Wed, 11th Sept, 2024 Bush camp on pending lease, north of Nullagine to Gravel pit near Marble Bar Road-Newman turn off, WA (Beau 6 months old)

22 degrees, cloud with a lovely full rainbow this morning to the west. I just couldn’t get it all in one photo though. The sun is just peeking around the hill in front of us.

Sent Beau a happy 6 month birthday message!

The wind has picked up. We went wandering with our detectors. 

Rang Malcolm when we were having a cuppa to see how they are going after all the rain. Their creek is flowing like a big river now and it is raining again! Definitely weird weather. He said that a plantation near Carrick got hit with the wind earlier on and all the trees are just smashed - just like a cyclone or tornedo had hit. Lots of places around Launceston are still without power. They had a great trip up to North Queensland and in between though the weather was hit and miss.

We just sat down to have lunch when a huge willy willy came hurtling down the side of the camper shaking it about but luckily it didn’t have a lot of dust with it so my clean camper is all good still.

We decided to head south towards Meekatharra. Hopefully Bob and Margaret can come up and meet us somewhere. Bob is replacing the wiring in their van hoping that will cure the power problem with the invertor.

Back into Nullagine and then south a bit to the turn off to Garden Pool. We have been meaning to check it out every time we are here so this time I got him to turn off. It is on the Nullagine River and there is a lovely grassy picnic area but no water. Obviously it is well used after the wet season as there are heaps of swinging ropes in the trees.

Continued along the track to the base of the hill and found some water. I think only the cattle are enjoying it at the moment - lots of hoof tracks along the edge.

I spotted a Black & White Crane (Jabiru) at the end and zoomed in on it.

Back to the Marble Bar Road and continued south. A few drops of rain from a dark cloud over us as we neared the Bonney Downs homestead.

Across the iron ore railway line then the lovely mesa hills appear as we near the iron ore mines.

Gina’s pink plant is working and there was a dump truck dropping its load as we drove past.

Long conveyor belt with transfer station and a big overpass.

Past the Roy Hill mining area then across the Fortescue River - not much water this time.

Stopped for a cuppa in the ‘rest area’ at Roy Hill turn off.

A few more drops of rain as we continued south.

Onto bitumen now for a while then we turned back onto gravel to check out Ethel Creek 18kms down the Jigalong Road. This also leads to the Talawana Track, cuts the Canning Stock Route near Well 25 - we went on it for a bit when we had to do the big detour around and up through Telfer Mine since the road was flooded at Well 25. Just read online that Andrew Forrest (FMG iron ore) has just bought into Telfer Mine to add gold to his assets as iron ore is having a big drop due to China’s influence.

You can tell we are heading towards a community, Jigalong, as there are so many dead cars in the bush by the road. Very flat country through here.

Wikicamps had ‘camps’ available here by the creek but not really. There was a bit of a clear area before we crossed the creek but it is soft red dirt and if there is more rain coming it isn’t a good place to be. Across the creek - all dry.

We drove onto a track heading along the side of the creek but didn’t find any ‘camp’ spots, just a dingo.

Turned around and back along the track and then across the dry creek again. There is a dead car on the bank edge of the creek as we headed back to the main road.

Dark clouds are building in the west. BOM says 0-3mm, possible thunder storm for Newman. A long train of iron ore loaded carriages was slowly making its way along the track heading to the coast.

We tried another spot by Kaglan Creek but it was soft red sand too so we continued on to the gravel pit just before the turn off onto the Great Northern Highway. Parked behind a pile of blue metal as the dark clouds built up over us.

Nice flowers out my kitchen window.

Got our drinks then rang Ray and Carol as he had messaged as to where we were. Had a lovely chat - they might get down to Woodgate in a few weeks after checking out a couple of spots to detect in south Queensland. The council has been trying to open up a fossicking area near Mt Morgan (Jeff had mentioned it to Steve too) so they are hoping it will be open so they can check it out.

As we chatted lightning flashed and thunder rumbled - lucky we are parked on some blue metal not the red soil. A few more flashes etc and then a light shower of rain fell so I closed up the camper as the wind was quite chilly too.

