Broome Connections

We stayed an extra day in Broome. I’ve got over my fit of pique [previously held] that Broome’s not the place it used to be! Sure, it’s different … possibly even better! The red dust hasn’t changed. Today, with the help of Museum staff, I discovered the house where we used to stay in Broome, 45 years ago. Nostalgic.

Best of all, though, was reconnecting with Vanessa [twice], Robyn and Lessie. Our connection has its roots in the Kimberley, even if we didn’t all meet until a cattle-breeders conference in New Zealand. That memoir is in the book! But I might have to amend it now; when showing V & R my power-point of Fossil Downs, Robyn says “That’s Bob. I sat next to him on the plane from Sydney to Broome two years ago”. This is the Bob that we sought in Dubbo 18 months ago, as he’s a close relative of the owners. These connections all get spooky, and are spurring me on to finish writing it.

[Incidentally, Robyn was counselled by Jenny Regeling, about 14 years ago, when R. was diagnosed with breast-cancer.]

So with mixed emotions, again, we’re getting ready to leave Kimberley, and head south towards the Pilbara. There are times when I think we mightn’t visit the Kimberley again but no-one knows what is ahead.

We’ve reprovisioned for our next phase; restocked the food, new tyres; new ‘gizmo’ so I can keep typing my book when there’s no electricity to plug into. Not sure where we are going … just somewhere a bit south of here.

Chapter 2 of Breakdowns!

Oh dear! I wonder what happened to this one.

John's Jottings

Today she says “It’s your turn to write something for the BLOG” Turn? When was the agreement made that there would be ‘turns’? Sure, I suggested the name for the BLOG … I thought it was quite good really … but I wasn't thanked for suggesting that Lyn wrote ‘lies’, so I hurriedly had to change it to ‘lines’ to avoid war.

But it just so happens I do have some observations to make: there are lots of broken down vehicles up here. The forlorn looks on the faces of the owners tell their own story as they are ‘recovered’ by the breakdown truck. We can sympathize with them having had the same experience of once having had our chariot incapacitated. An interesting fact: No matter what stable you got your chariot puller from, breeding counts for nothing!

“What’s happened to my team of horses; the ones I rely on to pull my chariot?” they all ask.

“Nomad: I’m madder than a dog who’s just seen his only tree used to boil the billy”

Five years ago when we had to be recovered from Mount Hart station, ‘Sprocket’, the driver our recovery vehicle, acted as tour guide. He kept us entertained with a constant commentary for the whole five hours it took to get back to civilization … he knew everything about the Australian outback. The added bonus was the wonderful view you get from the top deck of the recovery vehicle.

Another plus: You can experience several days of R&R while you wait for a $50 part to arrive from Perth. You can clean the van, do the washing, walk up town, walk back again.

Incidentally, the main roads here are a credit to the manufacturers. Beautifully smooth, and straight. You just glide along, observing the scenery ... until you breakdown. Why so many breakdowns then? I’ll have to think about that. Maybe if I have a sniff of diesel, a tot of H2O and lunch, a reason will emerge.

Or perhaps a drink of carbonated water. That must be cheaper now there’s no carbon tax!

At Derby

Last time we visited Derby there were road works at the Broome/Derby intersection; we even had to follow a detour. We usually have our UHF turned on, as you often pick up tips about flooded roads and other obstacles from the truckies in the area. On this occasion the Roadworks personnel were using the same frequency. There was a ‘newbie’ driver carting metal which he had to dump in a certain place to raise the road, and he says to the Supervisor: “Gee, I’ve never driven a truck this big. How will I back in? I don’t want to tip over the side.” The Supervisor encouraged him by assuring him he was on the right track, and to just keep reversing. “Not sure I can do it, boss” the newbie driver said. “Can you see your back wheels?” asked the sympathetic Supervisor. “Yes” was the reply. “Then just follow them!”

Not many people see Derby like this … in the dry season! Yesterday it rained! And it went on for 18 hours. Derby had about 60 mils; Broome had 200!!! The locals are delighted. The tourists have a different opinion, as their tours were cancelled. The unsealed roads, usually dusty, are now mud. So Cowboy Steve’s Bushtracker looks like this!

