Sun, 11th May, 2025 Bush camp, Yandal Station, east of Leinster to Bush camp, Barwidgee Station, east of Leinster, WA

12 degrees min but the sun is shining and warming things up quickly so no need for the heater. By 8am it is 20 degrees

Mother’s Day - I got my golden gift yesterday.

Wandered. Steve met two emus then Carol saw them too.

After lunch we packed up and headed back to the old Yandal Station homestead. Continued on the track then turned north into Barwidgee Station. Ray has permission for a lease here but unfortunately it wasn’t where he thought. We drove in any case and pulled up for a wander and the night on some good looking ground. 

We got video call from Jon, Annalise and Beau which was great to see them all. Beau was wandering around and little bubby is growing bigger in Annalise’s tummy. Unfortunately Jon was just about to show me what they got Annalise for mother’s day when the internet dropped out. I checked with Ray as I could hear Carol talking but she was on Optus so it must have been something with Telstra.

Later on we got the service back and a video came through from Dan and Sophia but it was too late to ring them back. I sent a text to Jon too to explain and he rang back. They got Annalise a new cook top and oven so she is very happy.

Didn’t bother with a fire tonight so just chatted for a while over drinks till it was too cool outside.

 

 

 

7-10 May, 2025 Bush camps, Yandal Station, east of Leinster, WA

Wed 7^th

Warmer night, 17.6 degree min, even with the outdoor open. Grey cloudy sky still.

Nice breeze while we wandered and the sky started to clear leaving white puffy clouds.

Got to 29 degrees with a nice cool breeze when you are in the shade.

The sky has cleared when we had drinks by the fire Steve made. Perfect temperature so we stayed outside watching the stars appear and the half moon rise. Saw a couple of satellites and ate our dinner outside for a change.

 

Thurs, 8^th

Min of 13.7 degrees, clear sky and a cool breeze. We had left the door open again as it was so nice last night but it certainly chills off just before the sun rises but it doesn’t take long to start warming up.

We packed up and moved along the track to try another spot. Set up, Ray and Carol unhooked their van so they can go looking using their car. We will just move around with the camper on the back like we normally do.

We went wandering from camp but only hot rocks here - lots of big ironstone areas.

Had lunch then went for a drive trying to find productive areas. There is another chap parked up near the big area of pushes that have now been repushed and reinstated as they have to do now with the ‘environmental’ rules.

Drove to the end of the lease and found a slope that Steve and Jeff had found some bits back in 2016 but no joy. Back to camp for a cuppa.

Got to 30 degrees this afternoon.

Another lovely afternoon by the fire with our fly swats till the flies went to bed. Saw 4 satellites going in different directions then a faint one followed by another for just a short time. I kept watching the another would appear when the other disappeared and I ended up counting 18 following each other but just moving across the sky right to left. They must be some of Elon Musk’s, Starlink satellites.

 

Fri, 9^th

Warming up, only 15 degrees this morning, clear sky.

We headed to the end of the lease and found the spot the chap told us about. Steve realised it was near where we were camped with Jeff.

We all went wandering.

The other couple had arrived while we had lunch. Chatted with them - heading east to try their luck on some other areas tomorrow.

Back to camp for drinks.

Another lovely evening temperature wise. It starts to cool off about 9pm so I close the windows but leave the door open.

 

Sat, 10^th

14.4 degrees min, clear sky.

Packed up and moved camp back down the track. We all went wandering.

The gold fairies gave me an early Mother’s Day gift - a little nugget that looks like Santa’s boot.

We had lunch then drove back to the first spot we pulled up when we first got here. We set up for the night.

Another 30 degree afternoon but there is a nice breeze. My new shirt doesn’t have a pocket which I need to put the phone in so I got some material (extra from the blue for the baby’s pillow) and sewed one on. I sent a picture to Margaret to show her my handiwork as she has to sew pockets onto Bob’s t-shirts for his glasses.

Got some photos and videos through from the kids when Ray put the Starlink on so sent them a phone of my Mother’s Day gift. I wished Fran and Annalise a happy day for tomorrow and Jodie too as it is her first Mother’s Day.

Another lovely evening chatting around the fire as the moon is growing fuller.

