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When you come home from holiday, you sometimes feel like you need another holiday to recover from the first one! This year was no exception. The first problem I had was that my heating had broken down. We had some very cold mornings, down to 3 degrees, and the coldest of every state capital in Australia. I suppose it was a shock to my system especially as I’d just come back from Broome.

The next thing, to add insult to injury, was a speeding fine in my letter box. This was from Dongara on my way up north. How could this be? I never speed? What’s more, I had been going slow in order to conserve fuel. I can only think that there is a speed trap near Dongara where they catch motorists on the Brand Highway as they come into town. JL used to shrug off speed fines, saying they were an “occupational hazard” for him. I am still annoyed, but if I managed to drive all those kilometres up north and back, I should just consider myself lucky.

Now the good news: E has celebrated a big birthday! She was born in England on the longest day. In Australia she celebrates it on the shortest day. She has taken up baking and produced a spectacular cake:

My portion

The strawberry collapsed just as I took the photo! 

On the day, we went out for lunch at a nearby Japanese restaurant:

Everything was delicious!

It's called Sumeshiya.

Geraldton to Home

My last day was lovely and sunny: blue skies allthe way! Quite a change from the downpours in Carnarvon. I stopped several times to stretch my legs and enjoy the scenery.

Beekeepers Road is one spot where we were taken on a wildflower walk in the past. Today it was all about the Banksias:

Beekeepers Rd (all gravel)

There is also a particularly good 15 minute circular walk through the bush at this rest area:

It was a pleasure to arrive back home to discover that the Cleaning Fairy had visited in my absence. What a wonderful surprise!

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.