Wed, 25th Apr, 2018 Lake Douglas campground, west of Kalgoorlie, WA

8am 20 degrees and clear sky.

Did the washing and Steve put in the extra battery for the fridge.

Caught up on my blog. A local chap, Swampy, stopped by for a chat. We met him the first time we were here.

After lunch rang Jon and Jess. Jess gave him a surprise 25^th birthday dinner last night as they are going to Sydney for the weekend so he can play golf with his friend. Tried Daniel – left a message.

Chatted with Jeff. He and Lyn are heading to Kununurra soon so we might catch up with them in Halls Creek.

Daniel rang back. He and Fran had been to Lake Barrine. He has been doing some long hours at work.

Played a few games of Skipbo – poor Steve!!

Quiet evening though some motorbikes are having fun zooming around in the bush in the dark!! They aren’t near us which is good.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 24th Apr, 2018 Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie to Lake Douglas campground, W of Kalgoorlie, WA

8am 17 degrees, clear sky.

Rang Mum and Dad for a chat.

More shopping. Even found some hot cross buns – missed them over Easter.

Went to Mines Dept to put in 2 applications for 40Es around Halls Creek for when we get there end of May. They have a mineral display open now that is very interesting.

Filled up fuel. Preparations were being down at the War Memorial for Anzac Day tomorrow so we listened to some songs and the last post while we filled up the water tanks.

Headed out to Lake Douglas for a couple of days – 3 day free stay here.

Didn’t open up any windows as it is quite cool.

Mon, 23rd Apr, 2018 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora to Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie, WA

7am 21.7 degrees and clear sky. Sent Susan a text for her birthday.

Packed up and stopped at Kev and Linda’s to say goodbye. Steve had found another axe head for Kev. We will probably see them Friday as Dean is going back on the train.

Headed back down the highway to Kalgoorlie.

Pete rang for a chat as we were driving along so we rang him back when we pulled into RV parking near Coles.

Had lunch then did some shopping. Bought a new solar panel for the front of the truck and an extra battery as the solar panel was a very old Telstra one and wasn’t putting in enough amps anymore. Steve felt we could use the extra battery to make sure the fridge is happy on the desert trip.

Left a message for Gavin and Tonia but as it is school holidays they might have gone away.

Parked up in the 24hr RV stop with lots of other travellers.

The Council did their driveby to check we were all self-contained.

Chatted with a couple who manage Laverton Downs Station.

Cooler evening – no need to park in the shade down here!!

Sun, 22nd Apr, 2018 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

Woke in the middle of the night as the wind picked up with a storm nearing. Wild wind but the awning was ok.

All calm again at 7.30am, 25 degrees and still overcast. Even had a couple of drops of rain. One of the ‘locals’ cars is bogged by the water’s edge.

Played some more Skipbo.

Joined Michael and Jo for a cuppa and chat. Jo said the ‘locals’ were ‘having fun’ at 4am when they went too close to the edge and bogged their car. The police drove by us while we were chatting but didn’t stop to say hello or enquire about the bogged car – probably know who they are.

Another storm cell crossing over – got a few more heavy drops of rain and some thunder. More vans rolling in – getting a bit crowded up here. A few more are parking in the bushes around the dam.

The other ‘local’ car came back and a few of them had a go at digging out the bogged car. Eventually one chap drove around and stopped to ask if we could help them out. Steve was just finishing his cuppa and was going to head down there but it is nice that the chap came and asked first. He was the Dad we saw playing with his kids in the water yesterday.

Got out the winch rope and pulled the car backwards out of the mud. They were all very thankful which was nice.

Kev, Linda and their grandson Dean arrived in the late arvo. They parked near ‘our tree’ so we went over for chat. Beautiful colour as the sun set down under the dark clouds.

Watching our photos – 2 years today we arrived in Kalgoorlie.

Sat, 21st Apr, 2018 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

7.30am 22.5 degrees and overcast. Storms were predicted for the weekend.

Quiet day pottering about. Played a few games of Rummykub.

Sun trying to peek out so we went for a walk around the dam. Past some locals digging for yabbies. I thought they were gone since someone introduced carp into the dam.

A couple in a camper trailer pulled in further along the dam wall. We stopped for a chat. English couple, Michael & Jo, who have been in Melbourne for the past 10 years and they like detecting. They travel with their cat who seems very comfortable with the travelling lifestyle.

Still quite warm at 10pm, 28 degrees so the windows etc are all open. We can see some lightning flashing in the south.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 20th Apr, 2018 Bush camp, 34km east of Leonora to Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA (Katelin & Sarah’s birthdays)

7.30 am 20.1 degrees (van closed up each night now) & a few clouds. Sprinkle of rain woke me at midnight. Forecast for storms Sat and Sun.

Sent texts off for Katelin and Sarah’s birthdays.

Decided to move back to Malcolm Dam and park where we can get reception to watch the Supercars racing in Phillip Island over the weekend.

Parked on the dam wall this time rather than ‘our tree’ so we can have lake views and we don’t need the shade as it is cooler than the other times we have parked here.

Only two swans left – wonder if they can’t make the distance any more to the next spot so they will stay here all the time now. There was even a seagull but he flew off – must have just been having a rest!!

Rang Sandy and Tom to see when they are heading north. Hopefully we will catch up with them before we head off on the CSR.

Went into town after lunch for water and fuel. Chatted with a young couple heading off on their lap of the map with their camper trailer. So glad we have a caravan!! It will be certainly a big change for us living out of the truck for the next few months!!

A few more campers pulled in around the dam. Also a few locals and then as night fell the backpackers roll in. They haven’t worked out the courtesy of driving slowly past people’s camps!

Had dinner looking across the lake then walked around the other side to see what was happening up in the sky. Steve got the first satellite tonight.

Thurs, 19th Apr, 2018 Bush camp, near Minara (between Leonora & Laverton) to Bush camp near Webster’s Find Mine, 34km east of Leonora, WA

7.30am 18 degrees, clear sky and cool breeze. I was woken early to the howl of dingoes/wild dogs as they are now called. Haven’t seen any so which is good.

We packed up and moved down the road a few kms to Webster’s Find Mine pending area where we had found a couple of bits to see if there are any more left. Parked out on the salt & pepper ground rather than trying to hide from the hot sun like last time by parking in the bush.

Went wandering but I gave up early as my arm is nearly over detecting. I need a new harness like Steve’s to take the weight off my shoulders – getting old!!

Steve found two bits right beside each other but nothing else.

The wind has picked up and a few good willy willies whizzed around the van but the rocks are compacted here so now dust comes up, just the grass etc.

Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – all good there. I told her of the family tree chatting I was having with my second cousins and suggested she ring her cousin Jim for a chat about it. She said they had dinner the other night for Katie’s birthday tomorrow and a farewell to Matthew who is moving to Brisbane. They all grow up eventually.

Played a few games of Skipbo – I am getting back a few games after being beaten 5-1 by Steve!!

Had dinner by the fire after the flies went to bed. Beautiful sky again and lots of satellites. We both saw two very long burning ‘stars’ that looked amazing. Made wishes too. More space junk falling down I suppose.