Bungle Bungles 2002
Our Trip in 2002
28/5/002 Monday left Pinjarra 4:00 arrived New Norcia 7:05 had breakfast bacon & eggs plus a
orange juice followed by a cup coffee, videoed Monks Ministry. Sounds of early morning
birds - looks to be a fine day ahead, Was heavy fog going through the Swan Valley this morning.
Stopped to have a coffee at Wubin at 10:00am traffic starting to get busy, 71 km out of Dalwallinu
rest site includes barbeque, strolled through Mt Magnet cemetery and found [Edhouse] gravesite,
Cemetery ground very spongy soil. Went looking for cousin Ron along Mt Magnet to Sandstone road - and were unsuccessful in finding him, camped the night at Sandstone caravan park…had a snack consisting of Salami, cheese, gherkin, and crackers washed down with beer, after consuming this did not feel like tea. Don tried ringing cousin Ron on satellite phone but to no avail, went into work camp is ever so huge - still were unsuccessful never did catch up with him.
Leaving Sandstone Caravan Park
29/5/002 It's 7:30 leaving Sandstone caravan park, slept well - was very cold night here, breakfast consisted of coffee and 2 mandarin's each, couple of guy's kicked a football around campsite this morning before heading off to work, not much else to do here, toilets are very clean, an Aboriginal women runs the caravan park very pleasant…we're leaving for Karajini Gorge; dropped out and had a look at the old brewery and London bridge. 8:47 and heading to Meekatharra, 25 km out from Sandstone, saw feral cat fighting with crows over road kill. 11:44 fuelled up at Meekatharra Road House - took motor charge card here, beautiful Bougainvillea's growing in the main street adds spectacular colour. Stopped and had lunch 30 km out from Meekatharra, 4 caravans pulled up in this area, a beautiful breeze sun's shining, had lunch turkey, tomato, cheese & salad sandwich also mandarin, mars bar accompanied by a can of coke; not many flies here able to eat in peace. Camped at Middle Branch of the Gascoyne River, free camping my kind of camping, barbeque, benches, seats & rubbish bins also not many flies here, best to follow the river up a bit to camp sites further off from the road, Don's struggling a little with his back, time is only 3:20 have camped up early; downing a few cold ones - steak sausages & onions are on the menu tonight, birds and their sweet chirps to be heard in the background, oh the smell of the bush ever so wonderful, traffic busy, campers seeking campsites for the evening, am concerned about my dear hubby's back not moving very freely these days, souvenired myself a rock in this area, a feral kitten wandered into our camp tonight, we believe people have been feeding it, as for we had trouble putting it on it's way, such a menace to our wild life and still a high dumpage rate, maybe we need to look at licencing cats as we do dogs.
Middle Branch of the Gascoyne
30/5/002 Packed and left Middle Branch 8:48 Don seems to struggle with his back these day's, took us a while packing a real concern, as for wife is having to do extra and routine is all out of wack, believe we'll stay awhile longer at Karajini than first expected. Another fine day breakfast WeetBix & fruit washed down with orange juice, 9:54 stopped had Kit - Kat & coffee, breeze blowing in this area 20 km North of Kumarina, slow day today didn't get much sleep last night.
Stopped for lunch at Fortescue River 12:40 had turkey & salad sandwich also left over sausages, can't believe how people just leave their rubbish behind, this area is just full of litter, ruins a great little rest point, had already been into Newman…but couldn't find fuel station so back tracked to Capricorn Road House on road heading out to Karajini, phoned our daughter Melissa from Fortescue River. Arrived at Karajini visitor's fees apply $9.00 to be put in honour box, another $10.00 to be given to rangers after setting up camp, believe this to be a bit steep expecting showers to be at campsite…4:00 have set up camp, both of us are feeling very tired just sitting having a quiet beer - earlier on Don started to hammer camper peg's in and managed to hit his finger…soil here is very hard, AND he's done his back in .Also while backing into campsite he hit a post - scratched mud guard, we just want to rest now, was wrong about the showers…there isn't any !! Will have to be cat lick tonight however there are toilets here… we're in bed early it's only 6.30.
