19/7/12 Drove into Geraldton and booked the car into Twomeys. We had nothing better to do than sit in the waiting room and after and hour and a half got the report. No good news. Because the Ford is designed for European the camber is set up differently than it would be for Aussie roads and is not adjustable. Means we will need to rotate the front wheels every 10000 kms or so. Off to Beaurepaires to have two new tyres fitted. Some $800 poorer we left Geraldton and to the Murchison River Camp Site. A big site and we were licky enough to get a caravanner roll in and put his gennie on. Used it to cook tea. God only know what gas is for.

20//7/12 Off to Kalbarri today. Visited the National Park and other sights around Kalbarri before driving onto Northampton and thence to Geraldton before ending up at the Dongari East Rest Area with two other vehicles, Right beside a very busy road with plenty of traffic through the night. Still some Caravan Parks can be just as noisy.

21/7/12 We had decided to do the wildflower trail and drove out to Mingenew for a looksee and then onto Three Springs before heading to Carnamah and then turning coastwards to Eneabba. We passed the delightful Yarra Yarra Lakes during our travels and took snaps of wuite a number of wildflowers. We then drove back up towards Dongara, before getting onto the Indian Ocean Drive. We camped for the night at the delightful Cliff Head North Rest Area right on the sea. A beautiful spot spoiled only by me coughing all night and getting practically no sleep and ruining Marion's sleep into the bargain.

22/7/12 We set off south on the Indian Ocean Drive calling into every coastal hideaway and just before Jurien Bay turned inland and spend a couple of hours looking at Leseur National Park. We have more or less decided to return in September next year to check out the wildflowers once again. We now have many more places to visit than we had last time. After that we drove into Jurien Bay and checked into th caravan park for the night. Marion got some washing done and wefilled up with water.

23/7012 After leaving the CP we went shopping and I found a Chemist Shop to get some stuff to help with my cold. Once more we drove south checking all coastal nooks and crannies before ending up at the Pinnacles. This time we walked all around and saw much more than last time. Met a couple from Cairns who left on the same day as us and have to have their rental camper back in Cairns by 29/8/12. We drove on and stayed the night at the Moore River Bridge Rest Area. The first time ever we had more Motorhomes than Caravans – 4 to 2.

24/7/12 Drove cross to Gingin, Toodyay, Northam and York spending time in each. The suspension bridge in York is what the Mount Morgan one could have been. Had decided to stay at a Brookton Rest Area but the one we choose didn't look too appealing so we back tracked some 30 km to another which we had to ourselves until about 5pm when two caravans turned up. It looked lke being a bitterly cold night and before you could turn around the gennies were on. By 7.30, I had had a gutful so went for a walk. These two gooses and their wives needed the gennies to power their reverse cycle airconditioners and so warm things up, Many words were said particularly about his noisy generator ( he said it was silent ). I thought I had hearing problems. Anyway, the upshot was that about 15 miutes later both gennies were shut down so we had a peaceful night's sleep.I was always very pro generators but have changed my mind this trip

25/7/12 Woke this morning to see the temperature was 2.5 degrees in the van – heaven knows how cold outside. Found out my two .mates were Queenslanders. Somepeople give the state a bad name. To make matters worse thay parked in the road side by side and I was unable to get out except by reversing quite a distance. They probably hate my guts as much as I hate their's. Had intentions of staying the night at a dam outside Collie, but when ww got there found that from 1/7/12 thee was a charge of $7 per head. As all we were getting was a bit of dirt and no facilities, we opted out and moved further down the road to another dam site. The sites were so steep we would have been sleeping standing up, so decided to move onto Donnybrook where we knew that the local Municiapl Park was very good and reasonably priced. We get all amenities including and ensuite beside our van. All this for $27. Many Caravan Parks could take note. TV reception is lousy, so looks like reading and Soduku may be the order of the night.