Cooked dinner and another shower of rain fell - not heavy luckily. The storm has moved on.

10pm down to 21 degrees with the camper closed up. Still cloudy.

Tues, 10th Sept, 2024 Nullagine Van Park, Nullagine to Bush camp on pending lease, north of Nullagine, WA

The music continued through the night and is still going, obviously no one in town complained.

Lou & Ian’s birthdays today so sent them a birthday text.

Lynda sent a text with video of Beau at his swimming lesson, just going under the water a bit to Annalise. I remember doing this with Jon in our pool. Instead of texting back I rang and we had a lovely chat then chatted with Annalise as she had just put Beau to bed. He is sleeping better now and so is she which is great. He eats heaps and is trying to crawl and gets frustrated about it too. Lynda sent me another video of that and Annalise sent a couple of photos - he has cut is two bottom teeth. He is so cute. 6 months old tomorrow. Jon will be home on Thursday for his two week swing as they have Damon & Lara’s wedding in Port Douglas on Saturday. It is drizzly again but they hope for a clear day then.

Packed up and said bye to the others. Steve started the truck and noticed the display for the automatic wasn’t working. He checked the fuse etc and still nothing. He put it in gear and it worked so we drove out and around to the park to see if it would come back on. Maybe the display has died. Steve checked everything and I googled info and we rang Wholesale Auto who we got it through but of course they were busy so will just have to wait for a call back. I read about using the app on my phone for Steve to see the info that is usually on the display and that worked so we decided to head off up the road to a pending lease where we will still have good phone reception. When we got in to go the display came back on - weird, maybe the app woke it up. Will still chat with WAuto about it any case.

We drove onto the pending lease and found a spot for the night then had lunch then read as it is heating up.

Got to 36.8 degrees by 3pm. At last the chap from Wauto rang and said that was strange but it might be the little usb cable so we will see if we can get one as a back up or else buy it through them. He said it was ok to drive without the display which was the thing we wanted to check on.

Fran messaged about the video chat so I had a lovely time looking at my darling grandaughter, Sophia. She had a lovely dress on so they sent me a photo too. 

Got the fire going for drinks. More clouds coming over and a few spits of rain. Steve did see the bright satellite through the clouds while I was cooking dinner. Later the clouds cleared a bit and we could see a section of stars then more clouds came over.

Inside for a movie - still have heaps on our hard drives so don’t need Starlink yet.

Mon, 9th Sept, 2024 Bush camp, Valroc Lease, Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine to Nullagine Van Park, Nullagine, WA (Sophia 6 months old)

17 degrees, no wind and clear sky. Sophia is 6 months old today - will try and video chat with them tonight. Sent her a text any case so her Mummy can give her a kiss from me.

We packed up and headed back along Skull Springs Road to Nullagine. Stopped at the dump point then Steve walked across to Joe’s place (met him years ago) to see if he could get some welding done - the exhaust bracket again. He thinks it is vibration causing them to break but that’s the joys of changing the motor, not all things sit well!

Got our usual spot under the tree (only $19.50/night). Only two camps left - it was full last week the caretaker said.

Free washing machines so I stripped the beds and washing everything. Gave the camper a clean too while Steve refitted the exhaust bracket after Joe had welded it. He didn’t charge him for the service either which was lovely.

Got everything back in order and sat in the shade for our cuppas. A couple came in with a big Ram and long van so they were having fun fitting into the powered site area.

I messaged Fran to see if they wanted to video chat but Sophia was grumpy - teething so we decided to leave it till tomorrow arvo.

Rang Rick and Kaylene for a chat. They had a great time in Townsville for a friend’s wedding and heading off south soon for Ian’s daughter’s wedding in Wagga Wagga.

They joined us for drinks, Vic and Trish, ex Victoria and their little dog. They have been travelling for a while and are heading down to Newman then Karijini so I gave them some tips on things to see and do. Had a lovely time chatting with them till it was time to cook dinner.

Someone down the road has a big speaker system playing music - not bad music but it must be so loud at the house as it is loud here.

Unfortunately the music is still going when we went to bed, at least it isn’t head bashing stuff but they seem to start a song then stop and try another.

