Yesterday we moved from Carnarvon to Kalbarri. Long day, big drive.
It is wonderful to be back with friends, especially friends who seem to like seeing us! And it was even better to be able to take all that food out of our caravan into their house. We have so much more living space now. The dog and its new sister were both pleased to see us too. So all is rosy in the Kalbarri region at least for now anyway.
The temperamental fridge is still having its little attitude attack. I had hoped that once all that food was out of it and it had a rest it may have gone back to working on electricity but alas this is not so. The only way it will work is on the gas which is ok but it cannot be allowed to dictate to us how it will or will not work! The boys think that a new electric element will fix the problem so I will keep my fingers crossed they are right.
We had a visit today from other long term Para people who also live here now that they have retired. Lovely to see them too.
The weather is quite cool in the early morning and late afternoons but fairly pleasant during the daytime. As I type this I can hear the pounding of the waves as they crash on the shore and the van is rocking a bit from the wind.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Saturday...27 July 2013
Still in Carnarvon. We were due to leave here today but have decided to stay a couple of days longer due to the current severe weather warnings. Most places south of us are expecting wild storms and high winds so we think we might just stay here until it blows over. Himself is not impressed, the wind has made it unsafe to go fishing! Twice now the fishing has been cancelled owing to high winds and rough seas.
I did a big shop yesterday ready to stock up our next hosts cupboards and fridge and then got home to find our fridge had developed an attitude (problem!) and defrosted itself. It is working again now under protest and the temperature is not what I would like it to be. I will be able to use it for the fruit and veg but all the meat and dairy has had to be put into the Engel to guarantee its safety and the little bit I had in the freezer has had to be thrown out. Might need a new fridge. Caravan + fridge = bloody expensive!
I did a big shop yesterday ready to stock up our next hosts cupboards and fridge and then got home to find our fridge had developed an attitude (problem!) and defrosted itself. It is working again now under protest and the temperature is not what I would like it to be. I will be able to use it for the fruit and veg but all the meat and dairy has had to be put into the Engel to guarantee its safety and the little bit I had in the freezer has had to be thrown out. Might need a new fridge. Caravan + fridge = bloody expensive!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Tuesday...23 July 2013
Still in Carnarvon. The weather seems to have improved. Not so cold these past two nights and much warmer during the days. Mind you, just when I was beginning to think that being here was a good idea after all, I have noticed that there is a good chance of rain for the next three days and we all know that we cannot afford for it to rain as our roof integrity has been compromised! Fingers crossed.
Himself went mud crabbing today and is going out fishing tomorrow, weather permitting. As I do not eat much fish I am not too worried about the idea of him coming home empty handed, although others have put in rather specific orders!
Still learning about the various ways of the human race. We had a couple come in next to us the other day and while she set up their camp he had a phone call that eventually had me shutting my book and retreating inside to get away from his overly loud opinionated conversation. I noticed the lady in the site behind us did the same! He followed this up with turning off the park sprinkler and using that hose to wash down his dusty push bikes....on my side of the dividing site marker! They only stayed two nights which were blissfully quiet as nobody bothered to speak with them.
Himself went mud crabbing today and is going out fishing tomorrow, weather permitting. As I do not eat much fish I am not too worried about the idea of him coming home empty handed, although others have put in rather specific orders!
Still learning about the various ways of the human race. We had a couple come in next to us the other day and while she set up their camp he had a phone call that eventually had me shutting my book and retreating inside to get away from his overly loud opinionated conversation. I noticed the lady in the site behind us did the same! He followed this up with turning off the park sprinkler and using that hose to wash down his dusty push bikes....on my side of the dividing site marker! They only stayed two nights which were blissfully quiet as nobody bothered to speak with them.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Saturday...20 July 2013
We were asked over the fence for dinner last night. We had a lovely meal, these folk are so warm and giving. We lost track of time and came home quite late which is unforgivable considering they had to be up and out in the paddock just after sunrise. They have a German Shepherd the size of a calf! It is very old now and quite arthritic but it is still one seriously intimidating animal to meet. It is also becoming a bit cranky in its old age and one of the other dogs has ten stitches to show for trying to take the old ones bone!
