Port Hedland

We were both up this morning before the sun because I was hoping to find lots of shells left by the high tide but there were no big ones. It was late when we left and I was sooo hot. The car info said it was only 24 deg. B ut it wasn’t much later it said 34 deg. so I think the first reading was wrong. Before we left the campground we had to buy one more ice-cream which I now know is Norgen-Vas. Mango sold out yesterday so it was second choice for both of us.

We only made one stop at a “town”, Pardoo, and it was only for a driver change. Arrived here at Cooke Point Caravan Parl, Port Hedland about 2;00 and the receptionist was aghast that we hadn’t booked but we did get a site. When we went out after setting up there was a board saying, “No Caravan or Camper Trailer sites”. It seems to us that everyone here is either a tourist, service provider or in a job requiring a high-vis shirt. Haven’t seen any kids in school uniform yet but we think it must be either fluoro orange or yellow. We’ve also seen more Asian faces here than we did in Broome.

Sandflies are a problem here so we won’t be sitting out here enjoying the cool air for long, we’re covered in sticky, “Bushman” spray but I don’t trust it to keep us bite free. Tomorrow we’re heading out to Karijini National Park there are apparently great gorges there so we expect to stay for at least a couple of nights & will be “off-air” again.

Alex has had to multitask, editor and photographer so he has taken all but one of these and that’s the dodgiest one, but I think now my camera is compliant again.

Collecting shells at SUNRISE!

"Trees" in the sand.

Making Tracks Too

A strand of fisherfolk.

Alex' train, 2 engines and 116 wagons.

Broome 4

It’s now over 3 weeks since we set out and when you look at the map we have a lot of ground to cover over the next few weeks. People who have been staying here for months are now talking about the days being hotter and we felt it today. Our neighbour will be heading back to Albany within 2 weeks because of the heat. This afternoon we decided we had to go for a swim in the glorious azure water but the tide was so far out that we couldn’t get more than about knee deep. The seabed here is also very squishy, not nice crisp sand. We saw heaps of Hermit Crabs and molluscs crawling about on the wet sand.

Before we went to the movies we ate at a kebab place, I think called, “Land of Pharaohs” and the food was just delicious and the décor really interesting. When Alex’s coffee came it had a very clever logo on it protesting about the Gas Refinery which is being proposed for Price Point, a beautiful section of pristine coast.

“Red Dog” was interesting but for me probably not as interesting as our setting. The start of the movies was punctuated with bats flying across in front of the screen. Wise people brought cushions others ended up with sore bottoms! I didn’t expect that because the seats are just like deckchairs but after about an hour I was moving “cheek to cheek”!

Tomorrow we head towards Port Headland but plan to stop at 80 Mile Beach so will probably be “off air” for a couple of days.

We met Irene and Billy Kemp again, they arrived here today from Derby.

It’s now over 3 weeks since we set out and when you look at the map we have a lot of ground to cover over the next few weeks. People who have been staying here for months are now talking about the days being hotter and we felt it today. Our neighbour will be heading back to Albany within 2 weeks because of the heat. This afternoon we decided we had to go for a swim in the glorious azure water but the tide was so far out that we couldn’t get more than about knee deep. The seabed here is also very squishy, not nice crisp sand. We saw heaps of Hermit Crabs and molluscs crawling about on the wet sand.

We met Irene and Billy Kemp again, they arrived here today from Derby.

Before we went to the movies we ate at a kebab place, I think called, “Land of Pharaohs” and the food was just delicious and the décor really interesting. When Alex’s coffee came it had a very clever logo on it protesting about the Gas Refinery which is being proposed for Price Point, a beautiful section of pristine coast.

“Red Dog” was interesting but for me probably not as interesting as our setting. The start of the movies was punctuated with bats flying across in front of the screen. Wise people brought cushions others ended up with sore bottoms! I didn’t expect that because the seats are just like deckchairs but after about an hour I was moving “cheek to cheek”!

Tomorrow we head towards Port Headland but plan to stop at 80 Mile Beach so will probably be “off air” for a couple of days.

The sea looks just tooo inviting.

No Gas

 

The Osprey that's been driving me nuts.

Sun Picture Gardens

Broome 3

This afternoon we had a lovely time on the old Pearl Lugger, Intombi. We were told to bring bathers so we did and had a great time at the back of the boat clinging to a net. We had to go off the side of the boat either by jumping in or by lowering ourselves down a ladder then grab onto a knotted rope with buoys attached and pull ourselves back to the net. It was a nice calm day but there were still small waves to slap us in the face but we both enjoyed it.

They did the boom swimming first then the boat moved out further and we tracked up the coastline and back. We could see all the cars on Cable Beach and the lighthouse at Gantheaume Point. Getting to and from the Intombi was in a little boat, 8 people at a time. Coming back one woman nearly ended up in the water because she didn’t let go of her husband when he got in the boat first. I think she also got a bit of a soaking at the other end when we had to wade to the shore.

Dinner tonight was delicious pizza from the beachside café which is just metres down from the caravan park and run by a guy with long, white hair, probably an ex-surfer or hippy.

Tomorrow we’re going to the markets in the morning then at night we’re off to the “Sun Pictures” an open air theatre that’s been running for donkeys’ years and has old posters of Clark Gable etc NOT in original condition but certainly in their original frames etc. We’re going to see “Red Dog”, I have Alex prisoner, he can’t escape.

The Intombi, a restored pearl lugger.

Captain Cool

Boom net swimming - we both had a go but Alex was cameraman today.

Another sunset.

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