Saturday May 21st - Day 17 on the road...
Oh………….my……………goodness!........ Almost to the end of their journey and the desert kicked up a fuss! Perhaps it was throwing a tantrum that these four unique women were about to bid it farewell?....... Well, it got down and dirty! …….. The wind and subsequent sand storm battering the sides of their tents had them all up earlier than usual, just to be perverse….well, on the positive side, it did give them extra time to prepare for the balloon release.
Denis was almost at a point of canceling the entire event due to the truly awful weather conditions. The wind was howling and the sand was moving constantly under its persistent pressure. The Mums, however, had other ideas. They were on a mission and nothing was going to thwart that mission. Den bit the bullet and got the crew underway. Their production line was efficient – the nets were full with 2500 balloons in no time – one for every life lost every year in Australia to breast cancer. An awesome display of colour exploded on top of Big Red – a symbol of honour to those lives lost to this insidious disease – the Mums and crew were all immensely proud and moved.
Then…….reality again! It was on with the back packs to hit the road for yet another 25km walk towards Birdsville. Strong headwinds, constantly swirling sand and gibbers underfoot make for a tough slog. (Gibbers are smooth irregular shaped stones unique to parts of Australia’s deserts – they average about 5cm x 3cm and can roll your ankle quicker than blink! The entire surface area is made up of these, so it is like walking on gravel……..large gravel). The only thing good about these stones is that they make lovely paper weights, or perhaps stylish garden decoration – I’m sure the Desert Mums would appreciate this bit of information. Maybe they’ve collected some for just this purpose…………. uhmmm, perhaps not!
The Desert Mums have created some talk around town and the under 30’s youth of Birdsville came out to wish the girls luck. The local publican also came and topped up the contraband (bless his little cotton socks!). The girls seem to have become celebrities in this small outback town, much to their amusement. There is rumour going around this tiny community that the Desert Mums will shave the head of a young man who is the local chef of the only hotel in the town – he has apparently been there for six years and has NEVER had his hair cut……..bets are being taken (in the true Aussie spirit). This could be a good story, but somehow I don’t think our girls will have time for this little dalliance!
Den reports that the best campsite he could locate for their last overnight stop in the desert was less than perfect…….if fact, the description he used is not suitable for print. So, they are going to “enjoy” their last night of camping on gibbers, below the storm clouds with the lights of Birdsville twinkling in the distance………….oh so close.
It has been a huge day for the Mums beginning with an emotional balloon launch (their final ceremony for the trip), another long tramp across very harsh terrain and to boot, whirling sand assaulting them at every step. No mention of flies today – wonder why? – but all have sore, stinging eyes tonight. These girls are machines!!
Quoting: “We will walk into Birdsville at 9.30am tomorrow after the most amazing, amazing journey”
By 9pm tomorrow night, the Mums will be in Melbourne staying at the Novotel St Kilda – a real bed with crisp sheets, steaming hot showers, maybe seafood for dinner, cold wine, no dust, no flies………no tarzan call the following morning…………….but there’s still a bit to do yet………..another breakfast in the desert, another 15km trek into Birdsville tomorrow morning and then boarding flights back to the “other world” most of us take for granted.
Well, tomorrow has yet to unfold………so until the last desert report tomorrow night………….we wait for more……
from ...The Desert Mums