Dearest friends!
I just came back from my 10th honeymoon with my favourite walker and despite the fatigue of the long flights and Jet-lag, I hasten to give you the latest news even if well late this time...
We both arrived at Sydney Airport a few hours apart on January 7. I was exhausted after a journey of more than 24 hours and looked forward to seeing my darling and give him control of my huge and heavy bag. I was astonished when I saw him... he was so thin it frightened me... so skinny that I thought I had to not only continue looking after my luggage, but had to carry his as well.
I had been inspired in choosing our hotel where we stayed during the 28 days of my holidays in Australia. Located downtown, we were within walking distance of everything: Chinatown, supermarkets, shops and the attractive Hyde Park.
We both needed lots of rest... Jean had to recover a little flesh on his bones and heal his poor aching feet. During the first few days we also had to compromise on the temperature of the room... Jean was accustomed to an outdoor temperature of over 40°C and I to less than minus 15°C...
Sydney is a charming city! We walked everywhere, including of course the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge that we crossed in both directions. We visited the Opera House which is gorgeous... you would think of an enchanted structure... all set to fly away! At the Royal Botanic Gardens, we were delighted with the flowers and magnificent trees, huge bats and friendly yellow-crested cockatoos!
And now lets us come back to the story of our walker.
On October 7, after retrieving his baggage at Darwin Airport, he joined his two flight companions, Jenny and David. Jenny then invited him to her house in Darwin and was of considerable help in organizing his walk in Australia while David will wait for his arrival in the outskirts of Melbourne where he lives.
After the necessary preparations on his chariot, Jean takes his first steps on the Stuart Highway. Armed with water bottles and nonperishable food, he will walk about 1,000 km on this road straight and beautiful, but so lonesome. Giant termite nests, fearsome road trains and kangaroos are his most numerous companions. At regular intervals, though somewhat distant for a walker, there are gas stations, shelters for travelers (camping) and water tanks.
It is very hot... over 40°C during the day and every bit of shade is welcomed... He was well warned never to set up his tent near a river because of crocodiles. He also must be very cautious against snakes as Australia is hosting the snake considered the most venomous in the world: the Inland Taipan.
On October 17, just before reaching Katherine, what a surprise!!! Jenny from Darwin joined him on the road to check that all was well, feasting him with fresh cool water, nuts and dried fruits. All the people he meets, whether Australian or otherwise, are incredibly nice. They supply him with fresh fruits, chocolate and other scarce goodies. Some hide water for him to retrieve at specified places etc...
On October 25, in Larrimah, he sets his tent near the camp of the Japanese team performing the World Solar Challenge that crosses the continent from Darwin to Adelaide.
On October 28 in Daly Waters, after 8 walking days, he is getting ready for a well needed shower and washing his clothes when two young Quebecers, Veronique and Christian offer him the gift of a phone call home... I am so happy to hear him after ten days without news.
Jean calls them "his friends"... they are omnipresent... the flies are getting into everything.
After taking on supplies in Tennant Creek, on November 11, Jean embarks on the Barkly Highway. If he thought the road was lonely before, this one is even worse... more desert and the temperature is even higher. The flies are still accompanying him and during his high noon nap, small lizards feed on them.
He experience his first Australian rainy day on November 23, just before crossing from Northern Territories to Queensland. He is not well equipped to face it unfortunately... his tent is old and not waterproof anymore and he has no clothes against the cool temperature...
Thanks to the kindness of people who hide water for him to retrieve and give him food, he arrived safely in Mount Isa on December 1st. This is an important milestone, but solitude is not over... there are still more than 900 km to walk before Towsnville and the Coast. Heat is almost unbearable just before the rainy season and flies are his constant buddies.
In mid-December, to our great misfortune, Jean's camera decides to stop working. It is probably fed up with the scorching heat and the humidity of the islands it has crossed (Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Timor). It can only provide short videos.
However, Jean does not give up and arrives in Townsville on January 2, exhausted, emaciated and with very sore feet... his only wish being to get on that plane to Sydney and our holidays together...
Many thanks to Paddy Pallin, leaders in travel and outdoor adventure, for giving Jean a substantial discount on getting well needed new shoes and other clothes.
Accompanied by Mr. Lachlan Gifford, he returns to Townsville on February 12 to start this next leg of the wwwalk on the Australian East Coast on Sunday, February 14. Mr. Gifford and his "Kite Manufacturing Company": Cahala Kites offered to join the wwwalk and organize events with students along the route. His goal is to raise funds for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, dedicated to keep children safe from violence.
School children will construct kites during the week before Jean's arrival in their city and on Sunday, they will fly the kites followed by a short symbolic walk. Activities that promise a lot of entertainment...
Till the next time...
Luce