Campsite - Karajini cooks at it again
31/5/002 Woke 7.30 had breakfast bacon, eggs, tomato, toast & orange juice also 2 cups coffee, Don not happy this morning, toilet door banged all night no latch to hold it back, very windy during the day couple of Kangaroo's to be seen grazing on the grass here last night really good to see, great view before our eyes this morning, ranges a distance off and swaying trees, a lot of people here camped up. Have just done the washing - however my poor hubby while lifting a water container dropped it split the side, now down one water container, believe Don is finding this holiday a bit of a stain backs letting him down badly, we don't seem to be able to get organized this trip, hoping things will pick up! Wind is still blowing Don has set solar panel up not sure if it's working [oh happy days]. Everything's all OKAY with the solar panel Don has just run a check on it, 12:00 had Vita Wheat, tomato & cheese followed by sweets jelly & fruit also a nice cup of tea…flies are very annoying here, Ranger's been to check toilets Don believes he's capable of doing the job. Just arrived at visitors area SHOWERS are here, have now found out that we pay for use of showers $4.00 for 15 min $10.00 deposit also, there is only one shower in building blocks, Palm Valley has it all over this place, Don has had to get water also here - cannot understand why our camp is so far from this area? Becoming worried about my husband believe he is showing signs of stressing out!! There is water in this area but one is unable to fill containers, don't know whether I expect too much, or whether it's because I've been spoilt in the past at other places that we've visited. Don has just taken the keys to the shower block back to office, to get to these showers it's 10 km from the campsite…we have just learnt that water can be got from a tank 1. 5 km from shower block; Don had trouble having a shower he had to bend his knees as for shower head is placed to low, and when I say he had to bend his knees he had to actually kneel in the cubicle.
Had tea 4.30 we're in bed 5.40 reading mags, Don had to actually sit on the edge of tub to have a wash I'm concerned about him, tea was Salmon, rice & vegies and a few beers sunk relaxing we'll sleep well tonight, mars bar in bed while reading Cockatoo's can be heard in the distance tonight- an Aussie outback!!
Home Sweet Home View - just behind our Camper
1/6/002 Woke 6:30 had WeetBix & fruit and 2 cups coffee, cold and windy - wind seems to drop as the day goes on, planning a walk to Fortescue Falls believe it will cure or kill us [more like kill us].
Yeah I was right it killed us but was worth every bit of it, Don's disappointed he can't walk as far as he used to, also complaining about his knees clicking and hurting - however I must say my new Asthma medications helped me a lot, only had to stop 3 times and that was coming back up from the falls, still getting over the flu I had before leaving home, decided to stay another night here paid to another shower, and did a bit of souvenir shopping then shall head out tomorrow morning, can hear wild ducks in the distance - both sitting here on a railing watching a baby budgie been blown out of it's nest…and is now walking all over top of camper, managed to get up close - the wild life out here is just wonderful; 1:00 had shower done some pleasure shopping for our grandson Josh. Don & myself picked more water up, now back at campsite resting and $76.00 out of pocket - spent on shirts and badge, $47.00 all up for staying at campsite. Having chicken, noodles & vegies tonight, leaving first thing after breakfast.
Packed ready to leave - Karajini
2/6/002 Sunday It's 7.53 packed moving out Weetbix & fruit, fuelled up at the Auski Road House [Coffin Cheaters on holiday] bikies parked up under shady trees, put air in tyre which was low, pulled up for coffee & biscuits 30 km out of Auski, emergency phone here has been vandalized by inconsiderate people! Also saw 3 donkeys along this stretch, stopped at Shell station Port Headland
fuelled up, bought new water container and filled it with water - not drinkable a little way up the road and we pulled into a BP station for 2 pies & chips garage also took motor charge card, heading for the DeGrey River 40 min away, 1:00 and have arrived at DeGrey River.
