Friday...30 July

Backed the first race winner. won $9.40; wooohooooo go me!!! Lost he next seven races. Picked a place every race, no good if you only backed it to win hey......pmsl.
Was a fun nite out and yes tracey one of them had the word bale in its name, damn shame i did not see it until now several hours after the event. Good food good wine good company and here is one for the younger kids in this mix.One of the ladies I met tonite is from Bairnsdale and plays bingo every thursday night with Ester Duggan!! I sent a message home with her to Ester to say we are coming her way one day and save me a seat at t he bingo table.......
Dogs interesting but soooo fast. A race is over in a flash.
Moving on in the morning, hoping to make Mataranka.....
No pics been busy

Thursday...29 July

Went to the Mindl Beach markets tonite. Got there nice and early, had the pick of the parking spots, most important as the carpark is massive and there is litterally a cast of thousands. We parked next to the road so as to be able to just drive straight out onto the road at departure, no sitting in long queues just trying to get out of the area onto the road for us clever little black ducks. Sometimes having been there done that pays off!!! Had a nice time strolling amongst the stalls and oohhing and ahhhing over the exhibits. As always we were spoilt for choice for tea with dozens of food stalls from nearly every nationality, both near and far. At the start of the evening it was delicious having all those smells mixing together as they were cooking at each stall, but by the time we left it was beginning to be a bit noxious having so many flavours mixing together, and the heat of the day and the added heat of the crowds did not improve things. That said, everywhere I looked people were merrily eating so I guess it is an individual smell and tolerance thing. There was also a wide selection of entertainment/buskers which makes for good entertainment. One bloke makes music (almost) cracking whips so fast it sounds like a melody. Another plays several didgeridoos at once with drums accompaning him, sort of a modern territory instumental sound, a county and western wannabe and a modern group rounded off the choices and there was even a couple of aged indigenous folk sitting on the ground with their sticks singing a never never rhythm.
At sunset, us and several thousand of our close personal friends trooped down to the beach to watch the magnificent spectacle of the sun setting over the bay. A territory sunset is to be seen to be beleived, it is sooooo red and so stunning a display, it never ceases to amaze and is photographed by hundreds each and every night. No mucking around with this sun, one moment it is there just touching the water then suddenly it is gone. Perfect.
Once the sun had set we left the beach and the markets and dropped into Keiths sisters on the way home for a chat and a cuppa. Seems we are invited to the greyhounds tomorrow night in Darwin. The neice's husband's company is a major sponsor so we are happy to take the chance to visit with them and see our first greyhound meeting. Dinner and the doggies, should be fun. Unlikely to be profitable as non of us knows anything about the dogs (shhhh  do not tell Aunty Joan in Condo anyone!!!).

Wednesday...28 July

Before you ask....  I couldn't be bothered.

Victoria River NT

In Darwin, about to have a two hour power outage, means I will need to touch type in the dark. We left Broome and travelled to Fitzroy Crossing and stayed one night in a pleasant little van park however without power as they were full up. We stayed as we were tired but have now agreed that if we must pay for a site then the least to expect is power, be damned if we want to pay squillions for a campsite and all we get is a shower, bloody expensive shower!! From here on in if they say we can only have a unpowered site we say no thanks and move on to a free camp down the road. The following night we stayed at Doon Doon. Power, water and grass and for added bonus drive thru sites. A very pleasant evening. We ruined it ourselves next day by doing the right thing and emptying the black water tank at the well positioned dump point before departure. More visions of Chevy Chase, as the tank refused to empty. Manual evacuation required! Enough said. Not sure if the valve is faulty or if the meter display is, but either way it was still no fun emptying it... From there to Kununurra. Went to the overflow at the local showgrounds. Wonderful place, shade, water, power etc must pleasant. Set up camp then went out to the Hoochery to take the tour and find out how to make Rum (yes I know Steve M but hey when in Rome etc). An interesting little tour full of very useful information. As we were leaving the showgrounds to go to the hoochery we spotted our friends Helen & Peter and their travelling companions also at the showgrounds. We had thought they would be much further down the road at that point but were most pleased to run into them and have a small visit. Only stayed the one night in Kununurra, then toottled down the road thru Timber Creek and Victoria River to Katherine. Very very hot and sweaty there but only stayed the one night and came on into Darwin by lunchtime today....well sorta, in that it was WA lunchtime but of course we are now in the Territory and need to add one and a half hours so in reality it was 1.30pm. Late lunch today! Set up camp then went into town to let Keiths sister know we had arrived and she invited us to dinner at  her house. We spent a very pleasant and wonderfully cool evening with Maud and John in their air conditioned house. Plans to go to Mindil Beach markets tomorrow night and not sure if we will sweat our way thru another day or take off on Friday. More news as it comes to hand.

