room!”
Spending New Years Eve with Tex
and Bundy was a highlight for Steph,
as any Australian will tell you, it is al-
ways a highlight to spend time with
these two travellers. Tex does a mas-
sive amount for Australian charities,
all while aboard his Moto Guzzi.
Bundy goes along for the ride and has
spent over 2,000,000 kilometres on-
board the Guzzi’s fuel tank – yes, that’s
right! Onboard the fuel tank. Bundy
is Australia’s most photographed dog
and has special permission to ride on
the motorcycle.
“We had a great day and I felt
honoured to have been invited to
welcome in 2015 with such wonder-
ful people,” Steph smiled.
Steph missed her chance to be in-
terviewed on the steps of the Sydney
Opera House by the Weekend Sunrise
team. Terrible violence was a report-
ing priority, as again the world was
shocked by religious extremists. Par-
is had been attacked and Steph was
now a lesser priority.
Laughter rang through the
air. Steph smiled, as the beautiful
sound seemed to mock the terrorist
organisations committing such atroc-
ities. Three kookaburras all enjoying
the moment, all laughing collectively.
“There were three of them in all,”
she smiled.
“I heard them before I saw them.
Kookaburras laughing in the tree
above me.”
She’d seen many throughout Aus-
tralia but had never heard them
laugh.
“I didn't know they did! When you
hear more than one you understand
why the collective noun is a RIOT of
kookaburras. It was a lovely sound.
Perhaps because it was my first time
hearing it. Perhaps because there is
something special about these birds.”
Perhaps it was what was needed at
that time.
For Steph Australia was a land of
contrasts; dry harsh deserts, lush
green rainforests, long sandy beach-
es, sprawling cities. Yet, there was
one constant – the people. No mat-
ter what background, what religious
TRAVERSE 41
faith, what political persuasion, they
all were uniquely Australian. All will-
ing to share their life, their home …
their Australia. SJ & Traverse
Steph Jeavons, and her little red
Honda, called Rhonda have recent-
ly completed their four year round
the world ride. They're home, but for
how long?
Rhonda has gone further than any
250cc motorcycle has been before,
and the pair have touched all seven
continents.
Steph, and Rhonda, have amazing
tales, all of which can be found on
Steph's website One Steph Beyond
(www.stephmoto-adventurebikeblog.
com). Steph also has an online book
called Embrace The Cow, written on
the road about her first three years of
travelling.