All the way to WA - If you're crook, come to cook!

July 28, 2023

Day 5 July 28, 2023

We had a leisurely start to the day today and the general consensus was that we had all experienced a better night’s sleep, our bodies having become accustomed to the rhythm of the train and the track being a great deal smoother. However, I did find I would wake up whenever anything changed, such as the train stopping for any reason, or another train passing us in the night.

Following breakfast we spent the morning sitting in the lounge, alternately enjoying the view, reading, chatting, or sipping coffee as we grew ever increasingly closer to that great treeless plain known as the Nullarbor.

By the middle of the day we were at Cook – a once thriving railway community, now a ghost town, with only a few occupied residences provided for ARTC employees. The old school had been left, with bike racks still in place and scattered toys in the playground. The old swimming pool had been filled in but the shell was evident; nothing remained of the old hospital, once made famous by the quip, ‘If you’re crook, come to Cook.’ It was an eerie place.

After half an hour the fire siren sounded, to alert passengers to reboard and we headed into the dining car to enjoy lunch. There is so much delicious food provided that I am sure I will be several sizes larger by the time we disembark. I can’t wait to get my running shoes on and enjoy some exercise and physical activity.

The afternoon was spent in the lounge car, as we crossed the Nullarbor and kept a look out for wild camels and other wildlife. Finally, one lone camel was spotted; a while later, another and then eventually, a couple of ‘flocks’, ‘herds’, ‘caravans’, or ‘trains’ all of which are acceptable collective nouns for camels. Other than some cattle and sheep, there was not much else to be found on the Nullarbor today.

Pulling into Rawlinna just after sunset, we were again able to disembark and were treated to pre-dinner drinks, canapes, and music under the stars. Conversation flowed and Wallsy discovered someone from Pinaroo, who knew his old uni friend from Cowangie (of course he did!). There is a broad cross section of people onboard, of all ages and backgrounds, but the majority are friendly, and we have had some interesting chats. We even found a fellow park runner; one who hailed from the original parkrun in Bushy Park, London.

Back on board, we ate dinner and soon found ourselves retiring to our cabin for the night. It's amazing how exhausting doing nothing can be!