Wed, 23rd Nov, 2022 Jetstar flight to Brisbane to Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

We arrived safe and sound in Brisbane at 7am. The flight was a bit turbulent to start with but we both got some sleep which was good. As we descended I could see the river etc then we swung over the islands and turned to land.

Headed down to collect our bag but stopped at the cafe beside it first for some breakfast. At last the bags arrived so we found our bag then headed over to collect the hire car. The sky is grey and bleak.

Headed out to the M1 and turned towards the Sunshine Coast. A lot of roadwork still happening. We have an Outlander and Steve had fun trying to work out the cruise control. Mind you we were up and down with speed limit changes it was hardly worth putting on for a while.

We stopped for a walk and coffee to keep us awake - obviously we didn’t have that good a sleep! Pulled into a service centre before Gympie and found Matilda - from the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

The sky hasn’t cleared up at all - still grey but it feels warmer outside.

Continued on - chatting with Wendy via text as they were ahead of us. They had already headed into Bundy. We arrived at Childers at lunch time so we got something to eat then got some food stuffs from Woolies there and will get the cold stuff at Coles when we get into Bundy. Dave and Wendy were heading home so we didn’t get to catch up with them.

Into Bundy and grabbed a few things at Coles then headed around to Erica & Terry’s place.  

So good to see them both again. Had a cuppa then Steve drove the hire car to get fuel and then around to the airport to drop it off. I had Erica’s car and managed to get lost but eventually found the airport and then found Steve as he saw me going around the roundabout trying to find where he had taken the car.

Back home to Erica and Terry for a drink on the back patio. The sky is still grey and a few drops of rain fell too. They have a baby butcher bird who has made himself at home and even comes inside and sits on the dining chair - cheeky thing.

Cooked dinner then we went to bed early to try and catch up on some sleep. So glad we have come across so spend this time with them.

 

Tues, 22nd Nov, 2022 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA to Jetstar flight to Brisbane, Qld

Warming up, min of 16.8 this morning. Sun shining and light breeze.

Steve pulled the water tank out of the camper to get a friend of Bob’s to have a look at it and see if he can reweld it or whether we have to make a new one.

Packed the last of our stuff and dropped the roof and locked up the camper and truck.

After lunch we all headed to Perth to drop off the water tank then picked up a new compressor for Bob. We headed around to the Minelab agent to get our detectors looked at but the chaps were not very helpful and treated us as if we knew nothing so we took our gear and left. Will ring Minelab direct and get our questions answered properly.

Had a cuppa and cake with Bob & Margaret then they dropped us at the airport. We found a nice table in a cafe in the airport and bought a drink then got out the cards to pass the time. Our flight doesn’t leave till 11.05pm.

Had a nice dinner there too then a coffee, playing cards and reading. At last we could put our bag in but then found out the flight was delayed till 11.30pm.

Through security - I had taken off my bangles but the alarm still went off so took off the chain bracelets - still alarmed then I removed my belt. Still alarmed so then I had to stand in front of a screen for a body scan. All good! The drug testing people didn’t have any one but they waved me through - figured I had been through enough. Steve just stood there with a grin on his face!!

Eventually the delayed plane from Brisbane arrived and then we were called up to board at 11.40pm. I had paid extra for extra leg room in the exit seats as my last experience was not nice with no leg room. At midnight we flew off.

 

Mon, 21st Nov, 2022 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA

13.8 degrees minimum but by 7am it was 18 degrees, clear blue sky and gusty wind.

Jodie’s birthday so sent her off a birthday message.

Pottered about doing the last of the washing and packing our bags. Steve helped Bob with a few things and finished a couple of things he needed to do too so we are all good to leave the camper and truck here tomorrow.

Another lovely evening chatting etc.

 

Sun, 20th Nov, 2022 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie to Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA

9.4 degrees minimum. Still a bit of condensation but not bad.

7.30 22 degrees, clear sky and no wind.

By the time we packed up the sky was cloudy again. Said bye to Tom & Sandy. Will stay here when we return from Qld as we fly in late so we can have the spare bed for the night and maybe another day of cards before we catch the train down to Bob & Margaret.

Programmed ‘girlie’ and headed off. Across to the Kiwanna Freeway and south to Mandurah then we knew where we were and headed across the Cut to Florida Beach and drove up their driveway.

