Day 37 (27 May) – Cape Leveque to Broome

Last night there was a total eclipse of the Moon.  With the clear skies we could see it really well.  Never seen one before.

We got up early this morning and headed back to Broome before most of the camp had packed up.  Our second battery for powering the fridge was playing up and not holding charge.  This morning it was down to 11 volts and when the fridge tried to start it dropped to 9.2 volts and the fridge cut out.  S0 I destroyed the peace of the camp by starting the car to charge the second battery as we had to put our perishables in it for the trip back to Broome.  I went to the battery place in Broome when we got back and he tested it to find it was dropping charge and not recovering like a deep cycle battery should.  So new battery.  And the old one was only just over 12 months old – fitted when I bought the Cruiser.  We need the fridge so I had no choice but to replace it.  An unexpected expense.

We did our last visit to Matso’s Brewery for a final Mango Beer and then at about 4.30 drove past the Mangrove Hotel to see where we had to go to watch the Staircase to the Moon tonight.  This is where the full moon rises in the east and casts shadows across the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.  We were meeting Brian and Peta there for a drink and viewing before they went out to dinner.  Lots of cars were already pulling up so in we went, and the place was already nearly full.  The Staircase didn’t happen until 6.18pm but we stayed so as to reserve a table for the four of us.  The Staircase to the Moon was spectacular.

Back to the caravan to start preparing for our morning departure.  Next stop is 80 Mile Beach about 4 hours drive south.

Helen’s Highlights/Minnie’s musings

What an unexpected time being able to see the lunar eclipse and then tonight the Staircase to the Moon. A great highlight to end our time in Broome.

Another highlight was being able to get a good book at the newsagency. I bought a Di Morrissey one called ‘The Red Coast’ set in Broome. No bookstore and K Mart didn’t have anything but kids’ books.

 The low light is that I lost one of my earrings. I am hoping it has come off when I have been changing and it will magically turn up. These ones have been on 24/7 for the last 12 months and have not moved. Fingers crossed it turns up.

NOT HAPPY JAN!

Complaint of the Day

Michael – Michael says he doesn’t have a complaint today. Well…. colour me surprised!!!!!!

Helen – Bloody earring backs that do not keep earring secure. AND Michael is always wearing striped polo shirts. I checked the photos and it looks like that is all he owns…….WRONG.

Day 38 (28 May) – Broome to 80 Mile Beach

This morning it was up at 6.30am and on the road by 7.15am.  There was a line of caravans heading out of Broome and we were in the middle.  At the junction to turn south to Port headland, most seemed to continue ahead towards Kununurra, so we had a clear run south.  Came across two lots of huge wide loads that took up the entire road.  Forgot to take a photo though.  We pulled off the road to let them pass.  They were mining trucks on the back of low-loaders; those mining trucks that carry 250 tons of dirt.  Enormous.

We stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse to refuel, some 250km down the road south from Broome.  Absolutely nothing in between.  There was a line-up of vehicles for fuel as it’s the only place for 100s of kilometres around.  There is a quirky area of road signs and hats.  About 45km down the road we turned off the highway to 80 Mile Beach where a cattle station has been proactive and set up a beautiful caravan park on the beach.  The road in was atrocious though – about 10km of rough dirt road with lots of dust.  We were doing 55km/hr and had one idiot decided to overtake us showering us with dust and gravel.  We arrived at the check in area and there he was in front blocking the entrance road.  There is a clearly marked parking area for checking in, but this dickhead decided he wanted to park on the main roadway.  When he looked at me, I just shook my head at him.  We’re here for one night as a stopover.  This place is magnificent and very well maintained.  It also has a war memorial built by the Vietnam Veterans of the area.  By sundown the park was full.  And we went onto the beach to walk out on the low tide.  There are a lot of hermit crabs and other shell creatures crawling along the tidal sand.  And on the sand is a line of shells that stretched as far as we could see.  Later watched the sunset from the sand dunes.

Helen’s Highlights/Minnie’s musings

After seeing so many sunsets over the last few weeks it was still mandatory to see the one at 80-mile beach. As it was setting at low tide the sight was almost like the Stairway to the Moon from last night at Broome.

Day 39 – 80 Mile Beach to Port Headland

Well 80 Mile Beach was a surprise in the dustbowl part of the country.  Except for the access road.  But as we were leaving they were grading the start of the access road.  Too late for us.  The road to Port Headland is ultra boring.  It was 2 ½ hours of nothing but as we approached Port Headland a few hills popped up to break the boredom.  The iron ore road trains became more prevalent.  This IS iron ore country after all.

As we got to the outskirts of Port Headland we could see the salt piles.  Not only iron ore in this region but also salt mining.  Not sure where it goes though.

I had booked us in to the Golf Club Caravan Park as the Wikicamps reviews indicated that this was the best.  What a shocker.  The check in was in the club bar and although a staff member had taken me in there, the priority was ahead of me checking in.  The lady behind the bar finally said just park next to the fifth wheel and come back.  The site was full of dust and located right on the dusty driveway entrance to the Golf Club, so every time a car drove past we got covered in dust.  There are only two other caravan parks in Port Headland.  The Discovery Park was full with only two sites available for small caravans.  I then called the Black Rock caravan park and they had a drive through site.  Perfect.  So we rocked up and the lady was very nice and helpful.  We check in and went for a drive around Port Headland after I called the Golf Club and cancelled our site.

The iron ore trains come into Port Headland to offload their cargo and it is then shipped out around the world.  Most goes to China.  There were a few very large ore trains we passed as we went to the Port and we passed a few nice beaches.  But the Port was restricted, and we couldn’t get it.  We did see a ship come in assisted by 3 tugboats and there was another ship loading up with ore.

Back to the caravan park filling up with fuel on the way.  Tomorrow we’re booked into Tom Price in the heart of the Pilbara and iron ore country.  About a 5-hour drive from here.  Tom Price is also near Karajini National Park.

Helen’s Highlights/Minnie’s musings

It was amazing seeing the length of the iron ore trains. We estimated them to be about 3 KM long with 2 engines at the front and another 2 engines halfway along.