Cape Range National Park

28th April Saturday

7am 20degs, heard the crabs scrabbling across the groundsheet during the night. Watched the sun come up through the back window of the tent, stunning. Had banana pancakes for breakfast and eventually got our stuff together food, drink etc and walked over the rocks towards the other bay,

the sand is very soft and makes it hard going to walk on. First place we stopped water is a bit cold with a strong current so backtracked 50mtrs where water a lot warmer and calmer. Could see lots of small fish, and small bits of coral washed ashore from the reef.

we saw an oilrig being towed along the horizon.

After lunch of crisps and cake (very healthy) stolled back to camp. Colin spotted 2 turtles in the water- again too slow with camera. The rocks are very similar to those at Quobba

and have some small blowholes.

 Got talking to the young couple Gerrard and Jody with the Disco and Oztent, he is a real LRover enthusiast with a Defender and Range Rover in the back yard. They have travelled Oz in the Defender for 8mnths approx. This is just a few week trip with their young daughter Saskia 21mnths old. Finish the evening off with a final swim before dinner then bed.

29th April Sunday

Another sunny start to the day, very slow today. Gerrard came over to talk about LRovers with Colin, they are moving off today. Rose took saskia back to Jody who was clearing up the tent and had a nice chat, she is a very young looking 40. Gerrard has given Colin addresses of firms that might be able to supply the parts he needs after they had gone Ken came over for a chat, saying they had people comming in at 9.30pm having taken over an hour to drive 36k due to the amount of kangaroos on the road. It seems that a lot of people dont know about the online booking. Mainly just sorting clothes, food and just messing today. Spent happy hour next door with Vincent and Moira, they have a Disco 4 and a Kimberly Karavan,

whichis an off road van, the top half slides down for travelling.

30th April Monday

Windy morning, Colin took solar radio apart as not working, but it's all PC boards so it's still not working so threw it! (lighten the load and more space). Decided to stay another night as the boat trip we had planned for today to Yardie Creek does'nt run on Monday's. Colin gone fishing and got 2 Golden Trevally on the line, but they both snapped the line near the shore, still no fish to eat. we both went fishing later but to no avail, still we saw a turtle and a white fish jumping. after a swim we just sat on the rocks watching the sea. Very peaceful. After dinner we sat outside with the binoculars looking at the stars, the space station and the moon, you can see the craters on the moon

so clearly.

!st may Tuesday

Very windy night at times. Hot and sunny. Left site at 10am and drove to Yardie Creek, 10k south to go on cruise to the Yardie Gorge, 11am boat full so went for a swim to cool down then had an early lunch at the picnic area in the shade. Only 6 of us on the 12.30 cruise, the guide was born and brought up in the area so he knows the gorge well. It is made of limestone and the red colouring comes from the minerals washed through the rock.

The gorge is cut off from the sea unless there's a lot of rainfall or a large tide, the fish in the creek stay there until the sandbank is breached. The gorge is 1 of only 3 places in Oz to have the Black Footed Rock Wallaby's,

which is managing to breed successfully under the protection of World Heritage status. They are not very big and blend in very well with the rocks. we saw rock figs with their roots (ponytails) dangling over the rock face,

getting any moisture from the morning and evening air. There is an Osprey nest that was first recorded in 1890 by a guy named Carter it is still being used.

On the return we saw a family of Euro Kangaroos

(smaller than normal) in the rocks. it cost us $50 but was well worth it. Back at camp went for our last swim here, it's 4pm and still 34degs. After a disasterous dinner of pasta in a garlic sauce with chilli, we started to pack away some of the tent. Spentrest of evening going through photos.

