Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Mon, 9th May, 2016 Meekatharra Van Park to Bush camp, 14km SE of Meekatharra, WA


Bit chilly this morning, 7am 11 degrees. I braved the cold to stand outside to see if they are still letting off the Met Bureau Balloon – didn’t see one.

Steve chatted with family next door. They are heading to the Kimberleys and their son wanted to stop here as Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson sang about Meeka in his song ‘Living Next Door to Bondy’. Alan Bond had bought a lot of gold mines here too.

Said bye to Tony, another prospector, who has lots of stories and knows a lot about geology. Gave him our old magazines as he is waiting for a new part for his car. If he has found all the gold he says he should spend some on a better car and van!! He said the chap on the lease near where we are heading is on a ‘gold mine’, the Young Australia Mine. He says he has big honey buckets full of gold (4kg each) and when he wants to buy something he just takes one bucket in and cashes it in. If that story is right it’s amazing he hasn’t been robbed!!

We drove to the Mines Office as Steve wanted to ask a few more questions. I went to the Shire Office to check out the Museum. Some interesting photos and bits and pieces. Lots of newspaper articles too. Found out they don’t send up the weather balloons anymore.



Headed through town and turned onto the dirt Sandstone Road. Found the track near an old well marking on a map and headed towards some small hills. Jeff rang to say they had come down from the other road and it was quite washed out. We said we would meet them along the track somewhere. Passed the well and some old yards then found a lot of diggings etc around the site of the old mine. Spotted a cleared area even with a fireplace but kept on checking out the area. Turned around then Steve spotted a ‘nest’ which Tony said was a spider – bit scary by the size of it. Will have to google it.


Returned to the camp spot and was just texting Jeff to say where we were and he walked over the hill. They had just pulled in on the other side. We went around to join them. Found a nice spot on the rise though it is a bit windy and cool. Nice in the sun though. Good phone reception here too.

Set up and had some lunch. Then Steve and Jeff headed off detecting. I got an email from Caravan and Motorhome On Tour magazine saying my article will be in Issue 234 which will be on the shelves on the 30th June. Will have to put it on Facebook and get Mum to buy a copy.

The wind was quite gusty and one bit blast sent Lyn’s awning flying. It flipped over and the leg went in through the canvas door of their camper trailer. Luckily she didn’t get hurt. We managed to get it out then roll up the awning.

Jeff came back with two bits, one encased in ironstone. Steve came back with one bit, 0.3g.


Got the fire going and chatted around it as the sun went down. We could spot another fireplace in the distance so there must be another camper further north.


Just a slither of a moon tonight.

Can just make out the other sitting around the fire.

Going to be another cold night but at least the wind has dropped off now. Saw a few satellites and Steve saw a falling star.




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