Ceduna was great and can't say enough about the Big 4 chain and the seafood at the Foreshore Hotel was just magnifi-yummy. Thanks John Welsh for the tip!
Thursday 28th July
Left Ceduna at crack of dawn and headed off as we wanted to spend some time at the Head of Bight to see the Southern Right Whales with their calves as they rest here before returning to the Southern Ocean later in the year. What an experience to see these magnificent creatures up so close into shore and to see the calves frolicking and learning to show off their flutes. There are currently 141 whales in Head of Bight and we saw at least 20 of them up close. The kids who came with their parents were squealing with delight and yelling "look mum - whales!!"
Very small room - We are still trying to work out how they got a single and double bed into the room and managed to charge $125 a night for it! I guess the sewerage smell at the back of the unit was an added bonus :-((
Petrol now getting quite expensive with $1.95 per litre the dearest so far. Not as bad as Northern Territory which gets up to $2.21 per litre, but still "throat catching"!
Friday, 29th July
The long, long trail awinding...... We head off early for a long day's travel in the "never never" of sage brush, salt bush and red dirt. It's a long road but interesting to see where the RFDS lands on the highway. Would love to see that on the way home!
We saw another glider pilot on the road with his trailer on behind and there was much waving and flashing of headlights!
When leaving Norseman, we saw the most magnificent wave forming and wanted to get out the Nimbus and go exploring.....pity, no tug for launch!!
Finally arrived at Coolgardie - and just in time! We arrived at 5.15 pm as it was getting dusk, which makes me nervous with kangaroos come out around this time. I could just see us making a 670 kms drive across the Nullabor and hitting a kangaroo 6 kms out from Coolgardie! But we managed to scoot in just as the sun dipped below the horizon. And there really is no dusk - it goes from shady to dark in an instant!
Arrived at the caravan park to be met with Harry Alzheimer. Sheesh! We used the satellite phone to call from Caiguna to book a cabin in Coolgardie to make sure that we got accommodation. Harry took the call after some long ring tones. He answered and I asked for a cabin with 2 bedrooms. He said he wasn't in the office but that would probably be OK. (First little niggle crossed my mind!) Then I asked price. Yes that was OK and then he repeated my name and when would we arrive. I advised arrival and also that he would be able to accommodate 32 ft glider trailer. Yes, all OK.
We arrive into Coolgardie. Find caravan park. Enter establishment. Ask after our booking with the name of the caravan park (which is not the same as in the travel books (Second niggle crossed my mind!). No, Harry doesn't recall the booking or the phone conversation. No, he didn't get a call today.
So we refreshed his memory about the call, and checked our address and correct phone number.
Ah ha! Yes, Harry remembers a Mrs.Drew and oh yes, the glider trailer! BUT, he now doesn't have cabins with two bedrooms, but has one with a single and double bed. Yes, that will do we advise. Then Harry says he has booked the cabin to another chap and "what was he going to do and what would he tell him?!" I ask, "who booked first? Me or him?" Harry says me. I say "first in first served. I booked first, I get room. Job done!" Not my problem. Harry Altzheimer's problem. Anyway, there were 2 other vacant cabins next to us. I think Harry needs to retire.
Had a lovely meal at the pub and Claire (friendly as ever) asks the pub manager if Harry has some memory issues, to which pub manager laughs and says with a glint in her eye "what makes you ask that?!"
On the road again tomorrow and should be there by lunch time. Look forward to seeing everyone...and that glass of red, John!
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