16th to 22nd Apr, 2023 Bush camps east of Leonora, WA

Sun, 16^th

8.2 degrees, heater on again. Got up half hour later, 21 degrees, nice! Clear sky.

John & Julie sent a photo of Steve’s smiley face they found as they wandered around. They had found a 7 gram nugget too, hopefully not near his smiley face! Heading back to Kalgoorlie tomorrow. Hopefully we will catch up with them later in the year.

Rebecca had rung so I rang her back. They had a great trip snorkelling and diving and even had a swim with whale sharks. Covid still got on board the ship (same company we did the Kimberley one on) - they aren’t feeling sick but will do a RAT test tomorrow just to be sure.

Drinks by the fire. The wind had stopped so it was a warmer afternoon. Cooled off quickly though when the sun went down. The mozzies were about so had dinner inside.

 

Mon, 17^th

10.2 degrees but the heater went on as that is still too chilly for us. Sent Leanne a birthday text for today.

Blue sky with thin wispy clouds. We packed up and headed back to where we had found the patch of nice nuggets last year. Had a wander but we didn’t leave any behind! Steve chatted with a couple from Bunbury who had been out Laverton way and just made it out before the roads became boggy with the rain off the edge of the low from Cyclone Ilsa.

Had a cuppa then drove back to Margaret’s patch of last year. Well she found one with my detector as theirs had broken, then they headed home. We then found a patch near hers so we named it after her.

Parked up then went wandering.

No joy - just more lead shot. Had lunch - warmer 26 degrees today. I read for a while and Steve and Bob went wandering. Steve came back with a grin and not saying anything, which means he has gold in his mouth. I gave him a flash - his reward for gold!! Unfortunately I was conned - it was the smallest speck, 0.08g but he did find a 10 cent piece and a lovely clear crystal so I forgave him. At least we aren’t goldless for today.

Margaret gave me her clear crystal that she has carried around in her purse for years from when her daughter was working on a station north of here. Hopefully the gift will bring me good luck and to her for giving it to me.

Lovely fire and sunset colours on the thin clouds. Unfortunately the mozzies were buzzing again so inside for dinner, cards and a movie.

 

 

Tues, 18^th

11 degrees, clear sky and a cold wind coming through the top windows so the heater was on again. Sent Suzanne a birthday text.

Packed up and headed back down the track then turned off and headed down towards the old Redcastle Mining Centre.

We stopped at the old Government Well - from the early days but now being used by a company. We can hear some machinery working in the distance.

We wandered over towards the old building - Margaret reckons it would be a great holiday home - lots of ventilation. On the way we checked out some of the old shafts and holes.

Continued on down the track, slow and steady as there were a lot of creek crossings and rough track so Bob took it slowly towing his van.

We found the pending leases and chose a spot near old pushings.

A lot of rubbish about but we will wander the other bits hoping to get a bit they have missed. No joy before lunch. Steve went out again, I did my baking and made a cheesecake for dessert tomorrow for the Solar Eclipse and some more pikelets.

While we were having a cuppa a car drove in and the chap came over to say hi. He said he has a lease further down and was taking his sons there but usually called in here first to pick up a few bits. He said he would park further over. He said he has picked up lots of little bits around the edge of the pushes here and to try further up the lease where there was a big white dirt area as he had found lots there. He showed us where his lease was further south and that there was a good pending area nearby too. He explained the best way to get there - nice chap to share that with us.

We had drinks around the fire. Bob asked if I could download some movies for them as they got attacked by little bugs last night having their lights on to read their books. That was the light is only on the TV so the bugs won’t worry them - we had noticed any thank goodness.

There were no mozzies so we sat outside for longer though it cooled off quickly so we still had dinner inside.

 

 

Wed, 19^th

Two years since Mum left this world and moved on to eternal life. I miss her so much but I can feel she and Dad are always with us and happy we are enjoying our lives, along with Erica now. This is Mum aged 61, a year old than I am now - she had less wrinkles and no grey hair!!