 

 

 

1-8 Sept, 2024 Bush camps, Mosquito Creek area, east of Nullagine, WA

Sun, 1^st

Father’s Day. Steve is enjoying it - doing what he loves, being in the bush looking for gold.

No phone reception here but we will move later to find some between the hills. I only have to look to the heavens to send my Dad my gratitude for being a fabulous father.

Gusty wind is keeping the temperature down.

Steve headed off for another big walk. I stayed around camp working my way along the base of the hill. Steve found a golden Father’s Day gift so he was happy.

We had lunch then packed up and continued along the track till we found some phone signal. Got a sad message from Margaret, too hot for Bob so they are coming up here. Will let them know when we are heading down and hopefully they can meet us around Leonora.

Steve got a nice message from Jon for Father’s Day and one from Fran for Dan. Sadly Jon has to go back to work in the Adelaide Yard so no Father’s Day cuddle for him though he had lots over the last 5 days he had home.

We continued on and found some better signal. Looks like someone has spent some time here as there are two big fireplaces and a trench so they must have been in some rain too. We parked up and set up for the night.

A photo came through from Jenny, they have found some cool water north of Meekatharra and were enjoying drinks with their feet soaking.

They are now on pending lease north of Wiluna enjoying some cooler weather.

Daniel rang for Father’s Day too. They had just got home from playing Frisbee Golf with Jack etc then lunch with Fran’s parents. I could hear Sophia in the background.

Rang Terry and he is doing great. Pulled out the van to get ready for the Birthday Rally next weekend where they will award him his Life Membership. He has a new case manager with Churches of Christ Care and he mentioned that he couldn’t get the back sliding door open properly. She arranged for the ‘mower/maintenance’ man to come around the next day and he fixed it though the rollers need replacing. Looks like someone tried to break in so he suggested putting up a security light. They will do all that for him through the funding he gets for Level 2 Home Care Package. So good they just got in and sorted it for him.

Had a cuppa, 40 degrees in the camper. The wind has stopped but it is still pleasant outside in the shade of the truck. I decided to keep reading but Steve went off to try and find another Father’s Day golden gift!

Sadly his golden gift was a beautiful sunset.

Late drinks by the fire then dinner watching the stars and satellites.

The wind picked up but our fire was nearly out so all good there.

Blowing hard as we went to bed so it is cooler.

 

Mon, 2^nd

The strong wind blew all night which cooled things down but gave the camper a good rocking.

No joy here so we packed up and drove over to Fantasy Lease to say hi to David but it was closed up.

Continued along the tracks and chose a spot for lunch which we had inside as it was still too windy to eat outside. I had checked the weather forecast yesterday and it had shown that today was to be windy but tomorrow should just have a cloud or two. Still 36 max but maybe a bit cooler by Friday.

We had a few games of Skipbo after lunch then Steve went for a big wander. Too windy for me so I stayed inside and read.

No joy so we decided to head back to a previous spot. Parked in the same spot in time for drinks. No fire though - still too windy.

5.30 - the wind stopped but we didn’t make a fire just in case it blew up again. A few mozzies buzzed about as the sun set then it was all quiet as we enjoyed the sky view again.

 

Tues, 3^rd

No wind this morning, min 22 degrees.

I went for a big walk along the edge of the hills and found nothing till I came back to camp and went up the little ‘creek’ and got a specie. Steve had gone back to his ‘reef’ and found a little nuglet below it.

We had a cuppa then drove along the track into ‘crown’ land - not live or pending at the moment and just parked by the road to have a wander.

We had a nice time on the hill slope.

Certainly a hot day again, 36 degrees at lunch and the breeze comes and goes.

We moved the camper further over onto flatter ground for the night.

The wind picked up from the west which was nice but some gusts nearly blow you over.

There are a few clouds about to the forecasters got it right.

The wind settled so Steve dug pits and we used the flat plate from Dan’s fire pit to cook the steaks and fried the ‘roast’ vegies on the plate too - yum.

Another beautiful night.

 

Wed, 4^th

Another still morning but by 8am the gusty wind from the west was blowing which is nice.

