7th to 19th Sept, 2022 Bush camping, east of Nullagine, WA

9^th Sept, 2022          

Back out in the bush again. A beautiful sunrise greeted me this morning at 6am.

Worked out the Morse Code message I copied from Millstream Homestead.

10^th Sept, 2022

Birthday wishes via telepathic airways to Lou and Ian today as we have no phone reception.

Geoff and Virginia drove out to meet us. I baked yummy pikelets and pumpkin scones for morning tea which we all enjoyed with my Rosella jam. They brought us out water in containers which is very handy.

Sadly they informed us that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away yesterday, aged 96. Things will seem very strange in England etc for a while as they adjust to Charles now becoming King.

 

 

12^th Sept, 2022

Checked out a nice campsite near Mosquito Creek, called Hill Top Camp 2017. They have done a nice job. Sadly they lost a dog, Biscuit, in 2018 and its grave is nearby. Might come back and camp here.

 

14^th Sept, 2022

Erica & Terry’s 55^th wedding anniversary today as well as Kaylene and Alexander’s birthdays.

Moved camp, exploring some different areas. Up hill and down dale and at one stage crawling along the top of ridges which I can’t tell you about as I had my eyes closed, but I have all the faith in the world in Steve and he says ‘Smokey’ can handle it all with ease - just a bit top heavy with the camper on, that’s all!!

Reached a junction where an old airstrip was marked on the map but we only saw two 44 gallon drums. Saw a van in the distance and a well worn track. Steve said that in the detecting book it mentioned a mine but now the area is just all live exploration leases.

Came to the old camp and checked out all the equipment. Everything was neatly laid out and it looks like some of the gear is being readied to be taken out of here. Steve said it looked like the machinery was for processing the ‘fine gold’ and it went down into the big ‘dish’ which is on rollers.

Made it back the main road then headed back to Mosquito Creek. Drove back up to the Hill Top Camp and dropped off the camper so we can drive into town tomorrow and fill up the buckets and bladder. Placed the camper so the pavers were at our door, perfect.

As we have phone reception here we gave Erica and Terry a call for their anniversary. Erica was thrilled we remembered - obviously she hadn’t see our text! She said John’s funeral/memorial was huge, over 500 people which was expected with all that he was involved in with the museum etc.

Rang Kaylene to wish her a happy day too - our last year of the 50s! She said that Ian’s father had passed away so will send him a text. Shane and Doreen are in town and meeting them for dinner tonight which is great.

Sent off a text to Ian to wish him a happy birthday for the 10^th and our sympathy about his father’s passing. Sent Louis a belated birthday text too as he is also the 10^th, like his cousin, Ian. They both replied.

The wind has settled so it feels hotter in the camper. As the setting sun hits the back we put up the two shadecloth awnings. Got some more firewood then headed back to the camper for drinks by the fire. As the sun is setting later now we had to sit on the other side which our backs to the sun.

The breeze has sprung up and is quite cool again as the sun set. Needed to move around to the open part of the fireplace to get some warmth. A few mosquitoes started buzzing around - well we are near Mosquito Creek!

 

 

Thurs, 16^th Sept, 2022

Our tranquillity has been broken with someone lighting fires again. Luckily they are on the other side of Mosquito Creek so we are safe here. The spinifex burns black as it has an oil in it. They are along the road edge so maybe it is the pastoralist not a prospector as it seems to be in strange places if it was a prospector. We are camped in plain site so if it was the pastoralist you would think they could leave a note!

 

Mon, 19^th Sept, 2022

Windy day and getting hotter. After lunch we noticed smoke again and Steve went for a drive to check as it looked like it was on our side of the track. It was so we packed up and loaded the camper back on - nerve-racking as the wind was blowing in gusts against the camper while it was up on its 4 legs waiting for Steve to back underneath. We got it loaded on ok and headed out of the area. We continued eastward to the Davis River and down to Running Waters which is a spring-fed waterhole that never dries up and the water stays about 25 degrees. We arrived late in the afternoon and after a very wobbly trip down the track to the river we parked up for the night.