12 degrees at 7am, put the heater on again as it makes it so nice to have breakfast when we are warmer. Gusty cold wind and clear sky.

Nice day wandering.

Drinks by the fire with a cool breeze. Meow wants to get out and go at night so Bob took her for a walk with her harness on but she wasn’t impressed with that.

Inside for dinner, down to 16 degrees so put the heater on to make it more comfortable while we watched TV.

 

 

Thurs, 20^th

9.8 degrees so the heater on again. Clear blue sky and light breeze. Katelin and Sarah’s birthdays - will send them a birthday text.

Smoko time we waited so see if we will see any of the solar eclipse out here. It is crossing over Exmouth at 11am but we got nothing here - the sun just kept shining.

We moved camp a bit further along the track.

There is a big open hole that was excavated following a vein. The other chap said he had picked up some species in the rubbish piles.

We set up camp.

Went wandering. Back to camp for a cuppa.

Steve went for a big walk with the tablet to guide him to the other ‘red spot’ to check out access and whether it was worth going there. He left at 4pm and by 5pm I was getting a little concerned. We got the fire going and 10 minutes later he walked into camp. He could smell the fire - he knew where he was using the map on the tablet but it was just a long walk!!

It was lovely around the fire, no mozzies. Watched for satellites and cooked dinner on the fire but ate inside as it cools off quickly. Put the heater on to take the chill off while we watched TV.

 

 

Fri, 21^st

8.8 degrees at 6.30 so put the heater on and it was a nice 22 degrees when we got up half hour later for breakfast. Clear blue sky and light breeze.

Packed up and headed across to the haul road the other chap had told us to take to the next area. It is actually a gazetted road from the Leonora-Laverton Road short cutting down to Kookynie. We passed Yundamindera then we found the bush track he mentioned and followed it, winding through the trees etc then found a fence line and followed that down to the pending area. Steve stopped before the next creek area and went for a walk - too hard to get Bob’s van through there so we backed up a bit and drove in off the track and set up camp.

Cows and an emu had been wandering about as we could see their footprints and cow pads!

Had a cuppa then went wandering. My way had no quartz and no signals so I continued up the hill for a look around. On the next rise was a quartz blow so I went down and then up to it and got a signal on a cracked rock but it was just a bit of steel - how that got there I don’t know. I looked around the view and spotted Steve below and over on some salt and pepper ground so gave him a whistle and a wave. He thought I wanted him so he started towards me so I went down the hill and met him.

Back to camp for lunch.

Wandered again. Had a great day.

Drinks by the fire that Bob had set up which is lovely.

Cooled off quickly so after we spotted a couple of satellites we headed inside to warm up with the heater and have dinner.

 

 

Sat, 22^nd

9.8 degrees, heater on.

Two vehicles came down the fence line track and stopped for a chat. One was a chap that Steve had met on a walk from Margaret’s patch and they were trying to find a lake where their friend was - a bit lost!!

We decided to move on so packed up, had lunch and worked our way out the bush track to the formed road. Followed it all the way north to the Leonora-Laverton Road and headed back towards Leonora. A big travelling bus came by with Travelling Gasfitter on the front and on his ute on the trailer what Travelling Gasfitter - Plumber by Law. Another traveller in a bus further along then a big truck that brought up so much dust you couldn’t see for a while. Another couple of vehicles - all taking the short-cut south.

Forecast is for cloudy sky on Monday so decided to get our washing done tomorrow. Went back to Kev’s spot but went around the hill to where Bob had found a nugget in 2017 in a creek. Set up camp.

Lovely sunset with a bit of cloud. Good timber about so got the fire going and did our vegies in alfoil but cooked the pork chops inside.

Warmer evening so we didn’t put the heater on.

 

 

 

 

12th to 15th Apr, 2023 Bush camps east of Leonora, WA

Wed, 12^th 

Min of 11 degrees, 7am still only 12 degrees. Leisurely breakfast waiting for it to warm up.