I felt a bit queasy this morning, it felt like my sinus thing again so I stayed back to rest and Steve went wandering.

I left the door open this morning to allow the breeze into the camper with the ‘fly strips’ flapping and my fly swat ready for those who ventured inside. The door is Crimsafe with midgie mesh and it blocks a lot of the breeze - good in the colder areas but we need all the breeze here. The rest of the windows are just fly mesh which allows in the breeze up top but also the little bugs at night time!! Can’t have it all. I have taken to putting a light outside to attract the bugs and we only have the TV on - no lights so any that come in normally die behind the TV.

After lunch we packed up and went along the track to try another spot. Nice view as we crested a saddle between two hills.

As it is hottest now (37 degrees) we just set up and read our books in the shade with the wind still gusting around us.

There are a few clouds about which block out the sun now and then which is nice as we went wandering. Found a few spots where others have dug before us and all I found was a lead shot near a hole so obviously he missed that one!

No fire as it is too windy but we sat outside watching the sky change its colours through sun set. There is just a slither of the moon reflecting the sunshine now, near Venus.

Thurs, 5^th

Clear sky, no wind, 21 degrees at 6am.

8am the wind is back. Went wandering, getting exercise and cleaning up Australia!

The wind is strong and gusty so after a cuppa we decided to move across to the Valroc leases we have permission to detect on. We headed back to the main track then onto Skull Springs Road again. A vehicle pulled onto the road in front of us - so we aren’t the only crazy people up here. We followed them and they headed to the track that goes in past Adam’s camp (he has permission from Valroc to work their leases. He stopped and we pulled alongside and it was Adam but in a new truck. His brother was with him so we said hi and that we had met their friends when they pulled into the van park at Gove behind us. Small world. Adam said to come to the camp so we continued on. Met Apple again and his sister-in-law and the two kids (the little boy had fallen into a fire while they were on the Gibb River Road so they had to change plans and get him sorted in Perth, luckily it wasn’t too bad - hence they weren’t with their friends in Gove).

We said bye and headed over to one of our ‘spots’ and discovered this is where he had pushed. Oh well we will see if he left us anything.

The wind is still howling so we just read for the afternoon. It is supposed to settle down in a day or two and the temperature is dropping too. Only got to 35 in the camper!!

The wind didn’t stop till 7.30pm so we played cards with our drinks inside then finished off the last of the Spanish Mackerel.

 

Fri, 6^th

The wind is back, clear sky and 20 degrees. We went wandering.

Had a cuppa then I stayed back and read and Steve wandered again.

The wind is keeping it cooler, 28 degrees at lunch.

After lunch packed up and moved across to another of our ‘spots’.

The wind dropped off and the temperature climbed up again!

No wind now so got the fire going and relaxed with our friendly flies who amazingly disappear as the sun goes down (thank goodness).

The wind picked up from the south later on and then got stronger as we headed off to bed so we had to close some windows. 10pm only 24 degrees - nice.

 

Sat, 7^th

The wind got stronger from the south-east during the night buffeting the camper and making it colder so we closed up the camper and pulled up the blankets!!

18.8 degrees min and the wind is still blowing. As it was cooler and windy I did my baking and put a silverside in the Ecopot. Steve went wandering. 

After a cuppa he headed off again so I did some blog writing.

The strong wind settled a bit with just a few gusts now and then.

At lunch there is only a light breeze and it is still only 30 degrees.

We packed up and moved camp again. Got phone signal between the hills and sent off a birthday text to Stephanie.

Along the track to another ‘spot of ours’. No pushings here.

Set up - no wind at all now so heating up.

After a cuppa we headed off for a wander.

Lovely evening, drinks by the fire, then spotting satellites etc.

10pm the wind is back!

 

Sun, 8^th

The camper was rock and rolling during the night with the wind. WA stands for Windy Again.

We relaxed for the morning reading our books till the wind settled enough after morning tea. Did some wandering then had lunch.

Had a cuppa then packed up and drove back to Adam’s.