2nd May Wednesday

Condensation on tent this morning. Didn't leave quite as early as hoped, had to say goodbyes especially to Ken and Margaret,as they have given us a lot of info on Karajini Nat Pk. Finally got on the move at 9am, alread 30degs. Went to Exmouth Visitor Centre and looked at caravan parks then decided to go to the Big 4 just 50mtrs away $33. Set up tent and went to library to catch up with blog then to shops to fill up with fresh food. Back to camp to find our neighbours we met in Victoria Rock camp, she was driving The Holland Rd Track with a friend. Also saw another couple from the National Pk. Put laundry in then went for a swim, fantastic to cool down, Then back to sit in the shade(please dont feel sorry for us) 5pm 36degs. Exmouth itself was founded in 1967 as a support town to the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station, that employment is now supported by fishing and tourism. The Kalli fishery is situated south of the town and is farmed for it's prawns. Used camp kitchen for dinner and sat around chatting, Colin has a new friend, Madelaine (3 years old). Nice evening, 8pm 24degs.

3rd May Thursday

Heat cooled off a lot in the night, Sat having tea when got phone call from Dee, they are leaving Ningaloo today and coming up to Exmouth, so decided to stay one more night to meet up again. Bit of a breeze today, which is great. Drove into town and filled up with fuel and water (diesel $1.84) and treated ourselves to coffee and lamingtons. Back at camp sat and chatted before having a lovely swim in the pool then walking along to Al and Dee's, they said Ningaloo Homestead was fantastic but the road in was atrocious 30k took 5 hours. They are off whale shark watching tomorrow and snorkelling. Said yet another goodbye to them and Dee gave us another fruit cake (yummy). Back at camp sat and chatted with Chris, her son Shane his wife Simone and Madelaine.

4th May Friday

FRIDAY FACT;- EXMOUTH TOWN IS THE NEAREST TOWN TO THE CONTINENTAL SHELF.

7am 20degs, a light night with a near full moon. On the road today at 10am, heading south past the Kallis Fishery and the Big Prawn.

Turned off onto The Burkett Rd which links to the North West Coastal HWay. Lots of ant hills

 and nothing else. There is a bit of a breeze away from Exmouth which is good, 11,30 and only 32degs in the vehicle. Past Giralia Station the earth has changed to a rusty red colour

and landscape more barren than we have seen before. Very bleak.

Decided to stop just after 1pm at Barradale Rest Area for the night, there shade here from the trees and they have toilets. We are not the first to stop, already 2 caravans here and more came in later. Had curry and rice for dinner which was very tasty. Still windy so hopefully wont be too hot sleeping in the LRover tonight. Plenty of ants.

Fight night

21st April Saturday

Disturbed night, bigtime. Music started just before 9pm but not too loud,went to sleep to be woken at 11.40pm by loud music, we both got up and dressed and Colin knocked on the caravan door and asked him to turn the music down, we got a lot of verbal agression trying to provoke Colin. Rose rang site manager who was with us in a couple of minutes, he tried to calm the bloke down but he'd been drinking and punched the manager to the ground, Rose rang the police who attended but did'nt arrest him!!! because he had his young son with him in the van and he allegations that Colin had damaged his van. It seems they deem it as common assault which is not an arrestable offence in Oz. Wego to police station tomorrow/today to make statements about the attack on the site manager, we went to hospital with the site manager to make sure he was OK as he had cuts and bruises. Back into bed approx 2am. Woke 7am but went back to sleep till 9am. We are certainly having a different time in Carnarvan. Dee rang this morning to say they were on their way, Rose met them at thegate and showed the way to our site. we sat and tea and caketalking about our eventful nights and theirs, it seems campers near them decided to pack up at 4.30am and leave also in a cabin nearby is a screaming 2year old! We are both going to the Quoba Blowholes on Monday so will meet up with them for a picnic. Will do tomorrow what we did'nt do today.

22nd April Sunday

Quiet night, bliss, still both tired but good sleep. Colin rang Laurie and a bit later we skyped Marion and Laurie, it was good catching up with them, it was needed just like staying in one place for a week. Colin is giving the vehicle a maintenance check today. Rose is checking food stocks and cleaning (womans work is never done). Last night we went to the police station to find out what was going to happen after the incident (the other man has been kicked off site today), the police are not going to pursue the matter but will keep on file as the bloke has previous violent records, it's a case of no independant witnesses. Glad in a way as it's all behind us now. Finished our jobs and have a list of food for store cupboard which should see us through till we get to QLD. It has paid off buying food when on offer. Colin cut his hair, it got so long that it ruffled in the wind. Colin spoke to Natalie for a while after dinner. We are seeing Galahs

again in the caravan pk, such funny birds.

