20
months on the road and still loving it.
During
the night a sprinkle of rain woke me then strong gusts of wind shook the van. I
could still see the stars outside.
Warmer
morning 21 degrees in the van though the breeze is stronger and colder outside.
Blue sky overhead though there is a big band of cloud on the horizon. A wilder
ocean now with a few more whitecaps. We have been lucky with the weather.
Headed
west again on the highway then turned north onto another dirt road to drive
16km up to the Old Eyre Highway again. There is another cave to check out. Lots
of open grassy areas but we haven’t see one kangaroo, or camel, or wombat!! And
still no road-kill on the highway.
Huge
wombat holes everywhere though.
On
the Hema map it showed Koomoolbooka Caves off to the west. No road off this
one. Onto the old highway and we saw another caravan heading towards the area
of the caves. We found a road and turned off to follow them. Met them at the
end and they didn’t know where the caves were. Back-tracked and turned east off
onto another track. We drove to where the caves were marked on the map but only
came up with more wombat holes. They turned west and called on the UHF to say
they found them. Goes to show you can’t even rely on the Hema Maps for
direction. Different caves again as it was a huge rocky surface with lots of
holes leading down to the caves below.
Wandered
around with the other couple from Victoria checking out the holes.
I
made a cuppa and we chatted for a bit about WA then they headed off along the
Old Highway. We drove back to the Old Highway and turned north again to check
out an old well. Before that we found this old grave. I wonder how Herman died
in 1889. It was erected by his mate.
Stopped
at an old well. Leant over the fence to try and get a photo down. Steve tossed
down a rock which we heard hit a rocky bottom so no water left in that well.
A
bit further on was the Albala-Karoo Bore. They used a lower spot in the land so
the rainwater could flow through the grates into the inground tank, covered by
the roof. It was still full of water.
Next
to it was the overflow tank. Its roof has collapsed.
Then
the water was pumped to the reservoir then into the water troughs for the
stock.
Nearby
was a pool of water that the little swallows were having fun in.
Back
to the Old Highway and then back down the joining road heading back to the main
highway. Spotted another cave on the map – Bildoolja Cave and a track. Headed
off but after the first one being incorrect on the map we weren’t sure about
this one. Drove along for a while running north nearly parallel with the road
but the caves were off to the west. Gave up after a while and headed back to
the main highway again.
Turned
off into one of the old camp areas on the cliff edge for lunch. Great view of
course though the wind is blowing hard and is quite chilly.
Went
for a walk to the east checking out the cliffs.
The
next bit to break off.
Spotted
a platform not safe to stand on.
Stopped
to check out another sinkhole nearby before heading back to the highway.
Travelling close to the coast here.
Then
the cliffs disappear (26km from WA border) and the land slopes down to the ocean.
Lots
of room to camp here too and we should be able to drive down near the water so
we can put our feet in the Southern Ocean.
Zoomed
in on the cliffs in the distance to the west.
Looks
close but it is still a long way down to the water.
Stopped
at the new National Parks Lookout No. 3 (was the old 17km peg rest area) with
its fences etc. Great view. Chatted with a couple about a camp further along
that people have posted on Wikicamps saying you can get down to the water.
There are tracks all around here too.
Tony
and Yvonne (met at Scott Beach) walked up. They had just stayed at the
Homestead but sadly didn’t find the blowhole. They saw our card on the wall and
added their message to it. They still had a bag of potatoes to get rid of so we
took a few for dinner and I will make a potato salad too.
Found
out why we aren’t seeing any kangaroos – they are scarce due to lack of ground
water. Red kangaroos can be seen on the treeless plain only after drenching
rains, when water collects in rock holes. I wonder where they hang out in the
meantime. The other photo is of divers who swim in the wet cave systems under
the Nullarbor Plain.
Looks
like sand dunes in the distance.
Continued
along the highway to Camps 8 Scenic Lookout camp spot (13k Peg) mentioned on
Wikicamps. Big flat area on top of cliffs but set back from the ocean. Steeper
that the last area so not as easy as they make out on Wikicamps to get down to
the water. We drove down the track a bit and found a spot, trying to angle the
van to block the wind so we can cook in the bushcooker tonight.
Looks
flat but it is still a steep drop off down to the flatter beach below.
The
view from east to west.
Walked
back to the lookout area, looking east. Then west - shows the cliff edge we are
camped above.
Cloud
band blocked sunset but the afterglow was lovely.
Steve
made a good windbreak out of some boards left by previous fireplace users. Got
the bushcooker heated up. It was nice by the fire even though it was windy.
Andrea
rang. She and Alan had Wendy, David, Kaylene and Rick over for dinner for
crumbed craytails. Lovely to hear from them all and it was nice of them to
celebrate our 20th month on the road, ha ha. Maybe they are missing
us!!
We
had yummy pork chops, baked potato and pumpkin and stirfry vegies with onion
and mushrooms in butter as well. Now that’s what we call a feast!!
Clear
sky with the moon getting fuller.
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