We are starting to get low on water and inspiration of where to detect next and I must admit the heat hasn’t been to conducive to doing a lot of detecting - Steve doesn’t mind it though. We decided to head back into Nullagine so said farewell and drove back out to the main road and back onto the first of Valroc leases just off the road for the night. Same spot we were when the Tassies left so I didn’t take a camp photo.

The wind settled down but we didn’t bother with a fire tonight. Cooler evening.

 

26-31 Aug, 2024 Bush camps, Mosquito Creek area, east of Nullagine, WA

Mon, 26^th

6am sunrise, 15.6 degrees. The others up early to wander before they get too hot. We got up at 7am as it’s a bit cool for us, haha.

We all had fun wandering around detecting though the higher temps aren't making it too comfortable for our Tassie friends but they just detect early and then later in the day.

Steve went back over the hill to chat with the other campers. I had a cuppa and rang Terry. Doing well. The President of the Van Club called in to say they are awarding him a ‘Life Membership’ to the club and he will get it at the next rally which is the birthday one. Erica would be so pleased though I know she was disappointed they hadn’t been awarded it early as they were the only original members left.

Steve still hadn’t come back so I took a radio and went looking for him. He was still chatting with the campers who turned out to be people we met years ago, first at Mt Dockrell near Halls Creek (2018) then around here. Anthony had a Unimog but has sold it but Steve still recognised him. His mum, Gail, travels with him in her old Toyota which Steve recognised too and they had a ‘new chum’ to detecting, Colin from Melbourne. Colin was loving the whole experience but wasn’t too excited about the ‘animals’ as the cattle wandered through camp and he is in a swag! They said they saw dancing lights a couple of times low on the horizon where Venus sets so we will have to keep and eye out. I said it’s probably satellites as they can be anywhere but he said they just appeared, darted, then vanished.

We had our drinks and nibbles around the fire as the sun set.

We watched Venus disappear but didn’t see any dancing lights.

 

Tues, 27^th

16 degrees, clear sky and light breeze.

Moved camp. Lots of nice wildflowers adding colour to our camp.

Got out Dan’s firepit to cook our pork steaks and jacket potatoes for dinner. Early start and early drinks sent the Tassies off to bed early but we enjoyed being outside enjoying the stars.

 

 

Wed, 28^th

13.2 degrees, it’s getting colder!!

Getting hotter in the day though and the forecast will be high temps for the next week. It shouldn’t be this hot, Mike read there was a heat wave happening, yes we agree.

We decided to move camp by a little creek that the others were wishing had cool running water in it!

I have phone reception here with the aerial and we got a call from Jon. Beau was bouncing like mad in his jolly jumper so he wanted to see if we could get a video - no but we had a lovely chat and heard Beau ‘laughing’. He is rolling a lot so they have to keep and eye on him.

Relaxed in the shade reading our books.

Another lovely sunset.

Steve spotted a low light where Venus had set and then a bit later we saw another one. Another one followed that - they only appear for a short bright line then disappear so we reckon they are the Starlink ones as they were in the same spot and bright for the same distance, horizontal to the horizon but not far above the horizon so we think this is what the others were seeing.

 

 

Thurs, 29^th

17 degrees this morning when we got up at 7am.

At 8.30am the others came back not coping with the heat already. They decided they may as well head south to where it was cooler so they could spend more of the day detecting rather than trying to keep cool in the shade here even though they wanted to explore this area more. They only have a month left before they have to get the boat back to Tassie.

We waved them off and hope they have a good trip as they head towards home.

We had lunch then moved on too but northward into Lower Mosquito Creek area as there is a lot of pending leases and crown land where leases have been dropped now.

We passed a camp of 3 vans then found a nice spot for the night and set up.

Read in the shade till 3pm, thermometer says it is 39.4 degrees in the camper!

Another lovely evening though it is staying warmer longer now so don’t need my flanny shirt on at night.

 

Fri, 30^th

Lovely sunrise (photo through the front screen) this morning so we actually got up earlier too.

Wandered here and there. It got to 42 degrees in the camper but the breeze outside makes it cooler than that.

Steve likes to make people’s day as they wander through the bush by marking where he finds a bit of gold with a big smiley face. We have come across some when we wander over areas we have been before and they still make us smile.

