Sat, 27th Apr, 2019 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora to Bush camp near Wild Cat Mine, 60km north-east of Leonora, WA

7am 13 degrees, blue sky and light breeze.

Rang Mum and Dad for a quick chat in case we don’t have phone reception. Sent Daniel and Fran texts as they arrived home from their trip yesterday. Fran texted back that they had fun till the last 3 days when Daniel came down with a cold and he is still sick. At least he has Fran to care for him now.

As we got ready to head off a hawk flew down to beside Ray and Carol’s van. He just stood there and waited and still didn’t move when they got in the car and drove off. We then followed and he was still waiting. Maybe someone had previously camped here and fed him. Got a couple of nice photos of him as we passed.

Topped up the water again as I had a wonderful time using it all while I did the washing – usually I have to conserve so it was good to be able to refill the tub each time and give everything a good wash.

Headed up the Nambi Road. Rick rang as we drove along. He said friends were up the Palmer and found 3 ½ ounces of gold using their 2300 – well fancy that. Ran out of phone service while we were chatting so managed to wish him all the best for his nerve block injection soon for his back. Hope that helps with the pain.

Turned into Wild Cat Mine area and followed Ray and Carol to where they had camped when they were here a few years back. It was past where we had recently camped – on the other side of the mining area.

Set up camp – no phone reception at the moment. Might come during the night.

I baked some cookies and slice – need our yummies while we are detecting. Steve helped Ray sort out his caravan brakes.

Lunch, 25 degrees. I have opened the kitchen windows but have left the bedroom ones closed as we are still having 12-15 degree nights.

Gusty wind and it is warm in the sun so I put my shorts back on. We all headed off detecting from the vans and I walked 10 metres from the van and pinged a little piece. Sadly, again, it was the only one and no one else got any gold either. This is starting to wear thin!!

Steve and Ray collected wood and got the fire going so we sat around it with our drinks. A little bat is flying over the top of us and we heard a dingo howl in the distance.

The phone got reception for a moment then went again. At least it is enough if a text comes through.

Steve heated the shower water on the fire again so we can save on gas. Had a nice hot shower before dinner then settled in to watch our movies. Ray has a hard drive of movies too so will have to see what he has and give them some of ours.