Relaxing at the DeGrey River Camper in amongst beautiful trees
3/6/002 Really relaxing here, birds are beautiful, water pools in the north east side of the river, could hear people breaking boughs from tree for their camp fires [not wise to burn green wood] trains passing through the night, quite a few campers here, other side of the river was full up, will be staying here again tonight and head off tomorrow, breakfast consisted of bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes & toast 2 cups coffee, an old bloke across from us was remising about the old drovers and of how they must have done it tough in the old days. I just love the way the river is lined with ghost gum trees and the sound of the breeze blowing through the leaves, have just done washing and have put another load in to be washed, as we're cruising along tomorrow heading for Broome; OH MY GOD…Don just put his shorts on, now must think it's safe to show off his lily white legs! 11:40 washing dried now sitting back enjoying a few beer's, 2.35 Don's just got back from chatting to a couple of retirees, they have a [change shelter] and the shower it self is a [mountain green] this works by a couple of batteries - looks good, need something like this, for our trip to - Cape York next year. Don has noticed that the tyre on the Nissan RHR is going down, have been suss about this since New Norcia 3:30 [We're maggotted] holidays begun well and truly!!
Camp fire was good last night View behind our Camper
The Beautiful DeGrey River Bridge across DeGrey River
4/6/002 Have just left DeGrey River the Perth couple waved us good - bye, now making tracks for Broome, 9:48 stopped at Sand Fire Road House warm wind blowing; fuelled up put air in tyre, before arriving at Sand Fire, a stone was thrown up which hit our windscreen…yeah another chip, I'm hoping Don will shout me an ice cream here; [and he did] Sand Fire takes motor charge card, 11:38 just had something to eat & drink - corn fritters & coke and on the road again, Don's feeling frisky silly bugger, doesn't he realise when the wife says she's on holiday's, she means she's on HOLIDAYS ! had a look at Roebuck caravan park to squeesy, made phone call to Tropicana Resort staying the night, looking forward to a nice hot shower - $99.00 to stay the night, not as nice as the Auski that we stayed at back in 1991 when we were here with the kids but it will do us. Phoned our eldest daughter Sharyn 2.30, they're having a lot of rain down in Pinjarra, apparently our pool is overflowing, our pets are fine and our youngest daughter Melissa, has gone shopping over in Mandurah and to put her money in the bank. Don's in the shower I'm downing my third coffee for the day, may head out later and do a bit of filming and get something to eat [fish & chips sound good] Don's back is really giving him hell at this point, has had to make an appointment to see the doctor at 4:00, Melissa rung earlier sounded a bit lonely could be missing mum & dad? Just sitting here watching TV, 4.20 had fish & chips for tea returned to unit to rest up…rung our son Terry but he was working, then rung Melissa again just to check that she alright.
5/6/0022 Sharyn & Gareth tried to ring last night - they'd been drinking and partying etc etc, rung them back this morning, had breakfast bacon, eggs, tomato, sausages, hash browns, toast, orange juice and coffee in the town of Broome - done souvenir shopping, had a mango & banana shake, went out to Anastasia's pool, has changed a lot since we were here with the kid's, got tyre fixed, nail was the problem - restocked stores, Don has booked us a table at the Tropicana Inn tonight [Steel Blue Restaurant] am worried about Don as for he has a rash over his chest and back, could be a reaction to his medication, poor bugger not much of a holiday for him. 6.00 went down and had tea [Buffet, Wine, cake & fruit followed by coffee] rung kids again before we move off tomorrow, just sitting watching TV [Behind Enemy Lines] is the film tonight - last night was [The Castle], needed the 2 day's break not only for my hubbys back, but that it's also been 2 years since we stayed any where like this, and I'm lapping it up - we really have spoilt ourselves!