We had some water in the ‘van at 2.00 am, but nothing too serious. 

Derby Baptist this morning was great. They were still buzzing about Steve Grace’s recent visit here, where he travelled to communities with Kimberley Aviation, which that Church runs. AND I got a great contact for that project I’m working on. P.T.L.

Still in Fitzroy Crossing!

Well, the answer came …. In an unexpected way:

“We’ll see you in Derby” said the ‘bore’, when he was pulling out this morning.  ‘OK’, we said without enthusiasm. Then our Jackaroo wouldn't start when we were ready to leave! The mechanic came, eventually got it started, and took it for tests ... rings later to say there’s nothing wrong. So, we’re still in Fitzroy Crossing. What lesson should we be learning from this?

Heard on the ABC: All the solar panels in Australia are pulling too much energy out of the sun and weakening it! 

Crossing Convenience

The ‘up’ side emerged …. two great couples camped adjacent to us; one from Perth, the other from Manila near Tamworth, N.S.W. It was great to spend our Sunday with them, and that helped dilute the company of ‘bore’!

Jackaroo was checked and serviced today … nothing too major.

What a convenient place Fitzroy Crossing has become – no problem getting a car service, our scripts were filled at the hospital dispensary, and Centrelink details updated with no hassles. And the IGA has a better selection of groceries than the supermarket in Mountain Creek; plus it’s right next door to the caravan park. Convenience plus! Although it might be time to move away from the Danish pastries they produce every day. And did I mention the laser light show we have in the caravan park every night?

So Fitzroy Crossing, we’re sad to be leaving you again … there’s only a few people who’ll understand that … it’s to do with once having lived in the Crossing.

We’ll go to Derby tomorrow … on the smooth, straight bitumen road it should only take us about four hours.

But, ‘bore’ is planning to go there too. What to do?  

Not so much Fun @ Fitzroy

So it was time to move on to Derby, we thought. We packed up [after having a great phone call from Carole and Barry for John’s birthday] and drove 30 kms down the road only to observe the temperature gauge showing hot. Not wanting to stay on the side of the road in a place NOT of our choosing, we made some adjustments, turned around, and returned to the Fitzroy Crossing caravan park, using the excuse we’d missed them so much we came back! Of course, it’s Saturday. Ever noticed that holdups always occur on a Saturday when there’s no mechanic available? So we’ll be here until Monday, at least.

All the men in the Park have given us their opinion on what the problem is …. all different … and the ‘bore’ camped near us, also waiting for spare-parts to arrive for his vehicle, keeps coming over to give us the benefit of his knowledge on everything! This is the ‘down’ side of travelling around our Country …. but there’s always an ‘up’ side. Just don’t know what it is, yet.

Fun @ Fitzroy

Anyone remember this handsome gentleman? Clue: Mt. Isa

 He shouted us a great meal at THE ISA pub.

If some of you won’t drive off the ‘black top’, or where there’s no mobile phone signal, then the Canning Stock Route is not for you. Norm & Gail, friends from w-a-a-a-a-y back, have just completed it from south to north, i.e. Wiluna to Hall’s Creek. They’ve joined us in Fitzroy Crossing to recuperate.

 And in the morning, he says: Did you hear the Barking Owl in the night? No, I didn’t. It was a real hoot, he says!

When we arrived at Fitzroy Crossing we booked for two days. We’ve stayed two weeks! [NOTE TO SELF: Go to office and pay for the extra twelve days.] It's been great going back to my old working station, Fossil Downs, and catching up with others who were there:

Kathleen worked in the "Big House" too.

It’s the Marble Bar races this weekend. “How are the arrangements going?” asks the ABC interviewer “Everything’s on track” replies the organizer.

The Winnebago of friends had to be recovered from Fitzroy Crossing and taken back to Broome. All that was required to make it go was a sensor. “You can’t get them in Broome or Perth”, they said. “There’s none in Canberra either” was his smart remark.