TRAVEL WRITING COMPETITION

A three-week trip – and an unexpected encounter – through WesternAustralia provided the inspiration for Michelle’s runner-up winning entry into the Wanderlust Writing Challenge, themed around the kindness of strangers

- MICHELLE TAYLOR

“Let’s get a photo of the sign,” I suggested. “It’s not every day we cross the Tropic of Capricorn.”

Paul nodded and eased his foot off the accelerator.

The tyres bounced and the suspension creaked as we pulled off the empty, tarmac road to Broome and onto the compacted orange sand interspersed with hardy, drought resistant shrubs and brush. It was then that we saw the motorhome.

Standing in front, leaning heavily on one crutch, the other balanced snugly in his armpit, was an elderly man waving energetically in our direction. Just as we approached a second person slithered out from under the vehicle.

“We’ve got a flat,” the old fella said in a wispy voice. “She’s got it jacked up, but can’t undo the wheel nuts.”