Sat, 16th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA (4 years 6 months on road)

Not much sleep last night between the kangaroos and the cattle trying to get to our pool water and the cattle moaning. I do a lot of yelling and hand clapping to move them on. Might have to look at putting up a fence!!

6am 25 degrees, clear sky and no breeze. I put water out for the birds, pigeons and happy family groups while Steve defrosted the freezer. Needs doing every 4 days or the fridge doesn’t work well.

Steve did his morning generator jobs. Kym had given me the remainder of the killed beast which included a couple of roasts. I put one in the Ecopot.

Fed the cattle in the yards their hay while the ones outside look on. I keep telling them how to get in but they just stand there staring at me.

The pigeons keep going into Steve’s tank overflow drum and getting caught so after he tipped another 4 out he found a lid and jammed it in so they can’t fly in any more. Everyone is getting desperate for water around here.

Headed off on our bore run. Found another dead roo at St Patricks but he was in another section away from the trough so we left him there. At some of the troughs where I can hear the finches I put some water in holes in the ground so they can have a drink as they can’t drink out of the trough.

Back home to a flooded cattle yard. The outside cattle had pushed the yard panels up to the water trough and had disturbed the float so the water just kept pouring out. We have lost a quarter of our big tank! Luckily we have managed to get the top tank full so we have a backup now. Steve pulled the fence back out then went inside (I stood guard) and fixed the float and moved the concrete cover back over it. The cattle were good – just stood there and watched. My little calf I was worried didn’t have its mother has either found her or found another mother as it was have a great feed while we were there.

Lunch in the van, 40 degrees.

I worked on my blog. Saw on Facebook that it was Gavin’s birthday so sent him a message.

Cooled off in the pool in the afternoon with our coffees.

Rang Mum and Dad to tell them our adventures with the cattle. All good there.

Had another dip in the pool then went to the yard and fed the cattle. They are getting used to us as they walk up to the fence eagerly awaiting the hay I shove through. I open the entrance gate with the outside cattle watching and we put hay and molasses there to encourage them but they won’t go in.

Another dip in the pool – so glad we have it. Dinner in the van, with 3 fans going, as the flies are quite bad and don’t disappear until the sun has well and truly set. The roast was dry and chewy so the goannas will get to enjoy it!

Steve had left the pool pump going as he had put in some chlorine. I heard the cattle and went to shoo them on when I saw the pump hose on the ground. They had knocked it out and the pump had kept pumping so all our lovely pool water was on the ground now!! Will have to refill it with bore water as there are no storms forecast to give us any good rain.

The newer generator decided to have a hissy fit too – what else will go wrong today.

The cattle went back towards the yard. The others ones inside have settled – not moaning as much anymore. I put some water in the goanna bath as the kangaroos are getting desperate too since they can’t get into the trough.

Hopefully we will get a better night’s sleep.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 15th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

5am I heard a noise and a big roo had broken through the tarp over the pool. We didn’t get to put a new cover over it so that will be today’s job as the tarp is ripped now.

7am 30 degrees, blue sky and puffy clouds, nice northerly breeze.

Gave the cattle in the yard some hay – still a lot of cattle hanging around outside. There is one little calf that doesn’t seem to have its mum and there are some mums outside doing a lot of moaning – silly thing, just go in and be with your baby and you can eat and drink.

The cattle had bent the pin on the entrance gate which Steve tried to straighten then he closed the gate a bit more – if they come in they won’t be getting out now. Took photos and emailed them to Rob.

Steve heard a big bang and walked down to check the yard. The cattle had pushed the rails inwards where the hay is on the trailer. They moved it so much the pin that links the panels together had popped out. Steve got 2 cows and 2 calves out then got some wire and wired them the panels together as well.

Had a cuppa then headed off to pick up the water pod again – trying to keep our tank full as well as fill the top one. The windmill’s shaft T piece has broken so Steve climbed up the frame work and wired it so it stayed straight then put tape around the T piece. Will email Rob as that will have to be replaced which is too big a job for us to do.

Back home, put some water on the grass, looking a bit greener then put the rest down the well. When Steve turned the tap to send the water up into the top tank he got wet. The hose had come out of the top of the tank. With me watching Steve climbed up the old ladder then had to hoist himself up through the broken timber that the tank sits on. Not the easiest for him as he is not very flexible. He got it back in the hole on the side and then put wire on the pipe as he climbed down. Unfortunately it popped straight back out. The tank must be nearly full so the pipe won’t stay in. Steve got the thinking cap going and made up an elbow with some wire and chain hanging down from the pipe bit that goes into the tank, that way it will stay inside the tank. Up he went again and got it in place. Worked well.

