December 6th-8th, Days 28-30

 Time for another post of newsfromjude. The days are whizzing by and sadly we are on the home stretch. Another week and we might be there. I am glad that I have written notes into a book each day, as it helps me when I write a post, to remember what we did on which day and where we were!!

WEDNESDAY - DAY 28

Wednesday morning we were hooked up and on the road by 9.30, with no set destination. Just to see how far we would go. We headed north from Esperance, towards Norseman. 

A little settlement on the way to Norseman is Salmon Gums..............

Salmon Gums is a small town in Western Australia located 106 km north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. The name is derived from a prominent stretch of Eucalyptus salmonophloia trees which formed a landmark in the town's early days. 

I had seen quite a few trees with a pink coloured trunk on the way to Esperance and wondered about them........ and should have stopped for a photo..............but didn't........ so here is one from the internet.....

The countryside changed from cropping farmland as we drove north, to more trees and scrubby vegetation closer to Norseman, with evidence again of mining activity.

We arrived at Norseman about 12, and went to fuel up.... there were lots of pumps out of action.....and a few disgruntled tourists wanting to fill up........ there were reports of a highway closure due to a fire along the way, so we grabbed a quick bite and kept going. I admit to a little nanna nap along the way.

Back on the long straight road again...........

We stopped at Balladonia for a loo and food break and to check out the museum. We had not stopped here on the way over. The flies were very friendly!!!

Balladonia is famous for the debris of the US skylab falling in the area..............(you can see a piece on the roof above, and another one in the museum).

                              

We left there about 2.50pm and headed for Caiguna and more fuel. We have seen a few places where they did not have fuel, so we mostly put some in at each place as they are a fair way apart. We had planned to stay at Caiguna for the night, but there was a sign up saying the park was closed due to a water problem, so the decision to keep going was made for us. We drove a further 64km to Cocklebiddy and arrived just before 6pm........remember, WA does not have daylight saving, so it was dusk by then. We had a powered site, but no water. Showers were $4 for 7 minutes, or we could use our own water supply?? I cooked tea, trying to use up our remaining veg and salad before getting to the quarantine station over the border. 

We decided to use their showers, and Barry went over first with his $4. It was not long before he returned, and looked at me, and said "don't ask!!" Apparently he lost 1 of his $2 coins and it went very neatly down the drain hole. He reckons that one day a lucky plumber will find gold!! Take 2, he collected another coin so that meant it cost $6 for his shower!! (Note... I took an extra coin with me just to play safe!)

It was a warm and sunny day when we left Esperance in the morning and the weather got cooler as we went east. The internet and phone was very slow and dodgy. 

THURSDAY - DAY 29

Before I launch into Thursday's report, I need to mention that today, December 7th is my mother's 92nd birthday!! She is amazing!!

The caravan park at Cocklebiddy below, as we were leaving and well after most of the vans had already departed. Most of the area was filled with vans over night.

We woke to the news of weather warnings for South Australia.... strong winds, a rain bomb and hot temperatures..... catastrophic fire conditions!! We were left just before 8am and back on the long road again.........you can see below how the sky is changing...........

It was 300km to the border and by 10.30 we saw this sign............... but then realised it was already 1pm in South Australia................

I had driven the 2 hours to the border at Border village, where we got more fuel and had lunch...........

There is a golf course along the highway, with different towns offering golf, and this hole was at Border Village...............

you can see below how the sky is changing...........we were keeping up with the weather alerts when we had phone service...............

There was another fuel stop at Nullabor, at almost 5pm. We had considered staying here for the night, but with the high winds forecast we decided the unsealed surface would be dusty and unpleasant. Looking at the map, we decided to go further and try booking in at Fowlers Bay. A late check in was acceptable when we phoned, so we kept going. We arrived at Fowler's Bay by 7pm and plugged into a power site. I cooked tea and we went for a walk along the foreshore.

It felt a bit weird, as the time said 7pm, but our body clocks still said 4.30pm!! And WA has no daylight saving, so 7pm is almost dark, but now in SA it is daylight until 9pm. I am glad though that daylight does not come at 4.30am on this side of the border.

Our plans from here were to head to Darke Peak on Eyre Peninsula, to visit my brother and family. We received a message from my sister-in-law, telling us that it was predicted to be 45deg the next day with 

100km winds and the situation was catastrophic. Hmm... not wanting to travel in in those conditions, so a decision would be made in the morning.

FRIDAY - DAY 30

We woke this morning to hear the wind, although not too strong. We looked up all the forecasts for the day, which were still for catastrophic conditions, lightening, fires, heat, strong winds and especially the west of Eyre peninsula.

We decided to stay at Fowlers Bay (which is in the east of Eyre Peninsula) for another night and see how the weather unfolded. We did not want to be towing the van in 40+ temperatures with strong winds. Looking ahead to the weekend, the forecast is for flooding rains. Welcome back to South Australia!??

We had a lazy morning, Barry went to the office and booked in for another night, and I took the opportunity to do another small load of washing. There was no dryer, so it was pegged to the line this time. 

The day turned out to be rather pleasant here, with light winds and it was cool enough just after lunch for me to put a jumper on. 

Note the sandhills, right behind the houses of this little town........

We went for a walk out to the end of the jetty and when I came back, I uploaded a the last 3 days photos from the phone. Had a snooze until 5pm, cooked tea and now writing this post. After looking at the forecast for tomorrow, we have decided to head off, aiming for Kimba, but it all depends on the rain, if it comes and how much. 

Our time is running down now, and only a few days until home again. (insert sad face!)

Be back sometime

Blessings, From Jude