According to my thermometer the overnight temp was 25 degrees, so we knew it was going to be hot again today and one step outside proved that to be the truth.

I was packed up ready to go when Kimbo announced there'd be a slight hold up.....there was a flat tyre on the trailer. Being the true professional he is, he could have put some air in it, but decided the best option was to change it........heat and flies to boot.

However after Kimbo had a refreshing shower we finally were on our way by 11.00am.

Termite mounds were everywhere, so there was no need to get so excited yesterday.

At times our Highway #1 was disgraceful with barely enough room for trucks to pass and no shoulder to speak of.

Interestingly though when we turned onto the Onslow road because of Onslow Salt and now the Chevron gas processing plant of Wheatstone some 20km from town the road has been upgraded and was spectacular in places. What a difference money makes, some $250 million to be invested in social and critical infrastructure projects for this little town.

Finally destination Onslow was achieved by 2.00pm. We dropped into the shop where we'll be working and Corrina and Chris welcomed us with open arms. After a quick tour around town we found our spot in the caravan park and proceeded to set up our nest.

It was fairly hot in the arvo, 36 degrees but surprisingly dry heat. I expected there would be plenty of rain about but we've been told there is only rain when a cyclone forms. Onslow is renowned for cyclone activity. However as there are two currently forming in the Timor Sea, we will not be hanging around as we did with Cyclone Larry. No residents of the caravan park are allowed to stay once a Yellow Alert is announced............works fine for us.

The caravan park is right on the beach which would be lovely, however there is much dredging going on so that ships can berth at the jetty that the sea is a nice shade of brown..........once again it's interesting to see what happens when multinationals hit these little towns. There are pros and cons depending who you talk to.

As there is a lack of rain there was no expectation of lush tropical growth, but there is no growth around us at all. The gravel is fine, but we are paying a subsidised rent of $340.00/week (power included) - outrageous really but we are grateful to not be paying the full rate of $430.00/week. Is everyone capitalising on the boom in Western Australia.........you bet. The current caretakers of the park are on a 3 month contract.......12month contract is $150,000/year for a couple.

Many of the locals are dismayed by what is happening to there little town of 700 people. The gas processing plant currently has a workforce of 2,000 and that will swell to 5,000 early next year. Is the infrastructure here to cope with such an influx..........absolutely not. But with the bad there is the good. Wheatstone wanted a chemist for their staff....there was none....so they brought one in. A bonus for the locals. They needed an airport to land jets for FIFO, they created one, but there are no commercial flights in and out. Our nearest airport is Karratha over 300kms away.

The cost of food I will touch on at a later time, once we've had some experience with this. Probably will happen sooner than later when we buy food for Xmas day.

There are going to be changing times ahead for everyone..........some good.......some bad.

Tomorrow we settle in before we start work on Tuesday...........I'm excited.