Next morning we (well, mostly George) packed up and hid my bike in the bush.  I hopped and crawled my way to the edge of the track and found some shade. 

George took off to New Crown Station.  I passed the time considering my predicament, what was in store for both George and I, and how my unfortunate mishap had stuffed up the trip for us both.  I was not able to rid myself of the feelings of self-recriminations. 

An hour and a half later George arrived back with the Station owner in a Toyota trayback 4WD.  Also in the vehicle were two of the Station ringers and George Prosser, a visitor to the Station who decided to come along for the ride to see this hapless bike rider.  The Tanami was retrieved from the bush, I clambered onto the back of the Toyota and the painful journey back to New Crown started. 

I was able to stand in what looked like a normal posture

Kim in back of Landcruiser
 

Royal Flying Doctor Service plane lands

The Flying Doctor roared in only minutes after we arrived at the Station homestead.  My main recollection of the time at the homestead was of the laid back, casual approach.  Everyone wanted to have a bit of a chat, discuss the weather, pontificate on the State of the Nation, commiserate on cattle prices, and find out the latest news from Alice Springs (never mind me I only had a broken leg).

After fighting over who was going to remove my boot in the Emergency Department of Alice Springs Hospital (I took it off, the nurses held my leg and the boot), the leg was operated on and a plate and seven pins inserted in the fibula.

George spent the night at New Crown Station.  The next day, with the help of the two ringers, he moved the bikes into Kulgera, where he spent the next five days

.I escaped from the Alice Springs Hospital after five days and picked up Norm at the airport.  After phone calls from George to explain our predicament he had flown in from Perth to ride my bike back to Perth.  We drove to Kulgera, met up with George and spent the evening commiserating over what might have been.

Packing

Outside the Kulgera Pub before George and Norm departed for WA

The next morning George and Norm headed off back to Perth.  I was able to wave only a perfunctory farewell – the commiserations of last night were insufficient – the trip of a lifetime had become a mini nightmare, regardless of the demeanor I portrayed.  I headed back to Alice Springs, caught the Ghan to Adelaide and enquired about a relaxing journey across the Nullarbor aboard the Indian Pacific – one of the World’s great train journeys.  “Yes sir, we can get you a seat in three weeks – it’s wildflower season.  People come from all around the World to travel the Indian Pacific to Western Australia to see the wonderful display of wildflowers”.

I resorted to the plastic and flew out on Flight AN 83 that afternoon.  The hosties were wonderful.  Thanks Tiffany!