Thursday...22 July

Another perfect day in paradise. Got me my very own portable twin tub washing machine, Is the cutest little machine, all blue and white, everytime I see it I just have to hug it!!! It will pay for itself inside 6mths. The average per load of washing in caravan parks is $4. And I do two or three every time I wash (weekly). We are working out what does or does not work for us and slowly changing or acquiring bits. Rather an intersting phase of the camping trip.
Spent the afternoon wandering around the shops in Chinatown and Johhny Chi Lane, including the many, many Pearl Galleries, did NOT buy any more pearls!! Found the designers most interesting and their work is simpy stunning. My favourtie piece was only $38,000.00. Can I pick em or what?? Checked out the Broome Beads shop but managed only a look, I found their prices a bit steep. Picked up a few packets of everyday beads at Streeters, another famous name in Broome.

Followed that by going out to Cable Beach to Zanders on the Beach and watched the sun set with a glass in hand and had dinner at the same location. Lovely little resturant, perfect food and service..and served with a smile, a most interesting experience for us. Was extemely civilized to sit in the resturant with the french doors opening directly onto the grassed area in front of Cable Beach and watching all sorts of people passing from mums and dads out for the day with the kids to the posers strutting their stuff along the beach front.  Am constantly surprised and occasionally amused by the people and what they do.

Wednesday...21 July

Not much to report today. Lazy day catching up with boring housework and washing. Got the camping clothes hoist out of the box and used it for the first time. Wonderful little gadget. Holds a surprising amount of washing and so much easier having your washing on your site with no need to sit watch on public clothes lines or trot to and from every half hour checking the washing. Weather lovely, bit of a stiff breeze early, gone by lunch. Coming  here is a bit like putting on a favourite pair of socks, warm and at times soggy but oh so comfortable. Just as well we could only get a four day booking, would be easy to slip into Broome time and stay put a while. Dear old Broome!!!!

Tuesday...20 July

Up early (well early for us!) and had a nice easy drive 160kms into Broome this morning arriving around 10.30am. Had everything squared away and shipshape by 11.30 so had an early lunch and hit the shops  for groceries and a quick peek at the town just to make sure it is still there..... All is well, Broome is still a bustling hive of tourist activity. Bought a couple of postcards and some groceries and called it a day. Home for happy hour in the tropical warm barmy breezy 30C day, followed by fish and chips from the bestest little fish shop north of the 26th parallel. Seriously this retirement stuff is hard work!!! Tomorrow I will take pics etc so until then you can all use your own memories of this little piece of paradise in the Kimberley.

Monday...19 July

Still in the middle of nowhere and still got reception, wtg Telstra or whichever mining company we are in the vicinty of!!!  Nice quiet day just sitting around our camp, Keith walked a few kms, I beaded. In to Broome tomorrow first thing. Power, water, washing machines, hot showers,, yes man in the great outdoors, this camping sure is easy......
Meant to tell about the first time we emptied the black water (toilet) tank. Did the right thing, pulled into a designated campsite complete with dump point provided for our comfort by Main Roads WA. Parked nice and close, hooked up the hose, put the end into the nozzle provided, turned on the pump and bingo, it was full wouldnt you know it would be? We of course found out the hard way when the effluent gurgled back up and out of the dump tank and all over our feet!!! Instant visions of Chevy Chase in National Lampoons Holiday......lol. We hastily departed that area and travelled a couple of kms down the road to another ordinary P for Parking area, and opened up our van and and went into our bathroom and washed our feet, our shoes and our hands and changed our trousers. A few squirts of spray in the cab of the ute and we were off again. We now approach dump points with caution. This story came to mind as we need a dump point sometime soonish and are hoping that the selected caravan park in Broome has one. In fact I am away right now to do some reading ready for tomorrow in case we need to unload before arriving at the park.