6/6/002 Woke 7.00 sorting ourselves out, before heading off…8.19 Don's gone to collect phone money; stopped at Willare garage they don't take motor charge card here, 2 aboriginal women we're thumbing a lift just out side of here, Mount Win Creek 2 km west of Willare garage [Camping Area] quite a few caravans parked up! BP at Fitzroy Crossing don't take motor charge card; Shell across the road also didn't take motor charge card, we had to use cash. Fitzroy River Lodge looks to be really fancy, hoping to get a campsite a lot of people here, paid $19.80 to stay the night, it's 3.00 have set up camp a very large caravan park plenty of space - T bone steak, mushrooms, potatoes & beans tonight now relaxing having a few beers, I got the fright of my life while sitting here earlier, a large bungarra passed though under my chair, out back Australia don't you just love it?
Russian Jack Statue - Halls Creek Old Engine - Halls Creek
China Wall at Halls Creek Statue - Halls Creek
7/6/002 It's now 7:56 have left the Fitzroy River Lodge and heading for the Bungle Bungle's, stopped at Ngrunben lookout, can camp here the night if need be - toilets & barbecue here. Had fruit juice and done some videoing, arrived Halls Creek 11:00 Shell station here takes motor charge card; they'd run out of diesel there's a lot to be said for petrol times like this. Well it was an interesting drive into the Bungle Bungle's near on 3 hrs to get in here, 4:27 and our camper is set up and have just had 2 cans of beer, Don's already thinking of his stomach as for he's wanting to know what's for tea?
Sitting here and the birds sound beautiful, ones call sounds very much like a cat, plenty of space at this campsite, grass is mowed and a information area.
View to the side of us at campsite Bungle Bungle Our campsite at Bungle Bungle
View from front of our Camper Walk into Bungle Bungle
8/6/002 Saturday 7:00 up and cooking breakfast bacon, eggs, tomatoes, toast, fruit juice and 2 coffee's each, a beautiful place to sleep so peaceful - peace nothing but peace, birds here are exquisite, can see choppers and planes flying over the Bungle Bungles, toilets here are as good as Karajinni if not better, water is also here, there's no ants hardly any flies to annoy as one eats their meal, Don slaved his heart out doing the dishes this morning! 12:47 just back from our excursion chopper ride over the Bungle Bungle's lost for words, one really has to see it for themselves, 9:00 we were in the air, flight pilot said it had been 1'degree a couple of day's ago, has warmed up now placed $3.50 in pilots retirement jar [more like their beer supply jar] business is flourishing out here, cost of our flight was $360.00 this was an early birthday gift for Don from me [HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR] for the 20th June a little way off yet. Also took a hike through to the Cathedral Gorge around 10:00 about 1 ½ hrs walk all up, there's a little pool surrounded by white sand and beautiful butterflies to be seen, such a tranquil place. Thirsty hike one needs to take water! Have returned to camp and are having a few beers, Don is also mending connection to the Engel plug , which had come loose … Engel has been brilliant again , and auxillary battery as well.
Heading into the Bungle Bungle Cook having - time out
Bungle Bungle Walk in towards Cathedral Gorge
not far from Cathedral Gorge Inside Cathedral Gorge
Looking out from Cathedral Gorge
9/6/002 It's 6:38 and we're packed and ready to leave the Bungle Bungles, windy here last night - helped having a few glasses of wine able to sleep no worries, both stood and just watched the stars last night an ebony sky filled with diamonds, 6:53 ready to go an old black crow has landed in our once campsite - picking at a few scraps, 2 hrs & 20 min to get out of the Bungle Bungles…now heading back towards Broome. Went out to old Halls Creek - Russel Guest Tour were also here, 1:09 just leaving Halls Creek, the toilets here blew us away, everything is push button, push button to enter, push button to flush, push button to wash hands, push button to wash room out & push button to leave…condoms are also here, just push button and VIOLA!
