8th to 16th May, 2023 Bush camps, Mosquito Creek area, east of Nullagine to The Common, Nullagine, WA

Mon, 8^th

21 months since Dad left this world.

19.2 degrees, cold wind. Mackerel clouds covered the sky.

Went wandering. Very windy which is clearing the clouds away.

Had lunch then I stayed and wrote up my blog while Steve went wandering.

Still too windy for a fire. The sky has cleared with just a few low clouds in the west. Sunset was looking nice so I walked along till I got the tree in the picture too - looked good.

 

 

Tues 9^th

Cooler morning, 16.3 degrees minimum. Up to 18 degrees when we got up at 7.30, clear sky and light breeze.

Went up to the shale hill. Good view from up here. I saw two vehicles come over the rise and watched them work their way along the track towards us. They continued on so I just gave them a wave. A few minutes later the second vehicle came back and headed all the way back out. Maybe they were the ones camped on the burnt area and maybe he forgot something and had to drive all the way back for it. At least with the camper on the back we can get into these areas easier then when you have to tow a van.

Had lunch then packed up and headed along the track. We found the two vehicles just around the hill - didn’t here that car come back!

Ray had said there was burnt areas near the Y intersection so we headed there. We parked on the burnt area so we can have fire tonight.

Went for a wander.

Adam came by with his new girlfriend and saw Steve wandering so stopped for a chat.

Steve dug a firepit and boarded it with big quartz rocks as there is still a bit of a breeze about but we have a pile of things to burn and we wanted to cook dinner on the fire tonight. The Snappy Gum is a great coal maker and easy to get the dead limbs around the area. Dead spinifex makes a great fire starter too.

The wind settled with the sun setting and we enjoyed our fire and watched the stars appear. Spotted a couple of satellites then the big bright Space Station zoomed across the sky.

It got cooler quicker tonight so had our showers earlier for a change.

 

Fri, 12^th

19 degrees, clear sky and windy again.

Packed up and continued along the track across to near Adam’s camp. We found Ray’s van and he was there so stopped to say hi.

We said bye and continued across to the old Skull Springs Road. Got phone reception along the way so stopped and checked messages and had a cuppa. Sent some replies then we continued on then turned west onto the road.

Through Cooke’s Creek - still has a bit of water about.

Continued east into the hills and found a track to the corner of the other lease we have permission for. Nice views here too.

A bit warmer today, 32 degrees on the shady side of the camper!! The wind seems to stop after lunch too.

Windy drinks outside as the sun disappeared early behind the hill. Got a bit chilly for me so I headed inside to get dinner ready. Steve enjoyed watching the stars appeared.

 

 

Sat, 13^th

17 degree minimum, cold wind and clear sky.

Nice day though still windy. Decided to explore the area and found a new spot to camp for the night.

Had drinks outside enjoying the lovely view again till the mozzies came buzzing. It is cooling off early too so inside to cook dinner and watch a movie.

 

 

 

Sun, 14^th

Mother’s Day. 34 years ago exactly I was big and fat waiting for my present to arrive to make me a mother but alas he didn’t come for another 3 days. Oh well I have had plenty of wonderful mother’s days since with our two wonderful sons. Thinking of our mothers today too and all the wonderful things they have done for us over the years making us the confident and adventurous people we are. Their love will always be in our hearts. It has been two months now since Erica passed on.

Cool morning 13 degrees, winter is coming. 7am it was up to 19 so all is good. Clear sky and cool wind.

Heard the phone ping - just enough signal for a lovely text message from Jon. I replied then he tried to ring but it just wasn’t enough for a clear signal. Will ring them when we get into town later in the week.

Had a cuppa then headed out. Another signal spot and a message came through from Annalise. A bit further along a message from Fran too. So lovely to have such lovely daughter-in-laws. Then one came through from Daniel. My world is complete.

Stopped for a chat with Ray as he was coming out after going for a wander at the top of the Valroc lease. He is hoping to get up to Mt Elsey where he has a 40E.

We headed out to the main track then back up a bit to the turn off to Eastern Creek Mining Centre. We tried last year but the track was too wet. Made it through this time, across Cooke’s Creek, only a little puddle here. Up into the hills where we spotted mines up and down the side of the shale hills. Boy those guys back then were amazing.

We spotted a grave and stopped for a photo. 1911 - just imagine what it would have been like back then out here.

We drove past a current mine set up but no one was about. Continued on the newly graded one vehicle wide track. It hasn’t had any water over it so was recently done.

Dropped down into a gum lined creek and spotted an old EH Holden which had a cross beside it. Stopped for a look. So sad. I googled to find out the story but only found their family trees. Michael was only 5 and was born in Tom Price. His mother is shown to have died in Feb 1980 aged 38 so not sure what the story was.

