Australia West Coast Bike Ride
Newletter No 7- John & Ted riding crossing crossing the Nullarbor
14th September 2004

JOHN AND TED RIDING CROSSING
THE NULLARBOR

The Team ran into really bad weather after leaving Perth but the hospitality from the Rotary Clubs was outstanding.

Lois White from the Support Team communicated the following: " We are now at Bridgetown in the mid south-west timber country - so very different to the previous months. It is FREEZING and VERY wet! We have had the most atrocious weather for two weeks now - nothing but storms, rain, hail and gale force winds.
Our arrival in Mandurah coincided with one of the worst storms for years - power down, signs flattened and pelting rain, but the good news is that we were given a wonderful welcome and two generous host families with warm beds.

DG's visit Mandurah W.A. 24-Aug-2004

We attended the Mandurah District Rotary meeting - it was the D.G's visit but John had equal time and the DG John Eriks was lovely and most interested in the venture. Talk about wonderful people. The Club was fantastic - we received $500 from Rotary with both Mandurah Holden and Dick Smith Electronics matching with a further $500 each.

Wednesday morning saw no improvement weather-wise - the bikes were nearly blown off the Mandurah bridge and I think the caravan went sideways!
Shocking day, but John & Ted won't give in and pedaled on. We drove into Bunbury and attended the Rotary Club of South Bunbury meeting - the club gave us a generous donation and the members did a pocket rattle and added a further $100 - another great boost for the Bionic Ear.

Bunbury welcome with Pres Andy 26-Aug-04

John had a media interview - the paper met us coming into Bunbury together with President Andy and Rotarian Bruce. They were most hospitable and wanted us to stay but John and Ted wanted to push on. The Rotary Clubs in Albany were most hospitable and then it was off to Esperance.

Back-ups & Host - Manjimup

It was VERY wet, soggy, muddy and freezing cold Ravensthorpe. We are STUCK! We are having an enforced lay-day due to the worst weather possible, but were fortunate enough to reach this tiny hamlet and get ourselves into the caravan park - in itself a test of endurance. We were to have seven days of bush camps but the weather set in just prior to our arrival here so we feel very lucky. The caravan is surrounded by inches of water and as the park has been doing major pipe works and it is mud, mud, mud. John is the only one with dry feet! The boys have been given (free) the most antiquated of caravans, but in good faith it is dry inside and the rest won't do them any harm.

Muirs Hwy - SW WA

The Rotary Club of Esperance ran a dinner auction for us on Friday night and raised $ 4,800.00 for the Bionic Ear Institute and "Help the Children Hear. The Club donated further funds and the Rotary hosting was great."

The Team reached Norseman on Monday 13th September in fine weather and the Boys are ready for the Nullarbor.

They are planning to arrive in Adelaide on 16th October.

Donations have continued to happen from Rotary Clubs and the community. At the moment over $26,000.00 has been raised to "Help the Children Hear" through the Bionic Ear Institute.

Donations can be sent to PO Box 566, Bairnsdale. 3875.

Please Contact; John Butler -0351569 342 - ajejbutler@ozemail.com.au

The Team can be contacted on (M) 042 9855017 or Satellite 0147 140 051 or send an encouragement message on tl_white@dodo.com.au