WEEKS 12 - 18 August 2 - 15 September

Hi, its us again,

Thought I'd catch up on what we've been doing since the beginning of August.  

As you can probably guess we didn't leave Broome on 15 August but rebooked until 4 September.  Both family and friends urged us to stay because of the covid situation in Victoria and, to be honest, we were having a great time.  The last month in Broome was interesting.  From the middle of August the CP scenery changed dramatically.  All the 'long termers' gradually started to leave and the occassional hole appeared, but were quickly filled up by people stilling hanging around Broome.  The demographic changed from old farts to young singles or young families.  We have been amazed to see how many families are on the road.  When you think about it, home schooling is now the norm in the eastern states so it makes it very easy for families to pack up and travel (as long as you made your escape early enough).  The weather also became warmer than it had been and the occassional humid day appeared.  I continued with bridge until they packed it in on 24 Aug and we continued to go to aerobics and the gym until we left Broome.  We also managed to have another haircut before we left, vital in this covid age.  I can't wait to get back to my regular hairdresser as they have no idea what a proper haircut is up here (I know, you poor buggers in Vic must be looking a bit scruffy by now).  Our plans for coming home changed daily, originally straight down the Stuart Hwy from Katherine until they had a case there which meant we couldn't have got into SA without quarantining, but we finally decided to go down through WA rather than risk an outbreak in NT or SA.   Eventually we packed up and left on 4 September and I must say, I wasn't really keen about moving on.

'On the road again' we travelled all of 170 kms to Barn Hill home stay.  We had heard a great deal about how lovely it was.  The beach was magnificent but the home stay was 'rustic' to say the least.  Open air toilets and showers don't really do it for me anymore and the red poofy dust underfoot, yuk.  One night there was more than enough.   No TV reception meant we had to listen to the Bris/WB cliffhanger.  Bullies by a point, lucky doggies.

Another 250 kms to Eighty Mile Beach where the wind was blowing a gale. We caught up with a number of people here who we had met in Broome so lots of nibbles and drinkies. Long walks on the beach and chasing the tide here.  We stepped out the low tide to 1.5 to 2 kms, ankle deep.  It was eerie.  Great fishing spot but the fishies weren't biting, too windy.  

Next we headed to Stephen's must go to, Marble Bar, 230 kms inland.  We had 3 nights here (stop laughing).  The CP was quite good and the temp a cool 30 degrees.  MB is famous for 161 continuous days above 37.8 degrees C (that's 100 F for we older folk) in the 1920s.  We explored a number of pools, gorges and gaps over the next few days.  We also visited the community pool for a swim with the local kids.  Beautiful big pool and when the kids went home we had the whole thing to ourselves.  Met an interesting couple from the Gold Coast here and enjoyed a night with them.  Decided to have a meal at the Ironclad Hotel but were shocked when we looked at the menu and it was $42 for a parma that had come from the supermarket and a steak was $48.  After a drink each at $24, we ended up going home and having leftover chicken stirfry. 

We again changed the itinerery and headed towards Karijini NP.  This had been a favourite of ours when we were in WA in 2009.  We booked for 2 nights off grid, which was all we could get.  The route options  from Marble Bar to Auski Roadhouse were 460 kms via Port Hedland or 230 kms direct.  The direct route had 60 kms of dirt but we had been guaranteed the road was in very good nick.  It really was a good drive but when we arrived at Auski Roadhouse, just 86 kms from Karijini, for the night the van was full of dust.  

The roadhouse had an aura of dust from all the trucks and vans passing through.  I immediately got the dusting glove out and Stephen hosed down the van.  We had great TV reception and watched Melb squash Geeeeelong.  As Maxie Gawn was on a rampage in the 3rd quarter we had a laugh as we looked up from the TV to see a coating of dust on the inside of the windows, yuk!!  The following morning we drove into Karijini.  Found our alotted space and set up the van.  We spent the rest of the day at Fortesque Falls, the Fern Pool and Circular Pool.  Had a lovely swim at the Falls.  

This is amazing part of WA, with 5 gorges that just drop away from the surrounding land.  The rocks are a deep red with incredible colours running through the stone in waves.  Its rugged scenery and ancient geological formations make Karijini a unique part of our beautiful country.  A must see for all Australians.  However, some of the amazing walks are quite challenging but satisfying once completed.  Day 2 we put on our walking boots and drove an easy round trip of 200 kms to Hammersley Gorge.  As we passed a mine entrance our phones started dinging and we had internet coverage.  Stephen pulled over and accessed the AFL site to see who had one the Doggies/Port game.  I must admit we were very pleasantly surprised that the Bulldogs had not only won but trounced Port Adelaide. We spent the rest of the day swimming at the beautiful Hammersley Gorge then continued onto Weano, Joffe and Knox gorges.  A long but spectacular day then home to remove our shoes (first time we had worn shoes since June) and make dinner.  Dinner was prepared on the gas cooktop but we had plenty of onboard water and had planned our meals for our time here. Sat out under the stars that night and took in the wonder of the outback.

Another rejig of the plan and we headed back to the coast for some beach time.  Denis Grant has arranged for us to use his access to grandfinal tickets so we are now heading for Perth in two weeks time to barrack for the Western Bulldogs.  Thanks Den, we'll do you proud I promise.  After a night at a roadhouse, without dust, we headed for Exmouth.  We are now in a very nice CP with a pool and grass.  Stephen has been feeling a little under the weather so we have had a couple of quiet days hanging around the pool.  

Tomorrow we are off to Coral Bay, a favourite place of ours, for a couple of days of snorkelling around the coral and spying of the fish.  The current plan is to go onto Carnarvon then inland over the next two weeks to see the wildflowers.  We've just seen the weather forecast for Perth, Thursday 15th Sept and a top of 15C is a bit scary for us.  Might have to visit an Opp shop or two for some warmer gear for the GF.

We are grateful that we are here and not suffering like you all with lockdown fatigue.  

So, its goodbye from me and goodbye from him.

Love and hugs to everyone