WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER     ONSLOW

John liked it here and decided overnight that we would stay a week!

I went to arrange that at the office, and they were kind enough to make the seventh night free, because of staying the week.

We then did a proper set up of the van, and unhitched Truck.

It was rather humid in the morning, but only got into the low 30’s, with some sea breeze later in the day. This environment was so much more pleasant for living in than where we’d been.

The bay was interesting to look out upon, from under our awning. Rocks, birds, boats. There was an osprey regularly hunting in the sea – we saw her nest, on top of a pole, on yesterday’s walk.

Later in the morning, drove through town – which did not take long – then on to Beadon Creek, just beyond it, an area where there were fishing boats moored. There was a groyne built out from the mouth of the creek, a short way, to keep the creek mouth open for the boats.

There were a couple of men casting lures from the groyne, so John decided to do so, too, and caught two long toms. I did a few casts too, but only caught a bit of sponge!

Looking back towards Onslow from Beadon Creek area

We went back to the van for lunch and then lazed around under the awning, soaking in the view.

A new van came on to the next site – Victorians, long-term travelling, with a Burmese cat. It was nice to pat a cat again! They’d had problems with interior fittings in their van and it had been recalled – they have to take it back to Melbourne! That was a major hiccup in their travel plans, but they were hoping to get a new van out of the exercise.

John had arranged to go to bowls at 7pm, so we had an early tea – a zucchini and basil frittata, so I could use up eggs that were close to their dying date. I cooked it in the electric frypan and it worked alright.

The evening became quite windy. There are now big bushfires in the Pilbara and daily thunderstorms in the Kimberley.

I think John enjoyed the bowls – it was very “social”. At least, he got to meet some of the locals and find out about the place – like about the new salt project being developed, which is behind schedule, due to cyclones.

The mobile phone had stopped working, earlier today. Upon investigation and checking, and phoning from the pay phone, it was discovered that the last bill had not been paid in Karratha, after all. So both the shire rates and the phone bill were stuffed up, somehow, at that time. John used the public phone to pay the bill and get it all sorted out.

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER     KARRATHA

It was cooler today – only got to 35 degrees!

We did lots of last day things.

Washed the bed linen. Cleaned up the van.

Went to the town centre, where I took books back to the library. Checked at the Post Office – there were a couple of letters – one from John’s sister H, who sent me a gallery booklet that advertised  my brother’s art show. Nice of her to do that.

I collected some photos I’d put in for processing on Saturday. Did a food shop.

At the Post Office, had to sort out the rates payment, because the Shire had phoned me to say we’d only paid a month, not a quarter. John had told me, after he did that a while ago, that it was not as much as I’d told him it was going to be!

John took the fridge to a repair place. It will be ready early tomorrow. I am glad this will not delay us, as I will be very happy to get away from here!

We did the usual preliminary packing up.

Tea was cold chicken and salad.

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER     KARRATHA

Very hot again.

We did not feel like doing any tourist activity.

Bought papers, then just relaxed at the van.

For tea, I cooked John his trevalley, with salad. I ate the fish left from last night.

WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER     KARRATHA

Hot.

Truck went to the air con place for the morning. It turned out that a cracked hose was the problem.

We walked around the shops, and then walked to collect it when it was done.

I went to the doctor to get my blood pressure script renewed. My blood pressure was up a little, but not enough to change the medication. It might reflect the lack of much exercise over these past few weeks.

Tea was John’s mackerel, which I marinated in lemon juice and chilli and garlic – it was lovely, with salad.

TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER     KARRATHA

Hot.

We went fishing at the Back Beach again. Nothing doing, but we gave it a good try.

The way out to the Back Beach goes past a closed caravan park, which appears as if it may have been similar to the one we are in. These big parks were full of workers when the mining was in development and active, and the gas plant was being built at Dampier. Now there is not the same demand for workers any more and there are too many parks in Karratha. The whole town was only built about thirty years ago, and it seems to go in cycles of boom, then languishing, then boom again.

Tea was cold lamb and salads.

Found out later that we won a $37 prize in OzLotto tonight.