Distance today = 47.76 km; Total distance = 21,351.23 km; Location = Wooroloo – 31 48.439’ S, 116 21.498′ E; Start time = 0749, Finish time = 1542

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/326258194

I had a very enjoyable run today, through hilly forests dotted with holiday houses, and the smell of eucalyptus log fires never far away – the classic aroma of winter in the Australian bush.

It was also my earliest start for more than a year. This was despite a great evening at Warren and Judy’s, with many a fine red wine being consumed. Thanks again, guys, for your fantastic hospitality.

The day was very hilly day, as I made my way up the escarpment, east of Perth. Late in the morning, I looked back at my final view of Perth and the Indian Ocean. I will see the Southern Ocean in about a month, and then the Pacific Ocean, just days before I finish the run.

I am enjoying having meat pies back on the menu. They’ve been my lunch for the past two days. It’s been more than a year since I’ve been able to buy them on the run.

All in all, it was probably my best “second day” after a break, with almost no residual soreness from yesterday. I hope the trend continues.

Distance today = 50.54 km; Total distance = 21,401.77 km; Location = Grass Valley – 31 38.042’ S, 116 47.964′ E; Start time = 0738, Finish time = 1554

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/326686345

Another day of ideal weather, and I’m back to 50 km days. I ran for most of the day on the Great Eastern Highway, although I was able to briefly use a parallel side road, which was much quieter. Grace ran the last 5 km with me.

I passed through the town of Northam during the early afternoon, and grabbed a falafel kebab for lunch. I couldn’t believe the price – $11. I knew Australia was expensive, but WA seems to be even more so.

The tracker is showing me in Northam, although I stopped the day some 13 km further east, at the town of Grass Valley. The Garmin also malfunctioned temporarily, adding 22.3 km to my total which I hadn’t done. I assume there was some problem picking up the correct satellites. I have subtracted this 22.3 km from the Garmin data.

I am now over the mountain range, and will be experiencing much flatter running for a some time to come. But it will all be on the highway – at least the traffic is thinning out now.

Distance today = 53.39 km; Total distance = 21,455.16 km; Location = Cunderdin (7 km east of) – 31 38.666’ S, 117 19.129′ E; Start time = 0811, Finish time = 1641

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/327126551

I certainly can’t complain about the weather any more. The conditions were again perfect. The running was fairly uneventful, but I did get to spend a large part of the afternoon on a dirt road, parallel to the main highway. Grace ran about 4 km with me, but her knees were giving her some trouble. Hopefully they will get stronger over the next week.

Shane came up from Perth last night, along with my old drinking buddy, Keith, who now lives in Perth. We had a great evening. Luckily, Keith had a very early start this morning, so the night was not too late. Six pints was just about right.

I have also been eating more junk food than normal. I couldn’t bring myself to pay $8 for a pre-made burger today, so I opted for the old-fashioned Chiko Roll. All that boiled cabbage and carrots were perfect for running.

Late this morning I passed through the town of Meckering. There is a sign before the town, indicating the fault line from an earthquake which occurred in 1968. It pretty much destroyed the town. There are now signs where the main street stood, showing where all the shops once were. I also passed the location of where one of the rabbit proof fences once crossed the highway. There’s no sign of it anymore.

Tomorrow I head on toward Kalgoorlie.