We continued on in the pending lease area but the track had no deviations and looks like it is the old one that heads up to Mt Elsey so Ray will be happy to travel up this track with his van. Spotted our first Sturt Desert Peas this trip so stopped for a photo.

Continued on a bit further and found a spot to turn around as we can’t detect any further on as it goes live so we headed back. Stopped in the creek and made lunch.

Headed back and checked out the actual spot of the Mining Centre as per the map. A few old bits and pieces of machinery and some shallow shafts. Stopped to check out one of the mine shafts going straight into the side of the hill. There are more above this one. Using the detector is so much easier!

Looks like this line of hills was the main gold supply as there aren’t any shafts on the other hills.

Headed back out onto the pending lease again and then found a track off to the left. Others in the van park had talked about a track being blocked by big rocks before crossing the creek - we found it. We backed up and found a spot to park up for the night.

Sat outside and enjoyed the view having our drinks then inside for dinner.

 

 

Mon, 15^th

Min 12.5 degrees. 15.9 by 7am. Clear sky and no wind.

Headed back to the main road then down to a pending lease. Found a small track in and parked up. The area was burnt last year so at least there is no spinifex to fight through. Had a cuppa then went for a wander.

The wind came back, cold and gusty but the sun is shining.

Still a bit windy but it is clear of spinifex so Steve made a small fireplace and we had drinks around the fire which was lovely. Only got to max of 27 today with the cold wind.

 

 

Tues, 16^th

13.2 degrees min. 7am 16 degrees, no wind, clear sky.

We packed up and headed out after a cuppa. Spotted the other’s camp further along - there was 4 vans.

Back along the washed creek bed between the hills and out to the Mosquito Creek Mining Centre then back onto the main Skull Springs Road and headed back to Nullagine. Passed the track we first went on for our ‘adventure’ trip up to the first two Valroc leases. Glad we made it through ok - the truck is tough and the driver knows its limits and his abilities which is good. I just sit quiet and hang on.

Into Nullagine and met Ray at the water point. He was all clean after a visit to the van park. Exchanged phone numbers and might catch up with him next year. We told him about the Eastern Creek track so he will give that a go to get to his lease at Mt Elsey.

Checked the van park but the unpowered sites are booked out till the 19^th so we headed out to the Common where Geoff & Virginia had meandered last year. We parked up and I took a photo to send to them as we have good phone reception here.

Rang David and Amanda to catch up on things. Rang Margaret and Bob and caught up with what they have been up to. They saw Kevin and he is still working on his camper so we won’t be seeing him this year.

Louis had rung while we were chatting so rang him back. Very busy with work and was driving back late from a job in Port Douglas so rang to see how we are.

Easy dinner tonight as the wind is blowing outside and we are enjoying have phone reception to check Facebook etc.

 

 

1st to 7th May, 2023 Bush camp near Goodin scrapes, north of Meekatharra to Bush camps, Mosquito Creek area, east of Nullagine, WA

Mon, 1^st

Warmer night, 7am 14 degrees, a bit cloudy, light breeze.

I went for a big walk. I have an app on my phone so I can’t get lost which is good as with the low trees it can be easy to get lost.

A goanna wandered by me then a beautiful red-capped (with red breast) robin sat in the tree and chatted to me. He was so cute. I googled him up when I got back to camp for a cuppa.

I put my feet up for the afternoon and read.

Nice evening by the fire watching the satellites zoom over us as the sky is clearer.

 

 

Tues, 2^nd

12 degrees, heater on again. Clear sky.

Packed up and headed back out to the highway. Said farewell to Bob and Margaret. Hopefully we will see them again next year.

We headed northward towards Newman. Lots of green areas from the recent rain making the drive more picturesque.

Had to pull off the road for a 7 metre wide water truck on the back of a semi. Sadly the pilots don’t seem to think it is necessary to talk to travellers, only truck drivers but as we are always on Channel 40 we hear what is said or just ask what’s coming.

Saw our first wedge-tailed eagle for this trip. Lots of ‘lakes’ too from the rain as we continued northward. Flocks of green budgerigars zoomed around, one lot heading straight for us but turned at the last moment. Steve said he found a dead little bird stuck up in the engine when he did the oil change. They zoom too close which is sad. 

More budgies - they zoom like fighter squadrons. Lots of birdlife on a ‘lake’ by the road - even spotted a couple of swans.

Crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, 19km south of Newman - thinks should start warming up now! A few pools of water in the sandy bed of Fortescue River. Passed the turn off to Nullagine which we will head up once we have loaded up with food again at Woolies.