Had a cuppa then the boys dropped the camper off beside Bob’s shed and turned the truck around beside their caravan so Bob had room to work on the van as he is putting in the shower.

Met Margaret’s daughter Julie and her husband Gary (who we had met before) when they called in to collect their dogs that were being ‘doggy-sat’.

Steve had coloured my hair the other day so now I gave him a hair-cut so we look presentable for the flight to Qld. Put some washing on and sorted out the camper’s fridge etc.

Bob and Steve investigated solar systems for Bob’s van and pottered around in the shed. Steve resiliconed the shower & toilet vents as we had been getting a few drips of water through them recently. The plastic surrounds have cracked already and they weren’t cheap items!

I had pulled out things in the freezer for dinner which we all enjoyed then watched some TV. Forgotten how bad free-to-air TV has become.

Back into the camper for a shower and bed, 18 degrees and no wind.

Sat, 19th Nov, 2022 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

Min of 9.6 degrees so we had a bit of condensation on the aluminium pop-top surround but nothing got wet. We didn’t get out of bed till 7.30 when it had warmed up a bit to 14 degrees.

Another month has passed since Mum departed this life.

Blue sky with patches of darkish clouds still about. Max of 20 for today so staying in the jeans and jumpers! No rain supposedly.

Dan and Fran rang for a chat. They are planning to get down to Woodgate for a few days over Christmas too. Such a shame we won’t be there but we are glad we are going shortly for a couple of weeks.

Some more showers of rain - so much for the forecast. Then the sun came out.

Passed the day chatting and playing cards. Steve serviced Sandy’s hotplates in the house then he and Tom went out to the caravan to look at that cooktop. Sandy and I got out the cards and played 3 to Kings. After a while the boys came in and said - thanks for the help! Apparently Tom had taken the inside door handle off to fix it and forgot when he closed the door as the rain fell. They were stuck inside - there was a hot carton of beer but they didn’t have to settle for that as they wiggled things and eventually got the door open. We didn’t hear a thing!

Lovely BBQ dinner then a few more games of cards - the girls have it over the boys today.

10pm 14 degrees in the camper again - showers in the morning. Clear sky and no wind.

 

Fri 18th Nov, 2022 24hr Rest Area, York to Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

Another shower of rain in the early hours. Min of 13 degrees, overcast and light breeze.

Jeans and jumpers on today as the maximum is only getting to 17 degrees.

Switched the Hema back to street mode as we have been on 4WD maps. Very funny listening to Stephen arguing with ‘girlie’ again when she gets up him for being over the speed limit and he can see the speed sign and she is wrong.

Packed up and headed back across the bridge then down another road we haven’t travelled on before to head to Tom & Sandy’s place in Thornlie. Rain sprinkles as we head out of town. Climbed a rise which gave us nice views over the grain fields. The rolling hills remind me of the Tablelands but yellow now instead of green.

Alongside a Nature Park then into Wandoo National Park. Saw the sign for Mt Observation but it is wet and cold so no sightseeing today.

The grain fields changed to sheep and cattle farms as more rain fell. At least there is no traffic to contend with on this minor road.

Reached the Great Eastern Highway again to descend the escarpment to Perth and surrounds. Stopped at a 24hr fuel stop and topped up ($218.8/L). Parked nearby and just go inside to make a cuppa when thunder rumbled and heavier rain fell with lots of wind.

Once the rain settled we headed down the escarpment with blue sky and puffy white clouds ahead. One thing modern technology is good for is programming in an address and letting ‘girlie’ guide us there. Hazy view across to Perth City as we descend.

Traffic everywhere - take us back to the bush!

Lovely purple flowers of the Jacaranda everywhere. Found Tom & Sandy’s place and parked on their front lawn.

So lovely to see them again. We had a lovely time chatting over lunch then played Skipbo in pairs - boys v girls. We showed them the alternative way to play which was fun though had a few games of the traditional way too.

Cold wet day so it was a lovely way to pass the day. Sandy and I went to the shops to get some things for dinner then back again for a few more games while we had drinks.

Lovely dinner then a few more games. The girls ruled playing Sequence. Didn’t get out to the camper till 11pm so it was quite chilly in there, even with it all closed up, 14 degrees so we decided to have our showers in the morning.

