Miaree pool to Exmouth

Sunday 15^th July. Darryl was up really early and managed to get some shots of the very clear Maitland River and some more Sturt’s Desert Peas.  He also got shots of a long wide load that was heading south over the bridge.   We were on our way by 9.30am.  We passed the long, wide load just before the Fortescue River and both of us needed the toilets so we stopped at the Roadhouse.  As we came back out it was to see the long, wide load coming across the bridge and we thought – “oh well, we will be travelling slow for a while” BUT they pulled over opposite the roadhouse for a break. J.   We started back on our way south and pulled into the Robe River Rest Area – to check it out – which is a great big area on the edge of the Robe River.  There is beautiful clear fresh water in the river and we have been told that there are some fish in it too.

Not long after we pulled up and decided that we would stay for the night – the long, wide load went past us and over the bridge.  We counted 20 wheels down the side – there were 8 wheels across – which equals 160 wheels on the trailer carrying the long, wide load.  We have met some really lovely people again today - 1 couple from Qld and the other couple from Victoria.  Tomorrow we will head into Onslow and check out the area.

Monday 16^th July.  Today we left Robe River at about 9.30am and headed into the town of Onslow.  This is a small town but has many facilities with a reasonable variety of goods.  We made a visit to the visitor information centre in the old goods shed.  The lady here was very helpful and gave us the heads-up on what was happening and where to go.  Both the caravan parks are charging $45+ per night for a powered site – which at the moment is out of our range.  She also told us about the 3 Mile Camp on the Old Onslow Road where the council allow free camping for 3 consecutive nights – or you can apply for a permit for longer if needed.  There is plenty of area along the Ashburton River for you to stop and relax.  Darryl says he will try and get some fish but the couple camped up from us tell us that there are NO fish in the river L

Tuesday 17^th July.  Today started out with Darryl fetching water from the river and me doing the washing.  He didn’t want me to do it – but in the end we had a full clothes line and also utilised the line we put on the awning. J

After lunch I started to feel quite unwell and went for a lie down.  I slept for about 2 hours and then got up and took some more pills to help settle the nausea.  We joined the couple up from us for ‘Sundowners’ [happy hour] and then returned to the van for dinner.  It was at this time that my vertigo kicked in and the whole world was spinning – best place for me was in bed!

Wednesday 18^th July.  Not a good night or day for Barb.  The world was continuing to spin and took her until 3pm to finally get upright; and then the gastro set in. 

Darryl has been keeping himself busy with topping the air in the tyres, checking everything is ok and then playing his computer game. J :D

We are having a few issues with the power in the batteries in the van – it seems to drain very quickly and Darryl is wondering whether we are only getting power from 1 battery instead of the three?????  Will have to check with a 12 volt person to find out.

We were going to travelling a further 6 km up the road to Old Onslow Town and let Darryl do some fishing today in the salt water part of the river – but that will have to be tomorrow now.

We are having very intermittent internet access.  I can seem to get messages through on the phone or occasionally the Words with Friends – but internet on the computer isn’t possible – even when plugging into the aerial in the car.

Thursday 19^th July. Today we went out to Old Onslow township and had a look.  It is very difficult to find your way around the old township as it is very overgrown.  We went down one road and it turned from sand and clay to just sand and narrowed considerably.  Darryl decided to turn around and head back the other way – oops – we got caught in the sand!!!!!!  It took me quite a lot to bite my tongue and keep quite L J but he managed to get it turned around and out of the sand – once I had put the car into 4 HIGH……

Once back on the road we headed back to the causeway to check it out.  There was an old Barrage that was built in 1959 to stop the salt water going into the fresh water of the Ashburton River.  This was quite interesting and seeing the coral on the bed of river.

We headed back out onto the main highway and down toward Nanutarra and pulled into the roadhouse.  I took Buster for a walk and Darryl went to check the food for lunch.  He camp out and I went in and back out….  A pie was $8; a hamburger (plain) $15; a hamburger with the works $20; a 600ml flavoured milk $5.50 and fresh sandwich $16.  Hmmm NO.  We will NOT recommend it to anyone to stop at for a meal whilst travelling the North West Coastal Highway [NWCH] along the coast of WA.  The fuel was priced ok at $1.89 per litre.
Back into the van and headed toward the next free stop – 70km down the road – Barradale.  We stopped here and emptied the portapot in the dump point and were met by our friend Arthur.  We drove down and have parked near them and new friends – Lee and Joan from Geelong.  We were joined by Gary and Evonne – who we had met at De Grey River [Gary is a musician and a funny person] and enjoyed the camp fire after dinner.

We are stopped at Barradale camp ground and it is a HUGE are.  We have counted at least 40 vans and cars here tonight.

Friday 20^th July.  We have decided to stay here tonight again as it is Arthur’s birthday – he turned 66 this morning.  It is still a beautiful spot but unfortunately the river is dry L. We had about 10 other campers that decided to spend the day here also as they cannot get into van parks at Exmouth or Coral Bay until Saturday.  We aren’t booked in anywhere at the moment, and can’t until we get somewhere where there is phone reception.  We will try tomorrow as we head into Exmouth to fill up the water tank at the information Centre, and then do some grocery fill-up.  We hope to be able to get into a station half-way from Exmouth to Coral Bay and stay for a couple of days.

Saturday 21^st July.  Managed to get reception as we were heading into Coral Bay.  Unfortunately the one park there cannot give us a dog friendly site until the middle of August.  Tried the one park in Exmouth that takes dogs and yes we can have a site for 2 nights – as long as the van fits the site L.  We turned back from Coral Bay and headed up to Exmouth with a HEAD WIND.  We used almost ½ tank to go 140 km – not good.  We arrived at Exmouth Ningaloo resort to be told by the manager that it would be a ‘shoe-in’ so paid the $45 per night to stay.  Got onto the site and then went and checked out the Vlaming Point Lighthouse and lookout and saw some whales playing out past the reef.  We also went for a walk along the beach near the golf course.  We then went and shouted ourselves to Chinese for dinner but unfortunately it wasn’t as tasty as we would have liked L.  I then went and did a load of washing and put up our little clothes line.  Checked out some things on the internet and then to bed by 10.30pm.

Sunday 22^nd July.  Up at 5am this morning as we were having light showers of rain – the first in 19 weeks – and had to move the clothes line in under the awning J.  Back to bed and the next that we both knew it was nearly 9am and we only woke up because the chap next door put in his awning.  It has been sprinkling most of the day – now a bit heavier than this morning but just enough to deter much activity.  I had done another 3 loads of washing this morning and then had to take it into town to dry it at the Laundromat.  Ah well – all done, dry and folded and put back in the cupboards.  We will be having a free night tomorrow and then booked into Carnarvon caravan park for three nights.  So check back as I will be uploading the photos to go with the past three blog updates.

Darryl is currently out at the Learmonth Jetty trying his luck with the fishing – in the rain :D.

Keep well.