Sunday, 30 July 2017

South Lefroy Bay 27/07 - 31/07/2017


Dear Porky,
we are having a splendid time at the beach after a gruelling trip to the South Lefroy Beach. It took him over 1.5 hr.for for 23km even after releasing tire pressure.

Once we paid our fees at the office (see above) we proceeded to plough another 12km in about 1 hour,
but it was worth it.
Constant wind is a bit of pain, sometimes so strong that it blows the chairs over and rocks our car violently. Nevertheless a beautiful spot, with a reef breaking the waves in the distance. He swam in the turquoise water between reef and beach with the current so strong he only had to drift to speed along.
We are hoping to arrive further down the coast via Coral Bay at Point Quabba in the arvo and will possibly camp out there.
At the moment we are having breakfast at our spot in dunes.





Leaving the station we meet Mama Emu with her babies

He decided to belt it on the return trip on this road and voila, 60km/h did the trick. We were flying with all the fillings in our teeth still in position.😁

Thursday, 27 July 2017

The Pilbara 26/07 to 27/07/2017

up in the hills Albert Tognolini rest area, thank goodness they have 4WD again, we escaped the parking rush right up top and settled almost the top of the world.

Early morning start to the gorges, were quite excited, but after meeting every 30 seconds more tourists, we felt we were on a highway and made a run direction Exmouth, hoping to be back at the coast and beach by tomorrow.


Mining on a grand scale

On and on side of the road impressions


When a vehicle with a sign oversized load comes your way, you better get out of the way, they were 5 in a row.
desert pea in full bloom at present

Kapok bush.
This bush was apparently introduced by Afghani camel drovers who used the seed pods as padding in their saddles and camel muzzles. It is now all over north west Australia. The fluffy 'things' were used for a long time by settlers and pioneers as cotton substitute for pillow and mattress stuffings.

Indee Station 25/07/2017


Dearest Porky, we left the Cape and travelled via Port Hedland toward the Pilbara. Within 80km they decided to visit Indee Station. This station spans 430000 acres, with several railway lines, 1 mine, cattle and some accommodation and caravan parking. She was ecstatic to find a washing machine and showers, he was looking forward to 'happy hour'.
It was a rural as you can get, including Greens bashing, politically not quite correct jokes, you know what I mhttps://www.google.com.au/shopping/product/13835017382927588464?q=40%22+tv/dvd+player&rlz=1C9BKJA_enAU670AU670&hl=en-GB&prmd=sivn&biw=1024&bih=653&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2vva9hpDUAhUFjJQKHRHYBxUQ8wIInwQwDQean, Porky. The station has a 'tour guide' she could not relate too much to him. so we missed out on aboriginal rock carvings on the property.

One of several workshops

Retired work horses

The happy hour venue

On leaving the station he discovered a mad max version of a truck to replace their vehicle:


Porky, I hope you cope well with the Tassie winter. Talk soon, your Petunia

Sunday, 23 July 2017

Beach time 22/07 - 24/07/2017

The first beach we encountered with not even a fragment of plastic, rope or aluminium. Encouraging!



Friday, 21 July 2017

Port Hedland 21/07/2017


Hi Porky,
camped next to the race course with view to 🚰🅿️🚾🚮🚻 together with 100's of cheap arse grey nomads. As you can see on the photo above, the city has artistic ambitions: the white water tower transformed at dusk into a purple martini glass, I suppose to take the edge of the the crass sunset.
HE found the workshop and met the most amazing mechanic with a shoe box workshop. After 2.5 hrs. The problem was fixed. A sharp rock cut the cable for the brake pads sensor and did therefore not allow to engage in 4WD or cruise control. The man soldered and covered the damaged cable, reset the computer and we engaged in vigorous wine consumption with a French born couple from Sydney.
All signs are good to leave this dreary place for Cape Karaudren 145km north of Port Hedland, the place where the 1837km rabbit prove fence ends.
Porky, I hope you are well rested, weekend is approaching.
cheers Petunia

Marble Bar 20/07/2017

Dear Porky,
arrived at Marble Bar during the morning. We visited the Marble Bar gorge and Chinamen's pool. Quite touristy, so went back that he could make some phone calls regarding the car computer, while she visited the local one and only shop. It is a big room with virtually nothing in it. A freezer was defrosting, another one full with ice crystal studded kangaroo steaks and unrecognisable other items. The deep fryer was humming and pushed out the aroma of well used oil. Nobody in the shop but her and the shop attendant. She felt obliged to buy something to boost the turnover and purchased a medium bag of Smith's crisps and a small container of warm chicken strips(5) the latter looking freshly done. $14.65 was the princely sum and she realised why the shop was empty. For the locals it is worth to travel the 200km distance to Port Hedland to do the shopping.
Good news for him: customs service Mercedes Benz advised the availability of 1 workshop which could help. There is hope on the horizon to go off road again.
Marble Bar Gorge

We left Marble Bar without visiting the iron clad hotel ( His and Stephen favourite) simply because they open at 12 noon, we wanted to get away to find His special gorge 34km west of Marble Bar: the Doolena Gorge being feed by the Coongan river.
We loved it, the water level was low the arrivial of camper vans high, but He secured a prime spot facing the gorge and away from the rest. It was decided to stay another day and night.





Thursday, 20 July 2017

Telfer Mine to Marble Bar 19/07/2017

Dear Porky,
had a good trip along the road and found this amazing well on the side of the road. A big generator. Pumped water out of it to supply the mine. Toward evening someone came bye to switch it off. From then on it was only us, the fish and the birds. 2 road trains on this 'highway' were all what was happening during our stay. I even was contemplating a dip. Heading now toward Marble Bar, back into civilisation.

Evening reflection

Fresh water shower


Well beauties

Lake Dora

Enormous inland lake, partly salt and partly fresh water. We could only see salt.


Well 33 to Telfer Mine 18/07/2017

Left this morning and sticky beaked at the 'servo' to catch a glimpse of the diesel/ petrol prices: $3.40/ltr thank goodness we have plenty to even get us to Port Headland, unfortunately no Mercedes workshop. However we managed so far.
We drove through Punmu, no photos Porky, I'll explain later. It was destitute.a
Leaving the 'village' behind we heading to toward Tefler mine.

Roadside beauties





Gorgeous

Kintore to Canning Stock Route Junction 16/07/2017



After having a challenging ride we camped on the side of the road ( really!) as we have not seen a soul for almost the whole stretch. We are away only a few km from the NT/WA border and hope the road does not get worse. Tires ok, but ....... The car computer plays up ........ No ABS, no ESP and what is bad NO 4WD!
so far so good. It probably will prevent us going places we wanted to go. Let's see.

Big surprise, we just crossed the border to WA and a highway of supreme dirt road opened up. We belting along and plan to stay on well 33 along the CSR where Gary Junction road crosses.
Staying the night outside Kunnawarritji community, a convoy of 7 4WD just arrived coming off Canning Stock Route. It will be probably a lively evening. Fires are going everywhere.
keep you updated how we go tomorrow.