Weds 20 Jan – in which we start the Nullabor Drive, we meet Max Bryant the Aborigine who gives us a lesson in his language

This was it! The beginning of the big trek across the Nullabor Plain. We had to make a stop in Ceduna to make a couple of calls, and check the internet. We stopped just near the beach. While I battled to get the computer going, an Aboriginal man came up to say hi (people do this all the time; since a caravan, a boat and a troop carrier tend to have a few good stories to tell – especially if Darren is telling them). The man’s name was Max Bryant and came from Yalata, an indigenous town on the Yalata Aboriginal land on the Nullabor. He gave Darren a lesson in his language – which was fascinating, and D wrote down a few of the words – though the spelling probably leaves a lot to be desired!
kangaroo – sister
balya – (it’s) all good / thanks for talking with me
coora – terrible
coda – big brother
marlen – younger brother
maroogoo – brother-in-law
why bala – White fella
waloo badaa – white woman
hooa – that’s right
wirro goodoo – Bye

He later asked for a lift back to his town 200 kms away, as he had been visiting Ceduna for a wedding. We are chockers so were unable to give him a lift comfortably that far, but we wished him well, and very well pleased with the meeting whichwe felt gave us a little bit more of what Australia is really about, we left Ceduna.