Thurs, 17th Nov, 2022 Boorabbin Rest Area, east of Southern Cross to 24hr Rest Area, York, WA

Clear sky, chilly breeze, minimum 15 degrees.

8am 20 degrees. After breakfast Steve coloured my hair but it is too windy for me to cut his so will have to do that at Bob & Margaret’s before we fly out.

Clouds getting blown over us. Had a cuppa then headed off.

Lovely yellow and purple wildflowers on the roadside.

The wind is on our nose so there goes the fuel economy. More clouds building as we drive slowly through long sections of roadworks. Long straight road.

Entering the grain area with big open fields.

Through Southern Cross. Spotted some sheep in one of the fields. Had to pull off to allow two wide loads pass.

Got a call on the UHF saying - hi Geckos but we couldn’t quite work out who it was. Col from Meeka heading to Kalgoorlie. First we thought it was Ross’ son but maybe it was the chap that works with Chris who came and checked out the camper. Unfortunately there was a lot of interference as he was heading away from us we couldn’t chat and find out who he was exactly.

Pulled up for lunch in a rest area east of Merridan. The clouds are darker in the west and the wind is strong and cold. Continued on to Merridan - a bit of silo art but not as good as what has been done in Victoria.

Past another of the many pump stations along the long pipeline from Perth to Kalgoorlie. Shame they can’t build more of them to pipe water around the country when places have floods and others have droughts.

Turned off at Tannin. Plenty of big silos to paint here.

Onto a side road just as another wide load headed towards us. Heading to York on a road we haven’t travelled on before. No traffic to deal with which is good and it was smoother than the highway. Through more grain fields - some have been harvested and others were in the process of being harvested.

Still very windy but the sun has been shining through the clouds.

Big ‘black boys’ along the roadside.

Into York, across the Avon River then around to the 24hr rest area. Except it is now a big playground. We spotted vans across the river so we did a blockie - nice mural, lovely old buildings here and a fabulous automobile museum etc.

Across the river again - spotted a heap of geese.

Around to the Croquet Club then into the 24hr rest area. There were a couple of other vans already set up. We parked near the suspension bridge.

Dark clouds coming over with the strong cold wind so stayed inside. A few drops of rain fell then the sun came out.

Had a cuppa then I put a banana cake in the oven as a couple of the bananas are very ripe.

I walked out onto the bridge for a couple of photos. Looking towards Red Bluff.

Another shower of rain as we went to bed and it is cold! Should have put the flannelette sheets on!! The wind has stopped blowing at least.

Wed, 16th Nov, 2022 Bush camp at Malcolm Dam, east of Leonora to Boorabbin Rest Area, east of Southern Cross, WA

Still windy, blue sky and puffy clouds. 8am 23 degrees.

Rang Erica to see how her treatment went - the machine broke so she has to go back. She was happy to hear that we were coming over for a visit.

Rang Wendy - still in wet Victoria but heading home soon.

Into Leonora to get better internet to book the train tickets. In the end I had to ring them to arrange Steve’s Seniors card discount and the lovely chap fixed it all up for me and even gave me an early bird discount for my ticket. When I looked online the Bundy train left at 5.15am but he said we can go on the one from Rockhampton so we don’t leave till 10am which is much better for getting a lift to the station from Terry, rather than a taxi at that early hour.

Mickey drove by and saw us in the rest area and stopped to say farewell again. She has been working and enjoying it though the early 2am starts take a bit of getting used to.

Andrea had posted up her photos of her fabulous Christmas decorations so I gave her a call. Big job but she is happy with it. 

Had a cuppa then headed south towards Kalgoorlie. Passed a few cranes then some more then some more - must be a convention on! Steve said there must be a big mine shut-down or something. A bit further on more cranes - bigger ones, headed north.

Lunch at Menzies by the old machinery display.

Into Kalgoorlie and around to Woolies for a few bits and then topped up the diesel tank - $2.299/L. Lights and traffic - not used to that. The council workers were putting up the Christmas lights down the main street.

Tried ringing Rebecca while we had a cuppa at the RV park which is now 72 hour stay - was 24 when we were last here. Rebecca texted back that they were in Sydney seeing Megan, Andre and little Theo. She sent me a photo - he is such a cutie.