Packed up and headed into Leonora. Topped up the diesel, 196.9c/l at BP card one while the other servos in town are 235.9c/l - big difference. Around to the info park for water and empty the toilet canister.

Margaret texted they have had a problem, nothing bad but need to get things for repairs in Kalgoorlie so they won’t get here till 4ish. We drove back out to the pending area to check out the mine that Victor mentioned had been a good gold producer. We couldn’t find it so gave up and went down to Sunday Well and had a wander.

Back towards Malcolm Dam but they have blocked the drive up onto the dam wall from this side so we followed the track around. They have put in new shelters, rubbish bins and BBQs. Nice view across the dam to Mt Malcolm.

Unfortunately the track across the creek that flows into Malcolm Dam was still under water so we had to take the other track further around. Back onto the main track then out to the Leonora to Laverton Road then into town. 

Bob and Margaret had arrived and were getting fuel so they met us at the water point. As it was 4.30pm we decided to just go out to Malcolm Dam for the night. No one was in our spot by the tall tree where Steve and Kev had made their fireplace years ago.

Meow came too as she is getting too old to leave at home. She loves travelling and is very comfortable on the bed in the van as they trundle along. She has a harness and lead but she doesn’t wander too far when she does come outside for a look around.

Someone left some wood by the fireplace so Steve got the fire going for drinks. Watched the sun set over the dam but I was too late getting the camera.

Margaret spotted the first satellite - I’ve got them hooked looking for them too.

Dinner by the fire - camera doesn’t take night photos too well. A few mozzies about but not bad, at least I can use by mozzie coils and some of the incense Kevin gave us. 

Inside for a game of cards with coffee to finish off the day.

 

 

Thurs, 13^th

Warmer night, 17 degrees. A few clouds about.

Packed up and headed out to Goose Soak on the way to Laverton. A prospecting group, Little Ripper Gold, has a live lease off the road past old Murrin Murrin township and there is pending leases about it. John and Julie had explained where the track was. We drove in and then around their camp area - 5 vans there but they are all out and about on the pending areas rather than their live lease!

Onto the first of 5 pending leases and we stopped and set up camp.

Had a cuppa then went wandering. Steve went for the big walk while Margaret and I worked our way over the ironstone towards to the quartz blow.

A storm is building though forecast wasn’t for any heavy rain, hence the hot day of 35 degrees.

Steve went for another big walk and found another good spot, at least he gets lots of exercise. We walked back clearing the track so we can move our camp over there.

The wind came up just has Bob lit the fire but it was all clear around the firepit. The storm moved around us. Poor Meow was nearly being blown over with the wind gusts.

The storm left and as the sun set a beautiful rainbow appeared.

Sky clearing as we cooked dinner on the fire and we all ate outside as it was just perfect now. The stars started appearing and we even spotted one satellite.

 

Fri, 14^th

Woke at 6am to a cold wind buffetting the camper. Dark clouds are hanging over us again. Steve’s walking is working - lost 2 kg but I only lost 0.6kg!

It has been a month since Erica left this life. Will ring Terry later to see how he is. Time just rolls on.

17 degrees at 7.30 in the camper but it feels a lot colder outside. Decided to move camp along the track and around the hill.

Set up camp, more protected here from the wind too.

Had a cuppa then went wandering.

The sun has come out again. We put the aerial on the camper and got an update on what Cyclone Ilsa was up too. It has moved very quickly down the coast and crossed over Pardoo Roadhouse as Cat 5 so destroyed that. It is still moving quickly but down to Cat 3 heading east above Marble Bar and heading for Telfer mine etc. Amazing how quickly it has moved across the coast but they don’t have many mountains here to slow it down!!

Still windy but the sun is warming.

Rang Terry to see how he was going - all good. Hard to believe it has been a month.

Got the fire going early as it was quite cool in the wind as the sun disappeared behind the hill. Steve came back empty handed from another big walk. Spotted a bright satellite reflecting the suns rays for a long time across the sky just as the first stars appeared.

