After a couple of rest days in Esperance I first tried to leave on Sunday morning. But after only 37 km it was not possible to continue because of the knee. Turned back and bush camped 27 km outside of Esperance.
During the night I thought about my options and decided that I would go back to Esperance and have my bike serviced (needed to have the bottom bracket replaced) and then adjust the height of the saddle and give it a new try.
Left again from Esperance on lunch time yesterday, felt okay in the beginning but then it slowly got more painful and I just made it back to the place where I bush camped the day before. Was an early stop, just after 2 PM so I still hoped some rest would do good and then see how it felt the next morning.
But no better today and I don't want to spend more time here so have booked a bus ticket for Perth tomorrow. It was not the end I planned, didn't want to finish so short of reaching 10,000 km and the goal in Perth. But I feel I have made the right decision and I'm happy with it.
I've seen so much during my 7 month of cycling and it's been a great experience so finishing here or in Perth would not really make any difference when I'm later look back on the trip. But now I think I will have some of the most challenging part of the trip left. Traveling by bicycle is one thing but traveling with a bicycle, trailer, four big panniers, two big dry sacks and a handled bar bag as luggage is more difficult! Hopefully I can get it all on the bus.
In Perth I will arrange for visa for Thailand and then book a flight to Bangkok and say farewell to Australia.