3/5 Left at 8am and
drove to Nanutarra Roadhouse (2.5 hours) on the Ashburton river – there is
WATER in it! Very expensive fuel here $1.999. Decided to stay at the roadhouse
park – power = aircon!!!! $25. Had a beer with lunch – maybe should start
drinking it – was so refreshing! Damn rogues - really expensive hamburgers etc.
and $14 for a bottle of water and a beer! Captive clients though – nearest fuel around. Walked along the old
bridge over the Ashburton River – very pretty. Interesting
hills not far from here – yes – I said HILLS!
Chatting to 2 lots of
travellers – apparently the road to Tom Price and across to Great northern is sealed.
Might have to go – Karijini National park.
Also felt like I was driving through huge windrows – wide flat areas
between ridges all running east west. Lots of grass around and some healthy
looking cattle on the verges. Some big rocks and lots of flat topped hills in
the distance – maybe the Cane River park? Traffic is good – a few vehicles and
a couple of big trucks.
Loved the use of the
road as the flying doctor airstrip!
2.30pm = well – fancy
that. Dropped the bed down and stretched out to ease the back and blow me down if
I haven’t slept for 1.30 hours! Not like I am not getting enough sleep either.
Usually in bed by 8 and up by 7!!!! Must be all this constant heat. Not just
the head leaking now – whole body gets damp but it is not like Perth heat
either. Much drier I think.
4/5 Well – what fun today – drove through HILLS
and around curves , bends and even corners. So pleased I decided to come this
way!
Didn’t know the road was sealed all the way. One can have just so
much of the ocean I have decided! Lots of different rocks – mounds of smooth
ones all piled up on each other, sharp ones in lines especially along the tops
of ridges. Lots of lovely trees where ever there was a ‘river’. Much narrower
road once I turned on to the Paraburdoo one but very little traffic. Lots of
one lane bridges with signs – no passing
or overtaking – there is a difference? After much though I decided it
depended on whether you were coming or going as to whether you were passing or
overtaking!!!!
Looked at a roadside overnight park but the flies hit
me. Funny how they don’t seem to be at the caravan parks – maybe they spray or
something. Was sure I was staying at Paraburdoo and got groceries at the IGA –
then found out there is no park there. In Paraburdoo fuel is only $1.64. That is a
pretty little town – Rio Tinto offices there.
Tom Price is only another 80km so that was fine. A
lovely shady green park also – may have to stay a few day I think! Chatty young
couple next door also.
Will probably go on a mine tour here – only $28 and
you get a pretty close view I gather.
Looking forward to seeing the Karijini gorges although
not sure I will be doing the walks – pretty steep and I sure don’t want
to slip over!!!!
Hope the
neighbours move on tomorrow – squealing kids in a campervan!!!!
Must go get the jack and lift one side of the van and
put the chocks under it – have been thinking about how to do it. Am ok getting
it straight back to front but am on a lean sideways. (Well – that didn’t work – van too heavy – ah
– hang on – use the van jack and put it in the right place!!!! But still need
to drive on to the ramps I think.)
Have seen some very healthy cattle today, although
pretty twisted horns on them, and one very skinny dog/dingo. No roos, emus etc.
Listening to the couple setting up - takes ages as
they all put out their side shades etc. I just stay inside - plenty of room!!!! Will do
it when I go fishing I think – just for a change. Had the neighbour helping heaps – nice couple. Couldn’t get the tap sorted – but we gave up in the dark and with
the mossies starting to bite!
New world in Wiz so played for a while (Avalon)
5/5
Got some meat etc. at Coles – good prices here. Also
some ramps at the hardware to raise the caravan on one side. Hooked up and on
to ramps but need to put the chocks under as well so the wheels don’t slip back
when I take it off the ute. Anyway – bit better than it was. Also got the water
hooked up finally – used the garden hose to reach a tap that worked! Turned on
the power hot water so will see what happens! (nothing! Again)
Had booked to stay until Wednesday so can at least get
the wages done and I think a break from driving will be good. Put both ends out and going to tidy and sort things (maybe) while here.
Getting a bit messy. Red dirt marks on the floor!!!!
Time for a wine and the grain waves I was saving for
fishing!!!!! Cousin emailed to say Balla Balla fishing trip is off this year. Had drinks with neighbours next door. Lovely couple from VIC –
sold their motel/restaurant and bought a beautiful van – all black and white
inside with full ensuite and washing machine.
6/5
Went on the mine tour. Excellent value. Delightful and very informative
bus driver, and the tour included the look out over Tom Price – 15km x 8km –
there was a mountain there once!!!! (this town was a ‘drinking town with a
mining problem’) Then through all the operations area, drove beside the big
truck and the train. All very up close here. The machine below is operated from
Perth!!!
Had
to tell the screamers parents (see 4/5) that we wanted to hear the commentary
though – didn’t realise it was them at the time. Got the thumbs up from a
few others – getting like Gran – but don’t care. Some people are just ignorant
and why would you take 2 year olds on a 1.5 hour bus trip anyway when they
are going to be bored out of their
little trees!!!!! 
Friends in NZ Skyped this
afternoon.
So – feeling much
happier today,
done the book work, played Wiz, drinks with the neighbours…., washed the
floors, and did the dishes with HOT water – and it has been much cooler today.
Actually cloudy tonight – gee – I wonder if it will rain???? Nights are cooler
also – got the duvet on now.
7/5
Drove out to the gorges today. Lots more interesting hills. Didn’t
walk down into gorges – would never get out again I think!!!! Quite a small
area at Dales Camp much to my surprise. Amazing Tourist Centre – almost
camouflaged – ore red steel tucked in behind trees – very clever and
interesting. About 90 km from Tom Price. Didn’t fancy another 60km of dirt to
see the other ones. Buy a post card. Looks way to cold to be swimming down in that massive hole!
Bought a stand for the
little gas BBQ thing. My caravan step is a bit low – used it last night. Great
steak though!
These signs started appearing on the truck layby areas - finally found one attached to the right building!
What ever happened to simple English - .. to allow the passage of oversized movements...
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