The breeze hasn’t brought the temp down much while we sat outside for drinks and dinner.

It took a while to cool down and it was still 28 degrees at 10pm.

 

 

Sat, 31^st

Valerie’s birthday - no phone service so I hope she had a lovely day.

Cool wind but it only got down to 21 degrees overnight. Another clear blue sky with a gusty wind which help keeps the heat off us.

Went wandering again.

Had a cuppa then moved camp.

We had some water left in the bucket so put in the clothes to ‘wash’ while we drive around.

Found a spot on another pending area (lots of prospecting leases have been pending since May this year) worth investigating and parked up. I gave the clothes a good rub in the water and hung them up in the hot sun and wind so didn’t take long to dry while we had lunch in the shade (31 degrees in the camper).

The wind stopped after 3 so we decided to move camp again, 35 degrees.

Found another spot in a valley on the other side of the lease.

No golden rocks for us but I did find an old button and tack up on the hill. The creek has been dug out and there are lots of detector holes around - we are always just behind everyone else!!

Another beautiful evening - very peaceful.

Sun, 25th Aug, 2024 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bra to Bush camp, Upper Mosquito Creek, east of Nullagine, WA

20 degrees and still under a clear sky. Steve coloured my hair - such a good husband but he doesn’t want me going grey either!

8am the breeze is back and the day is warming up. The others have arrived in Marble Bar so we headed in to meet them. They were topping up their water tanks. We already did but we have our buckets to fill too so we headed off to Nullagine to do it there.

Back out the 8km to the turn off to Nullagine (94km) and onto the gravel road. Steve had already let some air out of the tyres so we were all good.

Sturt Desert Peas along the roadside brighten up the drive. Up and down then through the hills.

The road is good then we found the grader parked up and the next half was in need of a grade!

Another nice entrance sign.

Into the park at Nullagine and Steve got to work filling up our buckets so we can stay out longer to do our detecting. I checked the post office for our mail - yeah it was there. Had a cuppa then the others arrived. They had to let some air out of their tyres.

A chap wandered by and he saw the Tassie numberplates. He then saw Ron and said he knew him as he lived near them in Bridport. He also knew Mike - what a small world.

Everyone was ready so we headed off. Across the Nullagine River - no water, just some ‘flowers’.

Onto Skull Springs Road and headed eastward. Lots of purple Mulla Mulla flowers by the road.

Luckily the grader has been over the road so it isn’t too bad. They had rain recently and you can still see where people did the wrong thing and drove on the road when it was too wet.

Lunch at the old ‘Hand Pump’ by a dry creek. The pastoralist has a bore and tank water is available for the cattle here. I still have phone reception with it connected to the big aerial.

Continued on a bit then turned down the track to head to some pending leases that we previously detected in 2016. Passed some campers with a big trailer etc but continued on across the creek which the other chap wouldn't have gotten his rig through.

Along the track then cleared some trees in the dry creek bed we have to traverse. As we came over the rise to the site of the old mining centre (lots of old equipment and rubbish still here) we spotted to vehicles parked up so we continued on over the hill and parked up there. We like all this area so there is plenty of good ground to wander over.

No phone reception here but Anne has her Starlink which is very handy but a bit too dear for us to have all the time ($179/month plus the cost of the unit). She had given us the password so the phone and laptop link to it whenever she has it on, hence I got a phone call from Kaylene. She is slowly feeling better from the flu so we had a lovely long chat. Heading to Wagga Wagga in a month for Ian and Gail’s daughter’s wedding.

I didn’t want to go detecting so Steve took the 6000 out for a walk.

He had a nice time on the top of a hill.

The others went out wandering later once the heat had dropped at bit. 

Steve made a nice quartz fireplace and got the fire going for drinks as the sun lowered and it cooled off. It got to 36 degrees in the camper today. The flies aren’t too bad either but I still put up my ‘fish/chip’ strips to knock them off our backs as we walk into the camper.

Nice breeze too so it was very comfortable outside. Watched the satellites zoom across the sky full of stars. Got a bit chilly after dinner (Gove Spanish Mackerel & vegies) so I had to put my flanny shirt on!