I’ve been discovering some interesting names that people
have for their caravans. “Dunwurkin” “Chateau Relaxeau” “The Humpy?” and
“Grumpy” are just a few. There’s also a huge variety of caravans and mobile
homes but we think that Jayco, with their standard model, the “Sterling,” have
probably cornered the market. The Germans are very enthusiastic travellers and
seem to favour a version of the old bongo van. There is a company called,
Wicked, which rents out VW combis, all brightly graffitied and covered in
slogans from well known people, ranging from Aristotle to Oscar Wilde. The
other popular vehicle is a small car, also covered in black and white slogans,
which has a tent which pops up from its compartment on the roofrack. A ladder
then drops down and people climb into the tent, on the roof of their car, to
sleep. It seems to work for some but not for the faint-hearted or those who
need to get up in the middle of the night, and might forget where they are.
We spent a fabulous two days at Karrijini National Park, after
passing through Paraburdoo and Tom Price, both of which are true mining towns.
At Paraburdoo everything seemed to be labelled, Rio Tinto. We dodged massive
roadtrains on the highway and were very grateful to reach the sanctuary of the
national park about 4 in the afternoon, in time for a swim in one of the
gorges. The colours and reflections here are just magnificent. Big excitement
at our campsite when a willy-willy passed directly over us and nearly blew
Joyce out of her chair. It knocked off two large solar panels from the caravan,
next to us, so it wasn’t insignificant. However, anyone who can swim with a
whale shark at close quarters, considers a willy-willy as trivial!
We are currently enjoying eighty mile beach, just south of
Broome. It’s a great beach for fishing rather than swimming. Being Good Friday
tomorrow, we thought a stroll on the beach might offer up some fish from the 50
or so fishermen who were there, but unfortunately not willing to share! We spent a great night, last night, with a lovely couple from Noosa, called Judy and Garry. We sorted out the problems of the world, well into the night, and over a few wines Tomorrow we head off to Barn Hill, a caravan site on a cattle property about 130 km from Broome. As our respective children say, at the rate we are going, we'll be around Australia in a couple of months. We'll slow down for a week or so in Broome and then it's on to Yakanarra.
Went cycling yesterday then walking with Angie today at Coogee Beach and around the new development at Port Coogee. Certainly, Tasmanian builders would kill to be here. The development is colossal, a wee bit like the canal development at Busselton but many more dollars involved! It's a beautiful part of the world with old fellas riding past on the cycle lanes, towing wee trailers with all their fishing gear inside, pelicans circling overhead and dozens of kites flying in the breeze, though when I.rounded the corner I realised that the kites were in fact kite surfers who mesmerised me with their antics for the next 15 minutes! I think the over 60s should take it up to develop upper body strength! Only trouble is, we might never come back down again! 