16/7/12 Drove in to Carnarvon and filled up with diesel. Noticed that one front tyre was badly scrubbed. Visited the Information Centre and got addresses for dump site, fresh water and tyre dealers. Did some shopping at Woolies, emptied the waste, filled up with water and then headed to the tyre dealers, only to find they were closed. This on a Monday. Drove to Beaurepaires who said I needed a wheel alignment and that wasonly available in Geraldton. Said the tyre should last the distance.Set off and stayed the night at Edaggee Rest Area. Parked well away from everyone else, but an old codger parked beside us and told us he may have to use his generator. Oh joy. Set up the sat dish to watch football and cover his genny noise. As it transpired he didn't start his but someone else did to disturb the peace.

17/7/12 Drove off to the Overlander Roadhouse where we smokoed before setting off to Monkey Mia. We had phoned earlier to arrange to camp at Fowlers Camp. Drove into Monkey Mia and even though we had paid for NP entry fees, had to fork over more money or turn around. Paid our money under sufferance and went to the beach. No dolphins to be seen so retired to the van for lunch. Our pass lasted for two days and we had to decide whether to return the next morning. Drobe into Denham for a look on our wy back to our camp at Fowlers. There are 4 camp sites on the peninsula, each with 4 free sites. We were the first there but by nighttime another two groups had turned up. Camped almost on the water with grest views across the bay.

18/7/12 The tyre was almost worn down to the ply, so rather than travel 100 extra kms into and out of Monkey Mia, an executive decision was made to motor on towards Geraldton. We drove sedately not wanting to but undue pressure on the tyre and arrived in Geraldton at 2.30pm. Drove immediately to Twomeys who were to do the wheel alignment the next morning. I knew we would require two new tyres, but they asked me to keep the old tyres on till next morning. It would help with their diagnosis. Then drove up te road to Beaurepairs to book in for two new tyres the next morning. I had managed to break the handle in the sullage tap, so I went looking for a replacement. My old one has been glued together, but heaven knows how long it will last. No success with a replacement. Left there looking for a Caravan Park using the GPS. The GPS lady played up and weended up on a beach nowhere near the CP. No signs to say we couldn't camp there, so we bit the bullet and camped free beside the beach. Set the alarm for 6.30 so we could get to Twomeys and Beaurepairs early

11/7/12 Left on our way south for a long drive. Filled up with diesel and water at the Sandfire Roadhouse aand then drove onto the De Grey River camp site for the night. A large site and quite a few campers there mostly on the river. We stayed on the flat above the river close to the road. There had been 100 vans there on the weekend before.

12/7/12 Up earlyand drove into Port Hedland where we drove around town and filled up with diesel once again. We seem to be helping the WA economy in that regard. Took some photos and tried to go to the Rock Of shop which was closed and the sign said only open on appointment. We were tyre kickers so didn't bother. On our way south Marion saw some Sturt De on the side of the road so we stopped twice for a couple of photo shoots.sert PeasWe drove onto Roebourne where we visited the Information Centre and Museum before driving out to the historic town of Cossack. After a walk around Cossack and a drive to the lookout for more photos, we drove onto Point Samson for a look around before heading off to Karratha. Had intended to camp at the Shell Roadhoue on the south side of Karratha but it is now owned by Coles and doesn't allow campers. We had been going to spend a little time in Karratha but as our friend from Tassie who was wotking there had moved on to Perth and as we were on the southside of Karratha we decided to motor on. Luckily not too far down the road we found a Day Rest Area with a couple of vans so we called in and spent the night on the banks of the Maitland River. We went for a walk over the bridge and , sure enough, more Sturt Peas were to be seen growing on the side.

13/7/12 Another big day of riving and looking at the scenery which is very stark. Most of the country is god forsaken and lucky to run a rabbit to the acre.We stopped for the night at the Burkett Road Rest Area and for a while it looked like we might have it to ourselves. On dark another traveller pulled up and set up camp. The Camp was a bus meeting point and a sign stated that buses would be turning up at 2.00 am. However when we left at 8 the next morning no buses had arrived.