The weather has turned seriously cold overnight (5) and the days are sunny(22) but cool. Have had to get the trackie daks and warm jumpers out from under the bed again. It would seem that Carnarvon is having its two weeks of winter. Earlier in the week I was watching folk sun baking and now these same people are rugged up like Eskimos. Never mind, as someone said yesterday, it is still warmer here than down south.
The weather has turned seriously cold overnight (5) and the days are sunny(22) but cool. Have had to get the trackie daks and warm jumpers out from under the bed again. It would seem that Carnarvon is having its two weeks of winter. Earlier in the week I was watching folk sun baking and now these same people are rugged up like Eskimos. Never mind, as someone said yesterday, it is still warmer here than down south.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Thursday...18 July 2013
Right, that's it, no more State of Origin for me. Very disappointing.
Maybe there is a tiddlywinks championship somewhere that I could watch instead!
Using the favourite aunts recipe, I have made two batches of zucchini slice, one for ourselves and one to send back over the fence to the people who gave us the zucchini which was decreed the tastiest zucchini slice they had ever had, quite a compliment coming from the growers. Today I am going to make zucchini bread using a recipe from a dear friend. The mob over the fence liked it too the last time we were here. Then for lunch I think we will have Bruschetta using fresh tomatoes that we have been given by the shopping bag full. If we stay here much longer I am going to look like a whale.
Will close today with a photo of the birthday girl on the roof top as supplied by her husband.
Maybe there is a tiddlywinks championship somewhere that I could watch instead!
Using the favourite aunts recipe, I have made two batches of zucchini slice, one for ourselves and one to send back over the fence to the people who gave us the zucchini which was decreed the tastiest zucchini slice they had ever had, quite a compliment coming from the growers. Today I am going to make zucchini bread using a recipe from a dear friend. The mob over the fence liked it too the last time we were here. Then for lunch I think we will have Bruschetta using fresh tomatoes that we have been given by the shopping bag full. If we stay here much longer I am going to look like a whale.
Will close today with a photo of the birthday girl on the roof top as supplied by her husband.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Sunday...14 July 2013
Barradale was as we had left it on our last visit, big and dusty! We got our favourite spot again and had a good night, just us and fifty other caravans and a few trucks. I spent a lot of time watching the road trains rumble down the road in the dark all lit up like a Christmas tree. Some of those trucks are really pretty at night.
We have got used to trucks with triple trailers and even four trailers which are becoming more common, so now when we see a standard one trailer semi it somehow looks a bit forlorn. I noticed there was quite a lot of one trailer trucks out in the dark which prompted me to comment that they probably travel by night so that they do not have to put up with the other truckies making fun of them!
We are now in Carnarvon and will stay a couple of weeks. Himself has already been over the fence to visit the farmers we met last time we were here. They were pleased to see him and he is going back for a chat later when they gather in the packing shed at the end of the day.
We have got used to trucks with triple trailers and even four trailers which are becoming more common, so now when we see a standard one trailer semi it somehow looks a bit forlorn. I noticed there was quite a lot of one trailer trucks out in the dark which prompted me to comment that they probably travel by night so that they do not have to put up with the other truckies making fun of them!
We are now in Carnarvon and will stay a couple of weeks. Himself has already been over the fence to visit the farmers we met last time we were here. They were pleased to see him and he is going back for a chat later when they gather in the packing shed at the end of the day.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Friday...12 July 2013
Up nice and early, just watched the sunrise! Big and bright.
Today we are moving again, this time to a free camp called Barradale half way between Karratha and Carnarvon. Barradale used to be a roadhouse but when cars began to go further between tankfuls, it was closed and eventually bulldozed and is now a lovely big free camp which is usually very popular.
