of Welcome to Ceduna.


Went through quarrantine inspection easily. Just asked if I had fruits and vegetables by an officer.



As I was hungry, I entered a restaurant named Oyster Bar and enjoyed Fish & Chips.


At visitor information center, I purchased Certificate of Crossing the Nullarbor.


Then I checked in at a caravan park near the sea shore.



Finally I did it. I crossed and survived the Nullarbor.

This is the second time.  I cycled across it in 1995 for the first time.


So many things to remember.  Funny how time flies...

Is there a chance for me to get back here someday?

I hope so. I can't say no to the question.

This must be a memory I can never forget. I'll keep it in my mind for ever and ever.


There's a town, there's a supermarket. I can buy anything as usual!


Thanks, the Nularbor for letting me have a real good time!





*Today's Distance: 33.5km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2514.6km

*See More Photos

11/07/2013

Day 68 64km East of Nundroo to 32km West of Ceduna 55.7km

19 degrees. Cloudy morning.

Unstable weather, it might rain. Dark clouds come and go.

Thunder lightening far and away.

Rain started 1 hour after I had left.

Head wind. The road totally wet. What I scared was a great splash the road trains made when they passed by.

Got soaked into my shoes.

At Penong, I bought a pizza pie and Coke.

Penong is a small town, not a roadhouse, where there are primary school, police station. It's famous for 100 windmills.

It was raining on and off.

Inside my jacket was wet by sweat.

When the wind blows, the sensory temperature drops a few degrees.

Camp out tonight, there is no hot shower unfortunately.

But because of rain and low temperature, there might be no flies bothering me around.

Kept going on and on, after 6pm, I finished today's run at a rest area, 32km west of Ceduna.

Tomorrow is the day!!!


Exchanged my clothes in a tent. Felt cold and I put my lower body into a sleeping bag.

A guy from a caravan parked near my tent came to say hello and treated me a hot stew with kangaroo meat.

Yummy! Felt so warm!


This campsite is 30 meters away from Eyre Highway and the thunderous roar of road trains may keep me awake.


Tomorrow is the day I can get out of the Nullarbor!





*Today's Distance: 55.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2481.1km

*See More Photos

11/06/2013

Day 67 Nundroo to 64km East of Nundroo 64.1km

3 days to go to Ceduna which I have long wanted to reach.

It's been long but might have been short when I'm looking back now.


One month…Nobody spends such a long time here in the Nullarbor except dwellers of roadhouses.

Cars travel 1200km maybe in 2 or 3 days, even bikes 2 weeks or so.



North wind makes windmills turning around.

Saw farms where there are lots of sheep for the first time in 1 month.

WInd turned into south afternoon and had some scattered shower.

Sometimes the Nullarbor shines so bright like a golden field.



Flies so active today, more than 100 always flying around my face.



A road train stopped before me and the driver handed me a banana, canned soup and a water bottle.

He said in Japanese, "Gambatte, ja matane (Good luck. See you)!


Two more days, just 90km!! I'm sure I can make it!!





*Today's Distance: 64.1km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2425.4km

*See More Photos




11/04/2013

Day65 47km West to Nundroo 47.7km

Cool morning 14 degrees.

Cloudy but soon the sunny breaks.

The east wind cools me down.


Rolling hills still last, not so steep but they appear one after another.


Met an ultra runner from France, Patric Malandain.

He is also running across Australia from Sydney to Perth 3814km in 43 days.

What a fast runner! He runs 88.7km per day even if he takes no day off.

He said he would run 100km today!

In 2011, when I ran across the US, he was also running across the US for Transfoot America from LA to New York 5137km in 70 days.

What I'm doing now looks like nothing but kid's play.


He was with support crew almost all the time. Two cars were always taking care of him. He didn't even have water bottle with him.

He's a record maker but I, memories maker. We have different points of view to running but we're both runners. That's the point.


We wished good luck to each other and hugged goodbye.

I later knew he was 53 years old, the same age as I.


After 5pm I arrived at Nundroo Roadhouse. Got back to civilization for the first time in 3 days.

Glad to take hot showers and nice to be surrounded by roof and walls.