Had dinner inside as it was too chilly to be outside. Forecast for 8 degree minimum so the heater will get put on in the morning! 9.30pm down to 16 degrees, should have put the heater on but decided to just climb into bed instead.

 

 

Sat, 15^th

6.30am 8.6 degrees - heater went on. Clear sky and a nippy wind coming in the open bits of the pop-top windows.

Half hour later and the kitchen area was comfortable for breakfast.

Packed up and headed back out to the area we were on last year below old Murrin Murrin townsite.

We chose a spot between where two camps were last year on the open flats. Set up and had a cuppa.

Off wandering.

The wind comes and goes so Bob got the fire going to warm up their shower water - early showers again as it will be cool tonight. Maximum today was only 20 degrees!!

Had drinks then inside for our yummy stew with griddle scones to sop up the gravy. We put the heater on this time so we were comfortable watching TV.

Malcolm rang - cold and wet there. Kerry had taken the grandkids to the beach house and he was hoping to do some planting but the rain has put paid to that idea. So lovely he thinks of us. Looking forward to catching up with them in the new year in Tassie or maybe at Speedweek in Vic as looks like Jamie will be racing in it in his sprintcar.

 

6th to 11th Apr, 2023 Bush camp off Yunndaga Rd, south of Menzies to bush camps around Leonora, WA

Thurs 6^th

Another 12 degree minimum but 15 when we got up. Packed up and drove down the track to the windmill turn off to try and get to the next pending area. Good track to start with then it disappeared, there is a track on the Hema but obviously it has not been maintained. We followed some wheel tracks but the ground became a bit too wet for our liking so we turned around.

Back to the highway and northward to Leonora - lots of water still around from recent rain. Let Mickey know we were here and arranged to meet them after work for a drink. Drove out the Nambi Road to check out one end of a long line of pending leases (applied for but not yet granted so anyone can explore them). Again there was a track on the Hema but it has been bulldozed as the area has been reinstated by whoever was mining it. We followed a few tracks and eventually came to the old main track again and into the pending area. There is a creek to cross but with the recent rain there is a bit of water still around. We found a hard crossing and stopped on some nice salt & pepper ground for lunch. A chap, Mark, pulled up and chatted with Steve. He was from Clermont and they had a big chat about the Palmer River area. 

We went for a wander - lots of lead shot and further over Steve found where old timers had camped, hence all the lead shot. After smoko so we headed into town to catch up with Chris & Mickey.

Set up camp in our spot on the footpath. Saffron and Diesel were happy to see us again.

Mickey turned up 15 minutes later so we took our drinks onto the back verandah and chatted. Chris arrived half hour later so we settled in for a nice catch up. They have done very well with their vegie gardens they put in last year so Mickey gave me some capsicums, celery, shallots and basil.

We watched the full moon rise between the water tanks on the hill behind their house - big and bright. We chatted till 8pm then went back to the camper as they get up early to start work at 5am at Gwalia Gold Mine.

A house down the road was having a party and there were kids up and down the street as well as a car that sounded like a kid was driving it. A police car rolled by a bit later and the car disappeared! The music wasn’t bad but the shouting was a bit interesting!!

 

 

Fri, 7^th

Warmer night - only down to 15 degrees, bit cloudy. Chris and Mickey left for work in the early hours - joys of 12 hour shifts!

Packed up and headed back out to the pending leases again. Found a spot further along from where we were yesterday. A few more detectorists out and about for Easter.

A few drops of rain fell from the dark clouds. A cool day forecast, 24 degrees.

Went wandering then a shower of rain fell so I went back to the camper. I made lunch then Steve turned up. Luckily the rain is only light. Steve went out for another wander after lunch - I did my blog.

Steve found where Mark was camping and he hasn’t found any more gold. We had a cuppa then moved back to near where we had camped yesterday. More spits of rain.

The sky is clearing which is good. Had drinks inside then dinner and movie.

 

 

Sat, 8^th

Another month since Dad left this life.

