Julia Woolgar: 2011

Friday, 30 December 2011

The Long Drive Hyden Norseman Rd, Norseman, Eyre HWY, to SA

Dec28

I left after I had down loaded my Blog which was after lunch as I only had 130 km to do for my next anticipated night stop. The road was a dirt road but in excellent condition so I could travel fast if I needed to.

Hyden Norseman Road

I came across a smashed up car stopped to take a photo and then went on my way I hadn't gone that far when I noticed my battery was not charging, a very big bother, I stopped and checked under the bonnet. Was that Toyota High Ace wreck I passed the same as mine? I drove back to have a look no such luck it was completely different probably just as well anyway at least it satisfied my curiosity. Time was passing rather quickly so foot to the floor with no more stopping I made my night stop just before sunset. Put the generator on to keep the battery charged up and the fridge freezer cold. I put in my spare 20 litre of diesel only 120 km more to do before I reach civilisation.

I am just hopping I only need new brushes.

Car wreck

Lake Johnston night stop

I had a phone call to day from Phil Moore a Morgan man who lives in Busselton unfortunately I am too far away to pop round.

Dec29

On Hyden Norseman Road.

I set off early to get to Norseman to see if I could get a new brush set for my Alternator and perhaps a regulator as well. The alternator was charging all the way to Norseman. I called in to the only garage in Norseman and what luck the mechanics were extremely helpful, the mechanic said I will just see what it is doing and it was charging well. We had a discussion not mentioning I was a mechanic and I decided to buy a set of new brushes and a new regulator. I ended up buying a new alternator but unfortunately he had no regulator.

Lake Cowan Norseman

The Man that Know’s

Norseman roundabout

I filled up with fuel air and water, went in to the tourist information center they were quite helpful at least it was open which make’s a change. A spot of food shopping and on my way again. I had not gone that far when that little red light came on again not charging, I plodded on to my next port of call, I just had to call in to have a look at Fraser Ranch Camping site as a few people had told me I must go and stay there. It was fair to middling as far as the caravan spots were located not much shade and too expensive for one also too early for me to stop and camp and more to the point it had no internet coverage so I plodded on to the 90 mile rest area for the night, putting my generator on. For a car traveller that requires a room the chalets looked in very good shape.

On Fraser Ranch

90 Mile Straight my night stop rest area

Dec30

I left for the road at 4.30pm just as it was getting light and not too hot not wanting to switch any auxiliaries on for fear of draining my battery. We had a few drops of rain but not enough to wash the wind screen.

Sun Rise Trying to rain

I did a slight detour taking in Madura Pass expecting a parking spot to take in the view I drove along a rough dirt track just about saw a view thinking I could park around the corner then the road turned in to a steep downward drive back on to the high way facing a petrol station I missed the view, too over grown. I parked up and had a walk around then on my way to find a quite little spot for my breakfast / lunch

Madura Petrol Station

Eyre HWY view

Lunch time

Putting my generator away I pressed on passing two car wreck’s on the road side at different location’s alas no Toyota High Ace. I plodded along with windows open just about bearing up, with the sun pounding down getting hotter every minute. I reached Eucla a caravan park just before the border and filled up with diesel. I was kindly given 15 litre of water, water is a commodity in these parts.The rain water is collected in big tanks for their own use and of course the paying campers. Only another few km to the border.

South Australian Side, Border Village

Fortunately there are many picnic spots and parking lay byes along the Nullarbor. No mechanical garages only for fuel and accommodation. I traveled 515 km to day far too much in one day.

My night stop SA

My night stop in the morning

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

The Long Drive, Lake Grace, Hyden, Wave Rock, The Forrestania Plots Night stop

Dec 28

Time I left to go on to Wave Rock it was getting late before I went I had a quick look at Sue car and found the bonnet hinge very seized, off came the bonnet and hinge a vice job to free it off all done and on my way I went. Driving past fields of wheat and through the Stirling Range N.P.

On Tow

Stirling Range N P

Then on to Lake Grace a mixture of small lakes and some were pink

Lake Grace

On to Hyden a small town with many ingenious mettle sculptures.