 

Sun, 4th Sept, 2022 Roy Hill Rest Area, south of Nullagine to Van Park, Nullagine, WA (Father’s Day)

One year since we scattered Dad’s ashes at his family home in Millaa Millaa. I think them both often.

Rang Terry for Father’s Day.

Cool and grey again, 15 degrees. Continued along the bitumen.

Water is running in the Fortescue River - well here any way from the rain.

Through the Roy Hill Iron Ore mine site with the pink facility - I can’t get over the pink!

Then I spotted some train carriages in the distance and they were pink too. We had to stop at the rail crossing and watched them pass - really Gina!

The sky is clearing ahead. Onto the dirt road which is very muddy in places but we are just taking it easy and of course Steve is very careful not to cut up the road etc. Bit of water in the first crossing of Nullagine River.

As we approached Bonney Downs Station homestead the road became very muddy. A vehicle coming towards us stopped to say it was very sloppy ahead and there was a concrete truck stuck in the middle of the road. We might have to stop and camp for a bit!

We got through ok and passed the station homestead then saw a vehicle beside the creek with the chap underneath the car working on it. Steve pulled in to see if he needed help. Another Steve, and Margo from Ballarat too had detoured via Marble Bar and down because there was a fatality on the main highway and they were trying to get down to Kalgoorlie where they had accommodation booked. Unfortunately as they started down the dirt the rain started and his car wouldn’t engage (electronic) 4WD so they skidded their way along to here and decided to try and see if he could fix the problem. Unfortunately he can’t but as Steve said the road wasn’t too bad they decided to continue on in 2WD. We had a cuppa and chatted as the sun came out which warmed us up.

Passed the concrete driver, who called us up on the UHF when Steve stopped to see if he needed anything. He had just come off a concrete causeway and onto the dirt on an incline when it just wouldn’t go forward. He has 100 ton and he couldn’t even get it to go backwards either which he said he did in a few other spots. He had plenty of food and drink and will just sit and wait for the road to dry out then continue on. No more rain is forecast for the next week so hopefully he won’t be stuck there for too long.

We had no problems the rest of the way and pulled into the Nullagine Van Park and booked in with the caretaker for two nights, only $15 per night, unpowered.

Set up against the fence with ‘water’ views. They said the water flowed across the park from the rain into this drain.

Chatted the afternoon away with Geoff & Virginia.

Julie and Ray are here too so had a quick chat with Julie while I got the washing on (free for a change). The sun is out and it is nice and warm again.

Steve got a Father’s Day message from Daniel and then Jon rang once he had finished work at the mine.

There are lots of birds around and we saw an Indian Ring-neck Parrot land by the pool for a drink.

The sky has cleared and it is quite cool as we have our drinks outside then inside for dinner.

 

3rd Sept, 2022 Newman to Roy Hill Rest Area, south of Nullagine, WA

1am the storm was on top of us with lot rumbles of thunder and great lightning flashes and the rain continued through the night and into the morning.

Dark and wet when we got up, 15 degrees and I don’t think it will warm up much from that.

Drove around to Woolies and got the meat and vegies we needed and packed it all away. Made lots of phone calls, enjoying sitting and chatting with everyone as it was too wet to do much else. Sounds like everywhere else is having rain too. Uncle John is doing well which is great. Erica said her cousin, John, passed away yesterday. There will be a lot of people at his funeral as he had given so much to his military museum and had lots of good friends. Got my blog and Facebook up-to-date.

The rain stopped by 4pm so we headed off as we had 100km of bitumen. The road condition sign said the road was open to Nullagine and Marble Bar. Lots of water on the road edge and a few spots it was just across the road but no problems.

Lots of green budgies zooming around beside the road and unfortunately they didn’t dart fast enough as we think we got a few.

Steve spotted a bus behind us as we were nearing Roy Hill and called him through. Then we realised it was a tour bus and the chap commented on our camper so we continued to chat with him - no passengers. Steve said did he know that it was dirt ahead and he said no but oh well. He had to get to Darwin by Tuesday to pick up passengers for a 23 day tour back through Kakadu and across to Broome and down to Perth. He was from Ballarat and was looking forward to some time off after doing a few runs up and down the WA coast. We hope he gets through ok.

