Day 1 Perth to Northam 100 kms

The alarm set for 5 am and we woke just before it went off. Collis wasn't happy as he thought we didn't need to get up before 5.30 am - rubbish, Kathy knows best. Even though we had got up so early we still didn't make it to the Bell Tower before 7.30 and we had told the riders to be there by 7am. I rang a couple of them to let them know that we were going to be late and everyone was there except Annie who was at McDonalds for breakfast (what happened to our diet this leg). I had packed everything ready to load the night before but we had extended the trailer whilst in Perth and everything was chaotic and just got thrown in. We should have plenty of room but it will take a few days to get organized.
Martin and Debra, who rode with us on Darwin to Broome and live in Perth,agreed to lead the group out to Midlands. They would only do it if Collis got on the bike and joined the group. With the new trailer extension which is an upward extension, we need a step ladder to be able to reach the bike rack.
My little folding step, which I found at a rest area and I like to use to access my bed and Collis wanted to desperately throw out,came out of the trailer and used by Collis (reluctantly). I had to drive the car out to meet them and I was a bit nervous pulling the trailer after the damage I did on the way into Perth.
Everything went smoothly and it was great to catch up with Martin and Debra. Getting the bike back onto the car was another ordeal so I'm not too sure if I will have the energy to ride much this leg especially if it is going to take forever to get the bike on/off. The next stop was McDonalds for early morning tea shouted by Cycle X. Then we went onto The Lakes for the real morning tea and Theo was there waiting to join the ride. His sister had cooked us a cake for morning tea and I had made some pikelets so we had a good spread.
At 5.30 am it was pouring rain in Perth central, we have had a beautiful day weather wise with no rain and a wind which blew gently up their behinds. The Gods keep blessing this group. Everyone was into camp by 3 pm, tired but happy to have completed the first day without a hitch. Chris, who injured her leg on the last leg, is back on the bike and seems to have managed well on her first day. The newcomers Jim, Richard, Paul, Mark, Kirsten and Lorraine all survived. The returners are Annie, Georg, John T, Pat, Ben, Peter, Woody, Chris & Theo.
Paul and Richard disappeared very early in the evening and we presume they were a little bit exhausted after their first day and of course Richard had a long overseas flight a few days before the ride. The rest of us mostly cooked in and sat around and chatted until around a very late 8 pm. We are becoming night owls!!! The nights are very cold and the only place to get warm is under the blankets.