23rd April Monday

St Georges Day - Rose wore her St George T shirt all day and it has been warm all day. Up early today, left site at 10am, filled up with fuel and met Al and Dee and drove to Quobba Blowholes. Just outside of town onto a dirt road (shortcut) for approx 20kms before joining main bitumen, we are skirting the south side of lake Mcloud, which does'nt have any water in it, there is also a salt mine
further north.

Very desolate. One of the salt lakes has a lovely blue tinge.

 Stopped at the Blowholes

 but it seems as though we got here at the wrong time as no sea is coming out of the blowholes, we walked along the rocks

 and saw fish and crabs

 in the pools, there were also oysters but Al couldn't get down to them. Drove along

to the beach and stopped for lunch

before walking onto the beach, water a bit cold as wind has got up. Colin and Al went for a swim, they said water quite warm after initial dip (don't belive them). Arranged to meet tomorrow then drove back to site, missing the dirt road turn so came back along the highway. Lovely day.

24th April Tuesday

Up early 7am, already warm. After laundry went and did all our shopping, fuelling up and library to update blog, also looking for caravan pks in Exmouth and Coral Bay to decide where to go tomorrow. Going to Al and Dee's tonight for BBQ it's our turn to buy the food, so we got pork chops(big) and a danish pastry for pudding. Decided we are going to go to Ningaloo but we have to hire a portable toilet(luxury). Met Ron (Dee's brother)and his wife Carol at BBQ, nice couple it was a lovely evening with the conversation flowing. Left at 8.30 saying our goodbyes to Al and Dee, not sure if we will see them again, will ring them lots. Still warm when went to bed.

25th April Wednesday

Anzac day.

Al and Dee were getting up early for the dawn service in Carnarvon, there is also a parade later in the morning. All shops are closed till lunchtime as a mark of respect, Al feels they should be closed all day(he is ex army as is Dee). Up at 7am, the locals are saying it should be a good day for fishing, and we are on the road! Left site and just on way when we had to turn back, forgot to fill water containers(no more water for 500kms). Left town eventually at 10am, it has definately heated up and we have a hot Northerly wind again. Very sparce vegetation along the road and only wildlife has been a dead Camel and Kangaroo. Stopped at Minilya rest area

for lunch and sit in the shade before going on to Exmouth Road to Lyndon West rest area for the night. There are no trees but a couple of open sheds for shade. Temp is 30+ today. This rest area has a lot of flies(flyswat is working overtime). sat down having a cuppa when a motorhome pulled in, it was Colin and Joan from Cape Riche with Joan's sister Barbara,

 they are going up to Nat Pk at Exmouth for a few days, small world again. Great catching up with them again. Went and had a chat with a couple Harold and Margaret for a bit, we had seen them at a previous stop. Still warm when we wentto bed, sleeping in LRover tonight.

26th April Thursday

Not too bad a sleep. 20degs at 7.30am, we watched the sun come up from in bed. After saying goodbye to Colin Joan and Barbara we decided to head towards Exmouth, left site at 8.30am. Passed over the Tropic of Capricorn.

 We saw big ant hills

in the scrub next to the road, scenery is a lot of nothing.