2:30 arrived at Mary Pool, lots of Cockatoos, think we seen a Dingo not real sure - though it was just skin and bone white tipped tail no collar, there are toilets here, quite a few campers parked up in this area - mainly retirees- 3:35 are now sitting having a few beers feeling great have washed my hair - 3 nights without doing so, was beginning to feel like a real bush pig!
10/6/002 Woke 5.50 Don was up putting the kettle on, 2 cups coffee; a variety of birds to be heard here also, there are bins and barbecues here, contemplating on whether to have a cooked breaky or not, decisions, decisions… We are heading for Telegraph Pool today. 10:01 Don just filmed the Fitzroy Bridge, 10:12 fuelled up met some folks who were from Mandurah and are heading out to Halls Creek. Cannot buy beer here before 12:00 and no wine prior to 6:00 pm. 11:28 stopped and had sardines on wheat bread, fruit and jelly for lunch washed down with coke at Ellen Dale rest area, toilets, bins, shelters & shady trees here not too bad this area! 12:50 have turned off the Great Northern Highway heading for Willare Bridge to Broome; unable to go into Telegraph Pool mustering was on - main gate closed.
11/6/002 Two weeks that where've been on the road now, 10:00 just picked up our beer - good parking area for car and trailer behind Coles super market in Broome, had tea at the Wharf Restaurant last night, prawn salad, garlic bread, slipper lobster, very nice indeed… watched sun go down, witnessed a beautifully lit ship sailing out of harbour and out to sea, a very lovely night. Had donuts for breakfast, leaving for Cape Leveque, hoping to make it by 1:30.
How very wrong we were, 3:35 terrible stretch of road out here, hard going on ones neck and back, bit cramped at camp site $14.00 ea to stay the night [fly me here any day] passed army camp out on the road to Beagle Bay church[Don read book on Palotine monks by Durack], ever so lovely, beautiful mother of peal and shells, art work every where, the people out here are really friendly. Have to be out of Caravan Park by 10.00 tomorrow we're not looking forward to that stretch of road back by any means.
Rest Point out from Cape Leveque Road out to Cape Leveque
Wharf Restaurant - cooks night off Evening view from Wharf Restaurant
12/6/002 Left Cape Leveque 8:30 Don bought me the most beautiful shell ever, a Trochuses shell cost him $30.00 he really spun me out by doing this, went into Lombardina community - got some fuel $40.00 worth, a young girl walked past and gave us a beautiful smile she was dressed absolutely lovely, people come across very friendly here, a very clean and cared for community - saw an old grave site, full of white crosses, Army is also based here, now heading for free camping along the beach somewhere?
1:59 Got stuck in soft sand - had to let tyres down to get out, cannot take camper trailer out to Barred Creek as first thought, … we've been told by some people - also from Mandurah, that there was no way one could get a trailer out there, and that the fish have been and gone, the very reason why they where heading back to Mandurah, so Don replaced the air in tyres and we had a tub of mango & jelly each for lunch not feeling hungry at this point. Don has picked up phone reception here. He's - might I say a little stressed out, not very happy about coming all this way at all, have decided to head for Port Smith $14.00 for us both to stay the night, just having a coke while still putting air in the tyres. Stopped at Roebuck station for a pie and sausage roll each and a nice iced coffee, put more air in the tyres, they take motor charge card here also!
Arrived Port Smith 4:45 the ground they gave is ever so hard for putting tent pegs in, the place is riddled with flying midges [very unpleasant indeed] have sprayed but has made no very little difference. After setting up camper and half way through our first tinny, a woman handed Don a form to fill in - very much like a census form [this really topped Don's day off] the bugs are really getting to me!!
There's an evening star out tonight one can only guess my wish [HOME SWEET HOME] these bugs are really sending me insane.