Sunday...18 July

40 years ago in a life defining moment, I became a mother for the first time. Yep once you become a mother thats it really, you are now a mother! Number of offspring regardless, once a mother thats it for life. Your world alters so dramatically. Life is never quite the same. but then again most mothers would not wish it any other way. All those wonderful 'firsts'. First sleepless night, first tooth, first haircut, first day at school, no matter where you are on the planet and no matter how much you say otherwise a mothers life rotates around her children. Happy birthday Cindy.
Now back to us and our travels. We have just spent six blissful days in the middle of nowhere at Pardoo roadhouse caravan park. After Pt Hedland Golf Course this was paradise. Power, water, grass, ablutions, sunshine; whats not to like. In fact we liked it so much we just parked up and chilled! Today we motored down the road and stopped at Sandfire, which was opened in 1970, got burnt down a couple of years ago and then before they could get back on their feet and were still serving petrol out of a makeshift kiosk, got blown away by a cyclone last year. Onward and upward, they totally rebuilt and re-opened in April 2010. Looks great. We did not stay as they still have a bare dirt parking lot type caravan park without shade. Shame really as everything else is brand new. Anyway we came on down to a free camp spot called Goldwire and hey presto, still the middle of nowhere, 150kms from Broome and we have mobile reception!!! (and shade). We will prop here until Tuesdsay morning and wander into Broome for our booking at the caravan park for four days. Good chance to do the washing, clean the van and revisit our favourite places in Broome. More updates and entries on Tuesday.

Wednesday...July 14

This is an automated message service for the account of Parental Type Units. They will be incommunicado until at least next Tuesday the 20th of July.

They are currently at a nice caravan park in sunny Pardoo kicking back and relaxing with no Internet or Mobile reception. The on the spot weather report was 28°C with blue skies. And didn't the weather man sound smug about that.

Next stop will be Broome. Retirement is so hard.

But in the meantime, I have the blog all to myself so I'm just going to make a few little changes......

Sunday...11 July

Took a day trip out to Marble Bar today. After 30 years hearing it is the hottest place in Australia and having dear old Paraburdoo beat it day in and day out it was finally time to see for ourselves. No doubt about it, there is a lot of history in that town. Interesting to see the 'marble bar' also. Very pretty rock, which as everyone already knows is not marble but jasper. Also 35kms on dirt out of Marble Bar township is Corunna Downs Station which was used as a secret Air Force base during WW2. Corunna Downs airstrip which Japanese reconnaissance tried but failed to find during WW2. Liberators were based at Corunna Downs which was staffed by 2000 men and women. There was also a prisoner of war camp six kms from the airstrip. Time was against us today so did not get out there but one day we hope to return and go look. Why do people have answering machines if they are not going to listen to their messages? Wonder would they call me back if I was a stock and station agent or a bank manager? We had hoped to visit people we know up this way but have taken a hint after our calls went unanswered or unreturned for a week. We should be moving on tomorrow if our mail arrives and now we have so much more time to get to Broome, maybe a stop at Pardoo or 80 mile beach or Sandfire instead.......

Saturday...10 July

Another day in downtown Pt Hedland, won't be long and they will charge us extra as we are now "lakeside" here in the carpark of the Pt Hedland Golf Club! The carpark is less than level and when it rains as it did two days ago the water forms a lovely little lake at our end of the carpark. The night it rained entertainment was supplied by some campers who left it a bit late to get off the road and make camp. Half way into putting up their tent, down came the rain in typical north west fashion, an absolute bucketing, the tent filled with water then completed the deal by blowing over. The owners gave up trying to put it up and retreated to their vehicle until the downpour eased. Then they had to empty the water out and try again to erect a now very soggy tent (all in the dark too). A nice hot shower afterwards improved their appearance and attitude!!!
Todays moment of excitement was supplied by a gentleman who got unexpected company in the mens toilet. A snake slithered across the floor and took up residence in a wall crack/cavity, while aforementioned gentleman made a hasty retreat. Golf Club management inform us that it was probably only the resident python, but do we truely believe them?????? The ladies of course is right next door to the mens, sooooooo......all that is left to decide is how long will it take without a shower before I become too toxic to go out in public........

Friday...9 July

Ok some points for those who may venture near to this little town. To begin there is NO laundry matt anywhere in either port or south hedland!!! Lost a serious part of today chasing rainbows looking for a place to wash our clothes, only to learn there is no where to do so. Also overfull caravan parks are not inclined to allow those of us in the overflow to wander onto their place and make use of their machines either. Guess that answered that question. Next point, Pt Hedland Golf Club does fish and chips on Friday nights....a pleasant evening was had by all including us and our new neighbours for tonite in the carpark here at the Golf Club. Would seem we are staying a while longer as expected mail has not arrived.

Thursday...8 July

Another day at the salt mines! Its tough, but on the positive side we got the salt; who's turn to get the fish and chips? Day of relaxation and housework. 8pm at night and the promised rain has finally arrived. The car park we are parked in is awash!!! Muggy as hell but have opened the second door and have a nice breeze blowing through. Typical north west rain, much anticipation, a whiff of wind to announce the arrival then bucketing rain for ten minutes and whoosh, gone again!!! Mother Nature sure doesnt beleive in mucking around.........