Stopped at Coral Bay and went into the visitor centre to ring Parks Office in Exmouth, they can only take bookings for 5 of the sites so if we get to office we can book one, you only get 90mins to get to site. Coral Bay is just a big caravan pk, nothing else, perfect family holiday centre, but very expensive diesel $1.83ltr. Arrived at Exmouth at just after 11.30 found DEC office and managed to get the last available pitch at Osprey Campground. One of the farthest from town at 78kms. Absolutely lovely,

only problem a bit gusty, a fellow camper helped us with tent. Ken the caretaker came and introduced himself and when we are ready to go and pay him. Had a walk and paddle, warm clear water, then off to pay only to find out our pitch has been booked online from tomorrow, so Ken's wife (who has rellies in Kettering) will find out first thing in morning what is available, also we were charged at concession rates (old peoples) of only $10 per night. Sat out watching the sun go down and the wind has died down. There are quite a few Kangaroos hopping through the campground. Our neighbours Lydia(Canadian) and Urs(Swiss) came over to join us for the evening, he is a pharmacist and is in University of Perth doing research andconsultancy for a few months, they were telling us about backpacking through South America for 8 months. Good evening. Just as we were goint to bed we heard some scrabbling sounds, it turned out to be a yellow crab that had got stuck round our table leg and could'nt get away, moved table and it scuttled away to freedom(if we'd been proper Ozzies it would have been in the pot).

27th April Friday

FRIDAY FACT;- THERE ARE MORE WILD CAMELS IN OZ THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

Went to see Margaret and Ken (caretakers) about site for next 4 nights, after checking with office we have to move from site 1 to site 6. We put everything in LRover and with the aid of a fellow camper we carried the erect tent (with airbed inside)the 100mtrs to new pitch. Had a chat with Lydia and Urs before they left and whilst chatting saw a small hawk and a blue fairy wren, beautiful, and as usual no camera. After putting tent back together went to pay Margaret and then off for a swim, the sea is so warm and a bit boisterous at times but now feel clean and cooled down. Sat having a cuppa and a Disco drove in with an Oztent on the roof.

Feel really clean now, had a shower. After dinner watched the sunset and got photos of people on the dunes

 backdropped against it. Temp has been 35degs today.

Carnarvon

14th April Saturday

Fantastic nights sleep, up at 7am. This is such a nice place. It is still a working station and you can visit the shearing shed if you wish. it is so peaceful with wonderful facilities. Decided to stay another night and to help Margaret and Owen get ready for the 40 odd students arriving later today. After breakfast we helped them stip the rooms of bedding and clean them. There was a breeze first thing in the morning when Bob and Sarah left but gradually died down and day got very hot. After lunch sat and read a while th en Colin went off with Owen in a lorry to move some of the white shellsused in the campground. we were invited for roast Lamb dinner by Margaret and Owen along with Brian another camper, had to eat at their van as the students had arrived and they have taken over the kitchen for the week. it was a lovely meal followed by homemade pineapple cheesecake(yummy), by this time Jason the American joined us, it was a really good evening. This really is such a nice place and so friendly.



15th April Sunday

Cloudy start. Moving out today. Rose had a lovely sleep on her new pillow, a gift from Margaret as she had a spare one which she gave to her yesterday. After packing up we sat and chatted till just before noon when we said our goodbyes, exchanged Email and blog addresses.

We are very sad to leave. Text came through from Al and DD, they are heading to Northampton today, when we arrived at Overlander Roadhouse we had a phone signal so sent a reply as to where we were heading, Gladstone Campground which is only 90kms from Hamelin. Just put in $50 fuel at Overlander, price has come down from $1.76 to $$1.67 per litre but still expensive. Only further 60kms to campground, scenery has changed to very little vegetation and some hills.

Final 6kms on dirt road. Camp next to beach and is $5.50 pppn. Toilet is flushing but not working, caretaker told us you have to get water from sea and flush it that way, tide is out!!! Found a good area, very private, only about 3 other campers on site. Early to bed as very tired, lovely sunset.

16th April Monday

Windy night, sunny start to the day. Tide goes out a fair way and no sand to speak of. Had a walk up to a broken jetty, it seems this used to be a port from which wool was shipped,

 now it's a marine park where it is one of the few places the Dugong comes to mate(it looks like a Whale), it is a manatee also the Pink Snapper comes to spawn from the beggining of May,spotted some Pelicans in bay.

