Kununurra

May 20. Day 18.

Kununurra and return.

0800/1800. 200 KM round trip.

A leisurely arise and then we headed for Kununurra and the airport. An easy 100km drive on the bitumen after exiting the 16 km access dirt road in and out of ELQ.

We had breakfast at Spilled The Beans cafe, followed by a bit of a drive around town including a drive up to Kellys Knob Lookout which gives a great overview of the town and the Ord River. I plan to spend some time up here in the future along with staying out at Lake Argyle. Tie it together with an exploration of the Bungle Bungles. Definitely on my bucket list.

We dropped Amy and Juergs at the airport for their long journey back to Wisconsin. It was so good to accomplish the ride and everything associated with it with my very great buddy and his wonderful lady. Best part is I'll see them again in 3 weeks time for their wedding.

Chris and I then stopped up at the cafe again, took advantage of the wifi and caught up on some admin each. Judy and Gord came past as they were staying at the adjoining caravan park. Had a departing sundowner beer with them as they were continuing on into the Northern Territory and South Australia before returning to Perth in a month or so. As the sun was about to go down soon, Chris and I headed back to ELQ. Pulled in in the dark, had a bev and a bite at the firepit bar, watched the flickering flames for a while, and then headed for Zzzzsville.

Paul Jensen - Sunnybank School, UK

I had met Jenno in 2019 when we camp marshaled together with Blackie - Ken Blackhurst. He is the headmaster of a boys special needs school specialising in developing boys with autism. Originally a country boy for QLD, he is a larger than life character. So people focused and caring, but but in a big, bold upfront way. In 2019 he had seen an article or video or similar on the Challenge and felt he had to be part if it. He flew out from London, rocked up at Broome with a kit bag over his shoulder and announced “Hi, I'm Jenno, can I help out, cos I gotta be part of this” or words to that effect. We all had a great time, a laugh a minute.

His plan was to bring out a couple of his students and his son either in 2020 or 2021, and participate like ourselves. And like ourselves his endeavours were frustrated but came to fruition for this year's event. Huge logistical plan arranging travel for 5 people ex London, hiring bikes, hiring a 4WD vehicle, securing a trailer and all necessary gear for the gig.

They had various trials and tribulations with a last minute visa issue, the trailer sheared an axle etc, etc. The Gibbsters are a resilient bunch. One o f the camp marshals is a motor mechanic and he spent the better part of the night rebuilding the trailer undercarriage. Awesome effort.

Great to have a really good chat with Jenno on our last day. He was a member of our original proposed team, so he had a Globalistas cycle top and we had an obligatory photo shoot. Great bonding stuff!

Wilk definitely endeavour to catch up with him next time in the UK.Okumaya devam et