Mon, 30th June, 2025 Peace Gorge picnic ground, Meekatharra to Peter Denny Lookout rest area, east of Sandstone, WA

11 degrees, mostly clear sky and a breeze.

I did my computer stuff then booked a train ticket for Steve from Kalgoorlie to Perth in September so he can fly to Melbourne and meet Malcolm with the Buick. I have to wait 2 days to book mine as you can only do it 3 months out.

After a cuppa we packed up and headed into town. Swapped our books at the Library - they have a section to exchange books and there is a good selection so that will keep us going for a while.

Walked along the street and noticed a new Plaza. Inside is an art gallery, things for sale, information and book swap - got another good book. Met Sam who is one of the artists and working there. Very interesting chap. He was born in Babinda but grew up around Mt Isa. He told us of his family - mixture of aboriginal and European and the different places he lived and worked but art is is passion and he has some very nice traditional pieces on the wall.

Met Tom and Sandy at the Commercial Hotel for lunch. Their friend Pete joined us too and we all had yummy burgers with very nice hot crispy chips - Steve has been hanging out for the chips! Had a lovely time chatting then we said our goodbyes and headed south.

Down the gravel road to Sandstone - graded and smooth though you can see areas affected on the edges by the recent 2 inches of rain. Still a few pools of water off the side too.

Into Sandstone - not much has changed, lovely place but hardly anyone left now.

Onto the bitumen and turned east towards Leinster. Pulled into the rest area at the escarpment lookout just as the sun was setting.

A few other travellers are parked up too.

 

Sun, 29th June, 2025 Peace Gorge picnic ground, Meekatharra, WA

10.7 degrees, windy and a few clouds.

Rick posted photos on Facebook, ice on his windscreen, 2 degrees in Alice Springs.

Rochelle’s birthday so sent her a message. She replied, heading to Brisbane to see their grandson for his first birthday. She sent a photo of him too - adorable.

After morning tea I washed the sheets as clouds moved across the sky. The wind is still blowing hard and the dry air is drying my washing. Just need the sun to warm them so they feel dry when I take them off.

After lunch the sun shone and I got the washing in and beds remade. Steve then coloured my hair, he says the back of my head isn’t grey yet so we will keep colouring!! I then gave him a hair cut so the camper is clean and we are respectable again, haha.

I rang Mickey to see if she is in Leonora. No, now working a new job in Northampton but Chris is still in Leo so we will catch up with him for a drink. Had a lovely chat with her and heard about her new job at the aged care.

Lovely video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia. She has grown so much and is now standing by herself and walking behind her push toy so won’t be long and she will be tottering around everywhere. So looking forward to playing with her and reading books to her in October.

Cards and drinks inside as it is still windy and without the sun the temperature drops off quickly.

 

Sat, 28th June, 2025 Bush camp on Killara Station, north of Meekatharra to Peace Gorge picnic ground, Meekatharra, WA

7.7 degree min, clear sky and no wind - as yet.

8.30am the wind is back.

Packed up and headed out to the track we came down on but continued south on it to get down to Quartz Well as Rob had said he came in that way. We found a track off to the east towards some hills so followed that and found a quartz blow hill and went for a wander. Only found one little bit of metal. Hard walking on the big quartz and ironstone rocks too.

Back to the well and continued west to the water point and back on the track out to the highway. Turned southward and headed to Meekatharra.

Around to the park where the water point is. I made lunch while Steve topped up the water tanks so I can do the washing.

Out to Peace Gorge where a lot of other travellers have set up for the night too. Big area in between all the big granite rocks. Found a spot with two trees to tie the clothes line too and got the washing done. Will do the sheets tomorrow. The wind is still cool and drying but the sun is warm which makes it good to know the washing is dry.

Steve got under the truck to try and sort out where a small oil leak is coming from but he can’t reach the bolts without taking the whole gearbox out!! He thinks the stuff he put on the bolts when he put the gearbox back in after the repair in Perth didn’t dry well and is letting a drop of oil come out. Not urgent but he will continue to keep and eye on it.

More travellers came in - safer out here then in town. Uploaded my blog.

Drinks and cards inside again then a delicious chicken in the oven which helped warmed the camper up. Put the heater on at 8pm though as the coolness is creeping in while we watch a movie.