Continued westward, through Coolgardie. The recent rain has left pools of water alongside the road.

Lou sent a text - they are thinking about coming over for the Australian F500 Titles in Perth next February and hoped we would be around. We will make sure we are for that.

The CY O’Connor pipeline continues alongside the road. We explored all that history on our first visit. Through the Goldfields Woodlands National Park which is low scrub for miles - no trees.

The bitumen highway is rougher than some of the dirt roads we have been on. All those big trucks I suppose chopping up the road.

Pulled into a 24 hour rest area - Boorabbin. Chose a spot and set up in time for drinks. A few other campers are parked up - big area so we could get well back from the road though you can still hear the trucks roaring past.

Drinks and cards then dinner and a movie. A storm front came over us with lots of wind and a few drops of rain. Lightning and thunder rolled over then more rain which continued into the night but not too heavy. We angled the roof so it wouldn’t build up on the roof.

 

Tues, 15th Nov, 2022 Bush camp around Murrin Murrin to Bush camp at Malcolm Dam, east of Leonora, WA

Still windy, minimum of 14 degrees, cloud band in the north but mostly clear.

At morning tea the clouds are slowly coming over us. The wind comes and goes.

26 degrees at lunchtime so very comfortable. I stayed back and worked on my blog while Steve went wandering. 

Had lunch and read for a while.

Packed up after smoko. Took a photo of Steve’s smiley face right beside the camper as we have finished our goldfields exploring for the year. He is always happy to find a little treasure so he leaves his mark so others know he was a happy chappy.

Streaky clouds are now covering the sun and there is still a coolness to the wind. Pulled into our old spot at Malcolm Dam where Kev and Steve started a nice fireplace. People have been adding to it over the years and there are heaps of old spades, bottles etc beside the tree.

Just had enough phone signal to use Google on my phone so looked into car hire from Brisbane to Bundy and found only one company offering it. $201 plus insurance for the day hire but it was just as dear to use a shuttle bus up to Maryborough then we would have to get David to drive us to Bundy. The train doesn’t run on Wednesday but we can get it back on the Saturday which will be handy. All this online booking does my head in and then I realised I booked the car for the 22^nd when we actually arrived early hours on the 23^rd. Luckily I could change it easily and the car was still available. Let David know we were all organised.

Jon rang - he and Annalise are planning to drive down to Woodgate around Christmas for a few days to see Erica and Terry which is lovely.

Took me ages to get all sorted so Steve heated up the leftovers for dinner then we settled in to watch a movie.

 

1st to 14th Nov, 2022 Bush camping east of Leonora, WA

Tues, 1^st Nov, 2022

Minimum of 9 degrees but we didn’t get up till 7am when it had reached 18 degrees. Clear sky and cool wind.

Packed up and headed back out to the Minara Road. We headed down to the Minara Station homestead then turned east on the road that runs alongside the old rail line that goes from Laverton to Leonora.

Turned off at the site of the historic township of Murrin Murrim (1897). The old railway platform is still there, a bit of a brick building and lots of rubbish. There are mine shafts nearby.

We followed the tracks down towards some more pending prospecting leases. Pulled up to check out a line of plaques. Outback Graves have erected these in memory of those who perished out here in the bush (1902-1924) - children, a plumber and a prospector.

We turned off onto another track to find a mine shaft marked on our prospecting app, Trilobite. We pulled up where there were some scrapes and lots of dig holes from other detectorists. We might be too late - again. These leases went pending in May so they would have had heaps of people over them by now.

We all wandered in different directions. Three vehicles drove in then came back. They stopped so I went over for a chat. They are some of the Outback Graves volunteers and were looking for another old grave nearby. I said I was impressed by their markers. They continued on and I headed back to the truck.

Enjoyed our drinks by the fire then into the camper for dinner as it chilled off.

 

Thurs, 3^rd Nov, 2022                    

Min 13.8 degrees. 7am 21.7 degrees and the wind is still blowing. Clear sky. Moved camp.

Back to the camper for lunch. The wind comes and goes so it feels a lot hotter than the 30 degrees on the thermometer.