14/7/12 Decided to go to Exmouth today and take a cruise on te Yardie River and spend the night in the Cape Range National Park. However on arriving at the Information Centre there was a sign on the door saying all NP Accommodation was booked out - School Holidays. The boat cruise only runs Tuesday to Saturday and the Saturday cruise was booked out. To compound our woes all the Caravan Parks were booked out and the Council was charging $38 for an unpowered and $46 for a powered siteat the overflow park. $38 seemed a lot to pay for 15 square metres of land so an executive decision was made to move on, We drove down to Coral Bay for a look see and it too was booked out. A lovely spot, but that seemed to be everybodies' opinion. We drove to the Lyndron River West Camp for the night.

15/7/12 Drove into the Maniya Roadhouse and filled up with diesel. Decided we wanted to see the blowhole at Quabba. After that we drove down to the Quabba Camp site and the ranger gave us a great site on the beach beside a Camping Prohibited sign.  Great views, level site and all for $5.50. Tomorrow we are off to Carnarvon and points south.

7/7/12 Drove off towards Halls Creek this morning. The Caltex garage refused to sell diesel and sent me up the road to Shell where we waited 15 minutes to be served. Drove into the CBD and visited IGA to stock up the larder. Our aboriginal brothers everywhere. Had morning tea and then drove on to Ngumban Cliff Lookout where we camped for the night with a dozen or more other groups. Very hig position with good views in all directions. Watched some satellite TV and saw mt football team Storm go down in flames.

8/7/12 Another cold night, but up reasonably early and headed off towards Fitzroy Crossing. The Fitzroy river is quite large although not as large as our Fitzroy. Only a single lane bridge over the river though. Filled up with diesel and asked what was going, only to be told nothing but a Rodeo. Decided to move on and make our way towards the Boab Tree Rest Area. This is quite a large area surrounding a very old Boab tree. Some people said it was between 1000 and 1500 years in age. It is very large and hollow in the middle. They tell me snakes etc live there. About a dozen vehicles stayed the night but only 3 were motorhomes/campervans. We are certainly outnumbered by caravans.

9/7/12 Drove into Derby this morning. Stopped off and looked at the Boab Prison Tree before motoring into Derby. Visited the local Information Centre and then drove to the BP Fuel Depot where we filled up with diesel and water. Then out to the Jetty for a walk around and some morning tea. Into town to buy meat, groceries and beer and then a look at a couple of local trees before returning to the Prison Tree for lunch. Drove on to the Nillibubbica Rest Area where we stayed the night with 20 other groups. Free camping is very popular.

10/7/12 I had arranged yesterday by phone to have the van's oil changed today so we were up early and drove the 103 kms into Broome for our 8.30 appointment. The GPS decided to play up and we drove all over Broome before getting to our destination.The garage filled us with some reservations but, nevertheless, we decided to proceed even though they were unable to source an oil filter any where in Broome. Afterwards we drove over to Cable Beach and then found a laundromat to get our washing up to date. Neither of us are great fans of large towns so we decided to hightail it towards Port Hedland. As I write this we are at the Goldwire Rest Area some 121 km south of the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse.

4/7/12 Filled up with diesel and then visited the Zebra Rock Factory
in town where we purchased a couple of specimens. On then to the
Kelly's Knob Lookout for spectacular views of Kununurra and surrounds.
After that a drive out to the Sandalwood Factory and then onto Minora
NP for a couple of scenic mountain walks to lookouts. After that we
lunched on the banks of Lake Kununurra. Drove onto to the Dunham River
Free Camp for the night.

5/7/12 Drove off towards Halls Creek, still undecided whether we would
do the Bungle Bungles thing. We had been informed back in Narmanton
that there was a bush Caravan Park off the highway and that the Park
had day trips to the Bungle Bungles for $250 per head. Found the
turnoff after first msssing it and driving an extra 20 kms.  Drove in
and booked two nights accommodation and the tour which left at 7am the
next morning.

6/7/12 Up early and after breakfast were ready to catch our 19 seater
4wd bus. There were 23 passengers and they had arranged an extra bus
to carry us all. We drove for the next two hours over atrocious roads
to the Information Centre and then onto Picannini Gorge where we had
morning tea prior to walking to the Piccanini Gorge Lookout, Cathedral
Gorge and then the dome walk. Lunch was then provided pior to another
hour's drive to Echidna Chasm where we walked the chasm for another 50
minutes. After that we had a 2.5 hour drive back to the Caravan Park
reaching that at 5.30. Diner was provided that night at 6.30 so after
a couple of beers we strolled over to join the other passengers to a
tea of Pea and Ham soup followed by Stew and rice. Back to the van for
a shower before retiring for an early night.

