A Camping We Will Go (Wednesday

Fianlly got to bed about 3am more or less packed for an ETD of 10am. Heading this years expedition once again,is the WorkMate, the Work Mate's Husband, their four offspring and the WMH's Aunt and Uncle over from Queensland (Pottsville, for those playing at home), who shall be known as T & B for the purposes of the next few epistles. We are taking the WM's 4WD and ye olde trusty Toyota Ute from School. The trip will take about 2,000k in round numbers, mostly over dirt roads, in the middle of and through the back of beyond, lol. So as not to be late, I got up at the crack of 7.30am to get last minute things done (emails and facebook, lol) and wandered up to the WM's to find them all having a cup of coffee at 10am!!! I think we were fully loaded and on the road by midday. First stop was at Mullewa for ice to keep food frozen in the eski, necessary lollies for the trip, and we were off to the Murchison Roadhouse/camping ground where we were spending the first night.

We actually had a smidgen of tarsealed road from Mullewa to the turnoff to Tallering Peak Mine and then it was dirt road all the way. Just out of Mullewa we passed a tree full of teddy bears which apparently signifies the turnoff to a waterfall???. We shot past that but had to stop at the next tree where they appeared just after the Tallering Peak turnoff to take some photos. Looked a bit like a soft toy massacre
had taken place as there were toys in branches and on the ground. We took the opportunity to pick up some wood from the side of the road too, as we had been told to bring some with us for the fire at the campsite.


This leg of the trip was reasonably uneventful. We stopped for photos as three emus stood in the middle of the road and then walked to one side and at the first crossing of the Murchison river which was little more than a creek when we crossed the one way bridge over it. We arrived at the Road House and without further ado set up camp for the night. The Road House is run by an ex staff member from school and she made us extremely welcome.

The tent sites were set between four polocross fields of red dirt and there were two more to the back of the camp. To the right was a huge shed which held the settlement's two generators, one of which was going 24/7, the other was back up if the first one stopped. The sound provided an interesting backdrop to the neighing of horses as there were several in residence in nearby stables and out practising for the annual Murchison Polo Cross event, to be held that comingweekend.

Some of the troops went off and gathered yet more wood as camp was being set up as we had half a 44 gallon drum with a hot plate on our site to barbeque on and then what looked like a rim of a very large truck wheel, to light a fire in for warmth. Sausages and onions were put on to cook, a batch of damper was made and I toasted a heap of marshmellows for desert.


Just before dinner, we had to stop to take photos of the magnificent sunset which was followed by a huge moon. Our ex colleague is also the local weather person checking rainfall etc daily sending the information by computer onto the weather people. (more technical than that but not sure what the aussi term for the met. service is, lol). She said that it was meant to have been raining that evening but the night sky had a full moon, was crystal clear and full of stars. The moon did have a haze around it - which apparently means it's going to rain, but at around 10pm it was cool but still fine.

Must tell you about our camping arrangements - this time the WM had organised swags for us borrowed from school. OMG, what luxury compared to the 1/2" foam sheet that I used last year. The swag comprises of a brown canvas envelope that is zippered and domed down one side. Inside there is a 2" (should be in capitals, lol) foam rubber mattress. You place yourself in the swag, in your sleeping bag so you a like a bug in a rug, lol. The only hassle I had was my zips were on opposing sides with the sleeping bag and the swag. No matter, the night was so warm in the end, I slept in my sleeping bag, on top of the swag, though I did have thermals and pj's on to keep me warm as well.

Had a very good nights sleep, which was just as well, because just as I was contemplating going for a morning shower, sitting out drinking my coffee (as you do), the flopping heavens opened, and thus began the much promised downpour, which dumped 6 mils between 7.30-9.15am. Apparently it rained 15mls back in Mullewa and further on again got 21mls the day before. We dropped breakfast preparations as the first rain drops fell (my cup of coffee left on the camp table filled with rain)and got the tents down as fast as we could, then draped tarpaulins over everything else during the worst bit, intially sheltering in the aunt and uncle's caravan, and then in the shop where we ordered bacon and egg sandwhiches and coffee for breakfast. The cars eventually got loaded and we headed north - towards sunshine, leaving the rain and heavy clouds behind us.

Apparently the word Road House disappered in a previous storm.