photographyperthwa

It was a little longer to take this route, but we really wanted to get off the Great Eastern Highway. So, we had a pleasant ramble through Quairading and Beverley to Roleystone. Although we knew a storm front was approaching the constant sunshine and mild temperatures lulled us into a false sense of security.

The rain started gently at first, but was heavy by the time we turned off the Brookton Highway, enough to make us both anxious, given the heavy traffic on the road.

On arrival we quickly put our rear passenger wheel up on a riser to make the rain run off the roof. Success, because the only rain water inside was brought in by our jackets and shoes.

We had a catch-up and evening meal with our hosts before heading back to the van for a good night’s sleep. The rain was a lot lighter overnight and didn’t wake us up.

This morning our Telstra plans were renewed for the month and we were pleased that, thanks to Starlink, we hadn’t overrun our data quota. We could have bought more data, but we already have 280g per month and we don’t use anything like that in normal life.

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With the wonderful wisdom of hindsight we know that if we had taken a shorter break in Beverley we would have arrived in Roleystone before the rain.

This rest area is for self contained RVs only and is just on the edge of town near a large rock, with climbing markers, and a reservoir. Turned out that being on the edge of town was a very good idea as we were running a bit low on diesel and couldn’t get the heater to work. We only discovered this at about 8:30 pm and I was upset because I knew that having the heater in the mornings is really lovely. We were able to pack up a bit, drive to the service station, get fuel and back to our spot without too much fuss.

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On the journey yesterday we stopped at Southern Cross for the dump point and water. Stephen accidentally paid for 400 litres of water, but it was very cheap so we didn’t stress, just used what we needed. We also went to the Foodland for groceries and Stephen went to the hardware store and scored a very nice folding bucket. Our other one has developed holes along the folding seams. This new one seems better quality. Our folding dish that we use as a dish drainer has also developed holes on the seams.

Why do we need a folding dish for a dish drainer? We have a large sink and nowhere to put the dishes once they are washed. We have to have something waterproof for the wet dishes.

Our three burner gas stovetop is also very large, fortunately there is still a bit of benchtop on either side when using. We don’t use it much as I prefer to use our low wattage electric cooking appliances and an induction cooktop, which means we have more space when cooking.

Stephen didn’t feel up to driving yesterday, but I might have felt too nervous with him driving anyway. The traffic is pretty fierce and other vehicles sometimes cut us off when passing because they don’t really allow themselves enough room in the face of oncoming traffic. We even had a truck do it.

We are always told that truck drivers are on a clock and have to push through but when we stopped at Yellowdine Roadhouse for a bacon and egg sandwich the manager said one trucking company had forbidden it’s drivers to stop there are they sat in the dining area for up to two hours chatting instead of getting on. He told the owner he would keep an eye on the situation and move the drivers on if they sat too long.

Of course, the drivers didn’t stick to the rules, they would stop their trucks across the road, pretending to check the brakes and nip across to the roadhouse for food. Yellowdine doesn’t have any fuel at the moment, just good food. The manager said he has resigned as the owners don’t seem to be interested in getting fuel and it’s a bit like a pub with no beer😀. He feels thwarted I guess.

Besides, after that truck ploughed into a school bus and caused children life altering injuries you would think they would be a bit less arrogant. On the Ayre Highway truck drivers would signal left right after passing us because we gave way, now they just ignore us, even if we try to make radio contact.

Fortunately there were quite a lot of roadworks on that section which meant we didn’t have to deal with passing trucks and cars for a while.

On the journey yesterday we had an excellent bacon and egg sandwich at Widgiemooltha which surprised us as the roadhouse is so shabby. The coffee was good as well.

Coolgardie has a dump point and drinking water taps and we made use of them before driving on.

We had lunch at a place called The Gorge just before Coolgardie yesterday. There was no water in the reservoir and we could only just make out the little gorge through bushes.

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On the way to Norseman we stopped at Balladonia for hot drinks and our usual order of a bacon and egg toastie to share. We had a look around the museum as well.

We arrived in Norseman in time to go to the Tourist Bureau for tokens to get water. They were apologetic, but the power to the water point was off. She suggested trying the service stations who would allow us to fill up for a small donation. We wanted water fairly urgently so went to the Ampol station. We would have bought fuel as well. But they were out of diesel.

Of course, we also went to the supermarket as well and stocked up a bit. It was fortunate that there were still a few places left at the free camping spot and despite arriving late after visiting the dump point we were able to get a spot.

It wasn’t windy yesterday and that is so rare that I took the drone up to show our campsite at Head of Bight. When it landed I noticed a bit of fluff near the camera and it has affected the video. Fluff on a drone, what next.

We had a good day of driving, stopping to enjoy views of the cliffs. Where we stopped for lunch was also a viewing point, but shortly along the road was a large, muddy hole, taking up most of the road. So, we had a more boring lunch in a parking area on the highway. Still, it was amusing to watch other vehicles come in and balk at the hole, then back off. Until one went through on one side of the hole, followed by another.

At the border the quarantine officer said she didn’t want to go in our van because they had had so many COVID positive people coming through. She asked lots of questions and told us about a smart arse who said ‘what if I’m hiding stuff in the van’. She handed him a camera and made him film in every cupboard in the van. Message: don’t give the officers a hard time or they’ll give you a hard time.

Before setting up camp we went down to the Old Telegraph station for a bit of a walk. It was abandoned due to sand dunes encroaching on it, but the stonework is still there. We thought of walking down to the beach, but a family coming back from that walk told us it was a lot further than Google Maps said. It was also tough going in soft sand.

We’ve camped on a flat between a couple of small trees, avoiding the stress of trying to get a spot with the best view and having to use levellers. So easy.

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On Saturday we had shopping to do for the Nullarbor section of our trip, ‘Nullarbor’ means no supermarkets, I think🙃 and we had two bags of washing to be done. We haven’t been to the Streaky Bay Islands Caravan Park for a few years, so we decided to visit and see if it was as good as we remembered. It is, even better because the plants that were new and very tiny have grown so much. The beautiful location and the convenience of ensuite style showers/toilets make it very special.

It rained off and on all afternoon. Other people had clothes on the line outside, so I put a few shirts out and they semi dried and then were soaked, so gave up and put everything through dryers. But, the main thing was that everything got done and it’s probably the last washing day of the trip.

We didn’t get away early this morning, leaving at about 10:00, but having set a goal of driving 400kms today to make up for only 51kms yesterday we found we had the energy for it. We shared the driving and bought food at roadhouses to save time. We got here before sunset, of course, sunset is a little later now that we have come so far west.

We are a bit tired, but not desperately so. We find listening to ABC podcasts helps to make the time seem to go faster when driving.

We’ve had a good chat with Matt this evening. His eye socket is less bruised, but he still has tape on the cut. As usual he is in good spirits. They haven’t got back to us with the full story. I’m suspecting that he was hit with the metal arm of the hoist, and it’s an accident, so it’s surprising the staff involved haven’t owned up. Sometimes things happen so quickly you can’t stop them.

We are spending tonight at the parking area outside of the entry gate to Head of Bight. We have only 200kms to go before the border and are making sure we finish all of our fresh fruit and vegetables. We won’t be able to finish all the honey unfortunately even if we have been imitating Pooh Bear and eating some a most meals. By the time we cross the border we will as portly as him anyway.