 

Tues, 6th May, 2025 Pull over off Yandal Road, near Lake Darlot to Bush camp, Yandal Station, east of Leinster, WA

16.4 degrees this morning - warmer as there is a heavy looking cloud band over us.

Continued on the road to the old Yandal Station homestead then onto the track to the lease we are allowed to detect on.

Parked up at the first interesting area.

We all went wandering. The cloud has thinned but it has made it a humid day and there is only a light breeze.

After lunch we moved further along the track and set up for the night.

Went for a wander. 

Got to 30 degrees but there is a nice cool breeze now. The sky is still hazy and blocking out the sun.

After smoko Steve went out and I caught up on my blog. Ray and Carol have Starlink so we can hook up to that when they have it on which is great as I am only getting intermittent service on my phone. Enough to get texts through.

Nice afternoon chatting over drinks and waving our flies swats to keep the flies at bay till the sun sets.

 

Mon, 5th May, 2025 72hr RV Stop at Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie to Pull over off Yandal Road, near Lake Darlot, WA

10 degrees min this morning with a clear sky. Put the heater on for breakfast then packed up to hit the shops for our fruit and veggies to last us a month or so.

Packed it all away then got a couple of phone covers from the phone repair man. Met up with Ray and Carol at the truck rest area north of town for a cuppa then we continued northward.

Thicker clouds to the north as we stopped at Menzies for lunch.

Topped up our water and fuel at Leonora then continued northward. Turned off about 37km south of Leinster and followed the Darlot ‘tourist’ Loop to take us to a lease Ray has a 40E (mining dept permit on exploration leases) on Yandal Station. We went there back in 2016 with Jeff.

Across a narrow causeway of the two halves of Lake Darlot as sun started to drop in the sky. Dry salt lake but there was a flooding sign so it gets water during the wetter months. I have been watching the videos on FB of the flood waters in Qld making their way down to Lake Eyre - amazing aerial videos.

Not much further there was a pull over (probably where the grader turns around) that was just perfect for us to pull up for the night. We set up then got out our chairs to have drinks to celebrate the next 4 months of wandering the goldfields with Ray & Carol. Not too many flies here which was nice.

More clouds came over and it cooled off quickly so we headed inside for our dinners.

 

Sun, 4th May, 2025 Lake Douglas Reserve, west of Kalgoorlie to 72hr RV Stop at Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie, WA

Down to 14.4 degrees this morning, mostly clear sky.

By the time we had breakfast a band of grey sky came over us so lucky we did the washing yesterday. It was cool and darkish.

Hair dressing session this morning. I cut Steve’s hair then he coloured mine while the flies weren’t too bad outside.

By morning tea the wind had blown the cloud band eastward and the sky was clear again and warming up.

Packed up and headed back up the hill - looking over dirty looking Lake Douglas.

Back into Kalgoorlie to swap our gas bottle that timed it well and ran out last night. We get about a month each bottle.

Around to the RV Stop for lunch and set up for the night. I video chatted with Annalise and Beau. Jon still at work - will be home Tuesday. Beau was climbing up and down on the chair in his room and walking about with such confidence now. So cute.

Steve called out that he thinks he saw Ray and Carol’s car. A short time later they came around and pulled up behind us.

Said hello then they had a rest for a while after all that driving. I caught up on uploading my April blogs while we had good internet.

Drinks with Ray & Carol in the sunshine though the breeze is a bit cool. We chatted away till it got too cold.

Dan, Fran and Sophia video chatted too which was great to see them all. Sophia has more teeth and is sort of blowing kisses but she puts her fingers in her mouth then pulls them out with the kiss so it’s a bit of a wet one but all good on video! She is so adorable.

Closed up the camper then cooked dinner.

Sat, 3rd May, 2025 Rest area, north of Kalgoorlie to Lake Douglas Reserve, west of Kalgoorlie, WA

16 degrees this morning so no heater required. Mostly clear sky.

Election day - we had posted our postal votes off in Leonora.  

Into town to find a new phone for Steve. Ended up getting a Samsung like mine from Kmart and a new frypan and some warmer winter Pjs.

