Tues, 15th July, 2025 Bush camp, Killara Station, north of Meekatharra to Bush camp on pending lease, north of Meekatharra, WA

Cold morning returned, 7.2 degrees, clear sky.

We packed up in the cold wind and headed out. It was a great spot to bring our friends so they could find a big of WA gold. Tick for Geck’s Gold Tours, haha.

As we headed out a flock of pretty parrots flew off the ground. I saw red, yellow and green but they didn’t look like 28s. Six roos were bounding in front of us, 3 continued and 3 sat and watched us pass. Some mum’s with their calves near the water point so we slowly crawled past so we didn’t startle them.

Stopped at a ironstone blow for a wander but only one bit of rubbish for Rick. Continued on and out to the highway then north a while to a track onto a pending lease. Unfortunately it didn’t look very inviting so we headed back out then into an area we have been before.

The cold wind is still blowing - forecast for a max of 17 but I think it feels like 10!! Stopped at a spot where Steve had found one bit last visit and Rick gridded while we went wandering. Lots of other people camped up along the track as there is a lot of pending leases around here. Unfortunately Steve got the only bit so we decided to move on.

We drove across to the Hole in the Rock to show Rick another lovely sculpture by Nature.

We climbed up. Even Molly came for a walk. Nice view when we got around the back of the hill.

Steve found a little cave which had its own window.

Around the back and up to the hole.

Great view over our vehicles.

Selfie time.

Only a narrow bit over the top. One time we were here a group of kids in a bus were climbing all over it - even over the top!

Looking out the other way.

We went back along the track and tried to find a spot Steve found on one of his big walks. Unfortunately I didn’t have it on my Trilobite so we did some meandering through the trees trying to find it which we didn’t. Gave up as the sun was dropping and parked up at the base of a hill where gold had been found and many have wandered over the area but you never know what they might have missed.

Got the fire going and our drinks out. Rick rang Kaylene so we all had a chat with her. The wind has stopped so it was nice for dinner by the fire then we headed inside as the breeze picked up again. It was down to 16 in the camper.

 

Mon, 14th July, 2025 Bush camp, Killara Station, north of Meekatharra, WA

Another ‘warm’ night, min of 17.4 degrees, overcast and no wind.

We have enough phone service here without the Starlink so I ordered a new inverter to be sent to Meekatharra Post Office. We went with ITechWorld this time as Rick recommended them - a bit dearer but Australian made and hopefully it will last longer than 2 years.

The wind picked up as we went wandering then a mist came over us. Steve and I got one bit each before we headed back to the camper to make sure things were ok if more rain came. Rick had already put our chairs by the camper before he headed off to do his gridding. The forecast is for 0-1mm around 11am so probably only the mist we just had.

Had a cuppa then went wandering again. The wind got stronger then I noticed the sky darkening and then the wind nearly blew me over as the misty rain came again but heavier. Got back to the camper, Steve and Rick already there. Sat inside and read our books while the ‘storm’ passed over us. Luckily there wasn’t much rain as this is red soil country so we would be stuck for a while till the ground dried out. Forecast for clear sky tomorrow. We watched Rick head back to his chaining.

Made a nice warm lunch as the wind is still blowing but the clouds are thinning out. Rick came back for the pinpointer as he had a strong signal in the roots of a big tree. We went over to give him a hand but unfortunately after a lot of digging we determined it was the sap in the big roots that were giving off the signal.

I wandered around the ‘hill’ and out onto the flat finding nothing so headed back to camp. Rick came back with a big smile. He had given up on his chaining as he only got one tiny bit and wandered around the hill too and came to where we had chained but went to the outer end and got a nice signal. He looked down and here was a lovely nugget shining up at him. It looks like a turtle. What a great finish.

Steve came back from his walk over the flats way out the other way with 5 little bits - getting lots of exercise. The wind is still blowing and some blue sky is showing now.

Had a cuppa to warm us up. I worked on my blog and Steve walked back to his ‘patch’.

The wind picked up again rocking the camper and the clouds are getting thicker again. Steve came back with 2 more bits - amazing he could hear them in this wind without headphones. 

Too cold and windy for a fire tonight so we brought Rick & Molly into the camper with the heater on for drinks. Cooked pizza using the left over roast and veggies. Very nice. Finished off the sticky date pudding to celebrate Rick’s find.

Rick headed back to his cold truck - I remember that well when we did the Canning Stock Route, so glad we have our heater.

 

9-13 July, 2025 Bush camp, Killara Station, north of Meekatharra, WA

Wed, 9^th

5 degrees min, clear sky. Heater on of course.

Sent Russell a happy birthday message. He replied having fun in Woolongong.

Annalise sent a photo of her nearly 28 week baby bump. All healthy.