 Mid afternoon sat down contemplating a shower when Al and DD arrived (not forgetting Lily the dog), great to catch up with them, they are here till Thursday/Friday, so we decided to stay another night and maybe try some fishing tomorrow. Spent evening chatting with Al and DD. Late night again.



17 April Tuesday

Good night's sleep, sunny but bit chilly first thing. Spent morning reading and went for morning tea at Al and DD's, then decided to go fishing out on the rocks just before the wooden jetty. Reel has seized but Colin gto it moving then lost a ring on the rocks, caught some weed then called it a day. Back at tent Colin took reel apart, oiled it and put back together, seems ok now. Showered and made our way to Al and DD for campfire barbie, they had collected wood in the morning we found a small amount. I took spuds wrapped in foil to cook in the coals, good to contribute. Had another lovely evening, late night 9.45pm.



18 April Wednesday

Chilly night but sunny this morning, we are moving up to Quobba Blowholes for next site. Al brought us over a campfire fork he had made from a wire coat hanger. DD was practicing on her bongo drum this morning. Said our goodbyes to Bob and Sarah then Al and DD, who are having a clearout and tidy up day. Will probably meet up at Quobba. Seeing a lot of goats roaming on the road verge and big eagles. It is treeless, Colin says it's starting to look like his picture of Oz. Arrived in Carnarvon just before lunch to find Coles Express fuel station has closed. Drove into town centre, what a mess with major roadworks, found the library and updated the blog. found visitor centre to find our that you need a chemical toilet to camp at Quobba Blwholes as toilets are closed. We went to a cafe for lunch and talked about whether to buy a chemical toilet spending $150 or stop in Carnarvon for a week, decided to stay in Carnarvon and after getting a few bits of shopping booked into the Carnarvon Caravan Park for a week (visitor centre told us $135 pw but is £160 pw), all sites are powered and nice shady sites, so we will be able to do some touristy things for a change and won't need to fill up with fuel till next week keeping us within budget. Had a curry for dinner which was very tadty, hadn't had a curry for ages.



19 April Thursday

Noisy neighbours, talking loudly till late then playing the same Doors album till 12.45 when another camper told them to shut up, it worked. Warm night, leisurely morning and at 11am went for a walk, popped into nsite office and told the girl in the office of the problems in the night, she said she would pass on details to manager. We are situated near to the Big Banana.

Colin got some free stickers from a hardware store where we bought some clips to hold the big umbrella inside the vehicle. Popped into IGA and bought a blueberry pancake mix for lunch(it was scrummy). It has got hot but breeze is very cooling, saw a lot of fourbys with roof tents or towing camper trailers on the road. We can see the big satelitte dish in the distance which we hope to vist whilst we are here. After dinner spent evening chatting with our neighbours Ann and Des, they are from QLD and have travelled extensively in Europe and Ireland, living in Ireland for 12 months, a country they have been back to many times in the winter time (they don't mind the cold which is unusual for Ozzies). The noisy neighbours have already started, Colin the site manager has been to have word and has given me his mobile number if he is needed. we had gone to bed and Col already asleep when I heard site manager talking to the noisy ones and telling them to be quiet, which they eventually did, they left music on but not too loud so could sleep.



20 April Friday

Friday fact - Carnarvon was the first port to export livestock in WA

Cloudy start, Colin came round to assure us noisy neighbours leaving today (yippee), he offered Ann and Des a free night but they wanted to get moving. Went sightseeing to the OTC (Overseas Telecommunication Centre),

 it is a huge satelitte dish that opened in1966, it was from here that Australia received it's first satelitte broadcast, the station closed in 1987 after assisting in the tracking of Halleys Comet. IT WAS CLOSED UNDERGOING RENOVATION. We then went to the Gwoonwordu Mia (Aboriginal Hertiage Centre) PARTS OF IT CLOSED, so just had a look at some of the artwork on show, very expensive to buy, we also saw some beautifull decorated emu egss. Then onto One Mile Jetty

 and we walked it, THE END PART IS UNDERGOING RENOVATION

 SO CLOSED, it is one of the longest jetties in the southern hemisphere and was built in the 1800s so that wool could be shipped and exported to Freemantle. It was a very windy walk and could watch the seagulls just floating in the wind.