The Man & Woman guide us into Newman. 

I started on the groceries (5 weeks worth) while Steve got the gas bottle swapped. We do the shopping in loads to make it easier to pack away and we can have a cuppa in between! That finished we just had the grog to get then around to get the diesel. Back to a take-away for pizza. We had one from the pub last visit and it was terrible.

Back out past the new truck lay-down area that was being made last visit - already full of trucks and their trailers. We turned off onto the road to Nullagine and into the old lay-down area and drove to the other edge to get away from the main road as there are still a lot of mine vehicles and trucks getting about.

We had our pizza which was delicious. It’s a bit noisy here since we have been in the bush and not used to traffic but it will do for the night.

 

 

 

Wed, 3^rd

12.6 degrees at 7am. 

Headed off towards Nullagine. Travelling beside a very long iron ore loaded train. It is doing about 70km/hr and we were doing 90 and it still took us a while to get to the front. Then we saw another one on a siding waiting to take its empty wagons in to be loaded.

More budgies zooming about. Clear sky though there is some low cloud in front of us on the horizon.

A bit of water still in the Fortescue River.

Lots has happened since our last drive through Roy Hill Mine area. The conveyor belt looks nearly done but it isn’t working yet. There is a big stock pile around the pink machinery now. The road is being repositioned near it.

Passed the mine’s village then out to the lovely view of the flat capped hills and mesas. Through them to the west we can see the man-made piles that will become new hills, I suppose. This is where the old road went when we first came up here in 2016 then Gina repositioned the road so her company could mine that area. Rolling spinifex covered hills on the other side of the road.

Stopped for an early coffee so Steve could drop some air out of the tyres as we won’t be on bitumen much for a month or so. We have been playing tag with a Landrover towing a van and they went past us again.

Onto the gravel road. This section is always the most corrugated - must be the ironstone.

Slowed down when we saw the landrover and van pulled up. They had wondered why we had stopped then realised they should have let air out of their tyres too. We chatted for a bit. Couple from Perth, Llew & Lynne, having a 3 month trip.

We took off as we are a bit faster not having a caravan to tow any more.

Passed the station homestead then saw a helicopter then two chaps on 4 wheelers near the road. Nearly mustering time I suppose.

Nice pool of water on one side of the causeway over Nullagine River.

Into the van park and saw Mary and chose our camp for the night, $15 unpowered site and free washing machines - good deal. Got the washing into the two machines then went back to set up camp.

Unfortunately the front right actuator stopped working so Steve got that fixed so we could get the roof up and I could strip the beds so they could have a good clean too. Will have to investigate new actuators when we get back to Cairns.

The tyre pressure things Steve had put on when we left home aren’t working any more so we ordered some new ones to be posted here to the post office. I did my computer stuff and uploaded my blog so I am up-to-date. Sent a message to Geoff & Virginia as we last saw them here last year. They are ready to fly back to NZ so hopefully we will see them there one day.

Chatted with Mark, we met last year too. Two other couples invited us over for drinks. Tony and Penny travelling with their old pussy cat and Bill and Toni. Another chap with his lovely dog joined in too so we had a nice time chatting.

We walked around to the Hotel for dinner. Bill & Toni were there too so we joined them.

Back to camp for a cuppa. Very quiet here.

Margaret texted they had arrived home safely. It wasn’t cold down there but she was missing being with us already.

 

 

 

Thurs, 4^th

13.6 degrees, birds up early - mostly corellas so they are making a racket.

I enjoyed another long shower then we packed up. Said bye to the others and headed back across the river then left onto Skull Springs Road and headed towards Mosquito Creek. The road is rougher from the recent rains with lots of little gutters across the gravel road.

We came up behind a vehicle towing a small van and realised it was Ray who we met last year. Steve called him up and he pulled over for a chat. Might catch up with him as he has permission for the Valroc leases too. We continued on then pulled into the Hand Pump by the creek for a cuppa. Ray pulled in too so we chatted some more. He is going to go around to see Adam first on his special leases. We said we were going to try and get to the ones north of here depending on what the creek crossing were like.

Ray headed off. We turned onto a two-wheel track and made our way across the first creek. Had to push over a tree then down into the creek which still had a pool of water in it then up the other side.

The phone rang - must have just got reception so we stopped. It was Rick returning Steve’s call but he could hardly hear us so we said we will ring when we are back in town.

Big spinifex and bushes to get through trying to keep on the track and a few more creek crossings so it was slow going.

Steve always walked the creek crossings to check them out and make any road repairs if needed. I just shut my eyes if it was a bit hairy and let him take control as he knows what the truck is capable of - just had to be careful of not tipping too far one side!!

