Gales in Albany.
Sailed into Albany on the Great Southern Ocean late yesterday with the help of a good tailwind....just 77 miles but carting 64 lbs of panniers over some longish hills takes time. Checked into a decent Backpackers hostel. Met a trio of Brit lads touring around Australia in a car doing farm work. They have banked a small fortune. Discovered I had left my reading specs behind in Walpole. Opted to take the next day off as gales were forecast. Went to a chemist and bought a new pair of spec. Visited two bike shops in search of a new saddle. My butt is in a woeful state. Nothing suitable. Manager of one suggested I lower my present saddle. Did that and re-tensioned the chain. Weather permitting will head off east tomorrow and head for Esperance...should take 3/4 days. Then I'll head due north for Norseman to meet my nemesis....the Nullarbor. Have managed to speak to Dora most nights on my fancy new Oz Telstra mobile phone but it will soon be very hit and miss with huge areas without any connection. So far all the Aussies I've met have been most friendly. Usually the case with people out in the sticks. One couple in a big 4x4 even slowed down and asked me whether I wanted anything. I suggested a large brandy and soda. They said they were sorry they had no booze aboard!

Four days on the road and only got to Walpole- about 300 miles from Fremantle. Did not anticipate so many hills. After Bunbury changed plans and cut out Margaret River. Weather cool but mainly dry. On Monday got caught short so camped in the Shannon National Forest. After 100 miles on the first day was down to 40 today as I opted to do some laundry and conserve my sore rear end. Tough going on the many hills but body and soul are hanging together.