STEVE and Barbara Bull’s family and friends, back in Aldeburgh, in the English county of Suffolk in the United Kingdom, thought they were mad when they said they were going to drive a tractor across a Australia.
This was no ordinary tractor however and it was no ordinary journey, with the Bulls being part of the Tail-End Charlie journey that spent two days at the Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days last week before wrapping up at the National Balloon Championship in Northam on the weekend.
Despite the sceptism from some of their friends, the Bulls didn’t hesitate when they were invited to be part of the unique journey.
“Just under two years ago we came to Australia for our 50th birthdays and stayed with Ron and Kerry Bywaters, with Barbara being a long-term friend of their daughter Janine.
“They were planning this journey and the whole trek was up on a big map and we were interested in it and asked a few questions,” Steve said.
“They obviously remembered this and come Christmas time we got an email and a phone call, saying if you are not doing anything in July and August, how about joining us.”
The couple jumped at the opportunity and the rest is history.
“Our friends did think we were mad but they have been following our journey online and they have just loved it,” Barbara said.
Steve said they were so appreciative of the opportunity that was a real eye-opener.
“We have been very lucky because we would never ever have been able to see as much of Australia on an organised tour as we have done doing this and the people we have met – in real town communities, farming communities, mining communities, fishing communities – have all really welcomed the group in,” Steve said.
“We have seen far more of the country than we ever would have just driving through in a hired camper van and that has been absolutely amazing,” he said.
The couple said one of the surprises on their travels was the sheer size of the country.
Steve said the idea that they could drive more than 14,000 kilometres in one country, on one road trip was mind-boggling.
“Time and time again we have looked at maps and tried to work out where else we would have to go in the world do to that, and it’s pretty much unique,” he said.
Barbara agreed, saying they never got bored with the scenery or the driving.
She said often they would have three radical changes of scenery within a day and were amazed to still be in the same State.
Now that the journey is over the Bulls are spending this week in Perth before returning to the UK to prepare for their son’s wedding.
