28th May to 5th June

THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009 – CORAL BAY TO MIAREE POOL (FREE CAMP) - DAY 80

We pack up and leave Coral Bay early as we have to drive just on 500kms to get to our next stop of Karratha where we will stop for a night before heading north towards Broome.

On our way we need to stop for petrol at Nanutarra Roadhouse. We remember stopping here for petrol on our last trip and I took a photo of the “Dog's Dunny' and the petrol pump at an astounding $1.60 per litre. It is now $1.80 per litre but as they have a 'captive audience' out here you have no alternative and just have to pay it.

Nick was also feeling a little hungry and was ready to order a hamburger with the lot when we noticed the price - $17-99!!!!!! All of a sudden he was not that hungry and was content for me to make him a couple of ham salad sandwiches (at less than a quarter the price).

The rest of our journey was uneventful although we noticed how prevalent the 'mine' cars and temporary communities with demountable accommodation were evident far more than when we were here back in 2005. Something else that was so prevalent then and we had forgotten about is the red red dirt here. It gets into everything. Last time we spent days getting it out of the car and the van so I think it will be the same this time. We washed the kitchen floor this morning and within 15 minutes there were red dirt marks again. It would be a nightmare for the people who live here.

By 5pm we were about 35kms from Karratha and we came across this lovely camp area by a freshwater pool – Miaree Pool. It was only 1km on a dirt road off the highway so we decided to stay overnight here. There were only 3 other caravanners and campers so we felt safe.

We found a lovely spot overlooking the pool and began to set up even though leaving the van hooked up. When we turned on the (battery) light it was very very faint. We couldn't believe it as we had only just put in a new battery – what could be the problem.

I cooked a Thai Red Chicken and rice dinner on our gas stove we ate outside by candlelight under the clearest of clear skies so all was not lost. We would have to get the battery looked at in Karratha!!!!

FRIDAY 29TH MAY 2009 – MI AREE POOL(KARRATHA) TO POINT SAMSON W.A. - DAY 81

After a very peaceful and restful night (were were in bed and asleep by 8:30pm) we woke very early to the sound of the 'morning bush birds' and a lovely sunrise over the red hills. With not much packing up to do we were on the road by 7am and as we were heading into town we decided to phone Jan and Alan to perhaps meet us for breakfast.

As we drove into Karratha it was such a familiar sight and the site of many landmarks came flooding back.

It is such a busy town with the main industry being the LNG Pipeline and Rio Tinto Mining Operations among other various mines and as this was to be a long weekend the town was buzzing.

We met Jan and Alan at the local shopping centre where we had coffee and they filled us in on what they had been up to and we did the same. They, like us had experienced some problems, ie broken windshield and faulty fridge which they were waiting to get 'the part' sent from Perth. They suggested to us that we should head out to Point Samson for the long weekend and that they would meet us there tomorrow. It sounded like a great idea but first we needed our battery checked before we could do anything.

Nick and Alan took off to do that while Jan and I did some much needed retail therapy. We both booked in to have our hair coloured and styled together and this also gave us an opportunity of doing some 'girl catch up' which is such a nice change!

The problem with our battery was sorted out – it wasn't the actual battery but the electrical connections some of which had snapped off. So the Auto Electrician took it all to pieces, cleaned it all and reattached new leads to each point – a job that took 2 hours and $160-00 later. It was the problem the whole time and not the battery!!!!!! Just have to put it down to another financial injection for the WA economy!!

After I had my hair done I brought some supplies, met Nick and headed the 50kms out to Point Samson.

There is a lovely new caravan park opened up there last year called “the Cove” so we checked in, found a lovely spot with a distant view of the ocean and hoped now that ALL our problems were behind us. We were happy to be staying at this lovely little seaside village for the next four nights.

SATURDAY 30TH MAY 2009 – POINT SAMSON W.A. - DAY 82

The wind has come up during the early hours of the morning so hopefully it won't cause too much havoc here. To be on the safe side Nick takes the awning down – we don't want to take any chances.

After a walk with Lucy to the beach nearby we have croissants and coffee for breakfast. With the wind as it is it is a great opportunity to do our washing (get some of this red dirt out) so I do it early. Nick finds there is a leak from our stored water container into the boot of the car so that is a great opportunity for him to clean the car. We are both busy but contented. The white fur on Lucy is beginning to turn red (her version of a fake tan I think) but we decide it is no use in bathing her as she will only get redder. She will have to wait until we leave this area which, as we know how much she hates being bathed, she won't be disappointed.

