Sun, 10th July, 2016 Bush camp, Yakabindie Station, N of Leinster to Bush camp near Pioneer Cemetery, Wiluna, WA

At sunrise, which I could see out my window, the sky was still clear.

By 7.30am the clouds were coming over again and it was 9.3 degrees in the van – not going out to see what it is outside.

Tried ringing Carolyn but she was obviously out enjoying her birthday, so sent her a happy birthday text.

Jeff came over and we had a discussion about where to go next over a cup of coffee in our warm van. Decided to move on from here as not comfortable being near a working mine site – especially when they did a blast!! I searched Tengraph for scrapings etc along the road from Wiluna to Meekatharra for a place to stop and detect. Found an old open cut mine to explore and then some scrapings that a company has just taken an exploration lease over and is pending approval so we can go there and check it out. Getting better at using Tengraph and Google Earth now. Checked the weather and it looks like we should have some nice weather coming.

Packed up and headed back to the highway and up to Wiluna. Stopped at the Info Rest Area to read the signs about the last nomadic aborigines and the Canning Stock Route.

Jeff gave Yatungka a cuddle.

We were surprised that there were 3 uranium mines around here.

Will have to do the town walk and sightseeing places when we are back here to do the Canning and Gunbarrel Highways.

The descendants of Alfred Canning put up this plaque.

The Canning Stock Route.

Headed down the road to Meekatharra to be greeted by a Road Closed sign and workman on the road. Turned around and headed back into Wiluna to ask at the Police Station. Spotted the police car at the intersection where we stopped and ran over to ask about the roads. They aren’t informed, we have to wait till tomorrow for the Council to advise about road conditions. I asked where to free camp and they said anywhere in the bush 10 km out of town.

We drove down the street past a park and found more information about the Canning and Gunbarrel Highways.

Len Beadell and his group creating the Gunbarrel Highway.

More on Alfred Canning.

In the hut was more info on the Canning, Wiluna and the local people.

On the edge of the gutter was a plaque playing tribute to the three men who found gold near Wiluna.

Headed back out of town – spotted a Wedgie looking for some dinner.

Drove back along the bitumen to the Pioneer Cemetery and followed the dirt track into the bush to a cleared area good enough to camp for the night. There is a big fence nearby that we checked out and found it is around the water treatment reservoir.

Walked over to the cemetery. The gate was locked so we walked around the outside.

Steve found this old tin, not as old as the other ones we have.

No TV reception unfortunately even though we are close to Wiluna – not even the ABC!! Lou texted to see if we got to watch the V8s!! Rang him back to say no and to hear all about it. We then watched the highlights etc online. Will definitely have to make sure we have good TV reception in October for Bathurst.