May - To De Grey Camp

8/5 Quiet day = stayed in bed till 8. Did the washing and POLISHED the truck -seriously sticky tree muck being burned in to the paint and spots on the glass! Filled up with fuel plus the 2x10l jerry cans – just in case! Bought a fleecy throw – I like having my duvet inner doubled up under the topper pad for comfort!

Will start packing ready to go tomorrow.  Thought I should have the tape recorder beside me so I don’t forget what I was going to write here sometimes when I can't stop for a photo.

Karinjini Gorge

9/5

Auski Road house forecourt!

Long but easy drive today from Tom Price to De Grey River camp – 8.30 – 4pm! 500km Didn’t even go into Port Hedland. Was going to stop at Auski Roadhouse but clouds of dust from all the trucks calling in. I am amazed they don’t use water trucks – must have a bore there! Even the trees were covered. BUT – did find a hitching guide –  couldn’t find a price so got it for $10. 2 ‘aerials’ with a cup full of putty like stuff to stick on the tow bar and hitch – then when lined up and close enough one knocks the   other off so you know you are in the right place!

Climbed from Tom Price through a huge valley then down to the Great Northern Highway – about 120 km. Seemed to be pretty windy today and a lot of big loads on the road. From there it felt like downhill all the way! Top gear even and no strain. Went through a ‘gorge’ – had steel barriers on both sides of the road!!!! Once out of the hills (around the Auski Road house) then was out on to a huge open flat plain with only low scattered trees. So many dead cattle and calves on the side of the road – must have seen – and smelled around 12 today. No roos or emus, bit did see another dingo. Heard them last night near the caravan park – several howling.

Several white hard hats on the termites out of Port Hedland but couldn’t stop for a photo!

More round red monolith mounds as I got closer to Port Hedland but it certainly is a massive plain. A couple of places there are heaps of dongas – Redmount and Wodinga  so no doubt new mining areas.

De Grey River Camp – first night free camping. Sitting here dripping but all windows open so no doubt will cool off. Another couple beside me – apparently quite a few down at the river but very smelly bins and have to back in to a site. Wont bother with the generator – have steak to cook and gas is on. No phone or internet.  About 500km to Broome I think. Another long day maybe but could go to 80 mile beach?

10/5

Lots of people stopped at the camp last night but all pretty quiet other than the trucks going passed, but didn’t hear them during the night. A lot of dew this morning also. Nearly had roadkill for dinner. Several cows and calves grazing the edge of the road and one calf decided to cross – luckly after the road train and before the next one. The cattle are so quiet but the road trains do toot at them (er – honk). The verges mown here also. I do wonder if mowing creates fresh grass that encourages the stock and roos out…..?????

Only 3 hours driving today. Very long flat plains with low scrub= pretty monotonous. This must be an enormous flood plain I think. Can't see the hills for smoke/heat haze? Thought about 80 mile beach but driving on metal for 15 km through the same stuff – then back againL Nah – too hard. So am at Sandfire roadhouse = told there are bad mossies here but I don’t plan on sitting outside! A very large Brahman steer with magnificent horns, and a camel in a pen behind me – fly / tick fodder? Also dozens of peacocks all around the forecourt that have been visiting – coloured and white ones. No phone or internet. Have checked internet spots from here to Tennant Creek – should be ok in ‘main’ towns. Can use a plug here - $10 for the cord then $5 to use!!!! I can get it free at a rest area 150km up the road. Better report to Centrelink tomorrow I guess.

Had a great shower this afternoon – a proper shower cubicle with a glass door! No wet floor to have to try to get dressed on. Cooking pork belly and vegies tonight! Probably way to hot but I just feel like ‘real ‘ food for a change. A wave of nostalgia today – thinking about Malcolm, Mum and Dad dying. Not sure what brought that on!

A very quiet day on the road also – no-one passed me and very few vehicles coming either.