Had lunch, 40 degrees in the van and the wind comes and goes.

Took the pod back and when we returned we noticed a heap of cattle under the tank. It was overflowing and the outside cattle were lapping up the water on the ground. They are getting very thirsty since they won’t go into the yard for a drink and haven’t walked the 5km down to the other trough either.

Sprung another bull drinking the water from the goanna bath, that’s getting a bit close to our pool. Had a cuppa in the pool feeling guilty that the outside cattle were so thirsty but we can’t do anything about it otherwise they won’t go into the yard.

A vehicle drove in which we saw had Round Oak Minerals on the side, sprung us in the pool. It was Claudio the geologist and a lady, missed her name, who is the health and fitness person for the mine. Interesting challenge for her getting people interested in their fitness etc after 12 hours work. She was from Townsville, her parents were fine with the floods but her sister has had a lot of damage. Claudio brought the maps showing where they were drilling and told us about different things to look for and how gold and quartz if formed etc. Very interesting. We got out the bits we found to show him as they are exploring for gold with these drill holes and he said it was ok for us to detect as long as we let him know what we find, where and what type of gold it is, rough, smooth etc. After a great chat he said he will be back to show us some more maps etc. Very helpful chap.

They headed back so we got back into the pool with our drinks. The birds are making the most of the water we put back in the water feeder and bath. The pigeons are funny to watch.

Even the crow came down for a drink.

The cattle are still hanging around under the tank, looking up hoping for more ‘rain’ to fall down on them from the tank. They are staring at us too so I think we had better make a good cover for the pool.

Steve got to work on the cover while I gave Erica and Terry a call. They are fine, having a big clean out in the shed after taking the pool table down to Woodgate at Christmas. Aunty Maree is still in hospital but she has been given her marching orders – she isn’t very enthusiastic about things, I think she is lonely since George passed. Terry’s aunty Eva will be 97 in March and has just been through Chemo for cancer but it has appeared again so hopefully she won’t have to suffer for much longer.

Steve found an old footon bed frame which fits over the pool perfectly. There was some shadecloth on another frame so we put that over the bed frame and we have a new snug-fitting cover which hopefully keep the roos and cattle out of our pool.

  

The galahs don’t mind sharing the trough with the cattle.

Gave the cattle in the yard some more hay and put some molasses on hay at the entrance hoping the others will go in.

7pm 38 degrees and no breeze. Glad we have our fans as we can’t use the air conditioner until we get a bigger generator!! Had dinner then while we were watching a movie I heard some mooing close to us and our lawn was covered in cattle. I shone the torch and told them off – they slowly walked away. I put the verandah lights on hoping that will discourage them.

Later on 8 kangaroos arrived. I refilled the goanna bath but the roos didn’t return quick enough and one of the cows managed to score a drink.

Hope the cover over the pool works as between the roos and the cattle it is going to be a busy and noisy night around the cottage.

Thurs, 14th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

5.30am 25 degrees, cloudy and breezy. Lovely sunrise colours.

The cattle moaned all night and are still moaning!! It is moaning, not mooing or lowing, sometimes I think they are in real pain!!

Steve hooked on the hay trailer so we can get hay from the homestead as the cattle have eaten what we got the other day. Headed off early to the homestead to swap cars so we can get the windscreen replaced on one of the work utes. Passed through a couple of light showers of rain – I had remembered to close the van’s roof hatches just in case we got any rain there.

Dropped off the ute at the windscreen place then walked down Boulder Road to McDonalds for a cuppa and toasted banana bread – yum. Walked back via Supercheap Auto as we received $28 credit for the filters Steve bought last time being put on sale. We have got heaps of things so far for free this way.

Picked up the ute and the order from the shop next door that Rob had put in then went around to Gavin and Tonia’s place to pick up the speaker box I ordered online from Dick Smith. I tried to get it delivered to Leonora but they wouldn’t accept that postcode so arranged it with Tonia to get it delivered to their place. Gavin was home so we had a nice time chatting.

Stopped in at RagCo – secondhand clothing, lots of mine workers clothes. Steve needs new shirts and pants for detecting as his old work ones are so thin now. I found some shorts too.

Across the road to another McDonalds for lunch. Steve got a paper and saw that Prince Leonard of Hutt River Providence had passed away aged 93. So glad we got to meet him when we stayed there. I texted Erica as she and Terry had met him too.

Kym sent a message and photo that the calves at the homestead are enjoying their ‘meals on wheels’ – they had loaded two huge hay bails onto the trailer and the calves were attacking it.

Got some things from the chemist and got $10 credit there too and we have had lots from the Woolies card and Flybuys. Certainly worth having them to get the credit back as you pay for it originally with their prices I suppose.