Very impressed with the Balmoral Road Caravan Park here in Karratha. Well managed and big enough for fifth wheelers. There are actually 15 of them in here. Most are permanent homes for people who are working in the area. We will be recommending this park to other fifth wheelers.
Himself went for a drive yesterday to check out Dampier and the Burrup. Its all still there but apparently it has grown enormously in size. The boats are still coming in to be loaded with iron ore and the gas flame was visible more than 30 km out as we came down from the north. That is a seriously big flame!
Today we are moving again, this time to a free camp called Barradale half way between Karratha and Carnarvon. Barradale used to be a roadhouse but when cars began to go further between tankfuls, it was closed and eventually bulldozed and is now a lovely big free camp which is usually very popular.
Very impressed with the Balmoral Road Caravan Park here in Karratha. Well managed and big enough for fifth wheelers. There are actually 15 of them in here. Most are permanent homes for people who are working in the area. We will be recommending this park to other fifth wheelers.
Himself went for a drive yesterday to check out Dampier and the Burrup. Its all still there but apparently it has grown enormously in size. The boats are still coming in to be loaded with iron ore and the gas flame was visible more than 30 km out as we came down from the north. That is a seriously big flame!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Monday...8 July 2013
Karratha.
So much to see. Changes. Memories. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Sunshine.
Staying for four days to visit a lady who can perform magic with numbers!
So much to see. Changes. Memories. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Sunshine.
Staying for four days to visit a lady who can perform magic with numbers!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Sunday...7 July 2013
Life just keeps getting better and better. Pardoo has mobile reception now! Nice surprise.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Friday...5 July 2013
Left Derby yesterday and came down to a free camp 120 km south of Broome called Goldwire. We have been here before and for some reason we have internet in the middle of nowhere. There is a Community down the road a bit so think that explains it!
From here on until we reach firstly Karratha then Carnarvon our reception will be very hit and miss. Coming up next is our favourite nowhere place, Pardoo. Nothing more than a roadhouse with a patch of grass behind it but we like it although it is one of the communication black holes. There is one old fashioned very unloved and abused phone box out front and that my friends is the total capacity for communication in that neck of the woods.
We have managed to chew through our internet allowance for this billing period so not having it will not be much of a bother will it? I understand that Telstra has slowed my connection to zero speed, but I am not happy that they also choose what I can and cannot access while in slow mode. I can have emails and do Google searches and my blog it seems and that is pretty much it. Nothing else will load no matter how patient I am. Do wonder why the current plan has been ok for the past three years but has begun regularly running out before the end of the billing period. We have not altered our behaviour and depending on where we are travelling can be off air for days at a time. Oh well, it is off to the black hole again so Telstra will have to wait until we come out the other side! Sadly I know they will not miss us!!!!!
From here on until we reach firstly Karratha then Carnarvon our reception will be very hit and miss. Coming up next is our favourite nowhere place, Pardoo. Nothing more than a roadhouse with a patch of grass behind it but we like it although it is one of the communication black holes. There is one old fashioned very unloved and abused phone box out front and that my friends is the total capacity for communication in that neck of the woods.
We have managed to chew through our internet allowance for this billing period so not having it will not be much of a bother will it? I understand that Telstra has slowed my connection to zero speed, but I am not happy that they also choose what I can and cannot access while in slow mode. I can have emails and do Google searches and my blog it seems and that is pretty much it. Nothing else will load no matter how patient I am. Do wonder why the current plan has been ok for the past three years but has begun regularly running out before the end of the billing period. We have not altered our behaviour and depending on where we are travelling can be off air for days at a time. Oh well, it is off to the black hole again so Telstra will have to wait until we come out the other side! Sadly I know they will not miss us!!!!!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Tuesday...2 July 2013
This morning we decided to take a drive out to see Wandjina Gorge and Tunnel Creek.
