Emu Alley

Today seems to have been the day of the emu. It was almost like an outback version of the Teddy Bears' Picnic, there were so many family groups. I know the dad looks after the chicks and some of them looked quite hassled with a big brood to keep watch over. Perhaps it has been a good season. Most groups I've seen previously consist of three or four young ones. Today six to eight was common.

On Thursday night I stayed at a campsite just west of Broken Hill. Faith, whom I met at the Solos', was overnighting there as well. We talked from when I arrived until dark. I have so much enjoyed meeting up with friends along the way.

I spent a couple of hours in Broken Hill, then pushed on to Spring Hill rest area, only three other vans there but we still managed a happy hour. By the time I got moving this morning, those people had gone and the next campers were arriving. I hope someone finds and takes my step stool. It would have to be the good solid one I left, not the cheap plastic stool.

About an hour along the way, I stopped at Wilcannia. What a beautiful little town! The buildings are show pieces, many of them well over a century old. The police station, court house, post office are all lovely sandstone buildings with elegant proportions. Even some of the houses are the same stone. with wide verandahs. I stopped at Miss Bennett's for coffee. It is an older style cottage transformed into a comfortable coffee shop, with several rooms and outside areas all set up for hungry and thirsty visitors. The woman who owns it has one of the stone cottages - not really a cottage, a large rambling house.

These two trucks parked near me (you can see my van)
and I didn't hear either of them arrive.

Tonight I am at a truck stop at Cobar. I've just had a long hot shower and am sitting in the restaurant part of the roadhouse, checking mail and updating this blog.There are a few trucks coming and going but I've parked myself in a quiet spot. Once I get to sleep, I rarely hear the traffic.

Somewhere along the way, when I stopped for a snooze, I was talking to a couple of caravanners who say they never free camp because they have heard so many horror stories. I can't believe that. Free camping is a very convivial experience. There are almost always others around. The worst I have been aware of is the juvenile behaviour of some of the truckies who keep themselves entertained by blasting their horns as they go by camping areas. It doesn't work with me because it doesn't worry me if I am awake and I don't hear it if I am asleep. (And it serves them right if they come across sleep deprived drivers as a result of their fun.)

Along the Way

Nullarbor

York - lovely old buildings

Orroroo

As Changeable as the Weather

I left Ceduna, expecting to catch up with fellow traveller, Rae, in Streaky Bay for lunch or maybe Venus Bay for an overnight camp. She ended up in Tumby Bay and I spent the night in Minnipa. Once again there were only a couple of overnighters. I've already forgotten the next stop. (Maybe there wasn't another camp - I may have just lost a day!)

Last night I stayed at Iron Knob, a popular little camp with toilets and a cold shower for the cost of a donation. I was considering a mine tour but it was cancelled because of the heat.(Weather #1 for the day) Despite the heat, the wind picked up and also picked up my awning - just at the time that everyone I had spoken to was either out walking or out of earshot. (#2 ) I had great difficulty putting the awning down by myself with it flapping in every gust of wind. The previous night had been beautiful and, after a few board games with Helen and Bruno, I sat out enjoying the full moon and the balmy weather. Usually I don't leave the awning out as I have had several occasions where I had to take it in some time in the middle of the night, in a roaring wind.

After another scorching day, the roaring wind is back with a vengeance. (Weather #3) I am in Peterborough and had intended to stay in free camping but the lovely wooded site didn't feel so lovely in the wind. So, here I am in a caravan park. The wind is probably picking up constantly. The van is being buffeted by strong gusts. I think I will be rocked to sleep.

If I am to spend a couple of days ducking and weaving from the weather, Peterborough is a pleasant place to be. I went to the Information Centre/ Museum this afternoon and then spent quite a while at a great little display. A very creative couple with amazing attention to detail have recreated carriages and coaches and all types of horse and camel drawn vehicles - completely to scale and beautifully accessorised. As usual, I got a bit carried away with photos. I will try to restrict myself to just a few.

Depending on the weather (wind warnings and fire warnings) i will go the steam train museum tomorrow. It has been recommended as not just a train collection but a snapshot of industrialisation  in South Australia.

Ceduna

The eastbound trip has been very different from heading west. I am now wondering if the camping areas then were full of CMCA members heading for the rallies and working in a limited time frame.

