Personally, I don’t think this is too bad on the tread. I managed to get 17,500 kms out of the rear tyre and I could squeeze a few more out I’d say. I had a new set fitted ready for crating, so when I start out in South Korea at least I have fresh rubber.

I was going to fit new brake pads too, but the ones on there don’t look to bad. Considering how small they are, I’ll buy a set to take with me. It’s a fairly simple job to change them and it’ll be nice to have spares.

I’m heading into a new city and I don’t know anyone. I put a post up on the Facebook KLR 650 owners group, “anyone in Perth fancy a beer sometime?”

Before I knew it I was sitting with Glen and Debbie in their house, with beer and pizza all provided. I have a bed for the night (first night in a real bed in 12) and we’re merrily chatting like old friends.

Their two dogs Nina and Kaiser were very interested in everything, but well behaved. Glen is riding across the Nullarbor on his KLR next year and we discussed our respective modifications. I’m left wondering whether I should have done something with the standard suspension.

We watched a film called Wolf Creek, which is set in all of the places I’d just visited. It’s a thriller about a guy who kills backpackers for fun, based on true events. I’m glad I watched it AFTER I’d ridden through there!

It was very nice to meet you guys, thanks for looking after me.

You never know your luck in a big city, as the saying goes. Actually, I do know my luck in Perth and it’s spot on! I’ve met some very hospitable people who really liked after me, more on this shortly.

I have new tyres, a crate and all the paperwork for shipping to sort out, but I have time. The Australia leg of the journey is almost over! You can just make out the city on the horizon.

Anyone?

Not the easiest stuff to ride on, but the effort was worth it!

Sorry for the awful pun but it’s the best I can do. The pinnacles are a collection of limestone formations in Western Australia.

When I rode through the Kakadu national park, I had to buy a 14 day park pass. It was $25. Even though I was just passing through there were no exceptions. The area was nice, but not really any different to the surrounding areas apart from the lack of traffic. (Probably due to no one wanting to pay for a 14 day pass).

The pinnacles have a $6 charge for motorcycles and I nearly didn’t bother going in. I’m glad I did as it was excellent! I went a bit mad with the photos, but I’ll limit the blog to 3!

There was also a visitor centre where the history and geography are explained in detail. Much like history and geography at school, I didn’t pay any attention. In fact I didn’t even go in. Sorry mum!

Houses for sale here. Anyone??

On the final run in to Perth I took the costal road. The distances are about the same but there are lots of small towns just off the road to investigate. I was very taken with Green Head, lovely place but with an entire row of new properties sitting empty – right on the sea front. Why haven’t they sold I wonder??

I followed a track down to a tiny beach and parked up. I watched the sun go down before hanging the hammock with a sea view. Still warm and not a cloud in the sky, I could get used to this! The last few hundred kms to run will be hard, as I have do much to do when I get to Perth and I don’t want the Australian part of the adventure to end.

I’m no expert, but I’ll wager it’s a lot prettier than the other Northampton I know. The weather is certainly better!