About midday Jan and Alan pull into the caravan park and set up camp. They tell us their fridge is still not fixed as 'the part' should arrive in Karratha on Tuesday. I will cook a roast lamb dinner tomorrow night for us all – but tonight we will mee t them for drinks at 5pm.

SUNDAY 31ST MAY 2009 – POINT SAMSON W.A. - DAY 83

We get a phone call from our son Stuart and he updates us on the progress of the kids which we love to hear. He and Anita, Otto and Milla are all well and happy and the kids are progressing well at school and pre-school. They may meet us in Port Douglas for a week or two in the July School Holidays which would be fantastic.

Alan and Nick decide to have a bike ride this morning and leave Jan and I to potter around our camps.

This afternoon, Jan, Alan and Nick decide to drive to Cossack. I remember going there back in 2005 so I felt I could catch up on a few things around camp while they are away. Cossack is a historical town built between 1870 and 1898 and is now a ghost town. It is interesting when we compare these dates with the date (1850) that our little cottage back in Randwick was built and in comparison these little town really are so young!

Many of the old buildings have been restored including the general store, post office and courthouse which now house galleries and museums. When they return we go down to Honeymoon Cove for a swim in the ocean. Not very clear but the water temperature warm and refreshing.

After sunset and our 5 o'clock drinks we enjoy our baked lamb dinner under the stars. The night sky is so clear.

MONDAY 1ST JUNE 2009 – POINT SAMSON W.A. DAY 84

The weather this morning is looking very suspect with rain clouds and rain forecast. It is our friend (in NZ) Jane's birthday so we make a phone call. She sounds, as usual, happy and cheerful and tells us she is having a lovely day despite her underlying problems. We will have a drink for her at our 5 o'clock get together tonight!

We spend the morning around camp before meeting Jan and Alan at 12 midday to take the short walk to the Tavern. It is a public holiday here and when we arrive the same idea is shared by many others out to enjoy a lazy Sunday of a long weekend.

We find a table on the balcony, overlooking the ocean where we enjoy a delicious lunch. The rain teams down and it is interesting to make conversation with some of the locals, mostly miners and their families, who have the same idea.

After lunch we make plans to pack up in readiness for our departure tomorrow. While doing this we discover our fridge is still not working efficiently. We turn the dial to 'gas' instead of electricity and hopefully this will keep our food cold. We will have to pay a visit to the refrigeration man in Karratha tomorrow after we leave here.

TUESDAY 2ND JUNE 2009 – POINT SAMSON TO POINT SAMSON W.A. - DAY 85

We are so organised our pack up and check out is uneventful except for a noise when putting on our brakes. There must be some dirt in them which is making them squeal – a dreadful noise that , we are sure, will fix itself as we drive on.

Karratha is about 50kms back so we plan to meet Jan and Alan at the refrigeration place, where they are hopefully, picking up their part for their portable fridge.

We speak to the girl in the office who advises us to unhook the van and leave it with them for the day, which we do. The coffee shop in town is familiar to us so we head to there and wait, and wait and wait.

By 11am we still have not had a phone call from Jason who is fixing our fridge so we phone him. He is still 'looking' at it and will call us as soon as the diagnosis is known. We wait!!!! and wait!!!! and wait!!!!

At 2pm we drive to the Industrial area, speak to Jason who says we have a problem with the fridge exhaust so he puts in a new one and tells us we need a new catch. He will try to phone around to find one and have it sent to Broome where we can have it put on. We are not keen to spend a night here and as Jan and Alan, who HAVE to stay until tomorrow (because their 'part' has not arrived) have checked out the caravan park here – said it was so disgusting they wouldn't let their dogs stay there – I decide to phone the Point Samson Caravan Park back and ask that they have a site ready for us – we will be there by 6pm.

Jason tells us there is nowhere in Australia that supplies the 'catch' for our fridge that we need and the best bet is to use an esky with ice and have a 'catch' made when we are in Broome. He charges us $50-00 which is a lot less than what we thought, so we hook up and drive back to Point Samson.

WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE 2009 – POINT SAMSON TO PARDOO STATION W.A. DAY 86

We 'kick' our fridge closed which seems to work, don't need to hook up as we didn't unhook when we arrived and very early we get going on our way. There are no towns between here and Broome only roadhouses. I am not keen to stay at them and would prefer cattle stations so we choose Pardoo and drive the 300kms stopping at the roadhouses only to replenish our fuel.

Pardoo Station is a cattle station with campground attached. We pull in and stay hooked up ready for our departure in the morning.

About 5pm we look up to see Jan and Alan arriving. They eventually received their 'part' and decided to drive on and stay here. They set up camp next to us and it was fun to have 5 o'clock drinks with them and have a wager of a case of 'Pure Blonde' on the State of Origin this evening.