Hyden Taxi circa 1929-30

I made Wave Rock just before the sun went down

Wave Rock

I could not hang around for long as I had to find my night spot another 65 km to drive on the Hyden Norseman Road at The Forrestania Plots I arrived just as the sun set.

At The Forrestania Plots my night spot

I had a long and interesting day from dawn to dusk. I was glad I pushed on to my night spot as it is very large and peaceful with some shade, more to the point I have it all to my self.

My night stop

My Night stop

Monday, 26 December 2011

The Long Drive Walpole to Albany

Dec 20
I went to start Plod with no joy, the battery was flat I had been having trouble with it for a while hoping it would last out no such luck, out comes my generator to give it a charge, great I started up. I arrived at Walpole and what a gorgeous little town it is with a large attractive picnic spot right in the center of town with an information center opens at 10pm.

Walpole town center

Walpole information center

I went to top up with Diesel and Plod let me down again out comes the generator for another charge. Thinking my alternator might not be charging up I went around to a good little garage a very helpful man tested the charging good job that was charging as an alternator would cost me a lot more than a new battery. I was going to buy a new battery unfortunately the man had sold out.. On to my destination to Albany I was loathed to stop Plod just in case he did not start again. That meant I missed a few good tourist spots. I brought a new battery in Albany oh well I can't complain as now Plod is quite happy again.

Off to visit Donald Main a Morgan and MG owner in Albany I was invited to stay for Christmas which is very generous of Donald and Sue his wife. I parked up Plod and was given the rooms at the back of the garage.

My Room behind the garage

Dec 21

On went my overalls and under Donald's Morgan to give the kingpins a grease up and renew the brake fluid and generally playing around at cars. I was then allowed to have a drive in his Morgan we went to some friends of Donald’s that had a 1936 Daimler in immaculate condition he then took us out for a drive around town which brought back memories from my younger days.

Donald’s immaculate Morgan.

Dec 22

Under Charlotte's car today Donald’s 20 year old daughter. Two new tyre’s and sparking plugs were very much needed oil change and a general service. While we went in to town for the parts Donald took me to see some sites in Albany it was a pity as the day was very overcast not a good day for photos.

Albany view of the docks

Albany

Dec 23

Changed Plods engine oil that was about all. Just having a relaxing time. Out comes the Morgan (called Henry) and off for a drive to the sea side. James and Katarina his girl friend and William, arrived for Christmas Robert the other son could not make Christmas.

Little Beach

Dec 24

This morning was rather busy as all Christmas eves in the kitchen’s are. Donald and I went in to town shopping first visited the market place then on to Woolies. Although crowds of people were shopping it was a great atmosphere. Back home to help Sue with a few chores mostly washing up and of course the usual chit chat. Charlotte had made some lovely decorations. The boys cut down an unwanted tree in the garden for our Christmas tree. Most of the chores had been done so Donald and I went round to see Glen and Kaye in his garage I just had to take a photo of his Daimler. Cups of tea all round with home made Christmas cake.

Glen the Daimler owner

Glen's Daimler

Julia

The Children were preparing our Christmas Eve dinner and I might add they did a fantastic job cooked to a T.

Christmas Eve dinner

Dec 25

Donald William and my self went to an early Church Service. The church was full to bursting and that was the second service of the day and there was another one after that as well.

Waiting to go in to Church on Christmas Day

Christmas Day Breakfast

After Church we wet back and had a Champagne breakfast with ham cheese and tomato croissant fruit salad, an excellent eider which I shall take up when I am back home in Devon. After that we all sat around in the lounge and open our Christmas presents. I had presents as well a very generous family indeed.

Opening Christmas Presents

We had the usual English Christmas Dinner beautifully cooked by one and all every one mucked in a real family.

Dec 26

Boxing day was a busy day with the boys digging holes to put in two gate posts out comes the mine tractor which was enjoyed by all especially James.

We had another big dinner, then Sue had a few friends around for afternoon tea. The children went out for a spin then came back for a game of table tennis all this activity made me quite exhausting but very enjoyable. I was getting Plod ready for my departure tomorrow. Dinner was served a long talkative evening and then to bed.