Perth!

The last time we put on our cycling gear, the last time Herb lights the stove to make coffee, the last time we convert milkpowder into milk and eat muesli from our plastic bowls, the last time we break up the tent and load the bikes. The last kilometers.

As we reach the outskirts of metropolitan Perth there is no trace of sadness, we’re all upbeat and exciting by a beautiful memory we’ll share from here. Our minds travel back along the line the we drew on the map over the last year; from the biting cold in wintery Europe to the excruciating heat here in Australia, or as the locals put it: ‘Why did you come to the hottest part of the hottest continent in the hottest time of year?’, and the endless impressions on the way.

People playing volleyball  or peddling on boards in the surf as we cycle along the city’s beaches. One more time we are approached by someone who wants to tell us all about this 81-year old man who cycled around Australia three times….but not today, today we just want to hear how good and wonderful wé are and of that we get our share as we roll the last kilometer down Broadway towards the Swan river and the banner over the road comes in sight: ‘Welkom Loes + Herb’. A ribbon over the road, a checkered flag, popping champagne bottles, flowers, a cake with our picture on it, medals, a trophy, and a few tears after all as we are embraced by Loes’ very proud parents and a small Dutch community.

403 days – that is 1 year, 1 month, and 1 week - 28.807 kms, 3 continents, and 30 countries. It’s done.

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