Fri, 28th Oct, 2022 Bush camp near Harriston Mine, north-east of Leonora, WA

Min 18 degrees, sunny with a few clouds and still windy.

Clouds coming over during the morning.

1.30pm the sky is very dark to the west then we hear thunder rumbles. It is coming towards us. Nothing in the BOM forecast about storms, just a maximum of 34 for today!

Watched some long lightning strikes down to the ground and rolling thunder.

The storm arrived with big heavy drops and strong wind. Closed everything up. We watched out the windows are the ground got wetter then we heard harder drops and realised it was small hail - really! Luckily it went back to rain quickly so no damage we hope. We won’t be going anywhere for a couple of days now as the dirt roads will be too boggy.

Half hour later the storm has gone. The little birds are very happy. The sun is back out and the water is soaking in.

Then another storm is building in the west as we can hear the thunder. It arrived and wet us all over again. Didn’t take any more photos.

I just have phone reception with the aerial connected. Sent a text to Mickey to say we are ok. They were out chopping firewood and just got home. There was 7.5mm in the rain gauge. Their seedlings will be very happy with the rain.

4pm another storm is looming with big lightning flashes then thunder but the clouds aren’t as dark as the first one but it rained on us again.

At last the rain has gone and the sky is clearer and the wind is blowing. We took our drinks over to Bob & Margaret’s van as they have a couch as well as their chairs so we could chat the afternoon away in comfort. They have water views now as there is a low point in the trees and it is full of water.

Back to the camper for dinner at 6.30pm as we won’t be having a fire tonight!