Warmer night, clearer sky. Greg rang for a chat. He and Tracy are planning a trip in Pat to Ayres Rock, Cooper Pedy and the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks in May. He is enjoying his new job though there is so much to learn with all the electronics used in hospitals. He goes to hospitals all up the cape too and was in Cooktown when Roald and Joan were there so they had a chance to catch up there.

Moved camp along the track and down a new big wide track that must have been put in for a mine. Found the area that Steve, Paulings and Sharps detected when I was away in Cairns in 2017. Kev had cleared a strip of ground of bigger rocks so it stood out. Also there was a eagle’s nest up in a tree so they named the area ‘Eagle Nest’.

We set up camp.

Gusty wind, clear sky and warmer day, 29 degrees. We went wandering.

Drinks by the fire watching the moon rise and satellites zoom across the sky. Steve thought he saw a car lights flashing but it was lightning in the north, low down on the horizon. It put on quite a display for a half hour.

While we were having dinner I commented I could hear something in the tree nearby - like crunching. When I shone the torch it was a couple of cows. They had wandered up so quietly but it was the crunching of the grass I could hear. They weren’t worried about us at all.

Treat tonight with ice cream by the fire then inside for cards and coffee.

 

 

Sun, 9^th

Cooler morning, 13 degrees, clear sky and light breeze. One more wander, more lead shot.

Had a cuppa and packed up. Down the track and around the hill to spot that Steve had been before. I am amazed how he can remember where these spots are as the ground looks all the same but he said there were some scrapes and there they were. We parked up and went for a wander.

Drove further up the leases towards Nambi Road. Met Mark on the track and stopped for a chat.

Drove further along then set up camp then had drinks by the fire.

Steve tried to find a satellite before me - no chance. Lovely evening outside watching the colours change till night fell.

Got out a DVD and found where the tiny ants I had spotted had been nesting. I checked the others and they had gotten into my Mumma Mia DVD and made marks on the 2^nd one. I put it in the TV and luckily it still plays. I love all the songs on these movies.

 

Mon, 10^th

Min of 12.7 but we didn’t wake till 8 so it had warmed up to 19 by then. Clear sky.

I made pikelets so we could try Margaret’s passionfruit butter - yum.

Warming up. Top of 32 today.

Lunch then we moved back across the creek back to where we first started. The muddy crossing is all dry now. Took a track to say hi to the SA chap that Steve chatted with the other day. He is moving on as his friends are arriving at Malcolm Dam and then they are heading down to Murrin Murrin to where the group (Little Ripper) he is with has live leases. I looked into this group - $100 per year and they have about 12 leases in a few different places for members to detect on with a few rules but perfect for those who don’t want to have to apply for 40Es etc. I had suggested it to Bob & Margaret and Kevin. They have about 200 members now and will cap it at 300. Only problem will be if they all want to get on a lease at the same time!!

He also said that further over is the old ‘specking patch’ mentioned in Doug Stone’s book. He has found a few little specks so was happy to be picking up something. Another van was driving in so we moved and set up camp.

The other van’s chap wandered over to say hello. He had owned the live lease next to this one and still has permission to detect on it. He saw we were from Qld and said he was looking at a lease in the Palmer River area so we had a great chat over a cuppa. His name is Victor and Steve said our friend Kevin had met a Victor and he had given him permission to detect on his leases - same guy. Fancy that.

Rang Terry - he had a lovely Easter at Woodgate with David & Amanda. Had a wander around the markets and Paul & Jenny were having a garage sale.

I saw a vapour trail behind a jet and remembered David’s prediction of rain in two days. The forecast is for a storm on Thursday.

Windy afternoon so no fire. Sat outside for drinks though to enjoy the changing colours of the sky and watch the birds move camp for the night.

 

Tues, 11^th

Cool morning with a gusty wind, 15 degrees and clear sky.

Went wandering over to where SA man had indicated. I couldn’t find his dig holes though.

Back to the camper for morning tea and I did the washing so we are up-to-date as Bob & Margaret will arrive tomorrow.

Lunch. Steve coloured my hair - an essential part of travelling in the bush!!

