June 18, 2013 Live from the road

Coral Bay, WA - Nanutarra Roadhouse, WA

Reported by Amalendu Edelsten, Emily Oliver, Ion Frunza 254.0 km

With renewed powers – having had a day off at Coral Bay – the 'torch runners' continue their journey north around the Continent ...

... today officially entering the tropics, and enjoying the fantastic weather.

Ceremoniously we made a picture at the sign marking the Tropic of Capricorn, to demonstrate to the 'Aussie winter' that it had lost its hold on us ...

We still have a long way north to go. The climate is still mild, with a cool breeze making for ideal running conditions ...

The red rock formations of this area are reminiscent of Utah or Arizona in the USA ...

We’re all so amazed by the variety of colour out here in Western Australia ...

... recent rains have caused fragrant emerald grasses to spring up alongside the road ...

... contrasting with the rich red soil ...

... and deep blue sky domed overhead.

Kaspars is always on the lookout for that perfect shot ... but he had also better be on the lookout ...

... for himself!

The vast plains here remind us of the famous Nullarbor that we crossed less than a month ago ...

... only the landscape here is more varied.

As usual, the King-Sun reigns supreme over this immensity of land; the rare clouds that sometimes shadow him, and thus help us giving a fresh breath, are no menace for him ...

Lumir getting himself into a knot ...

There is not much traffic today, and at times we are completely alone in the stillness ...

... civilisation becomes a distant memory, like many things which have come and gone unnoticed by this ancient land ...

... in this remote area it is easier to feel a sense of kinship with other human beings ...

... each day we connect with people and there is a shared acknowledgement of the need for peace in this world ...

... one of these chance meetings on the road was with Diving Instructor Nick, who has been working in Exmouth. It is a long way from his home in Spain. Nick was very excited about getting photographed with the Torch and wants to send it on to his friends so they find out about the Peace Run.

A new element made its entry in the picture: the termites` houses ...

Helena gets up close to a massive termites' nest!

A number of wild flowers have come out in response to the recent rain, the small purple and yellow flowers creating little spots of brightness in what is normally drab green ...

We do not see much wildlife except for birds, which seem to thrive in any environment ...

The trees here are generally lone and hardy types ...

The massive rocks we encountered were so appealing to us that we had to stop and have photographs there ...

... with more initiative, Lumir swiftly clambered up the rocks – with a torch – showing us what courage is.

We finished the run into Nanutarra Roadhouse and met brothers Aaron and Andrew. They recently became the new owners of the roadhouse but were aware of our visit 5 years ago. We had photos taken in front of the same sign.

At Nanutarra Roadhouse we were reunited with Alex, who had come across the Peace Run team in Eucla, just after we crossed into Western Australia several weeks ago.

Camping for the first time since the Nullarbor, we managed to get the tents up without too much trouble ...

... we are all very grateful to be camping on beautiful grass. This is an extremely rare luxury at roadhouse camp sites.

While Sukhajata prepared our evening meal ...

... Udayachal ensured he will look good again tomorrow ...

... one happy campsite ...

... and one sublime sunset ...

Torch carried by
Amalendu Edelsten (Australia), Anubha Baird (Australia), Bayarkhuu Batbayar (Mongolia), Drishalu Grunstaudl (Austria), Emily Oliver (New Zealand), Helena Mazáková (Czech Republic), Ion Frunza (Moldova), Kaspars Zakis (Latvia), Lumír Ošťádal (Czech Republic), Oyungerel Seded (Mongolia), Pathik Kozub (Czech Republic), Sarankhuu Jargal (Mongolia), Steve Elliott (Australia), Sukhajata Cranfield (New Zealand), Tavishi Matthews (Australia), Udayachal Šenkýř (Czech Republic).  
Photographers
Emily Oliver, Kaspars Zakis, Sarankhuu Jargal, Steve Elliott
The torch has travelled 254.0 km from Coral Bay, WA to Nanutarra Roadhouse, WA.

Latest reports from Australia - 2023

view all

Latest reports - around the world:

view all