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Published: April 3rd 2024
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Tuesday 2 nd April, OnslowOcean View Caravan ParkCost $39 pensioner discount per night Rated by us 8/10
Mileage 16415 travelled 550Pack up camp was easy this morning, probably as we had the cool in which to do it, made a big difference, on the road by 7.30am.We left behind the green of the plantations and growing areas of Carnarvon and headed off into new ground, we have never been north of Exmouth so far.The terrain soon turned to scrub and spinifex with nothing in any direction and the road a dead straight line to the horizon, this is typical of Australia for me and one of the things I first noticed when I did my round Australia trip in 1991, long time ago. Past the turn off to Exmouth and we really are on virgin ground. The scrub gave way to low trees and the red earth of the Pilbarra as we headed north. The road seems to run in a basin with ridges of red earth and low scrub a little way off the road either side, with lots of flood plains I wondered if it was man made to prevent flooding but I do not think
so. We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn at about 10ish and noticed more changes as the red soil starts to dominate the landscape. The first of the giant termite mounds started to appear on both sides of the road, it makes the place look like a moonscape. Crossed into The Pilbarra and the Shire of Asburton mid morning. With not much traffic and dead straight rods we decided it was time I got to drive the new set up, it is just like a large trailer and very easy to drive, despite having to admit defeat as I started to fall asleep after our 5.30am start, don't know how G does it but he seems OK. When we stopped to switch back the temperature outside had hit 42 and it was hot. Excited that I now know I can do it will try and give G a few brakes in the days ahead with many more kilometres to cover. WE are now surrounded by the hills of the Pilbarra, red and desolate. I got a photo of a typical Australian ism. A sign that read “RFDS Emergency Landing Strip “. We had what they call Zebra crossing marks on the
road and no signs or markers along the road that would be in the way, very Australian. Crossed the Asburton River which was surprisingly full for this time of year, it is apparently a permanent river. Road works for the new LNPG plant which is huge slowed us down as we juggled for road space witrh lots of trucks coming from the quarry to deliver materials to the site. Once we passed the site Onslow was not far off. Amazing camp site with the back of the van literally looking out to sea, thank god for the sea breeze the temperature having only slightly dropped when we arrived at about 3ish. It would seem that the summer they did npt have has arrived with us and we are sitting at 38 which is expected for the rest of this week, very hard work, looks like we will be trying out the air con. It is a shame the weather is killing us as the site and the town look interesting but it is too hot too do anything.Tippy is struggling but we keep his water up and he is managing.Will see if it cools down tonight and if we can
sleep with just fans, I hate this it is ruining the trip for us, Oh well this is Australia I suppose.
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