Thurs 6th
Another 12 degree minimum but 15 when we got up. Packed up and drove down the track to the windmill turn off to try and get to the next pending area. Good track to start with then it disappeared, there is a track on the Hema but obviously it has not been maintained. We followed some wheel tracks but the ground became a bit too wet for our liking so we turned around.
Back to the highway and northward to Leonora - lots of water still around from recent rain. Let Mickey know we were here and arranged to meet them after work for a drink. Drove out the Nambi Road to check out one end of a long line of pending leases (applied for but not yet granted so anyone can explore them). Again there was a track on the Hema but it has been bulldozed as the area has been reinstated by whoever was mining it. We followed a few tracks and eventually came to the old main track again and into the pending area. There is a creek to cross but with the recent rain there is a bit of water still around. We found a hard crossing and stopped on some nice salt & pepper ground for lunch. A chap, Mark, pulled up and chatted with Steve. He was from Clermont and they had a big chat about the Palmer River area.
We went for a wander - lots of lead shot and further over Steve found where old timers had camped, hence all the lead shot. After smoko so we headed into town to catch up with Chris & Mickey.
Set up camp in our spot on the footpath. Saffron and Diesel were happy to see us again.
Mickey turned up 15 minutes later so we took our drinks onto the back verandah and chatted. Chris arrived half hour later so we settled in for a nice catch up. They have done very well with their vegie gardens they put in last year so Mickey gave me some capsicums, celery, shallots and basil.
We watched the full moon rise between the water tanks on the hill behind their house - big and bright. We chatted till 8pm then went back to the camper as they get up early to start work at 5am at Gwalia Gold Mine.
A house down the road was having a party and there were kids up and down the street as well as a car that sounded like a kid was driving it. A police car rolled by a bit later and the car disappeared! The music wasn’t bad but the shouting was a bit interesting!!
Fri, 7th
Warmer night - only down to 15 degrees, bit cloudy. Chris and Mickey left for work in the early hours - joys of 12 hour shifts!
Packed up and headed back out to the pending leases again. Found a spot further along from where we were yesterday. A few more detectorists out and about for Easter.
A few drops of rain fell from the dark clouds. A cool day forecast, 24 degrees.
Went wandering then a shower of rain fell so I went back to the camper. I made lunch then Steve turned up. Luckily the rain is only light. Steve went out for another wander after lunch - I did my blog.
Steve found where Mark was camping and he hasn’t found any more gold. We had a cuppa then moved back to near where we had camped yesterday. More spits of rain.
The sky is clearing which is good. Had drinks inside then dinner and movie.
Sat, 8th
Another month since Dad left this life.
Warmer night, clearer sky. Greg rang for a chat. He and Tracy are planning a trip in Pat to Ayres Rock, Cooper Pedy and the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks in May. He is enjoying his new job though there is so much to learn with all the electronics used in hospitals. He goes to hospitals all up the cape too and was in Cooktown when Roald and Joan were there so they had a chance to catch up there.
Moved camp along the track and down a new big wide track that must have been put in for a mine. Found the area that Steve, Paulings and Sharps detected when I was away in Cairns in 2017. Kev had cleared a strip of ground of bigger rocks so it stood out. Also there was a eagle’s nest up in a tree so they named the area ‘Eagle Nest’.
We set up camp.
Gusty wind, clear sky and warmer day, 29 degrees. We went wandering.
Drinks by the fire watching the moon rise and satellites zoom across the sky. Steve thought he saw a car lights flashing but it was lightning in the north, low down on the horizon. It put on quite a display for a half hour.
While we were having dinner I commented I could hear something in the tree nearby - like crunching. When I shone the torch it was a couple of cows. They had wandered up so quietly but it was the crunching of the grass I could hear. They weren’t worried about us at all.
Treat tonight with ice cream by the fire then inside for cards and coffee.
Sun, 9th
Cooler morning, 13 degrees, clear sky and light breeze. One more wander, more lead shot.
