Nearly in Perth

We overnighted at Nullarbor Station. This is not one of natures's beauty spots but at least we had a place to park! Next morning it was off westward again. We have done the Nullarbor many times but I don't think we have ever seen it so green. We called into the lookouts along the way and were rewarded for our efforts by seeing yet another whale blowing. It is a long drive - but enjoyable.

The woman at the Western Australian Quarantine Checkpoint was a dragon (but not in disguise). What a rude person - she was absolutely convinced, I think, that we had hidden our fruit and vegetables away. That is one thing we never do as I believe strictly in quarantine and the importance of not spreading disease. She even wanted to know what was in the section under the floor that carries the cables for lifting the van.








Next overnight was Madura. I think this is one of the better camping areas along the road - it has some trees and it isn't a great flat expanse.....then more driving the next day to Norseman. Here we deviated from the highway and headed off along the Granite and Woodlands Trail which goes from Norseman to Hyden. This avoids following the highway through Kalgoorlie which is good to avoid after you have done it a few times! The road is good dirt and has a series of signposted highlights - salt lakes, rocks, vegetation etc.

Last night we camped at one of the little picnic areas along this road. We were joined by a couple of young campers but it was just the 4 of us in the emptiness. A cosy campfire, clear skies and a beautiful night. Then up early this morning and a walk on the amazing Disappointment Rock. Today we saw wonderful things - and took many many photos. I loved the Breakaways - wonderful stone formations. In Hyden this afternoon we laughed at the wonderful junk sculptures which very cleverly related the history through the roles of settlers in the town.

Tonight we are in Corrogin. It is very quiet!

I've been watching whales!!!!!

We spent 2 wonderful nights in Smoky Bay. We wandered out to the end of the wharf and spent lots of time looking at the sea, the birds and the scenery in general. Then I made the most wonderful oyster pies. It is interesting to play and experiment and adjust to changing tastes, products, cooking facilities and health requirements. The filling for the pies was based on wholemeal flour, Logicol, skim milk, mushrooms and oysters. It was delicious. I made a traditional white sauce using non traditional ingredients, chopped and added the mushrooms and lightly cooked them. Next I chopped up 2 of the oysters and let them flavour the sauce and just before popping it all in the pie maker with the puff pastry I added the rest of the dozen freshly openned oysters. Yummmmmmmmm.

Today we woke early and headed off for Ceduna for a little bit of shopping and then to whale watching at Head of Bight. 148 whales in the bay today - the water was really calm and it was simply BRILLIANT! We took lots and lots of photos. The mums and babies were really close to the shore and it was great to watch the mothers monitor the little ones and stop them getting too close to the cliffs. At one point a baby went right over the top of its mother. Lots of tail slapping, tail flips etc.

Tonight we are at Nullarbor Station listening to the gentle sound of the generator.

Crossing the country

I managed to get a decent photo of the gum blossoms at Port Augusta this morning.



What a beautiful day it was today. I have never seen the countryside look so green on the Eyre Peninsula. The wheat is bright green and about 15 cm high, the spring flowers are out and the sun was shining. Gazanias are blooming everywhere!

The drive from Port Augusta passes through a series of small wheat towns which are closed up totally on Sundays, but seemed to be looking a bit more maintained since our last visit. The signs in Kimba (Halfway across Australia) have been painted and in Wudinna, part of Granite Country, there is now a really tall granite sculpture entitled Australian Farmer. It is elegantly simple in it's style and quite a surprise as you travel through the town.

Our destination today was Smoky Bay, one of our favourite spots in this part of the world. A gentle walk along the beach, a chat with some pelicans and a wonderful meal of Smoky Bay Oysters (Mornay style with parmesan on top) completed a very peaceful day. The oysters are brilliant here. $8.50 a dozen and smelling of the sea. I love the crystal clear water that they grow in! Tony has perfected the art of shucking and I am an expert in Mornay Sauce.

Tomorrow we plan to wander along the beach again, walk out along the wharf and probably do some shopping in Ceduna before heading to our whale watching destination.

Saturday - and we are in Port Augusta.

Ready to go.

Darn - rain!

Driving through the Hunter

Wattle lines the roads

The Bogan River at sunset - Nyngan

We drove from Broken Hill to Port Augusta today. It was a really pleasant drive and the countryside is amazingly green after all of the rains. We just ambled along and stopped from time to time to take a few pics and have a cup of coffee. It is easy to underestimate the beauty of the tiny roadside flowers and it is not until you stop that you see them in their full glory. Although it was getting late we managed to get lunch in The Royal Hotel in Peterborough. The owners have spent a lot of money on renovating this beautiful old building - I only hope the tourist dollars are there to repay their invstment.Beside the van tonight there is a beautiful flowering gum but the light disappeared this afternoon before I could get a decent photo. Hopefully the morning sun will be in the right position. Today's discovery - if you park under a tree you cannot raise the TV antenna. Now that's a surprise!

Away we go - late August 2011

The last few months have been somewhat exhausting and we have had little time to remove ourselves from the daily grind and enjoy the world we live in. We are all surviving the changes that have occurred in our lives and Tony and I have taken a break, packed the van and set off. Day 1 of our trip saw us driving up to Emily's work to say farewell to her for a short time and then heading through the Upper Hunter for our first night away - Sandy Hollow. Then to Nyngan. Some of you who know Nyngan may ask "why?" - it is actually very pleasant here by the river and we are enjoying the quiet and the end of winter in Western NSW. The wattle is magnificent this year and the roads are lined with beautiful yellow flowers. There are lots of calves and lambs in the paddocks and the fruit trees are beginning to blosssom beautifully.

Tonight I need to make sure all the fresh fruit and vegetables have been frozen or eaten before we pass the fruit fly zone check tomorrow.

I have a hideous cold and cough - a few more days and I will be cured!

Now it is Friday - I tried 4 times to get that uploaded last night. Perhaps Nyngan is not a centre of blogging activity. Today we have driven to Broken Hill. So far we have seen only one live kangaroo, about 20 emus and a million feral goats. I have never seen so many before along the highway. Photos have been few and far between so far due to the weather.

It is drizzling and has been on and off since we left home. It doesn't matter!