Wednesday...7 July

Short day today. Packed up in Karratha and motored up to Port Hedland. Noticed Whim Creek seems to be open regardless of information previously received saying it had closed.  Not the point, did not stop!  Excitement for the day was to be stuck for 20kms at 50km/hr  behind two 6.5mtre wide floats going to the HBI plant here in Hedland. Massive,(16 rows of 8) you count em!!! Two Macks pulling each one, most impressive. Had been told to ask for parking space at the Hedland Golf Course as all caravan parks in Hedland full thanks to the massive expansion in mining. So we are now camping out in the carpark of the Port Hedland Golf Course. Bring your own power and water, all they supply is a key to their showers and toilets.  However us and 20 or so like minded others are happily making do and grateful for being off the road safely and whats not to like about being at  home when the bar is open next door!!!!!

Tuesday...6 July

Still at the Shell roadhouse in Karratha. Took a day trip to visit Helen & Peter in Roebourne. Went to Pt Samson for lunch at Mobys Kitchen, very nice fish and chips. Visited folk in the new caravan park in Pt Samson, a lovely park, well laid out and with views to die for over the ocean, bit too windy today though. Stopped in at Cossack on the way back. Not much changed out there except a bitumen road!!! Bit more shopping when we got back to Karratha. Off to Hedland tomorrow.

Monday...5 June

Warm weather at last...30 degrees!
Done the tax...bastards!!!!!
Spending the night at the Shell roadhouse at Karratha near where the rail line crosses the highway. Himself in heaven, lots and lots of exciting trucks to see!
Short entry today, both laptops short on battery life. Onward and upward tomorrow......

Sunday...4 July

Left Paraburdoo this morning after a lovely visit with Belinda & Steve, was great spending time with Molly & Memphis, such good puppies and wonderful bed companions! Travelled to Robe River Campsite and who would have thought mobile coverage here in middle of nowhere. Couple of mines in the area and good old telstra has provided for them and we get the benefit!!! Had happy hour and chicken dinner with the Bakers at their camp on the other side of the road, great food girls.

Saturday...3 July

So I guess this means tomorrow is 4th July and all the yanks will be busy partying! Had a full day finishing housework. Two ladies we have known for forever (Judy & Anita) came to say hello and take the guided tour of the van. Was lovely to see them, they are such nice people. Keith cooked some more of the fish he caught for dinner tonight. It has been lovely to spend time Belinda & Steve, and the weather is perfect as always for this time of year, however staying here is not a choice for us, so it is time to move on. We are off again tomorrow and will be staying at Robe River tomorrow night with the friends from Kalbarri who are on the same general northerly path as us. Then on Monday it is into Karratha ,they need to have something welded on their van and we have the tax appointment.

Friday ... 2 July

WA school holidays started today. Two weeks of the Caravan parks full of noisy children, just how lucky can we get?  I did more and more washing, took the opportunity to wash my QS woollen underlay and get it dry in the lovely warm breezy weather today. Tomorrow I will clean the van head to toe and wash and polish everything possible and remake the bed etc ready to be off on Sunday (I think). Went to the shop and played how long before being recognised.....lol. PS, was not more than a minute before someone commented that they all come back.....We made an appointment to do our tax returns in Karratha at our usual accountant,  for Monday afternoon, and found out that the older folk we were looking forward to seeing up near Port Hedland, went on holiday today for a week, so may or may not be able to catch up with them. More pleasantly warm winter weather expected for tomorrow. Todays pic is for all the folk asking to see the shed that was built in Kalbarri. Used to be a standard height and width carport which has now been pulled down and replaced with something high enough to put that van under and wide enough for it and the car that pulls it. Some minor cosmetic work to be completed when the owner stops holidaying and being lazy....

Thursday...1 July

Yes Yes I know I missed yesterday....no reception at Barradale. As usual met some interesting folk and had a lovely chat during happy hour, the sky was clear and bright but the weather was cold and windy. Rather took the pleasure out of the evening. Up early and watched the other 50 vans pack up and leave then we hit the road ourselves for the trek north. Topped up at Nanutarra and turned right 5kms past the roadhouse.....So it should not take the genius of Einstein to figure out where we are tonight........However, the sky is blue the temp is pleasant and the food was fantastic, I did say I would wash up but even that was done for me, might stay a day or two!!!!! AND we have mobile reception.