Fine, Sunny, 36C some breezes.
We left Cape Arid this morning around 8.20am and started to head towards Esperance and across to Norseman. The ranger had advised that it would take us just as long to travel around to Balladonia as travel up the 4wd track. After we had travelled 5 kms past Parmango Rd turnoff, I decided that time wasn’t of the essence but saving 300 kms was a far better deal, so we turned around and drove back and took the 4wd track (Parmango Rd) to Balladonia. The distance was 194 kms and we were very happy to travel almost 60kms on the bitumen before a nicely formed dirt road. It wasn’t until we were about 60 kms out of Balladonia that the road was a bit rough, but there was a side track which was much smoother. All in all there was very little really rough road. You could drive this road with a 2wd providing it didn’t rain. It was clay type soil and if it rained it would not be fun trying to drive this road. It was hilarious to see a sign some 160 kms along the track advising that it wasn’t suitable for caravans – we wondered why they didn’t have this sign at either end of the track.
This is the road that we got to travel for most part. It was certainly worth the short cut for the bit of rough we encountered.
We were travelling through the Great Western Woodlands. There was patches of reserves all the way through. The country side was wheat, sheep and cattle. There were lots of farm gates and property names along the road.
We stopped at the ruin for lunch. This property is being privately restored but is open to anyone to stay there on their journey.
There is 12 volt power, tank water etc. and there were millions – yes that many blow flies sheltering in the shade.
The ranger at Stirling explained that to us, because we had lots in the toilets during the day. They seek the cool during the hot part of the day.
Inside the house was very cool, it had really thick walls, but just a tin roof. We were amazed that the roof did not heat up the interior.
There were several other rooms including a kitchen, plus a visitors book on the table. Three other groups had been through on previous days.
We then reached the Eyre Highway and drove into Balladonia Service Station to refuel.
These little fuel centres are really barren. They look the same as they would have 40 years ago.
We then drove the longest straight road. Today, I shook my head on so many times wondering why people do some things, like the idiots who deface signs, the two gates on the track, one decorated with tee shirts and then the next gate decorated with shorts all left by individuals. The people who stop by the side of the highway and build effigy's of people out of rocks and dress them. Are these the same people who see space ships on this road? By the amount clothing being left around, there must be a lot of people running around without any on.
There were a lot of dead kangaroos, although we were driving late and didn’t see any alive by the side of the road. They are obviously mixing it with the large road trains. We passed many of these today.
It is quite flat as you would expect, but to us after some of the desert tracks, it’s a great drive. There is a lot more greenery so far than I expected.
We pulled into Cocklebiddy to take a quick rest before driving another 47 kms to our camp tonight at Moonera Tank.
We were not impressed that they had a wedge tail eagle caged at this fuel stop. There were quite a few on the road today feasting on the kangaroo road kill.
We arrived at camp a 6.30pm and were met by a swarm of bees who were after the water we had on board. They were all around the camper desperate enough to crawl up the outside pump tap. We put a bowl of water out for them to lure them away from the camper but they were too intent on sourcing where they could smell it. Even though they were buzzing around, they weren’t interested in us but just the water. Luckily it was nearly their bed time, so they soon left. This morning (Friday) we had a heavy dew, so the bees are not as intense on trying to get at our water. There was no traffic overnight and we are the only ones at this camp – probably because the bees would worry most people.
We will get on the road later this morning and strike out for the border.
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