Trabern

Last night while we were having dinner Bernie and Cathy found notices online indicating that the Eyre Highway east of Border Village was closed and a detour via the Old Eyre Highway was in place. We decided not to worry too much about it last night hoping that the way would be clear this morning. Anyway, we thought, that ‘could’ facilitate a visit to the Koonalda Homestead because it looked like the detour went on the old highway to the homestead and then returned to Highway A1 via the access road to the homestead? Aiming to leave at 8.15am this morning we were packed and ready to go at 7.45am … even though all the digital watches said it was only 7.00am! Groan, it felt like we were on the road again before we went to ... read more

With a few minutes to spare this morning before our scheduled departure time, Tracey decided that she should at least have a look at one of the holes on the Nullarbor Links. The ‘Skylab’ hole at Balladonia is a Par3, 175 metre hole. Tracey photographed the tee then walked along the fairway to the green to take a little bit of exercise before driving 500 kilometres today. Tracey took the first driving shift and not far from Balladonia we found ourselves back on the 90-Mile Straight. We stopped in the first parking bay because Bernie wanted to put the drone up to take some photographs that hopefully accentuate that it is a very long, very straight section of road. Fortunately, it was not windy this morning, so Bernie flew the drone over the highway and took ... read more

One thing that Wes did tell us yesterday that I forgot to record is that the mining staff in Kalgoorlie are not FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out). In fact in Kalgoorlie, they have a different saying for FIFO, Fit In or F Off. There must still be some FIFO though because Rydge’s guest car park was nearly empty on Saturday morning. In fact, out tariff last night was cheaper than for the previous two nights with Rydges offering a discounted room rate at weekends! Perhaps the workers who went home for the weekend work at mines other than the super pit? Another thing I’ve been meaning to mention is the World’s Longest Golfcourse, the Nullarbor Links. Before we left home, we were aware of the fact that we could play 18 holes of golf between Ceduna ... read more

This morning, we were booked on the 2.5-hour Super Pit Tour. We had to be at the Kalgoorlie Tours & Charters office on Hannan Street 15 minutes before our scheduled 8.30am departure. Erring on the side of too early we were at the office by just after 8.00am. The staff greeted us and we checked in and received our hi-viz vests and safety glasses. We were all dressed in our wrist to ankle clothing as stipulated on the website. The same could not be said of other tour participants who rocked up in shorts and T-shirts and had to return to their cars to change into suitable clothing. Seriously, the website was very clear about the dress standard. Despite wardrobe adjustments everyone was ready and on board the bus on time for an 8.45am departure. Ha, ... read more