Wed, 2nd July, 2025 Malcolm Dam Reserve, east of Leonora to Bush camp on pending lease, east of Leonora, WA

8.7 degrees min as I got up and noticed the lovely sunrise colours over the water. I put the heater on then I went outside. It wasn’t too bad as there was no wind. Got the camera and watched the ducks and swans on the water as the colours changed and then the sun peeked up on the horizon.

The info board about the dam.

Back inside where it was nice and warm. The chill had just started to get to me outside.

Kaylene is having a nice holiday with her friend Janet - travelling down the coast to Bowen then into the Whitsundays. Glad she is having fun - lots of lovely photos too.

After breakfast we left and continued east to check out a couple of pending leases to take Rick and Co to. They are nearing Laverton so we will meet them on the road somewhere.

Mr and Mrs Bustard were out for a walk today.

Along the main road a bit to the Minara Road turn off and along to another lease which will be ok for Gavin’s van. Back out to the turn off to wait for them to arrive. We had lunch and were just packing up when we saw Rick go by. We called them up and they turned around and came in. Great to see Rick again. Met Rick’s sister, Donna and her husband, Gavin then showed them the way onto the pending lease. Chose our camp spot and set up.

Rick took his detector for a walk - in thongs and shorts but unfortunately only found rubbish.

Warmer afternoon in the sun as there is no wind. Camper got to 27 degrees with windows open.

Chatted the afternoon away then Steve built his fireplace and we chatted more over drinks by the fire. I brought out the laptop and played Len Beadell’s interview about building the road across the inland SA/WA deserts. They were all very interested and will try and get his books to read.

Cooked dinner on the fire and spotted a few stars appearing as the clouds thinned out.

Late night outside for a change, 10pm. It was down to 15 in the camper so it was chillier outside! Hot shower and into bed.

 

Tues, 1st July, 2025 Peter Denny Lookout, east of Sandstone to Malcolm Dam Reserve, east of Leonora, WA

9.2 degree, min, so on with the heater so it was a nice 20 degrees by breakfast time. A few thin clouds on the blue sky.

Packed up and continued east to Leinster. Stopped for a cuppa at the parking bay before the turn off onto the Goldfields Highway. We didn’t drive into Leinster but continued south towards Leonora.

An emu ventured out to the side of the bitumen but was wise and turned back into the bush when we came along.

Decided to check out 10 Mile Camp where we lived for 4 months doing the bore runs for Rob of Tarmoola Station early 2019 - great experience. He has sold it now. Sadly it hasn’t been maintained so the little cottage is looking forlorn and the water tank has fallen off the big frame. The old truck is still there - our garden ornament. We dragged it out from the dump further over with the help of Bob and Margaret. There is a new bore and water point so they are still using it for cattle.

Mr & Mrs Emu darted across the track then slowed to a wander so I could get a photo of them.

Back out to the highway again. The clouds are building in the south.

Into Leonora and down to the park on the other side of town for lunch. Topped up the water. I uploaded my blog and did the bank stuff on my laptop. I rang Uncle John - he is doing well and still enjoying life. Sent Chris a text and arranged to visit him for a drink after work this afternoon. Got a text from Rick, they had a brake line issue on Gavin’s car but have fixed it with some bush mechanicing and parts off an abandoned vehicle. We should see them tomorrow.

Chatted with some other travellers calling in for water too. The clouds have covered the sky now so it is getting cooler. Had a cuppa then around to the 24hr card depot to top up the diesel then around to Chris’ place to wait for him to come home.

Lovely to catch up with him again and Mickey rang too so had another chat with her. Great couple - we have made some wonderful friends as we travel.

Out to Malcolm Dam and onto the dam wall with some other travellers to park up for the night. No photo as it is too dark now. We can hear the ducks on the water then we put the diesel heater on!!

 

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.