After lunch went to visit the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage Museum to find IT CLOSED AT 1PM. In another shed is the story of the sinking of HMAS Sydney II by a German ship HSK Kormoran off the coast of Carnarvon in 1941, all crew lost from the Sydney. HMAS Sydney II Drive was constructed in 2001 with 645 plaques and palms lining the road, with the names of the lost crew. Al and DD rang,they are in Carnarvon and another Caravan Park, Will see them tomorrow. Bed early as both of us very tired.

Hamelin Station stay

7th April Saturday

Hot night and very windy at times. The caretaker came round talking about payment, but as we had already picked up an envelope to put in the honesty box he didn't need us to pay him, as we explained we didn't know how long we were staying. Left sight at 9am to go to Geraldton for the day, said our goodbyes to the Brit couple Al and Leslie. Had a good shopping trip in dollar shops "Crazy Clarks" and "Red Dot", then Woolworths, because we spent over $50 got 8cents per litre off fuel, which was great. Treated ourselves to lunch out I had a chicken and pineapple burger whilst Colin had beef, bacon, cheese and onion burger, they were delicious and very filling. Drove to BCF and found a black stoarage box for $6.50 and it fits into the roof rack. Did find a good metal box in Bunings but just slightly too big. Arrived back at camp at 2.30pm, it has been a very hot day with no breeze. Now got to find storage for everything. Joined Al and DD for tea and chat, weather has got very sticky, great company, they gave Colin a bottle of beer from New Norcia Monastery to try, it was7% and even I liked it. Good sunset and watched moon come up.



8th April Sunday

Rose's birthday, No wind sun coming out nicely. Al popped round and asked us to dinner tonight. Had a lovely day sitting in the sunshine, walking on the beach, colin rang Peter who is at Bear Gully for Easter with the family. Had a swim in the warm ocean then showered before going to Al and DD's, we had corned beef, mashed spuds and veggies followed by bread and butter pudding, compliments to the chef. It was great end to the day.



9th April Monday

slow start to the day, Rose had trouble sleeping and turning over in bed hurt, she has a touch of sciatica. DD walked over and invited us to a BBQ that night, we'll take our pork chops we were due to eat Sunday. Finally had breakfast and Colin was typing up journal when a fellow camper stopped to chat, he had been at Port Parham at the time we were their (looks like we are starting to see more people again as we all head north for the winter) turns out he knows about LRovers as he used to work on them. Managed to walk to gazebo just to check Emails and waiting for a quote about shipping LRover home. We were going to do so much today, ah manyana. it seems hotter today, breeze not till afternoon. Colin checked underneath vehicle and all seems ok. After a swim and shower walked along to Al and DD's for BBQ, another good night, talked just flowed. DD gave us her card and a painting she had done of a colourful blue wren, it is lovely. Will miss them, but never know might meet on the road.



10th April Tuesday

Leaving site today, forecast 38degs. Left site 9.30 after saying our byes to Al and DD, sad to go. Onto Hway to Northampton,

 went into visitor centre found lady behind counter to be from Ontario Canada, she let us fill up with water from behind the office. we then went to local Newsagent for internet to upload journal and photos, only charged $4 for nearly an hour. Did a bit of shopping before heading out to the Principality of Hutt River. http://www.hutt-river-province.com/

 Once left Hway land became very desolate with brown wheatfields. Stopped at the border to take photos,

arrived at the principality to be greeted by his Royal Highness Prince Leonard, he gave us a leaflet about how the Principality came about and stamped our passports for $2 each. Paid for 1 nights camping. Sat in camp kitchen with 2 French guys camping in a van. Had a walk up to the museum/souvenier shop,

 and got shown around by Princess Shirley. It was fascinating, they ran rings round the Austalian government at the time of cessation. Well worth a visit. On this site we have met up with a couple for the third time(Parham, Coronation now hear) Bob and Sarah. Spent couple of hours sat chatting with them before cooking dinner in the dark then bed. Slept in LRover.