Turned off into the rest area but stayed closer to the road on some blue metal so we didn’t sink in the mud.

Because the mine is nearby we just got some phone signal and Rebecca rang returning my call so we had a lovely long chat.

Fri, 2nd Sept - Nullagine to Newman, WA

19 degrees, grey and overcast. The wind blew all night and is still blowing.

Packed up and drove back into Nullagine. A few drops of rain fell on the windscreen from the darking sky.

We spotted Ray parked up in the Common and drove in to say hi. He is camped here and the others are in the van park as there is up to 20mm of rain predicted for tomorrow. Lucky we decided to head in for food.

Gave Julie and Ray a toot as we drove by as they were detecting a bit off the road.

Geoff & Virginia were still at the van park so we drove around and joined them for a cuppa and chat. Checked on the weather forecast and the rain is for Newman too, we might get stuck there depending on how it affects the dirt road between Roy Hill and here. When we return we will have a couple of days here with Geoff and Virginia as the ground will be too wet to detect and it will be nice to spend some time catching up.

As we had chatted too long we decided to have lunch in the park before heading off to Newman. Ray and Julie were heading to the pub so called in to say hi before we left.

197km down to Newman, half dirt and half bitumen. The sky cleared up a bit as we headed south.

Stopped at the Info Centre to find out the best places for a battery and gas bottle (as we only have the little ones).

Around to the tyre place we got our tyres from in 2016 and got a new battery for under the bonnet. Then down to the servo for fuel, $2.339 - a lot cheaper than in Nullagine. Found the hardware store and got the last little gas bottle. There is a festival on for the weekend which has blocked off the town square near the shopping centre but we managed to find a park and got all the non-perishables purchased. Picked up some wine and rum too and ordered a pizza and some chips from the pub nearby for dinner as it was after 6pm. Nice mural on the accommodation next door.

Back to the Info Centre for the night. Another couple in a motorhome pulled in beside us. Sadly after looking forward to the pizza it was a sloppy mess with not much on it and the chips were cold and soft - so much for a special treat!

The pub had a live band and they had the volume up high as the Outback Fusion Festival had a band too so it was a battle of the bands of who made the most noise. Unfortunately we were close to both. By 11pm they had stopped but then the thunder started with very long rumbles. Then the lightning - Steve was asleep and missed it all. I closed up the camper as the rain started, not heavy, just continuous.

13th to 31st August, 2022 Bush camping east of Nullagine, WA

Sat, 13^th August, 2022 (39^th wedding anniversary)

6am 13 degrees so not as bad as yesterday but we waited till 7.30 to get up when it was 19 degrees - sooks!

39 years married - wow. It was on this day too. Next year we will celebrate our 40^th two weeks after Jon & Annalise get married.

Still cloudy but there is blue sky around the edges and the wind comes and goes.

During the day the sky has cleared and there is a nice breeze. Lots of birds sounds which is lovely.

Roast chicken and vegies for our anniversary dinner and ice cream of course. Perfect temperature outside too so we were able to stay out and spot satellites for quite a while.

 

Tues, 16^th August, 2022                    

8 years ago we said farewell for friends and family on the Esplanade in Cairns and started our new life of travelling Australia. We loved every minute and are still loving this free roaming life now we are back on the road again after the two year Covid stint in Cairns.

 

Thurs, 18^th August, 2022 (Steve & Amanda’s birthdays)

Steve turns 63 today, he is happy to be out in the bush doing what he enjoys. I managed to find him lovely birthday presents that nature provided. Will have to send Amanda a belated birthday message when we get phone service again.

Strong wind blew all night but at least there is no dust here. Temperatures are 17 to 32 degrees so quite comfortable.

Spotted a little snake near the tree by the camper. Will have to keep the door closed.

Sun, 21^st August, 2022

We moved to another spot and dropped the camper off as we will do the washing and then go into Nullagine and fill up the water bladder and buckets so we can stay out longer.

We plugged in the washing machine to the big inverter and it started beeping so looks like that needs replacing - cheap Kings chinese junk Steve kept muttering as he connected the washing machine up to the smaller inverter inside the camper. All good so I got the washing sorted.

