Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Mornin campers.. Had a rather interesting night in the tent last night. BIG storm came through that was a little wet and a little windy. Good thing Damien and I created enough weight to keep us grounded. However there were a couple of wind gusts that did come very close to picking us up and dropping us in Oz.
Right, showered, packed up and ready to face today.
Ha ha ha ha, knew today was going to be a little on the funny side when we couldn't find our way out of Norseman!! This is especially funny if you have been to Norseman, because you would then know that there are only 2 ways in and out. We drove around the roundabout with the camels 3 times before we finally stopped and asked for directions. From a Victorian no less. Right. Turns out we were camping right next to the road out. I think enough has been said regarding this. Damien thinks so too :-)
As the driver nazi (I even have a hand sign for this) had declared it another long drive day (about 700 and something km) I knew my stops would be limited, so I had to choose carefully.
Around 100km out of Norseman we overtook a couple of Halliburton trucks. I know, I know, you think I am mentioning this because of Damien's link to the Oil & Gas industry. But you would be wrong. I mention this because there was a convoy of Halliburton trucks that we spent the entire day, yes the ENTIRE day, playing leap frog with.
It was just after I think our second leap frog with the Halli boys (yes it happened often enough that I gave them a nickname) that we almost gained a new passenger. Via the windscreen. There was a Wedge Tail eagle feasting on some carnage in the middle of the road. As we were approaching I was trying to get my camera on my phone ready to take what was going to be a super awesome photo worthy of accolade in galleries around the world. With the front cover of National Geographic in my mind, Damien beeps the horn to get it to fly so we don't run it over. We did not however anticipate that this terra dactyl type creature would fly right towards us. I kid you not this thing had about a 7' wing span (according to the knower of all) and it was heading straight for us. Instinct let out a "holy f@@k" as the arms went up over the head to save myself from a severe beak injury. It was at this moment the camera took a wonderfully blurred picture of my finger. Eagle lifted just before we hit it and flew off. Alas, no front cover photo but quite a memory of an extraordinary moment.
As I am amusing myself waving to the Halli boys again (they got in front again coz I needed to pee so we had to stop) Damien spots a deserted house in literally the middle of nowhere and decides to pull over and have a look.
The nicest way to describe this house is a bit of a fixer upper. However it was awesome. Apparently it has a history, along with other derelect houses from Balladonia to Israelite Bay, which is explained in the book "Challenges in Isolation" by John Bridges.
Anyhoo, the house is awesome. We had a good time looking around and playing Lord and Lady of the manor. Damien especially liked the Model T Ford (check out the photo). I was more focused on making sure nothing slithered up from the floorboards while I was walking over them :-)
There was a great feel to the place and worth a stop (even though you are not supposed to). You can find it around 80km's before Caiguna.
We decided to pull into Caiguna (this decision made very easily and quickly when I saw the word 'bar') for lunch and low and behold who should be there but the Halli boys. Lunch was umm nice with a beautiful view of, yep you guessed it Halliburton trucks!!!! They left before us so we knew the rest of the afternoon would be leap frogging again. Ahh fun times on the road :-)
I should mention that it is just before Caiguna that you do your first time change. Ahead 45 mins heading out of WA to match Central Eastern time.
It was at this time that I figured I should consult a map and see if there was anywhere between Caiguna and Eucla that I wanted to stop and see. Much to my dismay and Damien's delight (remember he had just lost 45 mins) there was only one lookout at Madura that I wanted to stop at. Downward slide to Eucla it was then.
The lookout at Madura Pass gives you an amazing view of the Roe Plains. The beauty and vastness takes your breath away (it was either the view or the extremely cold wind - either way something took my breath away!). We truly do live in a country with what I can only describe as a rugged handsomeness. The sheer vastness certainly does put everything back into perspective. It also gave us a great view of the storm that was blowing in.
With the storm in mind we decided to make our way to Eucla (only a mere 190km away) and get set up for the night. It was this purpose that made it frustrating when we had to stop on highway for the pedestrian crossing. What was even more annoying was that whoever had pushed the button had already passed so we were waiting for nothing :-) (see the photo to see what I am on about).
When we got out of the car at Eucla the first thing we got was a b**** slap in the face from the cold wind. It was then that the decision was made that we would have to smuggle Bailey into a room coz the tent WAS NOT GOING TO CUT IT!!! Turned out we could have Bailey in a budget room. Amen to that. Deciding to celebrate our last night in WA I tackle the task of libations (2 bottles of wine) and Damien tackles dinner (a cup of noodles each) and to be completely honest we loved that meal in our budget room :-)
Tomorrow we hit the border (about 12km from where we are staying) and wave a final farewell to our life in WA and say G'Day to our new life in the East.
With those thoughts in mind. .....
Lights out ..... Goodnight
- comments
Marina Well done lass. Your blogs are just like a story. Looking forward to reading some more! Have fun and safe adventures!
Danielle Great idea looking forward to the next installment, hopefully you get there before Christmas.