The free camps have been almost deserted this week. I say 'almost deserted' with relief as I was pleased to have a few blokes around to help start my van  yesterday. I am not sure what was wrong but, after trying to jump start my battery which didn't need a jump start, some serious 'man talk' and a heavy foot on the accelerator did the job and I was underway. My rescuers escorted me for a couple of hours, one in front and one behind. I was careful to ask my neighbour last night to check that I got started. No problems, so hopefully all is well.

There is not much free camping around here so I am spending the night at a caravan park. I met up with a solo traveller (but not a Solo) and had dinner together at the bistro just around from the caravan park, and talked until we were the last in the dining room. As we are heading in the same direction, we may coordinate our travel tomorrow.

Racing a Fire

My neighbour at the caravan park this morning informed me that the road was open between Kalgoorlie and Norseman. It had never occurred to me that it would be closed. When I got around to the morning paper, I read about the devastation of bush fires north of Esperance resulting in the loss of four lives. Rather than spend another day in Kal (as it is fondly called), I decided I should skip dinner with Robin (thanks anyhow, Robin) and hit the road.

Like all sensible travellers, I checked with Main Roads and found that the fires were confined to the far south. I got to Norseman in a couple of hours and pushed on about 80km towards the east. By 3.30pm, I was set up in a shady free camping area having my afternoon nap and planning happy hour with my neighbours.

At about 5pm, Council workers arrived to inform us that the road was about to be closed because of fires. Those travelling west wouldn't have any problem as long as they left promptly. They suggested that, for those of us who were going east, getting beyond Balladonia would be a good idea. It was just over 100 km. That camp ground was deserted within ten minutes - and all those we passed in the next hour or so.

I travelled in tandem with Gaileen and Darren and their two little kids. The speed limit through most of WA is 110 and I was sure the police would rather see us safely out of the fire zone than worry too much about speed limits. Darren obviously thought the same and I zipped comfortably along behind him, occasionally getting close to 120. (Hey! I drive a Sprinter. It is designed to sprint.) There were no flames to be seen but a lot of smoke on all horizons. Once we get through that, we slowed to a more sedate pace and still got to Balladonia before dark.

Five kilometres past Balladonia is one of the usual roadside camps. By the time I arrived, there were several over-nighters. I had picked up coffee and a muffin at the roadhouse. That was enough for dinner. As usual, everything is quiet and dark. My light is the only one still shining and it is about to be turned off. I hope tomorrow is less eventful.

CMCA MSO AOK

I had my first Member Stop Over at the property of Doug and Anne at Stake Hill. MSO is a great concept. CMCA members who have space on their property make fellow members welcome. Anne and Doug are not travelling at the moment. They have a huge shaded yard capable of hosting at least six rigs. In fact they said they had six visitors at the same time only a few days before me.

I had planned just for an overnight there but it was so peaceful and quiet that I put out the awning, table and chair and didn't move for two days. Bliss! Curiosity almost kept me there for another night as there were two vans expected to arrive that next day. They had both been at the rally so I was keen to see if they were members I had met.

Having been at the two rallies, I am on the look out for familiar faces. I spent three days at Greenbushes in the free camping area. Rosemary arrived shortly after me and she was staying another day or so after I left. We had happy hour together, after (for me) some half-hearted sight seeing. The Discovery Centre is well worth a visit with far more variety than you would expect in such a small town. I went to a Toastmasters meeting of a club in formation - as much fun as ever!

In York, as I drove into the camping area, I saw his motorhome and knew that Ron was there (I think his motorhome is mis-named - he doesn't strike me as an old bull). We did a postmortem of the rallies. He is on his way back to Wagin with Glenyce to meet with members of the town council to provide and receive feedback on the rally. The York camping area is very generous, only a block away from the shops with a diner and cafes close. There is also power available for the first few who arrive. All this for no cost, although I hope everyone who free camped supported the town. Ron and I joined some others for dinner at the diner, I found a coffee shop the next day and did a substantial grocery shop at IGA. It is easy to spend $100, even without fuel which is a significant cost.

Travel and Talk

I talked today! Okay, so I talk every day! Today I visited a Toastmasters club in South Perth. (Also, very importantly, I had lunch in South Perth at the Secret Garden Cafe. The coffee was good, the food looked interesting and the setting was amazing. The small shop front with a couple of tables opened on to one space after another, most of them garden settings with lovely shade and cool breezes, very welcome in 35 degree heat. It was a very popular spot but masses of plants and quiet nooks made it feel quite intimate. If you live in Perth and haven't been there, give yourself a treat and meet friends for a relaxed meal.)