We had to travel along the edge of the creek which had pools of water.

Before we dropped into another creek crossing I took a photo of a bush full of little purple flowers.

Across the creek then up the other side.

Steve had to do some road maintenance here putting in rocks in the hole on the right at the bottom of the slope.

Last crossing then a Y intersection so we turned left to get onto the Valroc lease. A bit further along there was a track going off to the left so we followed it and decided to stop there.

Will try the area then slowly work our way up the leases. We chose a spot by a gum and set up camp. The actuator failed again so Steve decided to disconnect it and the other 5 arms will be find to lift the roof.

Had lunch then went for a wander. Only a few flies about but I still wear my fly net as I just can’t stand them getting into my eyes.

Thin clouds are coming over as we got the fire going. We are going to use the camp oven for the first time this trip and make potato bake with chicken kiev. We live a hard life on the road!! The little mosquitoes are about though so I got out the mozzie coils while we sat outside.

The clouds blocked the sunset which was behind the hill any case. No phone reception here. It had gotten to 32 degrees in the camper and it was still warm when we went to bed.

 

 

 

Fri, 5^th

19 degrees, minimum so nice and comfortable. Very quiet and cloudy.

Packed up and drove back to the track then stopped to do some major road repairs. I forgot to take a photo. The sand had been eaten out on one side of the track going down into the creek so Steve got out Terry’s forestry shovel and started shovelling as he didn’t want to go back the track we came in on. I went further along the track and trimmed branches that were leaning out onto the track so the camper won’t get too scratched. It took a good hour or so but Steve did a mighty job and levelled out the track. I stood in the creek and guided him down then across, watching the back camper legs didn’t dragged in the sand too much. All good. Steve was impressed with my pruning and we got out onto the open ground again unscathed.

The sky is now covered in grey cloud but I don’t think there is any rain in it. Forecast was for some cloud then sunny days.

Had lunch then followed the track to the edge of the lease.

Had a cuppa then headed across to David & Sue’s lease wondering if they would be there when their car came towards us at the turn off to their lease. How’s that for timing. We followed them in to their camp. We had visited the previous owner, Pete, back in 2016 who called it Fantasy. This is why Steve knew of that track we traversed but of course we were in ‘Pat’ only then. At least he has put the new rig to the test and it passed. Thank goodness!!

Parked up near their camp and set up.

Joined them for a drink and catch up on all the news of the area etc.

They have a great spot up here on the rise and they said the sunrise and sunsets are usually spectacular but tonight it was all cloud. What a shame.

Dinner in the camper then watched a movie.

 

 

 

Sat, 6^th

21 degrees, cloudy and breezy. Said bye to David & Sue and headed over to Mosquito Creek main area.

Interesting caves on the escarpment with what looks like quartz veins running down its face.

Came across a big flock of budgies on the ground getting the grass seeds. They all flew off but didn’t want to leave their food so landed again just ahead of us. We stopped so I could get some photos.

Yesterday when I was walking a saw a huge flock that turns and swirled making all kinds of shapes with their formations. There were some photos on Facebook a chap had posted of big flocks of birds and the different shapes they made, some even looking like a big black bird.

Had a cuppa then headed around to the cattle water trough near Mosquito Creek itself.

We crossed the creek and found two caravans parked up in the burnt area that had been lit last year. We continued on then found a track and wound our way through the spinifex to get closer to the creek.

It is quite windy here and we found a nice cleared area that had a camp fire already created. Though if the wind doesn’t settle then we won’t be having a fire as there is too much spinifex around.

The sun is peeking in and out of the thin cloud cover.

Lunch time the temp has risen to 30 degrees and the clouds are clearing with the strong wind.

I did some baking and Steve went wandering.

When he came back he fixed the broken sway bar.

Clouded over again. No fire as it is still too windy.

Played cards while we had our drinks inside then dinner and ice cream while we watched a movie. Hard life!

 

 

 

Sun, 7^th

19 degrees and windy which makes if feel cooler. Cloudy though the sun is trying to peek through.

Packed up and headed back across the creek then down past the old airstrip. Saw Barry and Ziggy’s camp at Hilltop Camp where we parked last year before Mohammed starting lighting up the spinifex!!

Down the road and then left onto the track to take us to the area we visited last year. Someone has been lighting fires here and just recently as the ash is still black and fluffy which it wouldn’t be if after the recent rain here.

We continued on found a good spot to camp.

Had a cuppa then went for a wander.

Ray called in after smoko on his 4 wheeler.

Clouded back over and still windy with a max of 28 so pleasant. No fire again as too windy.