Monday 26th July 1976
We are now at Well 47, we arrived here on the evening of the 25th July. Ralph has taken sick and is now pulling out of the walk. The rest of us will go on.( We were all aware that death was a consequence of failure. We endeavoured to minimise the risk. We were after all alone in the middle of no mans land. We understood that this walk was not for the faint of heart. He had the good sense to leave near civilisation where he had a chance of getting out. Had he waited another week or so, we all would had have to abandon the walk to accompany our friend to safety. He was a selfless very brave man despite the uncertainty of his future.)
Tuesday 27th July
Ralph left today.
“N.B.” Ralph was a friend to me and a mentor in the art of bushcraft. This was a very sad day indeed.
Friday 30th July
We are now at Well 44. On the 27th July Ralph left to go back to Billiluna Station. Murray went with him for seven and a half miles then returned to camp. On the 28th July we left for Well 46 and arrived in the afternoon. On the 29th July we left Well 46 for Well 45 where we had our food drop. We had eaten all of what was left of our food which was a packet of chicken noodle soup by morning and by the time we reached the well and food drop, I was starving. I had trouble walking during the day as my energy was very low due to lack of food. On the 30th July we left Well 45 for Well 44 We first walked 8 miles to our water drop then filled up with an extra gallon of water. We walked for 7 miles to Well 44 with my pack weighing 66 lbs, Murray's 72 lbs and Kathy's being 66 lbs. We had to carry extra water as Well 44 is caved in and dry. Tomorrow we intend to walk 17 miles to Well 43.
1st August 1976
We are now at well 42, 305 miles south of Halls Creek. We walked about 18 miles to Well 43 and camped there the night. In the morning we walked 9 & a half miles to Well 42, where we are now. We are camped next to the well but the waterhole is filthy and cannot be drunk. But Murray dug a small hole next to the well and good water flowed through. About a half hour ago I spotted the first dingo we have seen since we started walking in July. Tomorrow we intent to walk about 17 miles to Well 41.
3rd August Tuesday 1976
We are now at Well 40, 331 miles from Halls Creek. We walked 17 miles from Well 42 to Well 41 and camped at Well 41 the night. In the morning we left Well 41 and walked 8 and a half miles to Well 40 where we are now. When we arrived, we first saw Michael Tobins grave, then walked a few hundred yards over to the well. I was first to open the lids of the well and when I did, found the water to be putrid. There were plenty of dead finches and the rotting carcass of a dingo. Murray cleaned out the well. We intend to drink the water but I do not fancy the idea. Tomorrow we intend to walk to Well 39 where we have our food drop. The day after is a rest day.
Friday 6th August
We walked about 10 miles to Well 39 after we left Well 40. When we arrived at Well 39, we dug up the 3 containers of food and shifted it into the shade.
A Typical Food Supply Drop
The next day was our rest day. In the morning I was awakened by the sound of Galahs on the well. I had the rifle next to me and I fired a few shots at them, but to my dismay I missed. It was so hard shooting at them in the sense that they are so cute. I also found them bloody hard too hit. After I fired about 12 rounds at them I gave up. Murray took over but his attempts were in vain. ( We were not shooting for sport. We were lacking meat from our meagre diet.) Murray continued to practise throughout the day for their return in the evening, but they never returned, nor did we see them in the following morning when we were packing up to leave for no.38 rock hole. It was a 15 mile walk to 38 rock hole and here we are. We have a water drop here as the rock hole is dry.
A typical water drop
Tomorrow we intend to walk 15 miles to Well 37. We do not know if there is water in the well. If there is no water, then our 15 miles might get stretched a little so we can get as close as we can to Well 36 which has water. So far we have walked 359 miles.
canningwalkers.id.au
The First Walkers 1976
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Rex Shaw