Wed, 11th June, 2025 Bush camp on Valroc lease, east of Nullagine to Bush camp on pending lease, east of Nullagine, WA

9.7 degrees min so on with the heater.

Clear sky and light breeze when we headed packed up and headed back to the main road. I got phone reception at the top of the hill so sent Ray & Carol a text to say we are moving on to another pending lease heading back to Nullagine.

Back on the main road we continued on a bit then found a track in and around to the pending area. We spotted a couple of big rigs over in the trees so others are detecting around here too. We came to the top of a rise and the track finished down at the creek so we parked up on the rise and got out the detectors for a wander.

I saw Ray & Carol drive past. I went back to the camper in case they came in but they didn’t. I sent them another text to say where we were. I heard a 4 wheeler approaching and waited to meet them. Nice couple from Karratha who pointed out where they had found a few bits and said to join them for drinks later. I said we will probably be heading into Nullagine to find our friends but might be back later.

I went for a wander where the chap suggested but no joy. Steve called up that he had found a bit in the creek and was following it down the hill.

Back to the camper. Ray had sent a text that they were getting water in Nullagine then heading to the pending leases 20km north on the Marble Bar Road.  Packed up and headed into town, I called the other couple up on the UHF to let them know we will call back later.

Into town and Steve filled up the tanks and buckets with water. I uploaded my blog and did the banking things. Rang Rick to discuss his trip across. We will head down to Leonora to meet him - good friends, we are as it will be freezing 5 - 14 degree days!!

After a late lunch we paid $2.97/L for diesel then headed up the Marble Bar Road. We found the turn off at an old well and followed the good track in. Steve could see Ray’s tyre treads so we kept going. Not looking very good ground - looked more like iron ore or copper. We went to the end of the pending and couldn’t find them so went back to the turn off to the mine which was a couple of shafts etc on a hill. Steve could still see their tracks so we continued on but got to the end of the pending lease and saw where they had turned around. Wasn’t good ground so they must have gone back out and continued on to Marble Bar.

We drove back out then stopped for a cuppa near the old well. Headed back to Nullagine and when I got reception I sent a text off to Ray saying we were sorry we missed them. A text came through - they had waited an hour and as it wasn’t good ground they decided to continue on so they could get to Marble Bar and set up for the night.

Into Nullagine. We stopped and rang Terry - he is ok and happy with his new chair and walker but he did have an accident a couple of weeks ago. He dropped the jocky wheel thing on his foot after coming home from a rally. He didn’t break any bones but tore off skin but has been getting his cleaned and dressed by his doctor. The doctor told him off for not calling an ambulance - I said that’s what the alarm watch is for too but in the end he is all good.

Ray rang. He asked a van going past them when they were stopped waiting and they said we were still at the water point hence then continued on. We said our goodbyes and wished them well in Halls Creek and Kurundi where they will have a detect too before heading home to Bribie Island. We will catch up with them at the end of the year when we are back in Qld.

Tried ringing Fran then Dan then Annalise - it is 6pm over there so probably busy with their babies. I got Jon - he was at home with Beau so we chatted and listened to Beau prattling away in the background. Annalise was at the hairdresser. Bubby is doing well too.

Headed back out Skull Springs Road as the sun was getting low in the sky. Annalise text saying she was sorry she missed our call. I text back wishing her a happy birthday for the 20^th in case we don’t have reception - she will be 30. I was pregnant with Jon when I was 30 too. Jon won’t be home so she is going down to celebrate with her brothers in Brisbane for the weekend so Lynda will be looking after Beau.

Dan then rang so we stopped for a chat. Poor Sophia had picked up a virus and now Fran had it but otherwise they are doing well.

We continued on the road then turned off to check out some pending area closer to town to park up for the night. Set up as the sun started to set and the full moon rose. Very pretty.

We had drinks inside though as it got chilly without having a fire to sit around. Played cards then enjoyed a Steve’s special pizza for dinner. Kept the camper closed up as it is quite cool now (16 degrees).