Julia Woolgar: The Long Drive Broome to East of Port Headland

Oct 17

On my way back to Broome I stopped at a protesters site protesting against boring for Gas poisoning the water. I had a coffee and a chat with some of them most of them were professional people on a mission to protect the environment one woman sold her house to be able to support herself while on her mission. I was invited to stay but I had to be on my way.

Gas Protester site

I look around Broome, a pearling heritage, I lost count of the spectacular pearl shops in town so many and exquisite jewellery. A Japanese cemetery the largest in Australia over 900 Japanese pearl divers died from the bends or sharks trying to make their fortune while the Chinese managed the shops. You could spend much time just admiring the splendid array off different items. Time to go and park up for the night.

Oct 18

I stayed put to day fixing my static sunshade to my windows serviced my generator oil change put a new air filter in to Plod I actually found the right one a very able storeman indeed, and I was able to get the internet a big bonus and now it is pitch black so time to say good night. Not quite; yet a skype call Dave and Vale keeping in touch and it was my birthday had to reply to a a few email as well. My son skyped me as well yesterday I thought he had forgotten about me (smile) not really, he has been very busy with his business.

Oct 19

A leisurely drive to my next port of call had a look in at Stanley Rest Area fantastic concrete base in some places I parked up and had a look underneath of Plod to check him out. I thought my shower pump had been playing up but no it was the MYM shower unit I temporary fixed it I have Hot and Cold now although difficult to regulate the temperature.

This is definitely the best night spot I have come across I have taken up much space. My last too night stops were so quiet no other travellers at all so thinking I would be on my own again, I was not cars and vans kept arriving still there are several other tables and cover way’s and if I did not take this one someone will. I looked around and every one had gone, probably stopped for a late lunch. The only draw back was no internet. I cooked up some dinner just finished and along came a motor biker Des and some other vans. I offered the biker a cup of tea and guess what he was a mechanic that is three mechanic’s I have met on this trip so far. Des camped and went around to say hi to all the other travellers on the site. Des is driving around Australia in 4 weeks and lives in Sydney.

My camp site

Des From Sydney

Oct 20

Having a relaxing morning I cooked some pancakes for breakfast as I had plenty of space.

Just as Des went on his way along comes Helen to say Hi then along comes Jim and Jan stopped in for lunch so I had quite an eventful day. My camera went a bit haywire every thing turned out rather on the blue side I reset the adjustments and I am hoping the camera will work properly now.

Pancakes for breakfast

Julia

Oct 21

Off early towards Port Hedland stopped at De Grey River 82 km from Port Hedland for lunch a good site and Helen was already camped up so I decided to stay parked up right down by the river. The trip down was uneventful filled up with diesel but forgot to top up with my water, silly me, still I have plenty of drinking water. I was thinking about getting on the internet no signal for hundreds of miles.The scenery was rather on the flat side although the beaches are supposed to be great, the only problem there is that really the only way to get on to them is stay on a caravan site. I opted for that as those little sand fly’s eat me alive no sooner I have got rid of one lot I get bitten with another lot. Jan and Jim turned in with their rig later as well. I had a drink with Helen in the evening and met up with three lovely youngsters working there way around Australia