The intense heat continued and I noticed that the cabinetry in the Troopy was not performing well: in fact, it was bowing horribly, and drawers would not close. This was extremely disappointing because we had paid handsomely for Drifta to give us a top line fitout. Not only was the fridge a dud, the cabinetry was not as it should be! I felt sick about the whole thing. Had we made a huge mistake? No good worrying now, just had to keep going!
As I headed off, I revelled yet again in the landscape: ochre, purple, and yellow-green (some highlights in the video below). I headed back through Tom Price and Newman, and past Karijini, turning left and heading north. Almost immediately, I went through the Albert Tognolini Pass: breathtaking!
Then the glories of the landscape continued. But as you approach Port Hedland, the landscape becomes much more mundane, and then you hit the salt pans and the urban sprawl of Hedland. I had spent two years in Hedland many years earlier, and I think it’s fair to say the town hasn’t improved much. I went looking for a coffee – not easy to find – the best thing I saw in town were the ospreys on the light poles along the ocean front.
I scored a berth at the Point Cook Caravan Park where I camped on a hot surface again, I know it’s very difficult to maintain grass sites, but a few trees and some softer surfaces would make a big improvement. I put the awning out in an attempt to get shade. It helped a little. The cold shower helped a lot more.
But is was only for a night, so…small mercies! Here is a visual diary of the day.
AND SO TO BROOME
The next day’s driving was pretty dull: the road between Hedland and Broome is not riveting, and there’s just so much of it. At best, there is low scrub here and there, and it’s very flat.
Note that there is only one roadhouse right on the highway, and that’s Sandfire (which is how it felt).
Broome of course is something else: now you’re in the Kimberley and it’s more humid and tropical, and there are amazing beaches (with crocodiles), interesting eateries and more shopping outlets – even a (very good) bookshop! Apart from Newman, this was the fist reasonably sized town I had seen since Perth.
The fridge repair was a priority, so I duly delivered the dud, and continued to be pleased with my Dometic 12L console. I made camp for a couple of nights at the Cable Beach Caravan Park – sounds exotic but it isn’t: it’s a moderately-priced and very well run park – good value! What’s more, it had a pool and trees, and the shade cloth underfoot, while not perfect, made for a softer and cooler surface. Well done! It was also not cheek by jowl with a million neighbours, and that was a welcome relief.
My purpose in coming to Broome was to do a birding course at the Broome Bird Observatory, and that’s where I would be for the next five days: I was looking forward to it. I would meet some new people, get to know the waders and the shorebirds, and have a chance at deluxe bird photography opportunities.
That experience deserves its own blog. For now, this leg of the adventure was done…it was a time for respite, then further adventures.
Leave a Reply