Just got phone reception here and an ABC alert came through that Gold Trip had won the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. If we had known we would have backed that just because of the name. I sent Mickey a text and she said they had a good time at the Hotel and won in the sweep and the food was delicious. I sent Jon and Dan texts to say where we are. Jon is at his new job in SA but only at the Yard as it is too wet to get to the mine site due to the recent flooding.

Sat beside the van in the shade till the sun set - swatting flies, then moved around to the fireplace after sunset. The flies have gone to bed at last. No wind either so it is just perfect. Bob and I took photos.

Cooked dinner then ate outside by the fire for a change under all the stars.

Sat outside chatting till 9.30 - cracked open a new bottle of port that we all enjoyed. Spotted a few satellites and made wishes on the falling stars.

 

 

Fri, 4^th Nov, 2022                    

16 degrees minimum, 20 degrees at 7am. The wind is back with a few clouds.

Moved camp again. Followed a few tracks and checked out old mine shafts etc. Tried another spot and found an old grave.

The ground looked good and we spotted some pushes and recent dig holes so we found a nice camp spot with a fireplace in the trees. We dropped the camper off so we can go into town and fill up the water bladder for us and Bob & Margaret. Will get a few groceries too.

Just enough phone signal to send texts but not phone calls. I sent one to Paul and my cousin, Pete for their birthdays.

After lunch Steve & I headed into town leaving Bob & Margaret to explore.

We got a few things to keep us going, tomatoes, oranges etc then filled up the water bladder. Around to Mickey for a cuppa and to show her our nice bits of gold. Sad news for them though as their friend, 2 doors down, that we met at the pub, drove home from work and had a heart attack in his car outside the house. Also another 3 people in the week died in the town so it was not a good week.

We headed back but took another track to check out some other pending areas. One was owned by Pirate Prospecting where they held courses and pushed the ground so people could practice. One of the members has taken over the lease, hence it is pending now. We found the main camp area and sadly a memorial to a chap who died here last year. Steve remembers reading posts about it on the WA prospecting FB page.

We found a short cut track back to our camp.

Maximum of 36.2 degrees on the thermometer - good day to be driving around in the air conditioned truck!

Drinks in the shade of the trees, with the flies - only a light breeze. Had dinner around the fire again which is lovely.

Warm night - no need for any blankets.

 

Sun, 6^th Nov, 2022           (Terry’s birthday)

The wind got cold through the night as we have all the windows open so we had to pull up the blankets! 16 degrees minimum.

Terry’s 89^th birthday today. Can’t call out but I sent a text to Erica to wish him a lovely day and will ring soon.

A few clouds are coming across. The hot sun beat through the cold wind by morning tea then the wind became quite hot, strong and gusty.

Maximum of 36.2 today.

I stayed in the camper and read with the fan on! Steve went for a big walk which took him near the other van which we stopped and chatted to the lady on our way in the other day. Steve saw the chap and headed over to say hello but he disappeared into the van. As Steve headed back he saw him come out so Steve headed over again but the chap called out as he got closer that he doesn’t like people coming near his camp. Steve said he was just coming to say hi and the guy said there is acres here to detect so Steve didn’t need to come near him - really, what a horrible man. Steve didn’t argue and walked back to camp with his bit of gold he got off the track near the chap’s van!

Thunder rumbled as dark clouds passed to the north then a few drops of rain around 4pm. The storms circled us while we sat outside for drinks. A few flashes of lightning and more rumbles and then a few more drops of rain that actually chilled us with the breeze. The storm moved on but the wind continued and it stayed hot so we opened all the windows again.

 

Tues, 8^th Nov, 2022          

Another month since Dad left us.

Minimum 18.6 degrees at 6am, clear sky with cloud to the west.

8am it turned overcast - those clouds have crept over us, light breeze.

The clouds thinned and the sun came out but more dark clouds are building in the west.

Packed up. This big cockroach thing was in the levelling ramps.

We drove up the track a bit to where Steve had wandered yesterday and found some shallow shafts and lots of pushings. We parked beside a bank of trees to give us some protection from the storm front that is heading our way.

The wind is picking up the loose dirt but it is missing us because of the trees. You can smell the rain on the wind. Closed up the camper as a few drops of rain fell from the dark clouds zooming over us.

