Wed, 24th Sept, 2025 Centennial Park 72hr Rest Area, Kalgoorlie to Lake Douglas Camping Reserve, west of Kalgoorlie, WA

Up early to drop Steve at the train station at 6.45am. 13.6 degree min, clear sky. The birds were up too.

I drove around to the station - all good. Steve noticed the front left tyre pressure was down so he quickly put more air in it so I won’t have to worry. Must be that plug he put in is causing a very slow leak. A job for him to look into when he gets back.

Only 2 carriages for the train back to Perth (the Prospector). Said goodbye and Steve went in and got sorted. A young lady is sitting beside him.

I waited till the train pulled out at 7.10am.

I slowly drove out to Lake Douglas to find Bob & Margaret. I drove around a bit but couldn’t see them. Then I got a call over the 2way - it was Bob - he saw me. I missed them as they were hidden in the shade of the trees. Set up near them - even put a ramp under to level it.

Put on our boots and went for a walk back to a open cut mine then along and back to camp. Had a drink then Bob joined us and we walked to the dam wall. Across it to the other side and then along to the end and across the end and back to the wall. The lone spoon-bill was still here. I had Trilobite on to track where we walked. I noticed there is a Douglas Lake further down with some other small salt lakes. This is a dam, not a natural lake but no info about how it came about.

We chatted till lunch then I worked on my blog and read. Each day is getting warmer which is getting me ready for the heat and humidity back in Cairns. I sorted out a few more things for my suitcase and dug out the new handbag that Margaret had given me and set that up too.

Took my cuppa over to Bob & Margaret’s van and we worked on her crosswords together. Steve rang - the train had been delayed with track maintenance then when he got to the airport everyone was outside - must have been a fire alarm or something. He has plenty of time to get sorted as his flight to Melbourne doesn’t leave till 11.45pm. Hope he gets some sleep on the plane.

Joined Bob & Margaret for drinks though the mozzies decided to have us for dinner so we headed back inside at 6pm.

I googled up Tullarmarine Airport to Kalgoorlie - 2883km. Long drive ahead for Steve and Malcolm towing the Buick.

After dinner and a shower I read my book till bed time - trying to get it finished before I leave.