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14th June,

Today, I must apologize to the residents of Turkey Creek (both of them), because as we drove away from our camp site, I spotted some more sheds and cars (left). I also neglected to point out that Warmun (the "other name") also has a roadhouse.

Along the road a bit we had to move a herd of Brahmas off the road to get past. I don't think they understood much because they just wandered back on the road as we got past.

Another hurdle was a totally confused kangaroo that was giving us a hard time. Connie sorted him out with a hefty right hook. I think she was sorry afterwards - look how she hangs her head in shame afterwards (left).

This eagle was enjoying his "road kill lunch" when we stopped to take his photo. He posed nicely for the photo (right).

It is an eagle ... isn't it?

At Halls Creek we played a game of spot the white man (left). Then we checked out the "China Wall" just a few kilometers out of town (right).

Another "believe it or not" .. this wall is not man made - it occurred naturally. It runs for "many many" klms across the W.A. landscape, surfacing in many different places. It appears to be quartz. 

Our final stop for the night was at a rest area high above road with a magnificent view for kilometers around. We shared it with a little lizard who wanted to nod his head every time I spoke to him.

15th June, Today we woke to the smell of burning rubber. After a few moments of panic, I discovered the source. It was a huge truck, just a kilometer away, and it was burning fiercely. (left)

The truck was carrying another huge earth moving machine with massive eight foot high tyres, and the whole lot went up in the biggest cloud of smoke I have ever seen. Everybody, including the driver stood well back and watched as the tyres exploded with almighty thunderous bangs. We were 100 kilometers from the nearest help. Nobody could do anything but watch. 

One of the dangers on the road is looking at the rugged but beautiful scenery (left) and millions of termite mounds (right) ...

If you don't keep watching ahead and you run along too close to the vehicle in front, if it stops suddenly (right)! 

 ... ... you may not be able to stop quickly enough ...

16th June,

Today we left another overnight rest area and drove less than 200 klms to Derby. Along the way I saw a black fellow killing a big python snake at the side of the road and I had to stop.

I asked him "Why are you killing that beautiful snake". His reply was "Too hard to eat dis fella when he's wriggling!". I was so taken aback that I drove away without taking a photo!

At Derby, our first aim was to drive around the jetty to see the level of the dirty brown sea water, it was about one meter below high tide (left).

A few hours later, as promised by all the travel brochures, the water was GONE! and only mud was left (right).

It didn't take long for me to form a vastly new opinion of Derby. Last time we were here it was rather busy with tourists and prices were not remarkable. Now, however, I cannot help feeling this town is in trouble.

Decorated boab seeds are being offered for $30 to $50.
Cheap clothes (they appeared to be made in China - but with expensive labels) are marked up to huge prices.
Thongs (usually $3 to $5) are marked up at $23 etc etc etc.
Everywhere we walked in the tiny township, we were stunned by the prices.

The only exception we noticed was the bakery? The pies and cakes were "as fresh as" and prices were normal for an isolated town.

I finally found somebody to talk to about the prices (this very talkative fella on the right) and he didn't get cranky when I complained. He insisted that cattle should NOT be exported to Asia.

The caravan park that we stopped in has an unusual policy.

"Dogs allowed, but NO kids".

How did we get to stop in this caravan park? - I misunderstood the "Adults Only" advertising.

19th June,

Boab trees are a protected species here in W.A. This one (on the left) has numerous initials and names carved into it. Believe it or not :- it was used as a prison when black people were captured and forced into slavery by the settlers.

Guess: is Connie trying to capture this one (above right), or give it a hug.

Everybody has a "biggest" or "oldest". Well this watering trough (left) is over 100 meters long and is claimed to be the longest and oldest in the southern hemisphere. I read that in the tourist information brochure for Derby - so it has to be true.

And [Sharon] if you find some things in this blog are hard to believe, wait till you see tomorrows .... !

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