However, back to Toastmasters! The Sunday Sundowners meet at 4pm Sunday. The club is only about six months old but has some very experienced speakers and an enthusiastic group of novice speakers. There were four guests, which I found interesting on a Sunday afternoon. This was my third visit to WA clubs, having attended Greenbushes and Bunbury clubs as well.

One of the members was surprised when I said I had never seen a segment called Evaluation of the Evaluators, that this is done by the General Evaluator anywhere else. Then I started to question myself. I don't always get the answer I want when I do that. This time I was able to back track to clubs I have been in or visited in the eastern states and the clubs I joined in the UK, Canada and New Zealand. I definitely have not seen it outside WA. I am wondering whether this is part of the revitalised TM program introduced here in a newly established District or just a geographical anomaly. I'll watch out for it. It did occur to me that it could be a segment (perhaps evaluating one of the evaluators) to lead members into the full General Evaluator role.

I will probably visit Kalgoorlie club this week before heading further east.

No sooner thought than done. I have just come home from Touch of Gold TM in Kalgoorlie. It was a great meeting with about 15 attending. It is always good to see something just a bit different - and that really means every club. They all have their own cultures and quirks. One thing I enjoyed tonight was a presentation on Ignite. I have heard of it but never seen it in action. Robyn, who presented it is going to send me details. In effect, it is a 5 minute speech/ presentation consisting of 20 slides, each set for 15 seconds. The club is having an Ignite Night next meeting. I am keen to try it myself but I know that it will be a huge challenge for me to stick to 15 second commentaries.

I have had my Toastmaster fix for a while. As well as Sunday Sundowners and Kalgoorlie tonight, I visited Bunbury club and the club in formation at Greenbushes.

At the same time, I am in touch with my clubs at home. Area 8 Director Kris was pleased with his conference last week with Mark Hunter as a major draw card. Ajit was quick to share  his success winning the Interrnational for Healthy Chatterers, after winning the Humorous for Bunya. I had to remind Trinh to do as I say, not as I do when she went over time in the Impromptu. Dave and Allan and David L rounded out the successes for Peninsula.

I went fishing for compliments today when Alan sent out dates for the executive meetings. I told him I would be there for the January meeting "for what my presence is worth". What choice did he have than to assure me that my presence is treasured?

Jen posted details of her Division conference in March. I was quick to let her know how heartbroken I would be to miss it but I have already signed up for the Solos rally at Forbes. It does seem strange to miss a whole season of competition. I did get to some of the club contests but not the two Areas I am in and now I will miss the Division and District Conventions.

A Gazillion Gnomes

According to young Riley, there are a gazillion gnomes as Gnomesville. It is hard to believe that it started with a single gnome on the roundabout. It would take weeks to count them all as the number grows every day and extends further out into the 'suburbs'.

Alison took me there together with Mitchell and Alex. The kids loved it. It's the sort of place where they could go often and always see something different. Lots of people wandered around while we were there, including a busload of oldies.

I signed a gnome last week along with the other solos. Surprisingly (!) I couldn't find it among all the others. Of course, it is at a different gnome village and hasn't gone travelling yet!

Motorhomes - more to come

It is interesting to look at the variety of motorhomes at any function.

All dressed up

Since leaving Albany on Monday, I have travelled all the way to Cranbrook - less than a hundred kilometres. I knew some of the solos were coming here for a few days. I didn't expect to see about 15 of the Big Rigs and another twenty or so motorhomers as well as about 15 solos.For $5 a night, we have a lovely grassed area, showers and toilets and access to the Sports Club.

Yesterday we went to the Club for the Melbourne Cup luncheon. Somehow we all managed to brush up well enough to fit in to the large group at the club. The organisers were lovely and despite the fact that some of us had arrived too late to book, they set up an extra table and squeezed us in for the best $20 meal I have ever had - cold meat and prawns, amazingly original salads, pavlova and strawberries!

Melbourne Cup day is all about fashion - and we know how to be fashionable.  What elegance! It is quite amazing what we have stashed away in our small motorhomes and campervans.

Joan Collins

Nancy

Mel & Rosemary

Cathy, Cathy, Nancy, Margaret, Joan, Monica, Mel

Hilly in his best dress

Maggie & Kay

Alan Hill

Kev doing his Laurel & Hardy impersonation