While I was doing that Steve checked some things on the truck and noticed a wire spark so he wriggled it and it started to burn and he had to quickly cut cables then it kept burning towards the battery in the back of the truck for the fridge. He yelled for me to help get things out of the truck and there was smoke pouring out. Luckily it didn’t burn anything, except for the wire and Steve’s fingers but he didn’t tell me about them straight away. And to top that off the second battery under the bonnet died (2 year old) so not a good morning.

Steve had met a chap, Ray, on his walks and he came past on his 4 wheeler for a chat and to show us a photo of his prize. A lovely 3.5oz nugget he found on a hill side a bit further on! Hopefully there will be one for Steve somewhere. He is camped further around with another couple, Ray & Julie and his brother-in-law Mick.

After lunch Steve fixed the wiring on the truck so we are all good again. Had an early cuppa then headed into Nullagine to top up with water. One hour drive back in (57km).

As we came into reception I got a message from Geoff & Virginia asking if we drove past the common on the 12^th. We had looked across and remembered stopping and seeing them the last time we were out here with Ray and Carol a few years back. Fancy that they were there and happened to see us but of course we had no phone reception after we drove past. I sent them a message to say it was us and they replied that they were still in town at the van park.

Into the park first to do my uploads, make phone calls etc as Steve filled up the water bladder and buckets. Then we drove around to the van park for a quick hello as it was now 6.30pm and we still had the hour drive back. It was great to see them again and they will be around for a while so we will catch up with them next time we come into town. They are staying at the van park for internet etc as Geoff is still working via the internet so they can’t camp remotely like us.

We got back about 8.30 and had a bit of fun trying to find the camper in the dark! We forgot to mark it on the Hema and our snail trail had disappeared too.

 

31^st August, 2022

Valerie’s birthday - hope she has a great day. Great news, her daughter Kirsten is pregnant. We were planning to see her in Perth so it will be nice to see her and her baby bump. 

After 6 days of very windy weather the clouds have come over and the wind has settled.

We moved camp and enjoyed a beautiful sunset to finish off Autumn.

Fri, 12th August, 2022 Roy Hill Rest Area, south of Nullagine to Bush camp east of Nullagine, WA

Nasty - only 5.4 degrees at 6.45am so we turned the heater on as it is weigh-in day and it was too cold to take my clothes off! We still weigh-in once a week to make sure our weights are good.

Back on the main road, 98km to Nullagine. A small pool of water in the Fortescue River.

Past the old Roy Hill Station homestead area, now all part of the iron ore mine here.

Lots of new things to see since our last visit - pipelines, long conveyor lines, huge cranes building something - processing plant? It is pink! Lots of neat ore piles nearby.

Up and through the hills with more piles of ore or waste? On the other side of the hills is the mine village.

Lovely view of the flat topped hills to our left.

You can tell we are bout to go back onto the gravel by the colour of the bitumen on the other side.

Rolling through spinifex grass hills. Windy again. Across the Nullagine River which is dry and into town.

Nullagine, established in 1899, is only a very small town. Topped up with diesel at the 24hr BP pump for $2.559/L whereas the corner store has it for $2.79.

Had a cuppa in the park and chatted with two couples who have been out in the desert exploring. Topped up the water tank and set texts off to the kids so they know where we are headed - well approximately.

Onto the dirt road towards Mosquito Creek mining area. There are a few pending areas we can explore till they become live mining or exploration leases. We have a big area to cover with the four leases any case so hopefully we will be able to find something nice.

Turned off towards Little Lindens South mining area and through a burnt pending exploration lease which has been crawled over by the look of the chain marks and holes from detectorists. We went through a dry creek bed onto the first exploration lease we have permission for and found a spot to camp. We can wander for a long way from here so we decided to drop the camper off and explore. There is plenty of Snappy Gum lying about which is good firewood too. We can hear lots of budgies and finches but they hide well in the trees.

Drinks by the fire now the wind has settled.

The sun has set behind the hill then the moon rose up from behind another hill on the other side. There is a band of mackerel clouds coming over. Cool evening but not uncomfortable.