The wind is cold when we headed out to detect. I wandered over the big quartz rocks to the end and saw another chap further over. He must be camped around here somewhere. I headed towards the main track and got a signal, then another then another. Great fun.

Back home for a cuppa. Gavin came back happy - he found two bits all by himself. He certainly has the detecting knack. I gave my 6000 to Rick (his 4500 is struggling to hear the little bits) to use as Gavin was using Rick’s. The boys headed off again. I worked on my blog as we have Gavin & Donna’s Starlink to use so I could post some updates. Finished off bubby’s cross-stitch. Just need his name, date & weight then turn it into a cushion for him in October.

A car and van came in - saw our camp then turned off along the track and parked up further along in the trees.

The boys chatted with the chap I saw. He had been up at the other spot just before we went there last time then came back here. There is another couple in a vehicle here too. Nice big area that you don’t see any one really.

Made a nice warm lunch as it is cold outside.

Drinks by the fire even with the cold wind blowing - keeps the smoke out of our eyes!!

The wind dropped off about 6.30pm. Donna had the TV set up on the side of the van so they could all watch the State of Origin decider tonight. All very happy that Qld won.

Steve walked out past the camper and saw the ‘Starlink’ zoomers just above the trees. I went over and we watched them dart about in the last of the sun’s glow at 7.45pm but it was too cold away from the fire so we didn’t linger!

 

 

Thurs, 10^th

9.5 degrees min this morning - still put the heater on! Cloudy and breezy.

Sent Carolyn a happy birthday message.

Donna had made yummy scones for everyone which was lovely.

The cold wind has picked up and the sun is now blocked by the clouds making it feel colder.

The wind has settled by lunchtime so it was nice in the sun. Willy wagtail is following me about, grabbing the bugs that I can’t see, every now and then. He had good eyesight.

Drinks by the fire. Little birds have come in, hopping around the broken branches, picking up the termites that fall off the branches. I looked them up - male & female Hooded Robins. There is another little one that we think is a female wren as she is brown with white chest - the males get all the colour in the bird world.

BBQ steak and fried rice for dinner. Very nice being with others that like sitting around the fire chatting even if it is cold!

 

 

Fri, 11^th

5.2 degrees min, clear sky.

Packed a lunch etc for Steve as he is taking the others up to the other area. I decided to stay in camp and do the washing so they could all fit into Gavin’s car for the drive up. Steve had marked some nice quartz crystals on our last visit so they are going up to get them and wander about with their detectors.

Got the washing done and drying in the light breeze and warm sunshine. It was so nice I was able to just wear my shorts and t-shirt.

After lunch I put on a movie (Love Actually that I have watched a lot of times) while I continued writing up my blog.

Washing all dry and packed away by the time the others returned at 3pm. It had reached 28 degrees in the camper so a very nice day.

Rick and Steve got a few little bits and they got the quartz rocks. Steve kept a couple for us too.

Steve and Rick went back out wandering after a cuppa. I sat with Gavin and Donna with my Camps Aust book pointing out things to see as they head northward on Sunday. Rick will stay with us then head back to Kalgoorlie then across the Nullabor and up the centre to head back to Cairns in a week’s time.

Rick’s not liking the flies who have come out in force with the bit of warmth during the day. He nearly whacked himself in the head with his pick trying to shoo the flies. He will dig out his fly net.

Rick had bought over some Coral Trout so we organised a fish and chip night. Donna had bought some Chicken Kiev balls too. The little female wren is back getting another feast of termites from our wood pile.

Full moon tonight and it was a beautiful sight as it rose - big and golden on the horizon then shining brightly as it rose. Actually it stays still and the earth turns if you want to be correct.

Nice by the fire but cooling off when you walk away from it. We saw 10 Starlink ‘zoomers’ at 8pm just above the trees - a few were quite high too.

 

Sat, 12^th

6.2 degree min, clear sky and no breeze.

We all went wandering again.

The wind has picked up but it was still a warmer day, 31 degrees in the camper at lunch time. I put our pork roast in the Ecopot - joint roast night for Donna & Gavin’s last night here.

Rang Terry - his foot is healed but still swollen. He is still seeing the doctor etc so it is ok.

Steve went out again while I prepared the sticky date pudding for dessert tonight.

Drinks by the fire. Donna had her roast in the Webber and we wrapped the veggies in alfoil and Steve cooked them in the coals. Got out my pork roast and we all had a great feast. Then some pudding and custard to finish. Delicious. Chatted till 9.30pm as it was very nice by the fire. Spotted some satellites zoom over then some clouds started to cover the stars.

 

Sun, 13^th

Warmer night, 14.2 degrees min, cloudy and no wind.