They are 140 km and 180 km respectively out of Derby along the Gibb River Road.
We have been on the Gibb River Road!
It was a long day full of surprise.
We stopped at the Gorge first and found stunning scenery and lots and lots of freshwater crocodiles. There they all were, sunning themselves beside the waters of the gorge. At one point we were able to walk right up to them, well some were willing to get up close for photo opportunities while others kept a very healthy distance. We have not seen so many in the wild at one time before.
Wandjina Gorge is somewhere you definitely have to see to appreciate the grandeur and scale of the place.
After walking into the gorge and back, we had a picnic lunch then went on to Tunnel Creek. Himself went into the tunnel which is more a cavern and came back with lots of photos and half a dictionary worth of words to describe the beauty of it all.
They are 140 km and 180 km respectively out of Derby along the Gibb River Road.
We have been on the Gibb River Road!
It was a long day full of surprise.
We stopped at the Gorge first and found stunning scenery and lots and lots of freshwater crocodiles. There they all were, sunning themselves beside the waters of the gorge. At one point we were able to walk right up to them, well some were willing to get up close for photo opportunities while others kept a very healthy distance. We have not seen so many in the wild at one time before.
Wandjina Gorge is somewhere you definitely have to see to appreciate the grandeur and scale of the place.
After walking into the gorge and back, we had a picnic lunch then went on to Tunnel Creek. Himself went into the tunnel which is more a cavern and came back with lots of photos and half a dictionary worth of words to describe the beauty of it all.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday...1 July 2013
We arrived in Derby safe and sound.
We travelled from Kununurra to a wonderful free camp half way between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing called Mary Pool. The access to this hidden gem is via an exceedingly bumpy river causeway crossing but the arrival is worth the fuss. Mary Pool is a very popular spot beside a river in the middle of nowhere and is packed each and every night with grey nomads. There was more than fifty vans parked up the night we stayed. It is a 24 hour camp but some folk like it so much they stay a few extra days.
We bumped into people we had met in Kununurra, at Mary Pool. They too have imported a Patriot edition Crossroads Cruiser, so we are a matched pair when we park next to each other. They are travelling the path we will be taking so may see more of them.
We passed some runners out on the road. They were carrying burning torches like the Olympic relays do. The support vehicles said they were a Peace Run. I have Googled them and this is what I found.
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding. Since its inception in 1987 the Run has traversed over 100 nations and touched the lives of millions of people.
Apparently they are running around Australia to promote peace and understanding. They looked very small out there in all that open country. I wonder what the cattle and other animal life think of them running past.
Yesterday we went from Mary Pool to Derby, another long haul day. We will stay here a couple of days and top up the fresh vegetables and bread before moving south again. I may even be able to get a much needed hair cut!
We travelled from Kununurra to a wonderful free camp half way between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing called Mary Pool. The access to this hidden gem is via an exceedingly bumpy river causeway crossing but the arrival is worth the fuss. Mary Pool is a very popular spot beside a river in the middle of nowhere and is packed each and every night with grey nomads. There was more than fifty vans parked up the night we stayed. It is a 24 hour camp but some folk like it so much they stay a few extra days.
We bumped into people we had met in Kununurra, at Mary Pool. They too have imported a Patriot edition Crossroads Cruiser, so we are a matched pair when we park next to each other. They are travelling the path we will be taking so may see more of them.
We passed some runners out on the road. They were carrying burning torches like the Olympic relays do. The support vehicles said they were a Peace Run. I have Googled them and this is what I found.
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding. Since its inception in 1987 the Run has traversed over 100 nations and touched the lives of millions of people.
Apparently they are running around Australia to promote peace and understanding. They looked very small out there in all that open country. I wonder what the cattle and other animal life think of them running past.
Yesterday we went from Mary Pool to Derby, another long haul day. We will stay here a couple of days and top up the fresh vegetables and bread before moving south again. I may even be able to get a much needed hair cut!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)