Thursday...8 September 2011

Well we have had a massive day.
We left Broome on Tuesday morning and travelled to Pardoo Roadhouse and parked for two nights. Was nice to be back and it is still very surprising to see so much grass in the middle of nowhere. Sadly like most things the price has gone up dramatically. Hardly worth the current price when you have to put up with the sound of the generator 24/7!!
This morning we set out super early thanks to the wind that has been belting the north west for the last three days and while it took a rest overnight it returned literally with a bang at 4.30am this morning waking us with the banging it made when it arrived in our little caravan park. We left Pardoo before 8.00am and headed towards Port Hedland. 20kms from Hedland we hit an official police road block. Us and about 300 of our nearest and closest friends in cars, trucks and caravans spent more than 5 hours parked up on the side of Highway 1 waiting for a massive bushfire with a front of about 15 kilometres to cross the highway and burn its way to Port Hedland! They had to evacuate at least one aboriginal community and there was a mine in its path too as we saw the mine equipment being used to help fight the fire.

Once the police deemed it safe we were escorted through the fire by them and a fire truck, very smoky and a bit scary as there was still flames visible beside the road, however we were all more than ready to be on our way and as far from that little show as possible.

It was later than expected but we decided to head for Roebourne and stay here a couple of days while we catch up to our planned booking in Point Samson.
We had planned to stay in or around Port Hedland but it was going to be bedlam there when the convey behind us of waiting vehicles which stretched back down the road about 4kms arrived and started pulling into the various servos or shopping centres to get fuel and food. I handed out water bottles to some in the waiting queue as they had run out and were planning to top up when they got to Hedland and of course it was a bit warm out there with no shade and a roaring fire to help keep every one nice and toasty on an already warm day.
So here we are in downtown Roebourne.  Weather is relatively mild as I type this but will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.