Steve chatted with another couple who were born in Cairns and Tully, John & Julie. They knew of the Wilesmiths and Vlassoff’s down the road from Mum & Dad’s place. They had also chatted recently with Ray and Julie (we met at Nullagine). Steve said to come over later on their way out as they have a motorhome and have it parked up at the caravan park.

I cleaned the shower and camper and had a cuppa watching the rest of Mumma Mia 2. Always makes me cry which I needed to do as it is nearly 2 years since Mum left this life.

Steve came back for a cuppa - cool breeze but ok in the sun.

John and Julie Simpson stopped in and we had a lovely chat. They had pubs around Tully etc then retired. John mentioned the name Dawson and we said we knew Deanne who married Greg Kidner and he said that was his brother’s wife’s sister. What a small world. They now live in Mt Tamborine so we exchanged cards and will call on them later in the year. Seemed a lovely couple so will be nice to spend a bit more time with them.

They headed off so we got our drinks and sat and watched the lovely colours but the mozzies moved in so I headed indoors. Kev text that the weather might get bad as there is a cyclone forming off Broome and predicted to travel across to the east part of WA over Marble Bar etc. We should be ok here but might be a bit wet further north.

Thurs, 5th Apr, 2023 Bush camp, 55km north of Kalgoorlie to Bush camp off Yunndaga Rd, south of Menzies, WA

Bit chilly this morning, min of 12, only 15 at 7.30am - only a max of 24 today though. Clear sky and no wind. After breakfast Steve set up the washing machine and I got started on the washing pile, towels and sheets. He went off detecting. A nice breeze came up and the sun was warm so the washing dried quickly. No more gold but he found a cut stone in a setting but I don’t think it is anything valuable. Steve ran into another chap having a detect on his week off from work in Perth. Lots of people sticking to the pending areas now they are charging so much for a 40E permit and the time it takes to come into effect.

Had lunch then packed up and headed back onto the highway and northward again towards Menzies. Turned onto Yunndaga Road to check out a couple of pending areas. The first one had two big areas that had been pushed by a bulldozer and big piles. Little ironstone rocks on red soil here. Parked up for the night.

Another vehicle drove in towing a van but kept going - probably heading to the other pending area. We went for a wander but only found rubbish. Steve had another go and came back with a ironstone rock which has a couple of specks of gold showing - will see how much after it has been in the acid.

Played cards while we had drinks inside as the wind is cold and strong. The vehicle and van drove out again - bit late to be moving camp.

Dinner and movie to finish off the day.

 

Tues, 4th Apr, 2023 Centennial 72hr RV Park, Kalgoorlie to Bush camp on pending lease, 55km north of Kalgoorlie, WA

Overcast morning and cool. Cleaned the camper etc then got some water. Chatted with another detectorist at the water point, he is following the pending areas too but is out Ora Banda way at the moment.

Continued north and stopped for a cuppa at Broad Arrow Hotel.

Tried to find where we had written our names on the window back in Apr 2017. Kev and Linda had signed to the side of us and we could make out theirs. I found the start of my name but the rest has been rubbed off.

As there is no room left to sign the walls etc they have come up with a new idea. Write on a tag and it has a magnet which you can then throw up and attach it to the roof.

The sky is clearing as we continued northward. We are looking for a pending area to detect and found a track across the rail line to an old mining area (Vettersburg Mining Centre) - lots of old shafts and piles of dirt and lots of rubbish. Followed the track down to the pending lease and found a spot to park up.

Someone had dug a few holes before us so we went for a wander after lunch. Nice salt and pepper ground. A few bits of rubbish so I headed back to camp for a drink when I got a funny signal. I lost it but got a signal beside it and got a little flat nuglet - too small to be called a nugget. I put a smiley face on the filled in hole and then found the other signal which was a hot rock (ironstone). I called to let Steve know then went back to camp. Steve kept wandering and came back when I put the kettle on. He had a grin - a nice nugget (over 1 gram) weighing 1.46 grams and mine was 0.15 grams. Good start.

