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.

 

 

Thurs, 30th Mar, 2023 Baandee Lakes, east of Kellerberrin, WA

17 degrees at 7.30 with the camper closed up. The other campers have left. Overcast through some blue sky to the west. A few sprinkles of rain have been blown against the window - so light but the wind is still blowing hard. No swimming for us today!

Worked on my blog till morning tea then played cards for a bit while the laptop recharges.

The sun came out as the dark clouds have moved to the east. Sent a text to Tom & Sandy thanking them for their hospitality and saying we are sitting in the camper in the wind and had a bit of rain. He said that it has been pouring up at Meeka so they won’t be heading up for a bit yet.

Steve made toasted wraps for lunch - good lad. Needed warming up.

2pm misty shower of rain. Catching up on my blog which is great.

More cards with a cuppa and then rain again but only light. Let Mickey know we are on our way and she said it was raining well there too. The cyclone off the WA coast is building but they reckon it will turn away from the coast but obviously it has been making lots of cloud and rain and sending it across the state.

One motorhome came in a parked near the ski club rooms. Bit of blue sky in the east now but still very windy. Not sitting outside at all today.

Read our books then watched a movie using the Chromecast again. Looks like we go through about 5GB watching 2-3 hours of TV.

Wed, 29th Mar, 2023 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie to Baandee Lakes, east of Kellerberrin, WA

Tom drove me around to JBhifi to buy the Chromecast. They had it for $59 so he asked if it had been on sale last week for $48. The chap had a look then discounted it for me to $49 - very nice thank you Tom. Back home he helped me set it up. Had a cuppa, Todd came over again and we chatted for a while. Got Todd to take a photo of us.

Packed up and headed off - no need to go early as there is too much traffic so best to wait till after 10 any case. Up the highways then up the escarpment. Stopped at the rest stop Bob & Margaret showed us a few years back and had lunch.

Been over this road a few times and I been on the train from Kal to Perth too so not much new to mention for the blog. We had explored all the Pipeline Trail on the first visit. Not sure how long the Ettamogah Pub has been in Cunderin but I took a photo any case.

Pulled up for a cuppa so rang Terry. He will pick up Erica’s ashes tomorrow - bit of an emotional time for him. David & Amanda are coming up on Friday which will be good.

Missed the turn off to Baandee Lakes lookout so turned around. We must have missed this when we did the Pipeline Trail. Geoff and Virginia had stayed here in summer and said it was great. Metal plaques last well but are hard to photograph. Interesting information about the town, lakes and the original river.

We weren’t sure how to get down to the lakes so followed a dirt track around. Should have put on the Hema 4WD map and we would have seen the track coming off the highway. Obviously they had had a bit of rain recently but the track was good except for one section where it crossed the salt lake and was a big boggy but we got through ok. Back to the highway then we turned back and found the track down to the Ski Club area and boat ramp. One chap was camped by the first hut so we continued along a bit.

Another van followed us. It is a bit windy but will be ok for a day so I can catch up on my blog etc. Don’t think we will be getting in for a swim though - a bit chilly and very salty.

Went for a walk, looking across to the next lake. Smoke in the distance - wheat farmers burning off after harvest. Found lots of broken glass so will try out our UV light tonight to see if it is uranium glass.

Along to the ‘dam’ wall.

Back up past the other campers to the boat ramp. New sign so they must still use the area.

Continued along chatting with a couple of other campers on the other side of the ski club building. Did our walk for the day so back to camp for a drink. Sat outside, sheltered from the wind but not from the flies. Got cool as the sun went down behind a big cloud band so headed inside.

Set up the TV and tried the Chromecast. We have enough reception here so I did all the passwords etc to open up the apps for the various TV channels.

Cooked dinner. Tried the UV torch on the glass but it was just ordinary glass. The wind is getting stronger so closed up the camper.

Watched a couple of movies on 7plus and checked my data balance and it hadn’t used much so that was good. No binge watching though and I need to keep Steve away from You Tube!!

 

 

Tues, 28th Mar, 2023 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

15 degree minimum but got to 19 by 7.30am when we crawled out of bed!

Sandy and I went line dancing. Only a small group which was good so I was able to watch people feet and pick up most of the steps and had a ball. Forgot how good a workout you get especially as Sandy and I moved a lot more than some of the older ones but boy their brains must be good to memorise all the steps. I was used to Lisa calling the steps so never used to memorise any. It was such fun - so glad I went with her.