Phoning to book a site at Port Smith Our campsite at Port Smith
13/6/002 Well after a shower and a good nights sleep, have put annex up have decided to stay a while and rest up [recharge our batteries] they have been getting mud crabs here, people along side of us have been here 2 weeks and have done alright - though the crabs have eased up a since [just our luck] also the girl on the other side of us, said after the long week end, it's pretty well done for not so many now. Got the mozzie coils burning helps to keep these bloody mozzies away from me, don't seem to be bothering Don as they are me!
Morning tea consisted of toast, vegie-mite, peanut butter, coffee & lamington was really good. 11:30 washing has been done and is drying, thanks to my dear hubby, just cooked corn fritters for lunch, now just sitting having a few beers, 1:38 Don has just put our second load of wash in machine, 3:00 third tinny almost done, and second load of wash is hung and drying, Don has just taken a wander up to the golf course to check it out; haven't done much today…it's what we need, tomorrow we may take a look around the place; Don is back and has just heard that a couple old ladies were lost 4 day's ago up at the Bungle Bungle's, have found them and they're ok.
No tea tonight we were both quite full, after sitting around picking nibbles all day; were in bed 8.05 tonight reading books.
Port Smith Golf Course Port Smith Golf Course
14/6/002 Woke 7:20 Don is up, has put the water on to boil so as to make his wife a nice cup coffee.
More washing is needing to be done today lucky me; Don's hoping for a game of golf, apparently it's only a $1.00 for golf clubs and nine holes to do! We're also going to have a bit of a look around today.
Just had bacon, tomatoes, eggs, and baked beans for breakfast also 2 cups coffee, 10:00 have been up and had a look at the lagoon, picked up a shell which contained a crazy crab, wrapped it's claws around my finger - frightening the hell out of me, also went for a wander through the bird park here, lots of beautifully coloured birds quite a variety really, there's a couple of Ostriches to be seen, many different types of Palms, the owners are lovely people it was worth the look.
Here at Port Smith the people wake 3:00am to go looking for muddies, then 6:30am others are up ready to go fishing.
11:30 We had left over corn fritters, lamington, orange juice and a ice cream for lunch, a beautiful breeze is coming through the annex, bought magnet and a women's mag from the small shop here, Don's out playing his game of golf, there's a guy along side of us learning to play the guitar not to bad quite relaxing to be honest apparently he's learning from the internet. Don and I are now just sitting here tying knots for Don's fishing tomorrow, he's set his watch to wake 4:45 in the morning, had risotto, steak, mushrooms, onions and beans for tea; rung Melissa tonight everything is fine back at home.
Don heading of for his game of golf 9th Hole
15/6/002 Saturday Don's gone fishing hoping for a bite, weather a very heavy dew & grey skies, no doubt will be blue in a little while, found out these bugs aren't mossies, their bloody sand flies and have made a mess of my legs & arms believe I will be left with scars, they do fogging in the campsite area around 5:30pm every day, what with fogging and having the annex it's been to no avail, However have decided to stay the weekend, and will head off Monday morning, Port Smith shower blocks are very clean, $3.00 for use of washing machines, and dogs are allowed though are to be kept on a leash, 9:15 Don's back caught a cobbler but threw it back [didn't want to eat in front of me] he saw a large turtle said it was great being out there, and with the fog all around, 3:00 cracked a tinny and had salmon pate and crackers, going to have steak & chips tonight, Don forgot to get more bait for fishing in the morning, has decided to leave fishing till Monday morning before heading towards home tomorrow, WHAT LUCK…the shop hadn't quite shut, Don was able to get his bait - so guess who's a happy lad now then?
16/6/002 Don's trying his hand at fishing again…determined to get himself a Big -en!!