No network here. I might have no chance to access the Internet until I get to Ceduna.





*Today's Distance: 47.7km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2361.3km

*See More Photos

11/03/2013

Day64 50km East of Nullarbor to 47km West of Nundroo 48.6km

I woke up to find the floor sheet of my tent covered with white sand dust.

Everything I touched was sandy and dusty.

Rolling hills lasted for a while. Wind comes from the east today too. I had to run against the wind. No, I had to run with head wind.

Not so hot as it was yesterday. I didn't have to drink too much water.


I knew I had completed 1000km since I left Norseman, which means I have just 200km to go until I get to Ceduna!

That was a relief.

No conversation today. Just one pick up truck stopped about 300 meters ahead.

He put a small water tank on the shoulder of the highway without saying anything.

In it was a cold water. Thanks, anyway!


Tomorrow I'll be in Nundroo, where I visit the last roadhouse in the Nullarbor.


There'll be just 3 days from Nundroo to Ceduna.

Then I'll be free! I can get back to ordinary life with civilization.






*Today's Distance: 48.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2313.6km

*See More Photos

11/02/2013

Day63 Nullarbor to 50km East of Nullarbor 49.6km

This is the heart of the Nullarbor…the scenery which I'm viewing is the real desert plain.

This treeless plain made me feel like being in the planet of Mars.


Then a truck stopped just in front of me. The driver got out of the truck. He said his name was Alex.

"Just can't leave you a lonely traveler alone in the desert!"

He handed me extremely chilled two canned coke and got back to his truck.


36 degrees in the early afternoon. But the wind, even if it was a head wind, helped me cool down a bit.

Took 4 to 5 liter water today. Got to drink more under this heat and wind.


30km away from the Nullarbor, treeless plain changed the scenery into the one with some trees.

Rolling hills not only let me down but up and down.

This is the Nullarbor, not Rocky Mountains.


After running 50km, I found a place to pitch my tent in the bush.





*Today's Distance: 49.6km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2265km

*See More Photos

10/31/2013

Day 61 44km West to Nullarbor 43.4km

No wind in the morning. Very quiet except the noise of the traffic, especially of roadtrains.

But one hour after I started, the wind came from north east…head wind again.

When the wind comes from north, it means that it gets hot.

Sunny blue sky.

The sun shines perfectly.

After 10am the ray of the sun made me feel running in the real desert.

When the temperature rises up to 40 degrees, the hot wind blows, which dries me up completely.

It makes me feel like running on the heated frying pan. That's what I've already in running across the USA 2 years ago.

14 degrees in the morning, but 28 degrees in the afternoon.

Tomorrow will be much hotter, maybe 35 degrees.

So far so good because of the coolness in the Nullarbor. If I had run in the heat, everything would not have gone easy like that.

Around 4pm, I arrived at Nullarbor Roadhouse. Finally I got back to civilization where there are hot shower, refrigerator, TV and Internet available.


One quarter of the Nullarbor Plain was over. Just 300km to go to Ceduna, the eastern end of the Nullarbor.







*Today's Distance:43.4km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2215.4km

*See More Photos

10/30/2013

Day60 80km East of Border Village to 44km West of Nullarbor 62.5km

Head wind almost every day…since I left Madura?

No supply since I left Border Village. One more day to Nullarbor Roadhouse.

Had a good meeting today too.

A family from Tasmania invited me to their caravan treating me a cup of coffee and lunch.

And they gave me some souvenir…lots of food such as dried fruits and canned food.

They were originally from Cronia, came to Adelaide just after World War Two.

It's nice to travel to meet someone we never know…that's what they also agreed.

We promised to meet again somewhere along the road.

Bunda Cliff was today's high light.

Cliff of 90m height stretches more than 200km from west to east along the Great Australian Bight.

Fortunately, the cliff was so beautiful with sunny, blue sky.


After running 62.5km, I finished my day at the rest area.

Close to the highway, it's kind of noisy because of the traffic.

When road trains come and go, it sounded like as if I was near the airstrip.







*Today's Distance:62.5km

*Total Distance from Perth: 2172.0km

*See More Photos