Day 1 Perth to Meekatharra

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.