Laverton to Newman

While I have internet, I must keep up with the Blog. It can become quite a wieldy beast if left too long, that's why the second blog for the day.

Now we had left the dusty roads behind, we turned northbound on the 'black stuff'. I must stay here, although we did have lots of dust and rough roads, we all came through fairly unscathed. Yes a few minor hiccups, but all in all pretty good. I'm sure our newbies will be cleaning their van and car for the next six months trying to remove all the red pigment of the dust. I hate to tell them, but they have been christened now with the red flag that is the outback and will never quite be rid of it. The dust just keeps on giving even when you don't expect it. Love it!

Meekatharra

We travelled through some quaint WA towns. Leonora, Sandstone, Meekatharra before  finally landing in Newman. Our newbies final destination, where they will spend until December with their son, who works up here for BHP in the Whaleback mine. The roads up here, although nicely sealed and very little potholes, did place a strain on our drivers with all the massive road trains carrying equipment, goods and new machinery throughout the Northern Highway. I have never seen so many BIG trucks at one time. The UHF radio certainly comes in handy with all these loads coming and going. And the mining in this area is unbelievable with gold, nickel and iron all represented. You can't go very far before another turnoff to a mining operation. The entire place looks like it is being dug up. 

The towns we went through, were only small to be servicing such a workforce. No doubt the mines have their own supplies. All I kept thinking about was the logistics of moving everything up here. The fuel, the food, groceries and meat. Let alone the parts required to keep all the machinery on the go. All I can say is WOW!

Found this little gem outside Sandstone

We have now been in Newman for a few days, to catch our breath and refill our groceries, fuel and food supplies. We leave our newbies here with hopefully, a new appreciation of our wonderful country. No doubt they will have a great time catching up with their son and other friends made here years ago, when they too lived here. 

In appreciation for their tour they did show us the sights of Newman - lookout, Opthalimia Dam (which was closed) and the Tropic of  Capricorn - Bar & Grill included. They also put some music on (from their son the singer and BHP worker) at the local Purple Hotel. Thanks John and Veronica we will miss your enthusiasm and John's fire lighting skills early in the morning. Good luck with your clean! Make sure the G&T's are fully in stock before you start Veronica.

We head out tomorrow toward Karijini NP then maybe Marble Bar. Another couple in our group have caught a horrible bug and are very under the weather with sinus issues and a bad cough. They are also now talking about heading straight to the coast and going home. No more dusty roads for them.  Well we will see what happens, but good luck to them if that's what they choose. Thanks for coming this far and I hope you get over the bug soon.   

Till next time, stay well and keep warm. (I've heard its pretty darn cold at home).