Day one saw some
interesting trials and tribulations.
Although we managed to drag ourselves out of bed at 5am, and had the
kids up and in the car by 6am, we had an unforseen day of mishaps ahead of us.
One return trip home
to get my phone, and we were off. Smooth
sailing through traffic and we got to see the majesty of the sun rise on the
way through Bindoon.
The long drive took
its toll though. I think Lisa was
asleep, and I wasn't fairing much better, but somehow between us we missed
Dalwallinu and Wubin, and found ourselves in Morawa instead of on the Gt
Northern Hwy to Paynes Find. Don't
remember either town, so I guess missing the turnoff was a given.
We got some lunch
into us, reassessed and headed towards Mullewa, and decided to take a shortcut
to Yalgoo. Only 40km of unsealed road,
but definitely saw some of the outback, and got the Prado's capabilities tested
albeit on a graded dirt road. From Yalgoo, we followed the main road back
to Mt Magnet. This road saw the kids
introduced to Termite mounds (Small ones) and our first sighting of a mine, and
some wild goats. It only ended up
putting an extra 100km on the drive for the day, so not so costly a mistake.
Arrived in
Meekatharra at 5:15pm, with plenty of cows near the road, and the odd bird of
prey. Seen plenty of roo kill along the
highway, so was glad to reach Meeka unscathed.
Or so it would seem. Whilst
parking the van, I have misjudged the turn around a concrete slab in the park,
and consequently dented the foot well at the bottom step...not so bad unless
you also consider the door was smashed off the hinges. It took some gentle persuasion with a brick
and a screwdriver to pry the screen door open prior to my handy panel beating
with a gympie and a thong. We still have
a screen door that locks, but the outer door is cactus, so we are in for some
repairs and rescheduling on day 1…Who said it wouldn't be an adventure? Oh...and I split my thong in half...Sigh**
The park itself is
baffling to say the least. There are
large concrete slabs everywhere, which have excavations around them. I don't think they are supposed to have
caravans parked on them. Lots of red
dirt. The only real bonus of today is
that the kids are totally knackered and have taken to their beds without
argument. The shower block is a mine
site donga, and there are no bbq's around as far as the eye can see, and the
water tastes like a mixture of chlorine and poo. In fact, we have all taken to drinking the
tank water on the van, cos that only tastes like the PVC of the hose that
filled them.
Nice one Robbie!! Panel beating with a thong and a brick!! I just have to say, what's worse working and having no dramas with your caravan, or travelling for three months and having a few dramas.....just sayin ;-)
ReplyDeleteStu.
Well you're definitely on an adventure!!! XXX
ReplyDelete