Heading east again - going to Tasmania in January.
Stopped at the rose garden in Meckering - posted Xmas cards and bought a Lions Xmas cake - did the same thing last year. The shop there is still for sale. Also bought fuel but should have waited - much cheaper at Cunderdin just up the road.
First 2 nights had very loud short thunderstorms and some gentle rain once the wind died down. The caravan doesnt seem to be leaking now thank goodness. Woken at 4.30 the second morning with another storm and thunder that rolled for ages it seemed.
Camped at Koorarawlyee again. A few here. Such a lovely big clean area.Off to Coolgardie. I see why there were so many dirty vehicles on Friday. Miles and miles and miles of roadworks. Luckily the road was pretty dry by the time I got there - dont want to get my clean caravan dirty just yetJ Was going to camp in the town but not very flat and don’t like town camps so got fuel at the new Caltex and off down to Mt Thirsty. Lots of trucks on the bypass road but a good drive all the way. Found a shady spot to camp – only one other here. A bit cooler thank goodness. Long drive today! 9-30 – 2pm!
Stopped in Norseman for a night. Was very hot and windy so pleased to have the aircon going.
Fuel again at Balladonia then decided to go another 50km to Woorlba Homestead camp where I stayed a few months ago. What a shocking sight. Broken trees everywhere. A lady pulled up in a camper van so we shifted some branches and got ourselves in well away from any trees left standing. She said there was a very bad storm went through last night further east. Glad I missed that one! Luckily the toilet here was miss by a very large tree that crashed. Hope there were no campers hurt. No sign of any broken vehicles. Got in to the same camp as last time though. Council workers came late in the afternoon and removed the tree from in front of the loo and cleared away a few others. it was such a small area of devastation. 100m up the road and across the road there was virtually no damage.
Managed to break another tooth off so now it is a dash to Port Augusta for a dentist! Well - doing 'big' drives for me - 250 km a day! So much for wandering along. Tooth fixed, stock up on fresh fruit and veg then to Burra Gorge for 2 very peaceful days. Decided to change direction as I didnt want to go through the fruit fly zone so headed for Mannum for 2 very noisy nights with young locals. UGH. Nice family next to me though - had a little uke session with them.
Next stop was Parilla then towards Pinnaroo and south on Ngartak Highway.
Interesting drive. Gentle rolling land with lots of farms then into low scrub.
Looks like a very sandy area. Very dry too. Called into Pertendi hut but
decided not to stay. Only a couple of good caravan spots. Old shepherd’s hut
has been done up as a shelter. Has been a fire through here also – maybe last
year. Border track closed due to fire season. Conservation Reserve, and another
camp a bit further south. Then towards Bordertown through immaculate farms. Not
an untidy fence anywhere, and large homesteads. Obviously farmers as opposed to
graziers! Grain and bright green circles of irrigated Lucerne. Did see a
paddock full of old machinery that looked as though it had been laid out for
auction. Acres of it! Maybe they used to sell stuff but didn’t see a sign. Has
been a recent wind storm by the look of the broken trees along the road. Bordertown is a very nice place also – bit of
money around I suspect. Couldnt find the laundry easily so got fuel and on to
Frances. Road ok – sealed but a bit narrow. Stopped at the Rec and found a spot
beside the tennis courts but under big tree. Bols, AFL, kids playground and 3
lots of amenities. There are 3 permanent vans here – one bloke is doing 7 weeks
grain harvest. Hostage situation in Sydney on the radio all day – ended up 3
dead and him!
Friend came Tuesday. Shifted from
under the trees – talk of strong winds so moved right out into the open behind
a shed. Wild wind all day so we parked beside a hedge then had to listen to yapping
dogs ALL night.
Next day we headed off to Lake Bringalbert. Gorgeous,
quiet! Lovely lazy day and a good night’s sleep.