Picked up our groceries and then headed for home. Dark clouds ahead and to the west. As we needed the Gidji Roaster a huge lightning strike came down to the ground nearby. Glad it didn’t hit the big smoke stack. Further along a few drops of rain fell. Hope we don’t get too much as we have the back full of cartons etc.

The dark clouds continued to our left all the way home with blue sky to the east!! Erica and Terry rang re the text of Prince Leonard, just as we came through Leonora so we could only chat for a bit till we lost reception. Will ring them back for a better chat tomorrow.

Back to the homestead and loaded our groceries in our truck. With the hay behind us we headed for home. The dark clouds are still hanging around but as we headed up the road the sun peeked out from under the cloud on the horizon as the sun set – very pretty.

Flashes of lightning in the west as we turned onto our track back to the cottage. We backed the trailer into a blocked off section in the yard so the cattle in and out can’t get to it. Peeled off some sections and put it through the rails to the cattle. They were very happy then. The ones outside weren’t of course – I just said, go through the red gate and you have all the food and drink you want, but they just stood there moaning.

Must have had some wind here as things have been blown about but doesn't look like we had any rain.

Late dinner, 8.30pm 34 degrees and quite humid. Cuppa then into bed with the generator running to help the freezer and fridge in the cottage (after all the groceries go in) and to drown out the moaning cattle.

Wed, 13th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

7.30am 24 degrees, clear sky and gusty northerly.

Our pool got attacked last night. The kangaroos can’t get into the water trough so they sniffed out our pool and cut through the tarp and emptied the goanna bath. Steve taped up the tarp and we will put something better on it tonight. Will put out more water for them so they won’t attack the pool again.

Steve closed the entrance gate on the yard in by 1 pin. It slowly brings in one side so they can enter because it is spring loaded but it is harder for them to exit but they can if they are smart enough.

Jon rang for a chat. Flat out with work now the rain has stopped.

Headed off to explore another area for detecting. Found a golf course instead of gold. It is near the Round Oak Village. First we thought it was something to do with surveyors as there were blue strip poles around then we spotted solar lights mounted on concrete bases. Steve found some tees and holes. Bit of a rough course but nothing worse then what we played on when we crossed the Nullabor.

Went back towards home and had a detect on some Round Oak ground. Three vehicles came down our track and pulled off as we were closed to the track. It was Claudio, the geologist from Round Oak and a small drilling team. We explained who we were and he said he would call in and see us. They are only doing some shallow drilling. We left them to it and headed home.

34 degrees at lunchtime with a nice breeze.

Put my grocery order in for tomorrow’s trip to Kalgoorlie. We are going down earlier as the ute Kym & Glen used has a cracked windscreen which needs replacing and there are parts to collect etc.

Malcolm rang – fires last week in Tassie and now it is snowing. He has his beanie on!! No one can’t predict what the weather is going to do anywhere.

Had our drinks out the other side of the van so we can watch the cattle meander around the yard, moaning with the others that are inside with the water and the remainder of the hay. Took some molasses down to put on the gate to encourage the others to go inside for a drink and some hay. As we are heading off early Steve closed the entrance gate another notch so most won’t be able to get out now.

Watched a movie after dinner and with the generator going we didn’t hear how much of a racket the cattle were making till we got ready for bed and turned off the generator. Don’t know how much sleep we are going to get!

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 12th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

7.30am 25 degrees, clear sky and gusty wind.

Sent a message via Lorraine for Val’s birthday, so amazing to think she is still with us. She is in aged care now and is very happy there which is good.

Headed off to check all the bores and well. Saw a huge bull – will be interesting to see him in the yards when they muster.

As we neared one spot we saw a wedgie fly off then I saw a dingo just beside us. He stopped and looked so Steve opened the door but he wasn’t worried until I yelled, here boy, then he ran off. We found what they were checking out – a dead kangaroo near the water trough. Steve pulled it out and took it further away.

Brought back the water pod for our well and to water the grass. Kym and Glen arrived as they needed the trailer to pick up some things from Leonora.

Had lunch then returned the pod. Saw 5 black and white donkeys running beside us. The dingo didn’t come back for the roo.

We decided to go down to the homestead and have a drink and play Sequence with Kym and Glen. Met the two new backpackers, Marcel and Danielle, as Richie has headed back to Ireland to take up a cabinet making apprenticeship.

Headed back for dinner at home. Lorraine posted some lovely photos of Val celebrating her birthday.

Lots of cattle around the yard so a bit noisier now. Some just like moaning and moaning.

Nice evening, 30 degrees, with a lovely breeze coming in the window as we went to bed.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 11th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

7am 29 degrees, no wind and cloudy. The crows are very noisy this morning.

