We took the Coastal sand track to Coral Bay, camped 50k's down the track at Point Cloates Southern Boundary.
Checked out Coral Bay and kept moving the place was jammed (school holidays) A tourist rip off destination! The Internet shop e-mail was so slow we and several other folks walked out!
One more night on the road then camped at Bush Bay, 35k's south of Cararvon.
Still windy and very shallow, did not put the tinnie in as you had to go 10 plus K's out to the channels and with the windy conditions not a good idea.
We later meet the bloke (Milan) camped in the van, he's got his priorities right - the Sat. Dish and solar panel first then the 'dunny'. Milan has been living in the van for the past 6-1/2 years. Cooks everything on a cooker set up on the front passenger seat.
5 days of wind at Bush Bay, we meet some interesting folks, several from Ningaloo. We headed to The Blow Holes north of Cararvon, deep water and hopefully bigger fish.
9 day's later still windy and no fish to speak of, toured the area for future ref.
On departing Canarvon 5k's out of town I heard a 'TINK' looked in the right rear view mirror and a dust cover was spinning off across the road. One 'K' later, pulled over safely and walked back and believe it or not found the dust cover.
They are hard to find as over size on our Bushtracker.
Soon found out why it came off!
The bearing was Buggered'. We were very lucky the RAC rep. in Canarvon was not to busy, and Rob did a fantastic job replacing the spare bearing I had. Rob advised the bearing had got water into it, this was indicated by the colour of the grease. Plus gave me a full tutorial on how to do it myself. A quick check of the other bearing grease found no grease discolouration.
As they say there is only 6 degree's of separation - Rob's father had worked in Songkhla / Hadyai 1991, for 3 years. Rob had visited and his sister was born in Hadyai. How's that for coincidence. For those not in the know Songkhla / Hadyai is where we live in Thailand.
I have since changed all bearings (no obvious wear or damage) when we got to our mates place in Dunsbrough.
Moving along we headed into Shark Bay, and checked out the area.
Again no camping signs every where and only allowed to camp one night at only one of the free camp area's.
Stromatolites - the only other place they exist would you believe is my home town at Sleaford Mere near Port Lincoln.
Check out the price for your 'news's Paper' back then!
This is the calm as we saw the WA Coast in over six weeks, plus one day at 'WINDYLOO'
Sue was happy arm chair fishing at 'Fowlers Camp' a freebie at Shark Bay.
Caught our bag limit, tasty critters!
Our 2nd and last evening Shark Bay.
Dropped into Kalbarri and caught up with Brian and Merl, and found Chris, Sue was away in Geraldton.
Camped at Lucky Bay - 40K's south of Kalbarri.
An interesting stat on the above not in the photo, the the rotor speed is 14.4rpm, but the tip of the 41 meter blade is traveling at 220kph.
Next stop - Ellandale Pool, a $5 camp site with hot showers, toilets, and gas BBQ's.
A walk around of the van once we were camped found this! Must have picked it up in the camp area as not worn and fortunately drove in on an angle - no flat tire yet, have marked the area with a paint pen marker just in case it needs a plug!
Pig chop's for dinner!
Ducked back into Geraldton early without the van to get the tinnie tosser repaired again. Got some 'bull channel' installed both sides. Hopefully stop the frame cracking.
Next stop - Cliff Heads, south of Dongara.
Several motor homer's on site - small world again, Helen was from Cummins just north of Port Lincoln, and I worked with her sister at Port Lincoln Hospital many years ago!
Yeah! they both got confused!
Welcome Swallows feeding!
Rather large moths!
The motor homer's and us, happy hour went on for 'HOUR'S'
We timed it well - off to the Central Wheat Belt, to visit an old acquaintance who used to work on Barrow Island, now a "cockie".
See 'BUSHABOUT' - CALABAR