Had a cuppa and packed up. Down the track and around the hill to spot that Steve had been before. I am amazed how he can remember where these spots are as the ground looks all the same but he said there were some scrapes and there they were. We parked up and went for a wander.
Drove further up the leases towards Nambi Road. Met Mark on the track and stopped for a chat.
Drove further along then set up camp then had drinks by the fire.
Steve tried to find a satellite before me - no chance. Lovely evening outside watching the colours change till night fell.
Got out a DVD and found where the tiny ants I had spotted had been nesting. I checked the others and they had gotten into my Mumma Mia DVD and made marks on the 2nd one. I put it in the TV and luckily it still plays. I love all the songs on these movies.
Mon, 10th
Min of 12.7 but we didn’t wake till 8 so it had warmed up to 19 by then. Clear sky.
I made pikelets so we could try Margaret’s passionfruit butter - yum.
Warming up. Top of 32 today.
Lunch then we moved back across the creek back to where we first started. The muddy crossing is all dry now. Took a track to say hi to the SA chap that Steve chatted with the other day. He is moving on as his friends are arriving at Malcolm Dam and then they are heading down to Murrin Murrin to where the group (Little Ripper) he is with has live leases. I looked into this group - $100 per year and they have about 12 leases in a few different places for members to detect on with a few rules but perfect for those who don’t want to have to apply for 40Es etc. I had suggested it to Bob & Margaret and Kevin. They have about 200 members now and will cap it at 300. Only problem will be if they all want to get on a lease at the same time!!
He also said that further over is the old ‘specking patch’ mentioned in Doug Stone’s book. He has found a few little specks so was happy to be picking up something. Another van was driving in so we moved and set up camp.
The other van’s chap wandered over to say hello. He had owned the live lease next to this one and still has permission to detect on it. He saw we were from Qld and said he was looking at a lease in the Palmer River area so we had a great chat over a cuppa. His name is Victor and Steve said our friend Kevin had met a Victor and he had given him permission to detect on his leases - same guy. Fancy that.
Rang Terry - he had a lovely Easter at Woodgate with David & Amanda. Had a wander around the markets and Paul & Jenny were having a garage sale.
I saw a vapour trail behind a jet and remembered David’s prediction of rain in two days. The forecast is for a storm on Thursday.
Windy afternoon so no fire. Sat outside for drinks though to enjoy the changing colours of the sky and watch the birds move camp for the night.
Tues, 11th
Cool morning with a gusty wind, 15 degrees and clear sky.
Went wandering over to where SA man had indicated. I couldn’t find his dig holes though.
Back to the camper for morning tea and I did the washing so we are up-to-date as Bob & Margaret will arrive tomorrow.
Lunch. Steve coloured my hair - an essential part of travelling in the bush!!
Steve chatted with another couple who were born in Cairns and Tully, John & Julie. They knew of the Wilesmiths and Vlassoff’s down the road from Mum & Dad’s place. They had also chatted recently with Ray and Julie (we met at Nullagine). Steve said to come over later on their way out as they have a motorhome and have it parked up at the caravan park.
I cleaned the shower and camper and had a cuppa watching the rest of Mumma Mia 2. Always makes me cry which I needed to do as it is nearly 2 years since Mum left this life.
Steve came back for a cuppa - cool breeze but ok in the sun.
John and Julie Simpson stopped in and we had a lovely chat. They had pubs around Tully etc then retired. John mentioned the name Dawson and we said we knew Deanne who married Greg Kidner and he said that was his brother’s wife’s sister. What a small world. They now live in Mt Tamborine so we exchanged cards and will call on them later in the year. Seemed a lovely couple so will be nice to spend a bit more time with them.
They headed off so we got our drinks and sat and watched the lovely colours but the mozzies moved in so I headed indoors. Kev text that the weather might get bad as there is a cyclone forming off Broome and predicted to travel across to the east part of WA over Marble Bar etc. We should be ok here but might be a bit wet further north.
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