Just a matter of familiarisationMeanwhile we are cycling since a few days. The first sunburn with blisters is just on the mend, the dangling movements because of the unaccustomed weight of the bike become fewer and we already learned more about camping (e.g. how to get a tent peg into a ground, that is as hard as stone).Regarding our nutrition we are still experimenting (not everything is compatible with the heat while cycling and in advance not everything is durable or convenient for transport). To the Australian Slang we have already accustomed somewhat. And then already a new factor approaches us: the fly plague - but it's a moot question whether we will ever accustom to flies. At first it is rather fascinating. At a moment's notice there are suddenly large quantities of these beasts - and the further we go the more they get! We are fortunate enough to own mosquito nets for the head, since we have already heard about the problem before and still bought nets before leaving Austria (even though many have sniggered at us at that time). Thus we unpack them immediately and put them on. So we have to see the world through a green, small meshed net, which bothers the viewpoint somehow. However, it is better than having flies in the eyes, because there and in nose, mouth and ears they feel most comfortable. Though we execrate the flies, we believe, that since they appeared that suddenly, we will get rid of them in the same fast way. But at the next roadhouse our hopes become destroyed by Aussies and other tourists, who are there longer already - that are great prospects! However, shortly after our hopes become eventually revarded: the flies disappear from one minute to another. Unfortunately the reason therefor is up to the sun - at dusk the beast hole up somewhere. Then there are some minutes in dead silence and finally, on the verge of nightfall, the air is suddenly filled with humming and buzzing again - this time a few octaves higher. The mosquitoes have arrived and are now the masters of the air. I haven't the faintest idea what's worse. Flies are a permanent pain in the neck during their presence and thus are maybe more maddening than mosquitoes, whose stitches are itchy and more than unpleasant, especially since they mob on their prey in packs and do not spare any part of the body because of their sanguinariness. Besides they can pass bad diseases on. For this reason when the mossis come out our motto is: Buck up into the tent, since the mosquito net there is the only effective protection. During the day we unfortunately do not have our tent as protection. Therefore we must learn to live with the flies. While we are cycling it is better since the airstream protects a little bit - as long as you wear a net (our admiration to all the cyclists "semi-nude"- and we met several). The big problem starts at lunch break. When we take a longer rest I immediately switch to long clothing, gloves and the net. It's not hundred per cent, since some of them find their way under my protective layer, but it is better than the whole flock. Martin has the problem that usually the long garment is too hot for him. That's why his nerves are tremendously put on a test by the eternal tickle. The beasts even get stuck in his hairy legs. Sometimes it's rather funny for me to watch Martin, however, some species are in spite of my protective clothing really unbearable. You can get a real fly expert there - look out especially for the ones with the yellow heads. In our opinion they are the worst! For this reason we do not make a rest when it is too bad. We just eat a cereal bar during cycling, because we prefer a snarling stomach. Else, when it is somehow bearable we cook something at noon, but we will never try again to eat eggs or fish in areas infested by flies (for reason look in australia infos in the chapter about flies)!!! After all Martins favorite occupation during our rests is slaying flies. Then he dissects them gleefully and finally he feeds them to the ants in bite-sized pieces. As you can see: it is not possible to get accustomed to these animals - we can only hope for fly-free areas. Until then we rejoice in watching the motorists fighting against the flies, because they have more problems with the customisation after leaving the fly-free zone inside their cars and suddenly - flies everywhere. It is fun to watch them bouncing and waving around angrily! By the way: this year Martin got a fly swatter from me to his birthday. I bet he was seldom before more pleased with a present, since he was able to increase his yield for ants feed (and my magazines have less protein lots now). written by: Birgit |
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