Time Capsule…
We are well on our way. Nearly 3 weeks in and crossing the Nullarbor. Fun facts:
- Did you know that we have a second time zone in Western Australia? It came as a surprise to me. Just outside Cocklebiddy, you move your watches forward by 45 minutes. How come I’ve lived in WA for 37 years and have not known that?! It’s Central Western Time.
- You probably know that we have the longest stretch of straight road in the world – 146 km (90 miles) on the Nullarbor. Not one bend. The Romans would be so proud of us.
I said in the last post that this would be an exposé of the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Good
The scenery is magnificent! From Greens Pool in Denmark, Bremer Bay, Lucky Bay, Duke of Orleans, the malee trees on the way to Norseman – and the Nullarbor itself is an experience – and much more. And we haven’t even left WA yet!
It is also great to be spending time with my lovely wife, exploring this great (and vast) country together. Plus having Ryan, Haids and the bubs with us so much of the time is special. It does my soul good. Meeting people along the way too and sharing a bit of life together is rich. Life is simple. I love the simple life – more next time.
The boys having a laugh together
The Bad
We do drive a lot. Sometimes 4 or 5 hours a day on the road. And Tank gets pretty hot inside – often hotter than outside. This is not nice when it is 45c outside. The air con hardly makes a difference then.
Sometimes, moving from site to site on a nightly basis is challenging. Some of the toilets and showers are also challenging.
Living in a confined space too is a growth opportunity! How’s that for reframing?
Also, being in a caravan park – which even in daylight is a maze – in the dark, trying to find my way back to Tank with a frying pan of freshly caught and cooked herring, wandering around in circles… until my search party came with a torch to rescue me! She’s a love. Without her I might still be wandering around that caravan park!
Our Living and sleeping area in Tank – that’s all of it!
The Ugly
I won’t go into details for those of you who have a sensitive disposition, but the Porta-Potty took some work to understand. And the learning period was ugly and messy. Enough said.
Our Travels
After Albany, we went to Bremer Bay, 3 nights, Hopetoun, 2 nights (1 night free camping) then Esperance, 7 nights. Then to Balladonia, 1 night. Now in Madura. Next stop Eucla, then across the border into South Australia.
Why Time Capsule? Well, this was written a week ago. Have not had a signal since then, but that is another story.
That’s all for now.
Fire and Flood – 1 week in
Tuesday, 1st Feb we set off. It was a 3:20 am start (excitement, knowing how much there was to do?) and work through until 1:30 pm when we were packed and ready to go. Our neighbours came and waved us off – which was really nice.
6 hot hours later we were in Denmark at the Oceans Beach caravan park. The photo above is of our neighbours. They were plentiful in the park. Ry, Haids and the kids were already in the Park.
Adam and his partner, Kirsten were already in Denmark too (just for 5 nights). We got to have a family meal to celebrate (early) Adam’s 40th birthday – which was great.
We checked out Greens Pool (which has to be one of the best beaches in WA – if not Australia). Stunning!
Greens Pool
We had lots of grandie time and then coffee catch up with Ad & K before we both left Denmark. R & H left Denmark the day before us. Marley asked if we were going the same day, I said the day after. He said “Oh! I’ll miss you”. So cute.
We heard lots of police cars and fire engines that were heading to a fire just west of Denmark. Then it was a short drive to Albany for a couple of nights for us – it was stinking hot! Hottest day of the summer at 42c. We did manage to get some fishing in where both Marley and Nyah caught their first ever fish. Marley (especially) was so excited (although there is trepidation in his face from being near the herring).
Is that one magnificent tree on the banks of the river in Denmark, two trees or two trees that have become one? I’m sure that there is a message in that.
Around 2 1/2 hour drive to Bremer Bay – again stinking hot. We are surfing the hot weather! It was 38c in our Tank as we drove here – the air con does not work well. All of a sudden, as we got to Bremer, there was a cool change and it went from 43c (their hottest day, again) to around 25c – whew!
And flood? A large area in the north of South Australia is flooded. We are heading to SA, but will avoid the flood hit areas. The floods have stopped some of the food supplies from coming across the Nullarbor into Western Australia.
Next time, the good, the bad and the ugly of life on the road. Early days, but Tank is holding up well so far.
Travelling Gomezs 