2004
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Not feeling very well this morning. Coughing most of the night. Glenda has started to cough also.
Both of us have the bug. Headed for Hyden and Wave Rock. Did the walk to the rock and then up
on the top. Wave Rock has been created by eons of erosion from water running over the hill and
washing the looser material away. I stated feeling the effect of hiking. Got tired very quickly and
perspiring a lot. Drinking a lot of water, trying not to dehydrate. Have decided to not camp until both
of us feel better. Headed for Albany via a short cut through Lake Grace. Was very scenic through
farm country. Found caravan park at Lake Grace about 4 and stopped. Stayed in Cabin for $27 with
communal amenities. Took meds and went to bed early.
September 16,
Today headed for Albany. Took about 2 hours. Looked around for a motel to book. Finally booked
one for $49. Meds seem to be working. Feel better today but Glenda seems to be getting worse. Did
a little shopping. Needed some more cold medication and brought back KFC for dinner. Went to
bed early.
September 17,
Went out to the sights this morning, The Gap, The Natural Bridge, Salmon Cove and others. Set out
to Pemberton about 2. Motels were to expensive so went to a YHA Forest Stay for $40. Stayed in a
old forest camp home with a missionary couple from Thailand and a couple from Sydney. Was a very
enjoyable evening. Stayed up talking to Peter the missionary until late. Glenda and I had a locked
room in the three bedroom house. We slept in a double bottom bunk bed which was different.
September 18,
Left about 11 after bidding everybody goodbye. Went to Augusta and Cape Leewin where the
Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. It has a line out to the horizon but it wouldn't show up
on film. Just my luck. Did a scenic drive out of town along the ocean cliffs and back to Augusta
inland. Headed for Busselton. Feeling better but not just yet ready for camping. Stayed at the
Busselton Motel. An older motel built in 1965 by the current owner. Was very clean and something
from the past. Kept in original condition with the original china. Has been one of the most pleasant
room that we have stayed in. The owner is a 90 year young lady (who reminds me of my mother) who
built the motel. The town council has waved the requirement to upgrade (remove the asbestos from
the ceilings) until the property changes hands. At that time the unit will be torn down because it would
cost more to update then replace it. The motel has 20 rooms with a center courtyard access area.
The $40 covered a breakfast which is brought to you from the courtyard after the occupant unlocks
the inner door.
September 19
Left about 10 and headed for Donnybrook to contact John Thomson who I met in Wiluna where he
had returned from the Canning Stock Route after having fuel problems. Called him about 11:30 and
he came into town to lead us back to his home. He is the local historian for the area. His family
settled and farmed the valley in the early 1800s until they sold their properties. He purchased The
Brookhampton house property for his residency and work on the history of the area. His grand
daughters are helping him document and copy the history. His residence is built around the early
1800 buildings of the property called Brookhampton. They have been kept in their original state with
the internal fixtures and settings. John is trying to keep the buildings and fixtures in their original
condition. He asked us to spend the night and we graciously accepted. After lunch and seeing his
son-in-law, daughter and the grand children off he took us on a drive around the Donnybrook area.
He took us to his families former properties and showed Glenda and I just how extensive the family
properties were. The family had cleared the rolling hills and put in orchards, had cattle and sheep.
He and his wife even had a boutique in Busselton. He is a wealth of historical information and I hope
he write down what he has seen and gone through.
September 20,
After meeting John at Wiluna he asked me to let his brother David and party know what was going on
with his vehicle if I caught up with them on the Canning. I caught up with them at Durba Springs and
they ask that I contact them if I got to Perth. Called his brother David and wife Jan and they invited us
to spend a couple of days with them at their home in Mandalah. David and Jan live on the water with
Eric and Clare, and Wayne and Cindy around the corner on a park like strip before the water. The
development is built around an inlet and wet land within minutes of the Indian Ocean. There is
access to the ocean from their residence. David had a barbecue dinner for us and all were invited to
a pleasant evening of questions and answers. They were all interested in my trip after we parted on
the Canning. David and Jan ran a 1 million acre sheep station for many years north of Perth around
Carnavon. He and Eric are currently retired and Wayne is still working. Spent some very relaxing
days with some new friends. The cold has greatly improved. Probably the change in climate, getting
warmer and the fact we have been inside and not on the ground.
September 21,
Today David and Jan drove us around Mandalah and to the ocean. Helped Clare with a down load
problem with Windows XP. Also helped Jan with her computer. Just enjoyed a day of rest and both
Glenda and I are feeling much better.
September 22,
Said our goodbyes to everybody and headed for Perth. Stopped at the city beach and had lunch.
Called Graham and Dot (one couple of the group I met at Rudall River). He tried to arrange a get
together with the other couples but they had previous engagements, but invited us over for dinner.
