Sunday and a day of rest was planned and after yesterday needed. We pottered about camp doing loads of odd jobs that just needed doing. I mean it was about time I completely reorganised under the bed, and all the food cupboards ;). After lunch we went for the scenic drive around the park and then for walk around the homestead. The river that runs through the area closest to camp your not allowed to swim in, which is a real shame because it was so inviting and beautiful. The iridescent green Lilly pads that were growing from the depths of the river bed almost glowed in the sun light. They were mesmerising. We then drive back to deep reach pool for a swim. James thought the water was to cold and piked out but I thoroughly enjoyed my dip. Back at camp we cooked a mini lamb rolled roast on the BBQ and it was delicious.
Monday it was time to move on. We packed and drove the 70km dirt out of the park then stopped to air up. Back on the bitumen we pushed on to Dampier. We were getting low on fuel so not far out we stopped and threw in a jerry can just to make sure we didn't run out. We arrived in Dampier and at first the manager told us the park was full but then saw we only had our little trailer and let us park next to the camp kitchen on the right side on the drive way in. She had parked a motor home infront of us and later in the night a car and small van behind us. I think if you smile nice at her and your set up is small she uses this space regularly to squeeze people in. On booking in we were told that tonight is the last night for staircase to the moon for this month. Woooo hooooo another bucket list item to tick off. We spent the afternoon lazing about camp, doing research for what's ahead, booking things in where needed and generally enjoying the view. We packed up some things and put on warm clothes. We wanted to get fish and chips then drive out to see the stair case to the moon. Well on a Monday night there are NO take away options open in Dampier. So we grabbed some dip, celery sticks, cheese, biscuits, olives and a pasta salad and with our bottle of wine had a wonderful dinner. We got a prime position over looking the water and waited. We'd been told the moon would rise at 7.20pm. Well it rose at 8pm. Anyway it didn't bother us we just relaxed and waited. The moon and the tides did their thing and we loved it. The photos can describe the rest but we had a wonderful evening.
A day around Dampier was planned. We had a nice easy slow morning doing washing and taking life in then set out to see the sights. First stop was the North west shelf visitor centre. It's a million dollar visitors centre set up and run to provide everything you need or want to know about the gas mining and production. Set on a hill over looking the gas plant it was in fact informative and interesting. We then drove out to the near by bays and to see some aboriginal rock art.
Back in town we had fish and chips for lunch at the local cafe and visited the town info centre. From here we had been encouraged to visit the local library for all things Dampier history related. We stopped in and were met by a lovely librarian who could tell you almost anything about Dampier you wanted to know. We were sitting reading articles and looking over picture histories when we hear "Well fancy meeting you here" it was Helen who made our awning walls back at Parrys beach in December. Helen and Brian were there standing looking at us. Of course all the usual questions followed and they are well. They are staying in the same park as we are so after some more reading and chatting with the librarian and I bought 3 books for $3 to read we all made our way back to camp. We spent the afternoon catching up with Helen and Brian and decided to stay another night to spend tomorrow doing more sight seeing and to chatter more with them.
We were up and had gone for a walk to stretch the legs early today. We then asked Helen and Brian if they wanted to come in our car for the day as we were all visiting the same places. We set off at about 10am. We first stopped in Karratha to get a few groceries and see if a parcel I'm waiting on had arrived, it hadn't :(. We then drove to Roeborn which is a town where you lock the doors and just keep driving. The aboriginals drinking metho in the street are enough to keep you moving. We then saw Wickham which is a mining town with loads of construction happening for the FIFO workers. We then drove around Point Samson which so many people had raved about. We all agreed on a nice day with no wind it would be lovely to see but it didn't appeal to any of us. After a picnic lunch we visited Cossack a historic village that used to be a pearling village.
From here we stopped in Karratha again for a coffee and some shopping. James got a pair of reef sandals to wear to the beach in the water etc. Back at camp we made dinner early before joining Helen and Brian for happy hour. Other friends they had made Helen and Jim also joined us. Some cheeky bugger out alcohol in my wine tonight and after 2 glasses I was very relaxed and chatty. Yep more then usual ;)
Thursday we had to leave Dampier, after pack up and James finished helping Brian and Helen with some computer things we headed for Karratha. We looked around the shops a little had a coffee with Helen and Brain, did some groceries then went and picked up a part for our BBQ that had been sent by Toll Priority for us. There's a funny long story that goes with this BBQ part but I will tell it in person if you care to know the story. After fuelling up we hit the road north. We pulled into a 24hr rest stop at 3.30pm and made camp for the night. Helen and Jim who we'd met the night before were also at this rest stop. We got out and noticed a diesel smell. James then said oh S##T. He had filled the jerry can on the draw bar of the trailer and forgotten to close the lid. We had only lost about a litre but it was all over the back of the car, the front of the trailer and EVERYTHING in between. Nothing much we could do about it now. James cleaned the back of the car best he could then we had an afternoon cuppa. We were invited over to Helen and Jims for a drink and sat chatting with them for a few hours. This is when the rain started. Firstly only light drops that steadily got heavier as the night progressed. We cooked and ate inside and were thankful for our set up. As I sit and type it continues to rain consistently. It's the first rain we've had since December while we are in the trailer so we don't mind in fact it will give the car and trailer a much needed soaking before we find a car wash tomorrow to give it all a good degreasing and scrubbing.
It rained all through the night and into Friday. It stopped for a few hours early morning so we were able to pack up mostly dry. We farewelled Helen and Jim and made for Port Headland. We pulled in found the local park which overlooked the ship loading docks. BHP manage/own this port and I'd imagine most the town. After a look through the visitors centre we made our way to the car wash. We gave the car and trailer a rough tub but didn't get it super clean as it was raining and we will be on dirt again by tomorrow. After fuelling up we hit the road north. With a strong head wind we decided that tonight's camp would be at another rest area, this time on the De Grey river. It looks like it could be an amazing beautiful spot if we hadn't had 2 inches of rain in the last 18 hours. There were mud pools everywhere. We could see a track heading to camps down by the river but knew if we went down and it rained more getting out would prove difficult. We found a spot looking into the bush and down to the water and though James had to put it in low range so he could get the back tyres moving instead of sinking we had a spot to get in and out of he trailer without stepping in mud. We spent the afternoon walking and chatting with neighbours and wow there's so many people here. It is supposed to be a 24hr stop but some people are set up for much longer. In hot weather this place would be an oasis with big trees to camp under lots of grassy spots and right on the river.
Saturday we woke to an overcast day but it was high cloud and it didn't seem to want to rain any more. The ground still had puddles but nothing serious. We packed up and headed north to Cape Keraudren. The dirt track in was slushy, James loved it of course but I just thought of the money we spent cleaning the whole thing. Anyways not to matter. We found a beaut little spot on the top of the hill with water views. After set up we went wondering looking at the waters edge and watching the tide race in. We chatted with lots of fellow campers and enjoyed our morning. After a little nap & lunch we went out fishing. Not even a bite today but still enjoyable. After dinner we joined our neighbours who had a fire and enjoyed an evening of chatting.
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