I read my book for a while and Steve kept wandering but didn’t find anything else other than rubbish. As we take the rubbish away we feel good for doing our bit to clean up Australia.

The moon rose but it isn’t full until the 6^th but it looked great. Saw a bright fast moving satellite and checked my star app but it wasn’t the space station. Maybe one of the new Elon Musk satellites or something. Spotted a couple more while Steve cooked dinner on the fire. So lovely to be outside enjoying the bush though there were a few annoying mosquitos about but they disappeared once night fell. The wind has settled so it was a perfect temperature.

Inside for a movie then bed.

 

Mon, 3rd Apr, 2023 Centennial 72hr RV Park, Kalgoorlie, WA

Rick Mitchell’s birthday so I gave him a call as Leanne had rung me yesterday and I had forgotten he was the day behind me.

Into Woolies at 8.30 to load up for a month. We had done a lot of groceries in Mandurah just need the meat and veg and two new pillows, ours have just died! They only have a Kmart here but we found the last two on the shelf so we are all good. Went around to the Rag Shop that has heaps of mining clothes, some brand new and picked up some shirts and trousers for detecting. Coles has moved beside Kmart now.

Back to the RV Park for our last night of the 72hr and found a nice place beside the trees as it is a lot warmer today. 2pm 33 degrees in the camper. Rather that than cold and rain.

Topped up the water tank with the new water point and used the dump point. They have certainly made it better for travellers and because it is 72 hours people are more likely to stop and spend more time shopping and sightseeing. We filled in the survey note showing how much we have spent whilst being here and what we have visited.

Nice sitting outside in the shade for our drinks this afternoon. Gavin arrived and took us for a drive through the industrial area and where he works explaining all the different machinery and what they do to refurbish them etc. Very interesting. As we drove along the road near the Superpit he showed us where houses used to be before being bought by the Superpit and cleared away so they could move the road to where it is now.

He dropped us back to the camper and we said farewell then made dinner.

Sun, 2nd Apr, 2023 Centennial 72hr RV Park, Kalgoorlie, WA (Sharon’s 60th birthday)

Wow, I’m a sexitarian now so Rebecca informed me the other day. Nice cool morning. Jon sent a text early as he would have been heading off to work on the Tanami Track.

Terry had rung using Erica’s phone as it has phone credit but that was weird seeing her name come up like she was calling from Heaven. Will change the contact name to T Geck as Terry has his other phone too. So lovely that he worked his way through my notes to be able to use her phone to ring me.  

Steve had the TV on and the Supercars last race came on so we got to watch it.  Had a lovely morning with lots of lovely phone calls and messages from family and friends. 

Packed up and headed off to the Super Pit to see what has changed since our last visit a few years ago (April 2016) as we didn’t call in on our way through last year. New signs to read.

Drove through Williamstown on the other side of Mt Charlotte that Gav said the company has bought a lot of the homes and had them demolished so they can do more underground mining there. Not the best homes here but obviously ‘historical’ but then Kalgoorlie has a lot of these.

Lunch at a cafe then out to the Two Up School north of Kalgoorlie. It was a bit confusing to start with as everyone seemed to be betting with others but we asked a chap and he explained a few things so we got the hang of it. No betting for us though as it was $50 a bet. We were explaining it to another couple and he said he might bet though his wife wasn’t so keen. I said ok you give me your imaginary $50 for heads and I will cover it for tails. The person flipped the coins and it came up tails so I said you just lost your $50 and I made $50. His wife won - no betting for them. Took a quick photo as I wasn’t sure if it was allowed but I saw another lady take photos with her camera so I snapped off this one. 

Back to Gavin & Tonia’s for a cuppa and catch up. Saw Mia’s photos from last night - she looked stunning.

Back to another spot at the RV stop for the night.

Steve cooked Spag Bol and I opened my bottle of bubbly. Steve cooked the dinner well and the bubbly was delicious. Played a game of cards then finished off the birthday dinner with ice cream.

Warmer night so we opened up the camper.