Donna and Gavin packed up. Said our goodbyes and wished them a safe trip. Will catch up with them again in Cairns as they will be in Mareeba for a Country Music Festival in October when I will be home. Lovely couple - it has been fun having them here with us.

Had a cuppa then we went wandering. Another warmer day as the breeze only blows now and then and the clouds have gone so the sun is shining.

Got to 31 in the camper at lunch time so I opened the windows for the first time in ages!

Wandered again. As I came back to the camper I saw a puff of smoke from the other side of the camper and as I came around the back I could smell electrical burning smell. The smoke was coming out of the 3000w inverter so I quickly turned it off. Luckily I came back as it could have gone up in flames and we might have lost our home. I called up Steve and he came straight back to have a look. Will have to order a new one - just happy we caught it in time. It was exactly 2 years from when we bought it but only has a 1 year warranty. We have a small one in the truck which will get us by till the new one comes and we have some 12 volt chargers for the detector’s batteries so it’s all good.

We had a heap of roast veggies left over so we cooked sausages with Rick and reheated the veggies for an easy tea then chatted by the fire for a while as it was so pleasant outside.

A warm 21 degrees in the camper when we headed inside at 8pm when the fire had died down and the coolness was creeping in.

 

Tues, 8th July, 2025 Bush camp, Killara Station, north of Meekatharra, WA (Dad & Ella's birthdays)

Thinking of Dad today on the day of his birth. It is also our niece Ella’s birthday so sent her a message as she is still over in the UK.

11 degrees min, clear sky and cold wind still.

We went wandering as clouds came over again. I got a tiny bit then Rick got one so he is on the board at last. Steve hasn’t found any gold since we met up with Rick so now he has one hopefully Steve will start finding some again. I got another target so got Donna to dig it out so she could have a bit too - it was very tiny but it was gold.

Back to the camper for a cuppa - 2 more bits for me and at last Steve has one.

After lunch the sky cleared again but the wind is still cold.

Got the fire going for drinks then prepared our fish and chip dinner. I did the chicken kiev balls in the oven and fried the fish in salt and pepper coating that I found at the IGA - haven’t been able to get it for ages. Donna did the chips in the air fryer then we all tucked into a yummy dinner. Nice by the fire but cold when you walk away from it. I mixed tin peaches in syrup with a packet of vanilla cake mix and put it in the camp over for dessert. Donna had custard so we had a delicious dessert too in our million star restaurant. Rick rang Kaylene to tell her how we are doing and how we are roughing it - haha.

Down to 12 degrees in the closed up camper by 8pm so on with the heater when we headed inside for a shower and movie.

 

 

Mon, 7th July, 2025 Peter Denny Lookout Reserve, east of Sandstone to Bush camp, Killara Station, north of Meekatharra, WA

Warmer morning, 11.3 degrees but we still put the heater on. Rick was up early and took photos and video of the sun rising over the escarpment and a band of clouds - very nice.

Clouds building and the cold wind is blowing as we pack up. Continued on the bitumen towards Sandstone. Turned off first on the scenic dirt drive to visit the Brewery - hole in an escarpment where they stored the beer - the building was up the top of the rise. There is a hole from the top down to the cellar.

Walked up to the top. Only a grill over the hole and some concrete foundations are left.

Nice view from here.

Continued on to London Bridge (350 million years old apparently). We have been here a few times over the years - beautiful spot.

Not very wide at the top.

Donna and I walked through and took a photo from the other side.

Continued on to the State Battery.

Onto another gravel road and into Sandstone - nice mural.

Parked in the main street - the wind is nearly blowing us over. Had a cuppa then checked out the Information Centre. I bought a fridge magnet which shows London Bridge. Lots of craft work and information here. There is a little museum too which we checked out years ago.

Walked across to the Post Office which is now a cafe. Met the Mayoress and she was happy to hear we thought the town was neat and tidy.

Onto the gravel road north to Meekatharra with the strong wind blowing and clouds building.

Passed Barrambie Station homestead where we spent a month with Joy, Lance & Kayla. Stopped at the State Barrier Fence for the others to read the info then continued on to an old mine area where Steve had found an old fob watch when we were here. Lots of old relics, broken bottles etc for the others to check out while we had lunch.

Sky getting darker in the south so we continued on to Meeka. Topped up with diesel and water. Got some chips etc to have with the fish Rick brought over - very dear in the IGA.

Onto the bitumen and northward to Killara Station then onto the dirt track past two bores and around to where we camped with Ray & Carol. Set up by the trees and got a fire going for drinks as the wind settled a bit.

Chatted away then we felt a mist blow over us and then a bit more so we headed into our ‘homes’ for dinner. 18 degrees in the camper at 7pm so we didn’t need the heater on tonight.