Out to Lake Douglas for lunch. Steve did the bit of washing we had and I worked on setting up his phone - bit of an ordeal as he doesn’t have credit but I got it sorted by transferring the apps from the tablet so he is good to go now. We will put credit on it when he flies over to meet Malcolm in Sept and while I am in Cairns in October.

Warmer afternoon, got to 30 degrees, Washing dry and put away. Steve changed the fuel filter and checked the truck over.

Nice to have the windows still open at 6pm but the coolness started to come in so closed it up again.

Checked the election results and we were amazed to see a major win by Labour. Oh dear.

 

Fri, 2nd May, 2025 Bush camp near East Terraces, east of Leonora to Rest area, north of Kalgoorlie, WA

13 degrees min this morning and another lovely clear sky with a cool breeze.

Packed up and went back to the Royal Harry Mine area - lots of old shafts around here. Onto a small pending lease which has had lots of pushes and we went for a wander.  

Steve’s phone decided to stop which isn’t helpful as he was using the Trillobite app on it to know where he is on the leases. It was Kev’s old one so it is pretty old.

Had a cuppa then headed back to the main road. Thin cloud coming over.

Back to Malcolm Dam for lunch then we headed south to try another pending area. Lots of exploration pushes etc but no gold. Sky still hazy and it got to 27 degrees in the camper.

Ray and Carol rang - they will reach the WA border tomorrow so should be in Kalgoorlie in a couple of days. We decided to head down to Kal to get Steve a new phone, do some more washing, hairdressing duties and top up with fresh fruit and veggies.

Good drive south. Pulled into the rest area just north of Kalgoorlie at 6.20pm and set up for the night. Easy dinner and a movie - nearly out of movies but we can use the laptop now to watch all the ‘unsupported’ ones that the TV doesn’t register.

Thurs, 1st May, 2025 Bush camp off Nambi Road, east of Leonora to Bush camp near East Terraces, east of Leonora, WA

Min of 12.6 degrees, clear sky and nice breeze.

Went wandering near Steve’s big smiley face he left there last year. 

Had a cuppa and wandered some more.

After lunch we packed up and continued out Nambi Road to the East Terraces which are breakaway hills - escarpments. Onto a pending lease but didn’t look very promising. As we pulled in to a spot for the night we saw a dingo wandering along the top of the ridge.

Steve went for a walk but no joy. I worked on my cross-stitch - much more productive.

The sun warmed up the camper and it was a warmer day so we didn’t need the heater tonight but still closed up the camper once the sun set.

 

Wed, 30th Apr, 2025 Bush camp near Sunset Well, east of Leonora to Bush camp off Nambi Road, east of Leonora, WA

11.7 degrees, clear sky and light breeze.

Packed up and headed back into Leonora to fill up with water again, top up the diesel and pick up our postal votes for the federal election this weekend.

Drove out to Gwalia to get a prospectors permission form off Genesis Mining for a lease north of Leonora that Ray was interested in.

A nice lady at the Resource Centre scanned and emailed the forms for me which was very helpful as we don’t have a printer etc in the camper.

Headed out the Nambi Road to try some more pending areas. Lots of them about at the moment.

Had lunch then went wandering - spotted 6 emus wandering through the trees. Only a few bits of lead shot here so we moved across the road.

Set up camp. No breeze so it is warmer.

Nice afternoon with the windows open for a change but as soon as the sun dropped the coolness came in.

 

Tues, 29th Apr, 2025 Bush camp near Sunset Well, east of Leonora, WA

Another chilly morning, 9.4 degrees and clear sky.

Went wandering, got lots of exercise!

Got out the washing machine and I did a full wash - sheets, towels and clothes as the sun is out and there is a good breeze.

A couple pulled in that had driven past before and they stopped to apologise for driving near our camp - very nice of them. They are repegging their friend’s lease (the new pending one) as there was an issue with the pegs or something. Steve recognised them as the couple who run detecting courses and have leases around the place. Lovely couple to chat with.

Steve went off wandering while I finished the washing.

All hung out by lunch time when Steve came back a few kilos lighter - well he hopes after all this walking.

I got the clothes off and folded then did my baking before cuppa time.