Back home for late lunch. Rebecca had rung so I rang her back. Ringing to wish me a happy birthday as she thought we would be in the bush and she and Clive fly off to Darwin on Saturday for another Coral Expeditions cruise. Hope they don’t get Covid on this one.

Rang Wendy to tell I had been line dancing. We might have to go to a class or two when I get back to Cairns! Sandy and the girls still go somewhere. David and Wendy had a good time away with their race car - David was happy with how it went.

Annalise sent us a photo of our wedding invitation. I jokingly sent Lynda a yes for the RSVP.

Played Dice while the boys changed the fan belts on Tom’s car then we played Triominos. New one for them. Drinks with their neighbour Todd who has just come back from Thailand.

Tom and Sandy had been in Bali recently. They said about the new covid vaccination documents you need so I sent the link to Jon which he didn’t know about. He is planning a boys golf trip in May to Bali - last bachelor outing!! He said thanks for the info and sent a lovely sunset photo where he is working on the Tanami Track.

BBQ dinner and another Skipbo challenge. The boys won tonight.

Tom talked about his Chromecaster which turns older TVs into Smart ones so you can watch all the live streaming shows like Utube, 7plus etc. He said they were discounted at the moment, $48 instead of $99. You need good phone signal and data which I have plenty of so we thought we might try it for when we are in places with phone reception. Otherwise we still have heaps of movies and series on our hard drive. Will get one tomorrow.

Mon, 27th Mar, 2023 Judy & Richard’s place, Marangaroo to Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

Packed up and had a cuppa with Judy and Richard. Got Steve to take a photo of the three of us.

Down the highway again to Tom & Sandy’s place and parked in our usual spot. Chatted for a while then got ready to go out to lunch. All this eating out is not helping my waistline, but it is very nice. Tom drove. We went to Swan River Hotel and joined their friends Dave & Cheryl, Phil & Peta, who we have met before. Very nice place - glad we dressed up. Delicious food and lots of chatting.

Back home for drinks.

Played Uno Skip for a while then had nibbles for dinner as we were still full from lunch. Girls v Boys for Skipbo - Girls won.

Bit chilly outside as we headed back into the camper to bed.

Sat, 26th Mar, 2023 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach to Judy & Richard’s place, Marangaroo, WA

My niece Rebecca’s 40^th birthday today - one week before mine and 20 years younger so a special birthday for her today. Hope she celebrates in style.

Another storm cell crossed over us during the early hours with flashes of lightning and thunder then some rain with the wind but it moved across quickly.

Overcast morning - glad I did my washing yesterday. Got Margaret to braid my hair again as it came loose in the night.

Packed up and had a cuppa then waved goodbye for now as they will meet us in a couple of weeks at Leonora.

We drove into the Forum Shopping Centre at Mandurah as it has both Coles and Woolies to get our supplies, grog too of course as I can’t get the bigger casks of wine once we get away from Perth. Did it in stages so I could pack things away easily. Had lunch and did another shop then headed off at 2pm.

Drove up the coast road and pulled into a park by the beach at Safety Bay. It is lined with tall Norfolk Pines. Bit cool and windy but we made a cuppa and sat on the park bench. Rang Terry to check in on him. All good though they are still having hot weather there, 31 degrees in the house at 5pm (Qld time).

Cruised our way up to Fremantle then crossed the Swan River. Stopped at Port Beach for a look.

Made our way up the coast road. Big surf event at Brighton Beach so no access to the beach there. Continued on to North Beach. Parked up and had a drink and changed our clothes as we are going out for dinner with Judy and Richard tonight at a Tavern.

Programmed ‘girlie’ to take us to Judy’s place again and parked on their driveway. Their son, Joshua left this morning to live in Perth. He was supposed to go yesterday but Jetstar cancelled the flight after they had waited around for a while - probably a sick staff member so the flight couldn’t go!

Had a great time chatting over delicious but huge meals - should have shared.

Back to the house for a cuppa with Judy and Richard then into the camper for the night. This Driveway Surfing is a good way to visit friends.

 

Sat, 25th Mar, 2023 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA

Quiet day pottering, doing my blog etc. Storms in Perth today so we were lucky we went yesterday.

Margaret braided my hair. Wish I could do this myself but it is nice to have friends who can.

Margaret’s fish and chips for dinner tonight as we were too full last night from our eating out.

Thunder and lightning flashing around us so we stood on the verandah enjoying the show. There are still stars out to the east. Cool wind.

We just got back in the camper at 9.30 when the rain started. Quite heavy but didn’t last long. Tipped the water off the roof and went to bed.