Day 53

25 March 2013

Woke up early here, we have been very confused at what time it actually is here! We had no reception here so our phones were still on SA time, all I know is I think it was about 6am when we set off, so early start because our hopeful destinations was Esperance which was 918km from Eucla!

On the Nullabor and again nothing much to report here. Saw much of the same as yesterday, lots of wide loads and road trains. It really is a boring road, I mean this would not be something I would worry about adding to your bucket list. Just put this picture up on your tv screen and sit and watch it for 8 hours! That should cover it!

The highway does also double as an airstrip which was exciting for the fleeting moment that we read the sign!

And another sign, and let me tell you it feels like the longest road too!

I would actually suggest doing the train trip if you want to come across Australia, at least then you can fall asleep! Haha

My ass was asleep, I have never experienced that before but it was very uncomfortable! Joel did so well to drive the whole 918km! Yes we made it to Esperance! Unfortunately it was not nice weather and we were buggered anyway so had a quick look around town then spent rest of night in the van.

Got a few issues at the moment.... Diff oil all over the caravan! Ute's diff is leaking. Waeco fridge hasn't worked for week or so now, light panel is dead. The caravan park is $39 a night to stay (ouch) and everything is booked out for Easter! Tomorrow we look into fixing these probs!

Also there are 39 general rules and regulations for this caravan park (all written in capital letters which I don't take kindly to) including do not leave your washing on line overnight (important!) and there are 9 rules regarding riding scooters including the warning system.....1st warning - scooter confiscated for day, 2nd warning - no scooter for a week, 3rd warning - no scooter for duration of stay. Is this not the parents job? Not the caravan manager on a power trip?! Anyway thoughts to ponder....

Carly & Joel

 

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Day 52

24 March 2013

Last night was a bit noisy, think Streaky Bay dragged out the race day at the local pub all night! Early morning I could hear some joker advising his lady friend of all the different stars in the sky. We might have been interested if he wasn't slurring all his words together and if he hadn't woke us up! After this I put earplugs in to get back to sleep.

This morning we opened our van door and right outside the door was a flask?! I thought maybe Joel may have stirred it up from under the sand when he was packing up last night but he didn't think so. Anyway went to neighbours before we were heading off as I had lots of fruit and vegies and wanted to give them away, rather than getting them confiscated at the WA border! First thing neighbours said was "did you get much sleep with all the commotion last night?" Apparently some guys were actually standing at the door of our van, hiding from someone and saying we didn't do it! Haha.

Our plan today was to make it to the Wa border and stay at a place called Eucla. This of course meant we were bound for the Nullabor and 600km of it!

Hmm I'm not sure how much I can say about this drive....firstly it was not what I expected. For some reason I pictured it to be red flat land with nothing but a road, and I guess this wasn't too far from the truth except the land was similar to that of what we had experienced in SA, small shrubs, trees in parts but other than that nothing.

Road trains are huge out here! And they are not patient or real friendly! And you might even meet some that swerve all over the road out of pure boredom! or flick rocks up at ya by swerving from the road to the gravel and back! Road kill is also big, I did not see one kangaroo alive, however I saw many many dead. And I had high hopes after seeing this sign that I might see a camel!

We did see emus, dingos and huge huge eagles (feeding on the road kill)! But no camels! : (

We made it to the border, got some fuel.....: o

Then through the quarantine checkpoint where car and van was searched for fruit and vegies. Nothing (because I had already given it away) except they took my Capilano honey! Wasn't happy about that (and I will tell you now I then went to the IGA to buy more honey and guess what honey they stocked? Capilano from QLD!? What the?!)

Eucla is just next to the quarantine station and the town consists of a petrol station, motel, restaurant & caravan park all in the one building! Now let me tell you this is nothing flash, it's $20 a night for powered and it is just willy nilly spots everywhere. There was a lot of people around though so it was fine place to stop for overnight and a lot better than some of the road houses here!

Set up and Joel opened wardrobe and held up a plastic bag with onions and sweet potato in it and said what's this? Guess the quarantine check was not that thorough! I had completely forgotten that I had that bag in there!! Oops!

Carly & Joel

 

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