11th April Wednesday

Up early, lovely start sunny with bits of a breeze. Sold our 20ltrs of petrol to the French lads for $20, glad it's gone. Left site just after 9am to Kalbari. Back on dirt road but reasonably good surface for 30kms then onto the bitumen. Already 30degs in car at 10am when we stopped at Eagle Gorge, fabulous scenery and saw a boat going really fast through the surf.

 drove onto Red Bluff where you can see back along the coast

and the amazing cliffs and toward Kalbari

where we stopped for lunch. had a paddle in the sea,

 lovely to cool down as reached 38degs today, walked to the war memorial and decided too hot to look at anything else so drove from kalbari back to Hway. Very desolate landscape. Stopped at free camp at Galina Bridge for the night, lovely site by Murchinsan River.

Very slight breeze. Sat having cup of tea when 2 caravans pulled in who had been at Coronation Beach. Will sleep in LRover again as it's too hot to keep putting tent up and down. Then a camper trailer came in with a young couple and they had seen us at Coronation as well. Talking with fellow campers and everone is having troubles with their batteries and paying horrendous prices for new ones. After dark we noticed fridge not running all the time. Is it the solar panel, battery or fridge? Heard today Melbourne has snow.



12th April Thursday

Up early, looks like solar panel is charging ok, might be problem with battery. Finally battery started working ok so will just watch it for now. Got a name of a reasonable battery supplier from a fellow camper. left site after 9am heading to Hamelin. It is a bit cooler today, a few Road Trains about, Colin got a "cheers cobber" for pulling over to let one through. stopped at Billabong Roadhouse for tea and sausage roll, nice treat, as were finishing Bob and Sarah came in, they were filling up with fuel and were telling us they visited the gorges at Kalbari and temp hit 50degs. We told them about Galina Bridge and how nice it was and we were going onto Hamelin Homestead for a couple of nights. They followed us in, we were shown round before booking in, the facilities are the best yet with a professional kitchen. Paid $20 p.n. instead of $24 as i'd seen it on internet for $20. Put tent up then tea on patio before sorting out rest of camp. Colin found an ants nest in LRover so took everthing out and cleaned it all. Had happy hour in patio area before cooking dinner, along with all the other campers, a group of young Americans, and various Ozzies. Very good evening, late to bed for us, after 9.30pm.



13th April Friday

FRIDAY FACT;- STROMATALITES ARE AMONG THE OLDEST LIVING ORGANISMS ON THE PLANET

Fantastic nights sleep, much cooler this morning, heard the Americans this morning at 6am slamming doors. Very leisurely start to the day, finally drove out of camp approx 11am to visit the Stromatalites,

they are colonies of living organisms that resemble the oldest and simplest life forms. The ones we visited are relatively new colonies being approximately 3,000 yrs old, they grow at Hamelin Pool due to the high salinity of the water, they grow at the rate of 1cm every 10yrs. Driving on the road to Shell Beach we are in Shark Bay Wolrd Heritage Site. Shell Beach is made up of millions of small white Coquina Shells,

 in some spots theshells are 10mtrs deep. It was very crunchy walking to the sea and we waded about 300mtrs out and only go up to our thighs, as it is so salty we had a lovely time just floating in the sea, it is quite fascinating. On the road back we stopped at a sign for Useless Loop

(it is a road that goes nowhere). Back at camp joined everyone on the veranda, we have a few new campers, Bob and Sarah have spent the day chilling and have invited us to eat with them tonight. Did all the washing. We had roast lamb for dinner and we provided to dessert of fruit and custard(from a tin) lovely meal with good company. Magaret and Owen (managers) went to bed early and left last campers to turn off lights. Bed about 9.30pm.