2^nd Leg.

Well we have not been able to get to a phone line let alone a computer for several days so I have a bit to catch up on.

Firstly and most importantly, thank you all for your emails. We get ever so excited when we read them and know that it is not just our own journey we are making but a little something for all of you who are following our progress. We will try to answer them but it may not happen in one hit so just hold tight, we’ll be back to you.

As many of you know my son, Luke and his family Bronwyn, Dylan and Jacob live at Tom Price, having recently purchased the Shady Spot Garden Centre and so that was to be our first port of call.

On Saturday night after our tea in Wubin we went off for a little jaunt into the bush to find a camping spot. We finally found what looked like a deserted road and turned off the main drag and parked to the side of the road. Out came the bed roll and down we lay. Well Tom may have slept, in fact I know he did, but I certainly didn’t. Shortly after we settled down the trucks started. It was like sleeping on the side of the freeway. One vehicle even came down our road, which completely woke me up. Finally it was morning and I was very pleased to pack up the bed and get rolling.

The trip to Paynes Find was fascinating. The wild flowers, even in this year of drought were wonderful. Fuelled up we were off towards Mt Magnet.

Here the car received it’s fair share of interest from the local children but eager to get on our way we did not stop but went on toward Meekathara. We found a camping spot about half way and settled for the night. This time we had not even managed to get into bed when some one in a four wheel drive drove into the bay. We were too tired to bother and went to bed any way.

Shortly after, a huge road train (70 wheels) pulled in and joined us. In the morning we met the driver, a nice fellow named Peter.

Tom put some awful gooey stuff in the engine and a bit in the gear box and then we were off. Meekathara and the police pulled us over for a chat. See the picture of the copper that stopped us in Meekatharra to have a look at the car. Tom just had to take his picture. See his badge says Ernie Negro. Tom said that's one up on Ernie Dingo, He said, yes, he's the only white one in Australia. Anyway, he dropped the speeding charge.

Out of Meeka I saw some dead camels which caused a lot of discussion. Tom doesn’t quite believe me, but I have a photo you can judge for yourself later.

Tom heard a noise in the back wheel and stopped to check. He found the brakes had been on ever so slightly since we had left Perth. He made the necessary adjustments and suddenly the speed increased from an average of 46.15 to approximately 55km/hr. Got to Newman before expected and camped on the road to Tom Price.

No disturbances and had a good night’s sleep.

A very pleasant discovery when we found our map was a little out of date and there was a new road to Tom Price, which saved 100kms. As you can imagine we were thrilled. We had a lovely drive through Karijini National Park and then arrived in time for lunch.

We will be stopping here for a day so we expect to be off again on Thursday and God willing hope to be in Port Headland Thursday night. Until then keep safe and our thoughts are with you.

Lois

Now, my turn.

Have to tell you, ever dead animal we saw, I’d say "s’pose that’s a camel too "

Eventually she made me take a picture of one which she says is a camel and I think is a cow

Judge for yourself but it kept us amused for miles.

We saw the biggest shrine ever after Newman. Beats your little cross in the ground. Roy will never be forgotten.

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