Joined Bob & Margaret in their van for a cuppa as we can’t detect in this weather. Chatted about Bob’s plans to put in a shower as they have an outside one but with the wind etc haven’t been able to use it much.

Back to the camper to read for a bit and I did some blogging while we waited for the sky to clear. More light sprinkles of rain. The temp has dropped to 22.8 degrees at midday with the camper closed - no hot day today. It feels a lot cooler outside.

After lunch the others went wandering while I caught up on my blog. The sky is clearing to the east but still some darkness in the west and south. The wind stopped so it started warming up so I opened up the windows.

Went for a wander. Sad to see the shallow shafts full of modern beer cans - lazy buggers can’t take their rubbish out with them.

The flies are terrible but they settled as it cooled off towards sunset so we had drinks around the fire that Bob made.

Must be full moon tonight as it rose as the sun set but it was a funny colour. We thought it was behind a cloud then I realised it must be a Blood Moon - eclipse, the earth blocking the sun’s rays onto it.

We spotted a few satellites as the moon wasn’t giving off any brightness. I saw one zoom overhead then realised there was another one behind it, then another and so it continued for about 15 satellites - they must all be on the same orbit following each other - amazing. We spotted a heap more too then the moon started getting brighter at the bottom as the sun’s rays hit the moon (7.30pm). Probably the most satellites we have seen in one night and the eclipse too made it a special night. We had dinner outside then finished off Margaret’s apple cake and cream for dessert as it was pleasant enough (with our jumpers on) outside now the wind has settled.

The moon was shining brightly again by 8.30pm when we went in. It was only 18.3 degrees in the camper. Great final night with Bob & Margaret till we join them in Mandurah in December.

 

Mon, 31st Oct, 2022 Bush camp near Cement Tank Well, east of Leonora, WA

Put the heater on at 6am (6.8 degrees) but didn’t get up till 7am when it had warmed up the camper to 21 degrees. Puffy clouds, gusty wind outside.

Got to 21 degrees at midday naturally, the wind is still cold and gusty.

The clouds moved away by 3pm but the wind is still cool but at least there is some warmth in the sun now.

The wind settled so we had our fire while we had our drinks and nibbles and watched the Space Station zoom across the sky.

Another cold night so we put the heater back on while we had dinner and watched a movie.

Sun, 30th Oct, 2022 Bush camp on pending lease near Harriston mine, north-east of Leonora to Bush camp on pending lease near Cement Tank Well, east of Leonora, WA

Overcast and still windy. 15.8 degrees minimum with the camper closed up.

The ground is dry enough for us to drive out so we packed up and headed off. Detoured around the original track as it was still full of water.

Stopped at Harriston Mine area to check out the shafts and old brick framework which probably had a winch or something down into the shaft which has silted up now.

Lots of other shafts too. We didn’t get to look at much as a shower of rain started to fall so we headed back out the fence-line track.

We had to detour around some more wet areas then we reached the Nambi Road and headed back into Leonora. I spotted some camels and realised they were in a fenced area which had signs about it being part of the firing range. Steve remembered there was a few camels in a paddock when we used to come into town - maybe they have permission to have them here.

Another shower of rain as we reach town. We topped up our water tanks and dumped the toilets then headed out the Laverton Road to Malcolm Dam. We drove up onto the dam wall to the picnic area and made a cuppa. Had it inside as the wind is very cool and another shower of rain fell.

Checked Facebook and noticed that they are having 41 degrees in Cairns - wow. Rang Kaylene and Rick - all good with the air conditioners going.

Back to the bitumen road and headed east towards Laverton. We turned off onto the Minara Road and found the track down to the Cement Tank Well and then down to the pending lease. All dry here so we set up camp. Margaret and Steve gathered rocks to make the fireplace and Bob cut up some timber - aren’t they good ‘scouts’.

Well it was until we set up then light showers of rain with strong wind came over us.

Good day for reading - again! Had a cuppa - more light showers of rain.

Played cards then joined Bob & Margaret in their van with the heater on for drinks. Weird weather.

6.30pm. The sky is a bit clearer and the wind has settled. We put our heater on as it was only 13.8 degrees. Won’t be out of bed early tomorrow as the forecast is for a minimum of 6 degrees!