We booked into a caravan park and setup the tent. Was a very nice green grassed camping area.
Had a very delicious dinner and wonderful evening with these new friends. Talked into the evening.
His wife Dot helped me find the phone number of my 2nd cousin who lives in Gin Gin. Graham and
Dot's home had a back yard with citrus trees and grape vines. The yard and home are immaculate
and very homey.
September 23,
Up early because of the birds. They start at 4 AM and then the heat starts at about 7:30. Headed to
Gin Gin. Called the number Dot gave me and contacted my cousins son. He gave me a work number
to reach David around noon. Made contact and made arrangements to meet. David is a pig farmer
with his father and is in the middle of moving so only had a little bit of time to meet. We met at the
park at Gin Gin and got to know each other. On way to Gin Gin saw fire cloud and tried to find fire.
Ended up running out of road so continued to. After meeting my cousin started north and eventually
booked cabin at Ragan's Ford further north.
September 24,
Heading to Monkey Mia. Went to the ocean at Port Denision and Dongara at 7 mile beach. Drove
around Geralton after loosing detour. Finally found way back to main road turning on lesser road to
Kalbarri. Drove through Kalbarri NP and took flower pictures then on to Wannoo Billibong
Roadhouse for night.
September 25,
Wind was blowing last night so tied tent to trees because of soft sand that pegs went into easy.
Headed for Monkey Mia but turned for Steep Point the furthest west point on continental Australia.
Road was a very good dirt road. In park area track got sandy and there were signs recommend tire
pressure of 20 lbs. Then there were warning signs of a $25.00 fine per tire that were not at 20lbs or
less. Dropped tire pressure to 19lbs. Crossed sand ridges and turned on track to blow holes. About
halfway to the blow holes had a flat. At blow holes road was over rocky area and hard sand. Pumped
the tires up to 28lbs. 20 looked to low for the weight we are carrying. Made Steep Point about 2:30.
Returned the 60 k to the road to Monkey Mia. Got as far a Denham and pulled up in caravan park
after 6.
September 26,
Went to Monkey Mia about 10. Dolphins were already in and gone. Saw the local Pelicans. Headed
for Coral Bay. Had lunch of fish and chips in Denham. Large chips was more then we both could eat
so Glenda started feeding the seagulls. Couldn't make Coral Bay so stopped at Minilya Roadhouse
for night.
September 27,
Left about 9 after installing repaired tire. Drove to Coral Bay and booked a 12 PM glass bottom boot
tour. Tour was great. Got to see the coral and lots of fish on Ningaloo Reef. After tour headed for
Cape Range NP. Let tires down to cross Yardie Creek but had to inflate them just after crossing
because dirt went to asphalt. Stayed at camp ground in Cape range NP.
September 28,
Went to Northwest Cape and on to Exmouth. Decided to return to Coral Bay and do glass bottom
boat again. Booked 1 PM tour. Left Coral Bay and head for Mt. Augustus. Made a 24 hour rest stop
near Nyang and setup tent.
September 29,
Headed down dirt road past Maroonah, past road for Shelia's Bore and traveled about 65k before
deciding we were lost. Back tracked to turn for Shelia's Bore and went down it to mining quarry.
Drove up to miners and they seemed to be upset until we explained what was going on and then they
were very friendly. Invited us to their camp kitchen trailer for tea and explained that the map makers
have misprinted the map. They explained what was the safest way to Mt Augustus. After tea they
took us up the marble quarry and showed Glenda and I how they are cutting up a 1 billion year old
Stramatolite reef that has made the marble. Most of the marble goes to Italy rough cut where it is cut
and polished and returned to Australia as Italian marble. One miner said the Sydney housewives
won't buy Australian marble but don't know that the Italian marble has originally come from Australia.
Because of the wrong road and the late start we finally made Cobra after dark for the night.
September 30,
Left about 10. Jimmy the owner told us of a 4 k billibong and gave us directions to it. Drove out
about 15 k to Edethann Reserve. Returned to main road and on to Mt Augustus. Mt Augustus is a
monolith similar to Ayers Rock but higher. Drove around the Mt and did some of the smaller hikes.
Headed out the Dooley Downs road towards Tom Price. Decided to bush camp around 4:30 after
having a blow out on the repaired tire. Found camp about 5 off the road a 1/2 k in a creek bed,
repaired tire and found tire had been bruised from the knobs after letting out the pressure at Steep
Point. A rock had broken the sidewall so tire was junk. This was the 2nd ruined tire from the set
bought in Adelaide. The tread was all but gone. I put one of the spare tires from Kalgoorlie on.
October 1,
Up early, flies bad and temperature is hotter earlier. Made Tom Price about 10. Went to tourist
center. Had to watch video for permit to drive on the Pilbara Iron roads.
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