TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER KALGOORLIE TO CAIGUNA 589kms
We were breakfasted, packed up, hitched up, and at the mechanics by 8.30am.
I hung around for an hour and a half, while John and the mechanic worked on the system. It was much more complicated than the mechanic had expected – and the fault was in the brake on the other side from where the previous work was done! Anyway, it got fixed, and I was wrong in thinking that the problem was with the brake controller in the Truck.
We nearly drove away with the van wheel nuts not tightened up again!
Refuelled at Kambalda – $1.11cpl.
It was then a long drive, as far as Caiguna Roadhouse, with its attached caravan park.
Fortunately, it was cooler than on Saturday.
The country was somewhat varied, but overall, pretty flat. There were some dry salt lakes at intervals between Kambalda and around Norseman. A slight rise over the Fraser Range gave an outlook over the very flat surrounding country.
Initially the vegetation was dominated by low-ish mallee type eucalypts and the brilliantly orange trunked salmon gums, interspersed with lower regrowth and shrubs, with bare sandy soil between bushes. As we drove east, the trees became further apart and in areas there was just low grass and shrubs.
We spotted a new bird for us – a purple crowned lorikeet – near Norseman.
There was steady truck traffic on the highway, but we had no problems with these. It was a rather good road.
We stopped in a roadside parking area to eat our lunch.
Not long after passing Balladonia Roadhouse, we entered the 90 Mile straight stretch, Australia’s longest totally straight stretch of road – almost 150kms long. I wanted to stop for a photo by the sign, but John was not so inclined.
By the time we reached Caiguna Roadhouse, at the eastern end of the Ninety Mile Straight, it was time to stop. We did not want to be driving this road, with its wildlife, at dusk.
Our powered spot at the attached caravan area cost $16.50. It was basically a parking spot on gravel and asphalt, by a power pole. No shade. But it would do for the night.
Tea was gazpacho, salmon cutlets, salad, followed by fresh mango.
John found one of the van’s brake clips in his overall pocket. He was definitely most unhappy about this!
Early night.