Still windy and cool outside but with the sun shining on the closed up camper it got to 26 degrees whereas the forecast was for 22 degrees.

All clean and sorted again. Time to relax with a drink and a game of cards.

 

 

 

Mon, 28th Apr, 2025 Bush camp, Malcolm Dam area, Leonora to Bush camp near Sunset Well, east of Leonora, WA (Jon’s birthday)

Min of 13 degrees, clear sky and windy.

Our baby is 32 today. Sent Jon a happy birthday message as he is still at work. Will try and call him later.

Packed up and headed off to another pending lease near Sunset Well. We found a few bits here previously and there is a new pending lease next to this one. A couple of other detectorists were wandering as we headed up the track so stopped for a chat.  We went back to set up camp near the old well.

I wandered back to the well to take a photo of the historic grave marker here.

Went for a wander and found lots of old tins etc.  

Steve went wandering again while I did my cross-stitch.

Ray and Carol rang - on their way over to us. At Millmerran tonight so we will see them in a week’s time.

Had a lovely chat with Kaylene and Rick too.

Still windy and cool in the shade but it got to 27 degrees in the camper.

Chatted with Jon in Adelaide. He is going out to the pub with one of his work mates to celebrate his birthday.

The sun set at 5.20pm so the coolness is descending on us earlier each afternoon.

 

 

Sun, 27th Apr, 2025 Bush camp near Goose Soak, east of Leonora to Bush camp, Malcolm Dam area, Leonora, WA

11 degrees, min, clear blue sky and no wind.

Packed up and headed back out to the old Laverton Road again and then back to the Minara Road which has been graded too. Onto the bitumen and westward towards Leonora.

Turned off onto the dirt to Malcolm Dam which is very full after the recent rain. The council had cleaned out so it is deeper and cleaner water now. We drove to the picnic area on the dam wall to have a cuppa and enjoy the view - not as many flies here. A few ducks and one swan enjoying the water.

Another photo as we drove back off the wall over the dam.

Continued along the track to another pending area and went for a wander. Ground looks good but just some old boot tacks which are historic when you think of the old timers wandering around here trying to make their living by finding gold.

Had lunch then moved to another lease nearby and set up for the night.

Another cool day, max of 23 degrees but at least it is sunny.

Cards while we had drinks again. Too many flies!

 

 

25-26 Apr, 2025 Bush camp, Mt Redcastle area, east of Leonora to Bush camp near Goose Soak, east of Leonora, WA

Fri, 25th 

11 degree min with clear sky and no wind though the camper is still closed up.

Packed up and headed back out. Saw a wedge-tailed eagle and some cattle for a change. Onto the Old Laverton Road which has now been nicely graded by the mine people. Continued eastward to the next pending area which we have visited previously but maybe we left something behind!

The wind has picked up and more clouds are coming over. Tried one area but no joy.

Had lunch then made our way around to where we found a few bits before, after others had chained it well.

Set up camp then went wandering. The wind has blown the clouds away.

Went wandering. Back to the camper for a cuppa, 22.5 degrees at 3pm. The wind is still cool but the sun is shining so it is nice.

Still windy so no fire tonight.

 

Sat, 26^th 

Bit chilly this morning, min of 9 degrees but all good once the heater went on. Overcast and no wind.

Went wandering.

Grey bleak day - only got to 24 degrees with the camper closed up.

Quiet afternoon playing cards etc.

 

20-24 Apr, 2025 Bush camps, Mt Redcastle area, east of Leonora, WA

Sun, 20^th

10 degrees at 6.30am so turned on the diesel heater so it was nice 21 degrees when we got up at 7.30am for breakfast. Clear sky with the cold wind still blowing.

Katelin and Sarah’s birthdays today. As I have phone reception here I sent them happy birthday messages. Chatted with Wendy via text too.

Steve went off wandering again while I blogged, cross-stitched and read!

After lunch we packed up and went exploring another pending lease nearby. Stopped for a chat with two blokes who are camped with friends on the little live lease near here. Haven’t found much. We headed back along the track and found another track and another vehicle just near the edge of the lease. No one around this car so we turned around and headed back along the track. Found a spot that looked promising and set up camp.

We went wandering.