2/7/12 After breakfast we decided to climb to the lookout near the cruise boat launch which we were told took 20 minutes and was fairly steep.Took 10 minutes to walk from the camp to the starting point and 20 minutes later we were at the top. Certainly was harder than walking up Forbes Avenue but we made it to the top where the views were spectacular. Marion decided she didn't want to go back that way so we decided to take the 2.8 km path back to the camp. After marching up hill and own dale for 2.8 km and 3/4 hour later we dragged ourselves into the camp.

Drove into Katherine where it was time to fill up with diesel, clean the toilet and fill up with water. The place seemed to be taken over by grey nomads with motorhomes and caravans everywhere. Went to Woolworths and the chemist and filled up with provisions before heading west. Found a very nice camp at Blaines Creek where we set up for the night. Vehicles continued to roll in for hours with the last one in very late.

3/7/12  Quite a cool night but even so were were up a first light -7.30 am. Hit the road at a little after 8.15 towards Kununurra. Had smoko just before the WA border (quarantine station)) and peeled the potatoes and onion in terms of instructions we had. At the border we were informed that the spuds and onion had to be frozen as well as peeled, so they were handed over for the workers barbeque.

After that we turned off the road and drove onto Lake Argyle. a 34 km drive over a narrow ribbon of tar with a speed limit of 110 in parts. Had a look at the Lake, took some photos and headed towards Kununurra where we had arranged to meet Marion's nephew in the afternoon. Booked into the Hidden Valley Caravan Park after buying more supplies ( to replace the spuds and onion). Garry called in to see us at around 3 pm and stayed for two hours. It was nice to chat with him Hadn't seen him since his father;s funeral i 1987. Have had to wind the clock back by an hour and a half so an early night tonight.

30/6/12 A quiet night at the Rest Area. One of the chaps had Satellite and watched the footy on Friday night, so I found out that the Broncos had been slaughtered as I took the rubbish to the bin. Left a bit later than normal and drove on through Pine Creek and onto the Edith Falls area in the Nitmiluk National Park. We had decided to spend the whole day and night there. Took a walk to the top pool at 11 am. A fairly steep walk both ways. Very picturesque but not enough to lure us into the water.

After lunch we took a walk to the lower pool, Spend quite a bit of time talking to our neighbours who were two single men (in two cars and caravans) from  the Sunshine Coast.One very easy to talk to, the other a bit difficult. On the other side was a Victorian with his wife and two kids in a camper trailer with a tent each for the two kids.You could tell he was a Victorian as he had no shirt on because of the heat.

A reasonably early night only broken by the noise of a group practising to be a band. Still that finally stopped and sleep reined supreme.

1/7/12 Well another new month on the road. After breakfast we motored on to Katherine where the housekeeping was done - fill up with diesel, empty the cassette toilet, fill up with water and find a laundromat to keep the washing clean. On the outskirts of Katherine there was a big road block with police, with rifles, everywhere. We were stopped and our van searched, We were informed they were looking for the murdered who had beheaded Ned Kelly.

We had called in at the Information Centre on arrival and booked tickets for a cruise of the Katherine Gorge. We motored down to the Camp Area at Katherine Gorge which is also in Nitmiluk National Park. After booking in, finding a good spot and an early lunch, we walked down to the launch area and awaited our cruise boat. We cruised up one gorge, disembarked and walked 600 metres to another gorge and boarded another craft to cruise through the Katherine Gorge itself. Then back to our first boat and back to the Park.

By this time it was mid-afternoon and time for a cuppa and after that a walk around the Camp Area. We had hung our washing out to dry before we left for our cruise and it is now all clean and packed away for another day. Set up our satellite TV and are now watching Andy Murray at Wimbledon and will then watch a couple of games of footy. Tomorrow is another day and we plan to head towards Kununurra which we expect to make on Tuesday.