Fri, 31st Mar, 2023 Baandee Lakes, east of Kellerberrin to Boorabbin Memorial rest area, west of Coolgardie, WA (Truckie memorial & uranium glass)

Light rain again and the sky is all grey.

Had breakfast then moved on. Back to the highway and east again. Rain fell on and off as we travelled but not heavy rain. Margaret said it is raining in Mandurah too when I text her to say we are cold and wet.

Stopped at Southern Cross for some diesel 192.9c/l - we only paid 171.9c/l in Kwinana the other day! It is only a cent cheaper in Kalgoorlie too.

Halfway up a rise a road train has broken down on the road - obviously didn’t have anything to be able to move off as there was a rest area at the top of the rise. We went around him as he was unhooking the trailers. Another semi was waiting to swap over and pull the load off the road.

A bit further we spotted three grave markers and pulled off to check them out as Virginia had said they found the Uranium glass at the memorial rest stop for these men. We took photos of the graves then wandered around looking for glass. We found a few bits, a couple look interesting - will check them tonight with the UV light. I think we have the wrong spot though so I looked up the information she sent again - must be a proper rest area further on. Very sad to think they perished in a bush fire through here.

Continued on and found the rest area. We drove down off the pull in area and parked near a fence - we can see the shelter shed along a path. Chatted with a lady from a medical transport vehicle - they have broken down and are waiting for a tow truck. They have water etc so they are all good. We went along the path to the shelter and found lovely tributes to the three truck drivers and more information about the fire and the old township of Boorabbin that was here.

This is where Virginia and Geoff found the glass so we went wandering. Followed a path first down to a Memorial Stone - nice place for the family to gather.

Steve found piles of old tins and broken bottles from when the area was a small township. Picked up a few bits that might glow under the UV light.

Steve’s cousin, Maralon, in Canada messaged that she found that I am related to her husband via my grandmother Ivy Arnold’s family line. Amazing. We chatted back and forth through Messenger. She also wanted to know what was happening re Erica’s funeral etc so I updated her and we chatted about caring for family members which she is doing at the moment. Hopefully one day we can meet as I would love to go to Canada and she hopes to get over here again one day.

We moved further off the road and set up.

I did my baking then took some anzacs and slice to the ladies still waiting for their tow truck. I said if it doesn’t turn up to come over and I can make them some dinner. Poor things - they had brought a patient from Perth back to Kalgoorlie, stayed the night then were heading back when the alternator died and so did the vehicle. They said this is a common problem with this vehicle - not good for long hauls. They will go back to Kal and leave the vehicle there and drive a hire car back to Perth to their families tomorrow.

5.30 we saw the tow truck arrive to the girls are off again. Gavin rang to see where we were. Will catch up with him over the weekend.

Put vegies in the oven to roast and took the UV torch for a walk. None of the ones Steve had picked up were any good. We found lots of shells that glowed.

Eventually we found some little specks then found a nicer piece then another.

The porcelain bowls etc glow too and some leaves. Sadly so does the toilet paper people have left in the bush. Back to the camper to put the meat in the oven. This is the piece that glowed - white with clear around the edge and it has a wavy surface.

Had dinner then went for another wander. Found an old measuring jug that was clear glass but glowed under the light. Steve washed it up and we could almost put it back together! The white ones glow more though.

Rain started falling again as we went to bed.