Distance today = 52.94 km; Total distance = 21,508.10 km; Location = Kellerberrin (13 km east of) – 31 37.176’ S, 117 51.022′ E; Start time = 0740, Finish time = 1613

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/327523507

Who ate all the pies? I think I might be a candidate. Too many pies and not enough vegetables has left me feeling a bit below par. I can get away with it under normal circumstances, but it catches up with me when I’m running over 50 km each day.

I still managed to get through 53 km today, which was pleasing. There was a lot more running on parallel dirt roads. The highway is not too bad, but the road trains almost stop me in my tracks when they pass by.

The Garmin seems to be doing the occasional weird thing, like placing me somewhere I’m not for an instant, then having me back in my real position – makes me feel like a virtual quantum particle. It happened today when I went into a roadhouse to get a drink. The satellites must be getting confused at times.

I had lunch with the girls in a café in Kellerberrin, and nearly fainted when the chicken burger cost $14. The mining boom is really pushing up the cost of living in WA. It makes it hard on the budget of a lowly world runner.

I finished the day with a few drops of rain falling, but it doesn’t look like it will set in. Hopefully tomorrow will be clear and sunny. The wind, however, always seems to be in my face, which makes the day that much harder.

Distance today = 53.38 km; Total distance = 21,561.48 km; Location = Merredin (8 km east of) – 31 27.814’ S, 118 21.318′ E; Start time = 0746, Finish time = 1620

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/327916448

I felt much stronger today. I put it down to the lovely meal cooked by Grace last night – lots of vegetables, and not a meat pie in sight.

Once again, the run was uneventful, with 45 km completed before I reached the one and only town of the day, Merredin. I will have to get used to it, as the gaps between civilisation will only increase as I approach the Nullarbor.

I actually felt better as the day wore on. Grace ran the last 5 km with me, which made the end of the day even easier.

We have been very lucky these past two days to be the recipients of some great generosity. Both Judi’s Place in Kellerberrin last night, and the Merredin Motel tonight, have provided us with accommodation free of charge. We really appreciate their kindness. Thank you!!!

Distance today = 53.29 km; Total distance = 21,614.77 km; Location = Bodallin – 31 21.992’ S, 118 52.490′ E; Start time = 0744, Finish time = 1642

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328460040

Another productive day, run in warm conditions. It was, however, quite cool early on.

During the morning, I ran past the place where the original rabbit proof fence was started in 1901. From there, it was built south to Esperance and north to Port Hedland, a total of nearly 2,000 km, and taking six years to complete. This made it the longest fence in the world.

I was also passed by two lots of oversized loads, and I really mean oversized! They were trucks with giant mining machinery on board, and required the police travelling ahead to get oncoming traffic off the road. These trucks took up the whole road, so those approaching from the other direction had to stop on the dirt as the trucks passed.

Grace ran the final 5 km with me again. That makes 23 km in total for her so far. We passed a property where two young red kelpies came bounding over to the fence to see us. We patted them for a few minutes, eventually having to leave, despite their continued enthusiasm.

Carmel continues to have problems with Picasa, and is unable to upload any photos at the moment. It’s driving her absolutely crazy, and is wasting so much of her time.

It is also possible that, as we head into more and more remote locations, we may have nights without internet access. If you’re a regular reader, don’t panic if this happens. The blog will be back as soon as internet access returns.

Distance today = 54.03 km; Total distance = 21,668.80 km; Location = Southern Cross (6 km east of) – 31 14.429’ S, 119 23.854′ E; Start time = 0748, Finish time = 1623

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/329142903

Sorry, but I’ve had too many problems with computers and Telstra internet connections these past few hours to write a decent report.

It was a long but quite good day, passing through just two towns. It will get even more sparse in the coming days. More tomorrow (I hope).