10:00 and Don is back caught a skip - jack too small threw it back in the water, once again an unlucky day of fishing. Dons now trying to clean jets on gas stove; still wanting bacon and eggs me thinks! I didn't sleep to well last night; sand fly bites are terribly itchy to the point of reducing me to tears, I feel as though I'm losing it. Will pack a few things away today and start heading home have stayed here long enough, nice place It's just that I can't take any more of these sandflies though, people next to us are packing ready to leave…not bad these young people, god only knows how long there've been travelling for, they're from Queensland and have been here 3 weeks …an old pommy fella asked them what kind of work they do, their answer each time was [OH JUST WORK HERE AND THERE] forgive me for thinking this, but I believe they go from town to town collecting the [DOLE]. Just had brunch 11:25 now my hubby's about to do the washing up - believe he feels for me a little, what with these bites and all, Very windy today - Aboriginals come in here every afternoon, always a commotion when they're in, Don just ran into some old friends of our's Burnie & Blanche Schonneman, they have been away for 3 months and have been around Australia, and are heading back home, Blanche is also covered in sandfly bites - and said that they seem to be drawn to some people more then others, they have been coming to Port Smith for years, however prefer to stay at Barn Hill apparently white sand and fishing is good and no sandflies [must take note of this] . Big problems have just found out Engel's not working; have tried to save as much food as possible!!
First markings - from Sandflies
17/6/002 Leaving Port Smith didn't have breakfast just packed everything up, I had a shower Don couldn't as for they were cleaning the men's shower block, now heading for Afghan well, and Cape Kerauldren for a look. 11:38 stopped in Sand fire got a pie & sausage rolls, ice, and beer fuelled up using motor charge card! 1:44 took a run out to Kerauldren beach looks good, there are toilets here nice place to bring a caravan and fishing rod [will note that in my diary] 2:03 just dropped in for a look at Afghan Well interesting area, gathered a rock from here. 2:51 Have arrived at the DeGrey River, feels like home away from home, even managed to get the same site as last, water has risen since the down pour - even the grass has grown a little, we're just sitting here having a few beers and mussels on crackers, few mossies since the rain, mossie coils burning helps, just gone 5:00 train has just crossed the bridge engine driver blew whistle as it was passing over.
DeGrey River on returning home
18/6/2002 Breakfast bacon, eggs, toast, last tomato was used today, 2 cups coffee to be had, 9:34 just leaving DeGrey River for Port Headland hoping to be able to get Engel fixed!! 10:46 found Refrigeration bloke [POSHS] PH. 0418937741 address 15 Morgan ST Old Port Headland. Engel checked out to have nothing wrong with it? May have depleted auxillary battery, didn't want anything for it however Don gave him $20.00 for his time. 11: 20 stopped and grabbed a few things to get us through the rest of the trip, 11:49stopped at Shell station to fuel up. 2:48 have stopped at Shell station south of Karratha able to use motor charge card here; also rung daughter Sharyn was told our little grandson has got a very bad cough [POOR LITTLE MITE] 3:04 camped up at Miaree Pool, such a pretty little spot - have done a bit of videoing now cracked a can, Don's setting the barbecue up - that our son bought him, and has lit the fire after his lovely wife gathered the wood for it, boiling water for a bit of a bath later, then shall have a barbecue tea! A beautiful bird flew in our camp earlier [Honey Suckle] of some sort - turquoise blue, orange, red & yellow face with rust coloured wings. A man and his dog visited came our camp and had a nice chat about life, Aborigines, and of ATSIC!!
19/6/002 Woke 6:38 to trucks & cars crossing the bridge honking & tooting to us campers below, Don's out starting the fire eager to make his wife a nice cuppa coffee OH I LOVE THAT MAN…birds everywhere few mosquitoes, had a good night sleep, not much traffic through the night- barbecue our son bought has been good, must get more use out of it in future, less washing up to do when we use it.
9:05 and we're pulling out from Miaree Pool on the road again!! 12:00 have approached Onslow an interesting drive out here, the caravan park is crowded, going to take a look at Old Onslow Town, 2:00 Have set up camp on the Ashburton River Old Onslow; Don had to drive back to Onslow for beer, we like this spot very much so, though eventually they will stop people from camping on this beautiful river, as for the caravan parks in town are kicking up, missing the sweet $$$ no doubt, one can only stay one night - then are told to move on.
