Carnarvon to Geraldton

I had dinner at the Hospitality Inn, Carnarvon, last night. I chose prawn laksa. The prawns were good, but they had put in too much coconut cream. I realised that the two chefs were Indian, so it would have been better to go for curry.

The main problem was tour group who got more and more noisy. I saw their bus said Austopia Tours.  The chef said they were going round Australia. I was keen to avoid them in the morning, so I asked the guide what time they were having breakfast. She looked annoyed and said 7 o’clock. I set my alarm and resolved to be in by 6.45. She saw me waiting and said with a smirk: it doesn’t open till 7.00 am.

Fortunately breakfast was not so noisy and that was the last I saw of them.

The next problem was the weather. It had rained heavily all night and there were pools of water everywhere. Leaving town was a big sign:

PLAN NOT TO TRAVEL

ITS NOT WORTH IT.

But I had to travel. Driving south , it was like going through paddy fields in China. Near Wooramel, water was flooding over the road, flowing fast from left to right. I watched a 4WD go through the torrent ahead of me and decided to risk it, I didn’t get swept away!

These pics were at the Wooramel Roadhouse. The next is at a rest stop at Galena Bridge:

After all the excitement, I finally made it into Geraldton. I’m staying at the Backpackers which is right on the front, It’s very quiet. I only saw 2 other people here. I had a beer at the Ocean Centre Hotel next door and then went for a walk along the foreshore in the late afternoon sun:

The Batavia Replica is still there.

Onslow to Carnarvon

It’s a long drive off the highway to get into Onslow, but always worth it. Before settling in for the night, I went out for a walk along the foreshore. There was a mobile van serving Indian food and lots of people were spreading out rugs and having a picnic. My apartment came with a full kitchen, so I was planning to cook the squid given to me by Gonzo.

I walked as far as the war memorial:

A beautiful setting

Onslow Salt

This morning, on the way out of town, I took this photo of the heaps of salt. To the right is the conveyor belt that takes the salt out to a jetty where it is loaded onto boats going to Japan. JL and his son set up this operation and it’s going from strength to strength.

On the road again, there were some rain showers around the Tropic of Capricorn. Now in Carnarvon, it looks like being a wild and windy night; no point in walking along the Fascine which is what I normally like to do.

Backpacker Sojourn

The owner has been fishing this morning and had a good catch:

Gonzo’s catch

I asked him if he wanted to sell me some, but apparently that’s not allowed. So I offered him a can of Little Creatures in exchange. He said he doesn’t drink and gave it to his offsider. Everyone is happy and I’ve just been into town to buy some asparagus to cook with my lovely fresh fish.

Growing in the garden

Hedland to Karratha

Before leaving Black Rock, I tried to find out why they are building so many worker’s cabins, but I couldn’t get a straight answer from the office when I checked out. I should have asked the nice bou in the canteen. He served me an enormous portion of fish and chips last night, enough for two people, almost falling off the plate:

Canteen

Before leaving, I took a couple of photos of the site:

On the road this morning, I called in at Whim Creek. It’s a rather nostalgic place for me, as I’ve stayed there a couple of times in the past. Now it’s all closed and boarded up:

The only thing of use is a new Electric Charger, for those with electric cars; but surely that’s risky up north.

Because there was again no accommodation available in Karratha, I had a brainwave to look for backpackers places. I’ve ended up in one: Karratha Backpackers (where everyone is at least 60 years younger than me!). It’s an incredibly untidy place on its last legs, but needs must and better than sleeping in my car.

The other thing of note is a big change in the weather: at 11.00 am I saw storm clouds up ahead and then I drove into a really heavy downpour. No more blue skies for me.

Black Rock Tourist Park

I’ve just arrived at Black Rock on the outskirts of South Hedland. Not much to say really. It seems mainly aimed at tradies. There are cabins great and small as far as the eye can see in all directions. Mine seems quite new and has everything I need for a one night stop.

On the Road Again

Half way between Broome and Cygnet Bay is the small town of Beagle Bay. It’s a ramshackle place but famous for its church with mother-of-pearl decorations:

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Now I’m back in Broome for one last night. I’m staying at the Pinctada Hotel. This has recently been taken over from the Kimberley Sands, where I stayed with Val some years ago. It’s undergoing some refurbishment at the moment:

Nice room on the first floor

The best thing is the large pool, the biggest around, though many of the tiles round the edge are in need of repair.

I enjoyed one last dinner at the Bali Hai, which is just down the road. I just had an entree and a dessert:

Sno crab salad

Tiramisu

I could eat one of these every day!

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

When  I discovered that the Cape Leveque Road is now sealed, I made an impromptu decision to drive north. In the past, this was a gravel road and I travelled up here with the post bus. They offered this service to tourists.

So I am now staying at Cygnet Pearl Farm in a “glamping tent”, which is the best accommodation in this remote spot.

This afternoon I did a one hour tour of the farm, which covered the history of pearling and the operation of this farm:

Intro and film in the old school shed

Waiting for the opening of a shell

Our guide will crack open a shell

The view out to sea

Inside the shop

I didn’t buy anything. I have lovely pearls at home, but I wish I had them here!