Intermittent phone signal here. Got some messages through so I sent an early happy birthday text to Susan for the 23^rd in case I don’t have any reception then. She and Ross are on a 3 days cruise out from Brisbane to celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary - very nice.

Lovely clear evening so we decided to do a potato bake in the camp oven and cook our porterhouse steaks over the fire. First time the camp oven has been out in a while so decided to take some photos. Steve makes three fire pits - one for the steak, one for the camp oven and then the big one for warmth and to make more coals.

Delicious dinner and we spotted heaps of satellites and admired all the stars. Much clearer when you don’t have a moon about.

 

Mon, 21^st

Min of 10 degrees this morning so on with the heater at 6.30am. Clear sky and light cold wind which was sneaking in through the not totally zipped up windows!

10 minutes later we heard a vehicle then the horn being honked. Steve got out of bed to check it out and this bloke with a very bent nose asked ‘what are we doing here’. Steve said detecting on a pending lease and the guy went mad saying it was a live lease and it was his. Steve came and got the phone to show him on Trillobite exactly where we were and that it was a pending lease. Obviously he isn’t up on these things. He calmed down considerably when Steve pointed out we were correct then tried to excuse himself by saying he had been having problems with people detecting on his lease on 4wheelers and electric bikes. We said we had followed bike tracks in but they were on the pending lease anycase. Eventually he was nice and chatted about the camper etc then went on his way after leaving Steve his name, Phillip, and phone number, should we see anyone doing the wrong thing. We won’t because we won’t be on his lease! I looked up the owner’s name on the lease and it wasn’t his so he is probably only a caretaker. No wonder he has such a bent nose - bet he got a couple of whacks by accusing people and they weren’t as calming as Steve is.

Back inside for breakfast then we went wandering, on the pending lease of course which we are in the middle of. As Steve says we park in plain site - can’t miss us any case, and we don’t wear headphones so anyone can hear us when we are detecting.

The days are warming up so after lunch I got into cooler clothes and worked on my cross-stitch and wrote some blog up to upload when we get phone signal again.

Up to 26 degrees max by 3pm but it cools off again quickly as the sun drops earlier in the afternoon now. Unfortunately the flies are still around till nightfall so we had our drinks and played cards inside as I am cooking dinner inside so no fire tonight.

 

Tues, 22^nd

12 degrees min this morning, still put the heater on as it makes it much nicer for breakfast time. Clear sky.

The wind outside is still very chilly as we packed up.

We drove back along the track and tried another good looking spot but nothing but rubbish here.

After a cuppa we tried another spot but no luck there either.

After lunch we drove back near our first campsite but went down a track along the base of the hill and continued on a bit further and parked up for a wander.

Warmer day again which is nice with the only a light breeze now. It got to 29.7 degrees.

The sun disappeared by 5.30pm and we had our drinks by the fire with the flies and little mozzies but they disappeared soon after.

Watched the stars appear and spotted 4 satellites then it got too cool as the fire died down so we headed inside for dinner.

 

Wed, 23^rd

Warming up - only got down to 14 degrees this morning. Clear sky and cool breeze.

Went wandering. Saw a goanna but he saw us first and headed down one of the holes in the ground near a tree. There are lots of rabbit poos about but we never see any during the day.

After lunch we packed up and moved further along the lease and set up for the night.

Got to 32.2 degrees this afternoon. A few clouds coming over and the breeze has stopped.

Too many flies for drinks so we played cards inside.

The sky cleared as the sun set and the stars appeared but we stayed inside for dinner.

 

Thurs, 24^th

Woke to the sound of rain pitter pattering on the roof and the sky covered in a big cloud band again. Min of 20 degrees and now the wind has picked up.

Packed up and headed into another pending lease and set up. Back to being cold again so kept the camper closed up.

Steve read and I worked on my cross-stitch till lunch time.

The sky is clearing but the wind is still cold. Steve went wandering, I decided my cross-stitch was more important!

By cuppa time it had climbed to 26.8 degrees with the sky mostly clear but the wind was still cold outside.

Too windy for a fire so we stayed inside. Lucky we are comfortable in our camper and love playing cards etc. There are always birds to listen too as well as the buzzing of the flies!