Tried ringing Tracy for her birthday – must be working so sent her a text and message on Facebook.

Steve got a new pack of Just Right out for breakfast but the box was broken so he carefully slid out the inner part and put in the old box. I said you won’t get that in properly and he said he was an expert. His mum used to bulk buy the Cornflakes when he was young and he would slit open the boxes and carefully slide out the inner bag so he could retrieve the toy inside. I need to start writing down his memories too, as I have been doing my life memories – hopefully one day our grandkids might read them and laugh too.

Got a message from Ray and Carol, heading over here in April. Starting near Kalgoorlie then up to Leonora so we might catch up with them somewhere.

Had our cuppas watching the birds using the new water feeder. We are seeing more birds now as the area is getting drier. The cattle are happily hanging around the yards wandering in to eat and drink.

40 degrees, sky clearing, with only a little breeze now and then.

About 11am the wind started blowing strongly from the west.

Rebecca and Clive rang for a chat – so lovely to hear from them. They did a drive around the Tablelands enjoying all the waterfalls after the recent rains.

Had lunch and enjoyed a quiet afternoon finishing off my 1000 piece jigsaw.

Steve having fun with the tablet, may as well make the most of having full time internet.

Time for a dip in our pool while we had our cuppas. Got my book out and continued with Terry’s amazing story of building a cattle station in NT, cooling off with a dip now and then.

7pm 37 degrees, the wind comes and goes.

Nice evening, dinner and movie.

Sun, 10th Feb, 2019 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 60km north of Leonora, WA

7am 24 degrees, clear sky and cool NE breeze. Some cows and their calves are enjoying the hay in the yards.

Rob texted asking us to check how much water is still in 10 Mile Pool. We headed down following our windy track to the pool. All dry here with little green shoots popping up. Looking north then south.

Steve found an emu track.

A bit further south I found a puddle full of tadpoles, don’t think they will last much longer.

Further on we found the remains of the pool water.

A flock of birds in the tree.

Still nice green grass here for the cattle.

Steve thinks a roo has been digging down here for something and found the water.

Steve pointed out a dingo track then I took the cow track since we were into spotting tracks.

Headed back, will email these photos to Rob.

Stopped at Glens Bore to check on the pump. It was sucking air again so Steve turned it off. Hopefully the bore will refill and we can it back in a day or so.

Home for a cuppa watching the birds try and drink from the black bird/goanna bath. Steve remembered he saw a chook feeder in the chook pen so I got and he made it into a water feeder to hang out in the tree for the little birds.

Steve worked on the other generator again. He thinks someone put oil in the diesel tank hence all the smoke so he dropped out all the fuel and let it run – very smelly again. After a while it just shut down so he pulled it apart and found a cable had worn through and shorted out. After fixing that it seems to run better, just need to get rid of the smoking problem.

He found some conveyor belt and pavers to make moving the generators about in his enclosure easier – always thinking of how to make things better and easier.

Lunch time, 35 degrees with thin wispy clouds and only a light breeze.

We played 3 to Kings – I won today. 2pm up to 37 degrees. Of course that’s when I decide to clean the van!!

Continuing on with my jigsaw, nearly finished! Steve pulled the grid around near the yards to make a cleared track for when they bring up the semi to collect cattle later on.

Had a cuppa in the pool – lovely and cool. Towed the grid down the track towards Glens Bore to tidy up some of the lumps and bumps on that track. Couldn’t go all the way as there is a very sandy section and we know the grid just gets bogged in that.

Got a message from Jess and a photo of her new study nook. She has decided to go back to University to do a Bachelor in Allied Health. She has credits from when she started a nursing course which will go towards it. She can attend Uni as she is doing the Bar Manager job which is night work.

Had our drinks listening to the birds and cattle. More cattle are turning up and investigating the yards to get a drink and get at the hay. A kangaroo dropped in for a while. He just sat in the shade of the tree.

The grass is coming back after having a few good doses of water from the pod before we take it back to the windmill.

Steve found a 4WD Action video on the tablet of the them doing the Coach Track from Maytown to Laura which was very interesting. Another track we will do one day.

Very still evening – got both fans going but not overly hot. Kym had given me some of the steaks from a ‘killer’ she still had in the freezer. She said they were tough so I cooked them up in a curry in the Ecopot and they became lovely and tender. Very nice dinner.

Fabulous photos on Facebook comparing Tinaroo Dam. Dam at 34% in Nov 2016 and now full and overflowing. Amazing what a few metres of rain can change. 

Sadly for pastoralists in inland Queensland it has gone from bad to worse as the drought losses has now been replaced by death of cattle by flooding. So sad.