Camp site on the Ashburton River Crossing on the Ashburton River
Ashburton River Ashburton
Weir at Ashburton
20/6/002 [GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY DON]
Woke 7:07 to the gorgeous view of the Ashburton River; a family of black swans - dad, mum, & the 3 kids, Pelicans are sitting along the weir a magnificent sight! Weet - bix & fruit for breakfast; Don also threw a line in here yesterday nothing as usual, also put a coonac trap in nothing there either. There is however something in this river - as for I saw something big swimming in there, slept well until about 1:00 when some Hoon came through without a muffler, drove across the road that's over the river & came back over again, few ants here can handle these - although Don said he had a Sandfly on him - guess there's nothing left of me, for them to be on me now, got my washing dried, have no washing machine now though, lost the lid blew off after leaving Miaree Pool yesterday. Last nights jaffles went down well, will be moving out today - though would have loved to have been able to stay longer. 9:15 moving onto Exmouth today, just stopped off at Bobby's tree heading out of Onslow, dedicated to the late Bob Mc Aullay a shire grader driver, who nurtured this tree from a sapling, he died 1980 such a beautiful Ghost Gum tree, 10:57 just left Nanutarra Road House, had a pie, sausage roll & pasty home made - spent $20.00 here, has been $14.00 each time else where for fast food, took motor charge card here also, back on the road again. Pulled up 11:55 at Exmouth shopping centre, Don has gone to get film for video camera a loaf of bread and money out of bank, quite warm here, place has changed some since we were last here with the kids 1990.
Booked in 3:05 at Yardi Creek Station caravan park, Don paid $100.00 for our stay plus a $100.00 bond he's not very happy, not worth the money, maybe he's just not happy with being 49 LOOK OUT NEXT YEAR!!
Had a shower bloody sandfly bites are giving me hell!! Legs look terrible have put dettol on them hoping they will heal soon, GEE… Don's nice and happy now has dropped beer cans - he's not real happy with this place price is a bit steep…. we should have stayed at the caravan park, near the Old Light House back further, OH WELL THERE THE BREAKS!! Old Light House is worth taking a look.
Bobby's Tree
21/6/02 Woke 6:00 made a coffee just laid in bed until 7:00 …had a rotten nights sleep, checked under our bed 2 hocky straps for mattress support, the very reason it sag through the night, not real good for my hubby's back!! bacon, eggs, baked beans and toast fruit juice and a second coffee to follow, heading out to Ningaloo Reef today, will have shower first though, 8:30 checked out of Yardi Creek station Don complained to them about the bed…which was a waste of breath, got our $100.00 bond back once they had checked the room out!! Fuelled up at Ampol station which also takes motor charge card; 11:53 just passed through Minilya, heading for Carnarvon, 11:07 the BP station North side of Carnavan don't take motor charge card, go to garage just down South of it this does!! THE BILL A BONG garage doesn't except motor charge card. The BP in North Hampton also took motor charge card, arrived in Geraldton 6:30 stayed at the Champion Restaurant Motel $75.00 a night, very clean and the best room that we've stayed in on the whole trip and the cheapest.
Unit - Yardi Creek Station
22/6/002 It's 6:10 and we are leaving Geraldton homeward bound, 8:38 stopped and had orange juice 20 km South of Bagdingarra; very foggy BP at Cataby took motor charge card, 9:00 looks like a fine day ahead a bit nippy outside though. 11:00 returned solar panel to 12 Volt Shop, it's now 12:30 and we're home sweet home…it has been a great holiday all up, could have done without the sandflies though all part of the experience I guess!
26/10/002 Latest up date; Sandflies scarred my legs something terrible, since have been told that some people, have been known to get really sick from Sandflies and may need to be hospitalised, vinegar and baby oil are some of the remedies, one can use to help keep sandflies away…. if anyone has any remedies out there please let us know.