As the night progressed and results came in our case of Pure Blonde was not looking very healthy. (We drank a couple of 3 while listening to the game)!!!

NSW lost. We will have to buy a case for Alan and Jan and hopefully give to them in Broome next week.

The rain came down heavily during the night but it was nice to hear the sound on the roof and sleep in the cool.

THURSDAY 4TH JUNE 2009 – PARDOO STATION TO BARN HILL STATION W.A. DAY 87

During the night it had poured with rain and we are not looking forward to the prospect of driving the 13km dirt road back to the highway. I would not be surprised if Nick says we will wait to see what happens but as this gesture is not forthcoming we make plans to pack up. As we didn't unhitch it has made it much easier and as the rain pelts down our awning is the last thing to be put away.

With drought covering so much of this area and Australia in general it is almost a crime to think we don't want it to rain. The red dirt here is continuous, everywhere we look it is red. Our white car and caravan are now a paler shade of red. It is not worth cleaning anything until we get to Broome. “Red” is on everything!

The dirt road is not too bad despite the rain and as it is quite a popular camp spot the owners of the station maintain it so that it is not too hard on vehicles.

We drive for about 3 hours until we come to a sign that says “Barn Hill Station”. This is where we are booked to camp for the next 4 nights. During our travels in 2005 many people we spoke to asked if we had stayed here at Barn Hill and we somehow missed it. It has become a very popular spot and we were told not to miss it this time.

We arrive at the closed gate at the entrance to the station and 'another dirt road'! 9Kms off the highway we come to what seems like an 'oasis in the desert'. We check in and are shown a spot amongst the trees where we can hear the ocean. It is quite crowded but comfortable.

Shortly after arriving Jan and Alan turn up and by co-incidence their friends from Kingscliff, Fay and Jeff Lennon are camped right behind us together with their friends from Melbourne, Lorraine and Barry. They invite us over for 5 o'clock drinks but we want to go for a swim and walk on the beach first.

It is a very short distance we walk to the; beach. The view is amazing with the sun shining over the crystal clear ocean. We let Lucy off her lead and she is in heaven. Running and playing in the sand. She skims the rock pools and investigates the rocky caves and sand dunes. She is so happy and enjoys running and playing with us.

We venture into the water for a swim and we are surprised at how Lucy runs in and jumps over the waves with us. We always thought she didn't like the ocean but today it is different. After an hour and a half she is exhausted and reluctantly we make our way back to camp.

We join Jeff, Fay, Jan and Alan and Lorraine and Barry for 5 o'clock drinks and it is interesting to get information on other camping experiences from other travellers perspective. They have given us some good tips which we will note.

I cook a BBQ which we have outside under the stars in this very lovely quiet cattle station.


FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2009 – BARN HILL STATION W.A. DAY 88

We wake up this morning to the sun streaming through our windows and the birds singing. It is a lovely fresh clear morning here on the station and I decide early to put a load of washing on. As many campers here stay for 2 – 3 months at a time they have a roster system for the 2 washing machines. I put my name down for 7:30am as we haven't washed for about a week and we are running out of clean clothes.
Jan and Alan turn up as they are now heading up north to Broome and onto Cape Leveque 200kms north up to the Bucaneer Archapelago. We went up into this area also in 2005. It was my favourite place in all of Australia, very rugged but very beautiful. Now, after seeing Esperance and Cape Le Grande National Park, south of Western Australia this area is definitely on par with that.

After a 'photo shoot' for the blog with Jeff and Fay they bid their farewells and not sure where we will meet them next they are off.

We have breakfast as we listen to the news and I am overcome with sadness as I listen to details of the passing of one of my favourite public identities, Professor Chris O'Brien. He finally succumbed to the disease that he treated so many patients with. It was only at Christmas time I read his very interesting book 'Never Say Die'. His passing will not only be a huge loss to the Medical Profession but also to the Nation, many who grew to love and respect him as a compassionate and giving human being. Kevin Rudd has just announced a State Funeral has been offered to the family to which they have accepted. A very fitting gesture to a very deserving Australian. I think his vision and inspiration will be a huge advantage to us all in years to come with the development and building of the new Cancer Facility at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. It is just a shame he won't be here to see its completion in 2012.

Nick decides he will spend the morning on the beach where he will take Lucy so that she can swim and run as she did yesterday and so enjoyed. I am keen to update this blog and read one of my many books or perhaps watch a movie in these idyllic surrounds.

We again join Jeff and Fay, Barry and Lorraine at 5pm for drinks. As clouds have set in sunset will not be very spectacular however, we will wait and see what tomorrow is like.