18degs when we got up at approx 7am. Went fishing for just over an hour, no fish but did have some bites, we saw a large Ray and a shoal of small fish in the sea. It is getting very hot. Just got back to tent when Colin and Jan stopped by and invited us to dinner tonight. Rose will try making some Damper on camp BBQ today to take along. We went for a swim before lunch, the sea was brilliant, and Rose had a shower as we came off the beach, the water comes from a rain water tank so was warm. Colin went fishing again whilst Rose made the Damper(guessing the quantities again) it cooked very quickly on the BBQ. After a shower went along to Colin and Jans for dinner, he cooked a lovely spicey chicken curry, we had the Damper as a starter and it wasn't bad. Another lovely evening with Heather and Alan as well.
11th March Sunday
Bit cloudy at first but still 20degs, Rose has put her jumper on, we are getting acclimatised. Chatted with neighbours till about 9am when Heather came along and invited us to dinner again, such kind people here. Sort of feel guilty as we have nothing to contribute. Very slow day, went for a swim, bit cooler than yesterday but still lovely, showered eventually and then got a few bits together ready for leaving tomorrow. we had the Kangaroos behind the tent and Colin got a photo of one of the young suckling from mum,
we still get a thrill from the wildlife, even saw a Goana
this afternoon. Had another lovely dinner and company, will miss this campsite. Saw the moon coming up and it was bright yellow.
12th March Monday
Moving off today already warm at 7am. Packed up and said our goodbyes to Heather Alan Colin and Joan, it has been a great few days with fantastic company. Filled up with water at Welstead and back onto South Coast Hway by 9.15am, only 99kms to Albany. Drive through Hassell Nat Pk lots of trees and very green, stopped about 15k before Albany for coffee, full phone signal so tried internet, no luck. Found library no problem and updated blog and uploaded photos, then off for shopping. Filled up up with diesel, only 1.52, cheapest we've seen for a long time. Decided to go to Torbay Inlet for one night. Weather has clouded over and when we got to campsite it is trying to rain. Only put out awning will sleep in LRover tonight, what a change from this morning. Site is shaded and empty, back to long drop toilets, but it's clean. Few other campers have arrived, mostly sleeping in vehicles.
13th March Tuesday
Warm but rainy night. Colin did'nt sleep well, but there is a lovely smell of fern/eucalyptus at the camp this morning, nice and fresh. Away by 9.30am back toward Albany. By the time we had been to Supercheap for oil and piping for windscreen washers BCF for gas topup and stopped for coffee it's 11.30am before we leave Albany heading towards Dumbleyung via Mt Barker. The scenery is very like England. Started clouding over again. North of Mt Barker we turn off onto the Gt Southern Hway towards Wagin. As you drive north the landscape gets drier, passing dried up saltlakes and salt pastureland. Past Katanning we are back to wheatbelt coutryside. Decided to stop for night at Wagin Caravan Pk($16), nice site good showers and laundry only $2 with free drier. Once set up tent and paid caretaker walked to the Great Ram Pk to see the Great Ram sculpture,
it is 9 times the of a real ram also the largest Ram in the southern hemisphere, it is truly impressive. it/s early to bed as Colin is tired. Wagin is the home of the Woolerama show, the largest agricultural show in WA with 30000 visitors.
14th March Wednesday
12.30 woken again by sprinklers, should have known better with nice green grass, at 12.40 rang caretaker and left a message, sprinklers went on for 30mins. Talking to gardener in morning and they should have been switched off. Will go to Shire office to complain. Sunny this morning with a few clouds, cold in the night. Popped into shire office and they refunded camp fees due to disturbed night, they were very apologetic, so free camping again(result). On road to Kulin, it's only a small town but is known for it's bush races held in October each year, a few years ago Tin Horses started apearing along the highway made out of bits of scrap metal, it is now known unofficialy as The Tin Horse Hway, it then became a competition to make the biggest and best tin horses.
Carried on to Hyden and Wave Rock for the night,
stopping at Wave Rock Caravan Pk. Wave Rock is a granite cliff 15mtrs high and 110mtrs long, it's shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion. After pitching tent had a walk along the rock and up and over it.
It is an amazing sight and at the top you can see such a long way. You can see the town of Hyden 5km away, the empty salt water lakes as well as Lake Magic in the distance. Cooked in camp kitchen and sat in COMFY CHAIRS with other couples before bed.
15th March Thursday
Awake early, had cooked breakfast cooked on the BBQ, and sat at table again(very civilised). Into Hyden for fuel as had 4cents per ltr voucher from campsite, then back onto Hyden-Norseman Rd.
when cars pass us they throw up a big cloud dust cloud. In places you can see for miles ahead on the road.
Passed a Nickle mine just before the turn to Southern Cross, there are signs in road about Road Trains and to keep left.
Passed a grader on the road, so Colin has been the first behind a grader:]
Stopped at crossroads for Emily Ann Mine and saw the big dump trucks passing
(even got a lovely wave from one of the women drivers). Drove on to Lake JohnsonCamp Area,
but decided against it as it was very open and no getting away from the wind. Had a look at map and continued on Victoria Rock Rd to Coolgardie and stopped at camp area at Victoria Rock, shady, toilets and looks they have spent time making it nice. At times the road to the camp site had seemed like driving on compacted sand and very corrugated. When we took tent out of it's bag a big spider came out, it got very aggresive so Colin killed it. Very quiet and peaceful.
16th March Friday
FRIDAY FACT: PER CAPITA OZZIES READ MORE NEWSPAPERS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
Woken by birds, bit chilly but weather should be in late 20s later. No phone signal but do have Radio West to listen to. sun has come out and is burning today, so lots of time in the shade. saw a group of Zebra Finches, came very close, landing on guy ropes and LRover, reminding Rose of times when she had an aviary of them, so it was good to see them in their wild natural habitat. Colin did some maitenance, checked oils, mended near side windscreen washer and bashed Roses door with a hammer(not closing properly). In afternoon walked up to Victoria Rock, views are amazing, 360 degrees and all you can see are trees. Bed early as it gets dark and the mozzies are out.
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