Newman {Caravan Park}

We rolled into Newman at 5pm after our day exploring, tyre changing and driving.  The smalls certainly had had enough of being in the car when we finally arrived, actually if I am honest I think that we all had.

We stayed at Keegan Caravan Park, which was a big park and used partly as a mining camp.  That said we had a nice spot, close to the amenities and even better the use of the washing machines and dyers was FREE {perfect time for sheet washing}.

Friday saw us heading for a drive around town, checking in at the visitors centre, driving to the town lookout and of course organising two new tyres.  It was a reasonably warm day so the smalls enjoyed a swim in the pool in the afternoon.

 

 

 

Saturday, 'Grandfinal Day' meant that we only had the morning before J wanted to be in front of a TV somewhere that had beer on tap!  So we headed out to check out the town lake, Kalgan's Pool and Three Pools.  It took much longer than we expected and there was certainly some 4WDing involved but we had a great morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original plan was to drop Justin at the tarven to watch the game but we all decided to stay and enjoy a nice lunch.  It turned out to be another warm afternoon so when we finished up it was time to head home for a cooling swim, well for everyone but me.

 

 

Sunday it was that time again and we packed up to start making our way to Meekatharra for the night.

Koordarrie Station {Work}

{Picture Heavy}

We leave one station to travel to another, with a quick stop at a different one on our way.

After a quick stop at Wyloo to checkout what they would like Justin to do for them we made it to Koordarrie.  A few hours later than originally planned but at least we made it. A large amount of red dust, lots of grid crossings and a flick up the driveway brought us to the new homestead gate. Looking around it is hard to believe that they have only been here for two years, they really have done lots in that short space of time.

The original plan was for Justin to measure and order the steel needed for the outdoor area, then we would leave and come back when it arrived. Only we set up, everyone hit it off at we decided to stay and potter around until the steel arrived.

The first Saturday here Rory and Kristie took us over to Yanry for a few drinks one afternoon. Yanery is 100 years old and it really has a story of its own to tell just by looking at the grounds, building and everything that surrounds it.

Justin spent the first week ordering the steel, building pump sheds, putting a roof on some lean toos and filling holes in the cook pen. A week later Friday saw us celebrating Justin's 31st birthday and a trip into Onslow.

We headed into town to fill our now empty gas bottles and also to have a celebratory lunch. Onslow is most certainly a very small town, but it does have a big history. We stay till just after lunch with a trip to the river mouth, a drive around, kids had a play in the play ground, we checked out their awesome community garden and also had a look at the rather large pile of salt from the salt mine.

Another week of jobs for Justin while waiting for the steel to arrive. Another pump roof, mill runs, a great trip to old Koordarrie homestead for a look around. It was abandoned 30 odd years ago and while people have helped themselves there is still plenty of history to have a look at. Shearing sheds, quarters, houses a few old vechiles and fridges everywhere. We collected some old mini orb and also roof sheets which Justin used to totally change the look of the kitchen and internal walls of the homestead.

Sunday saw us all take a picnic lunch down to the Ashburton River where it goes through Yanry. The kids had a great time paddling in the cool water under the lovely river gums and the adults enjoyed sitting back, relaxing and watching them all have fun. It really was a beautiful spot and you can only guess what it looks like in full flow, given how far down you actually walk down the river bank to actually get to the water that is currently sitting.

Rory and Justin managed to get into Onslow on The Wednesday to get the steel and when they returned they hit the ground running. Three days later, some help from Blair and his Dad Gary and it was up and with a roof just in time to sit back and watch some football on Daturday night. Sunday saw what was supposed to be a slow day turn into finishing off the welding and cementing before a trip to Yanry for Justin to look at some work that Cob needs done {work keeps coming and we are fast running out of time given it is now the 16th of September and I really want to head to Karajini before we leave the area, we are so close}.

Justin spent our last week finishing off the inside of the house to tidy it up a little, finishing a tank stand and striping the rest of the shed at old Koordarrie so yet again a month has flow by and it was time to say 'See you later' to a wonderful family and our new friends. Rory and Krisite are lovely people and I know that my two will miss playing with Darcie, Joey and Mia. Not to mention I will miss my little mate Chev, whom follow me everywhere and took up residence under my chair.

Next stop......... Yanrey {well to drop the trailer before a weekend away}

Goodbye Cheela Plains {Work}

Hard to believe that at the end of this week, Friday, we will be moving on from Cheela Plains.  A place that has been our home for a month, where the kids have had a great playmate and we have meet some wonderful people.

We have half contact with a station near Onslow, Koorrdarrie so Friday we pack up and head there to discuss what work they would like done. Surprisingly enough on Wednesday Robin said she had heard from her neighbour and they also want some work done so one the way we shall stop oat Wyloo and have a chat to them.

This week has been busy finishing things off, washing, attempting to pack down, school work, a trip to town, dinner with everyone and sausage making {which was it not great to watch but they are great to eat}.

  

Reflecting at our time here we have learnt a lot, seen a lot and meet some great people. Steve and Maree who are from Victoria traveling, although have been in Parabadoo for the better part of 18 months; Bob and Gwen a lovely retired couple from South Australia who did some cleaning; Robin who arrived this week, a French man who came to do some Woofing and then of course there is the Pensini clan.

A great group of people on a wonderful property.

Cheela Plains Station {Work}

What a a beautiful place, ranges, plains, gorges and hills. All in the one place, well 188,000 hectares of space.

We arrived at Cheela Plains after a stop at what is most certainly the most expensive road house we've seen yet. Nanutarra most certainly live up to it reputation, even more so than I expected. So glad we didn't need fuel, we only stopped to collect plumbing supplies for the station. As we drove up the short driveway you can see the homestead nestled at the bottom of a hill over looking the valley and plains. It is a well thought out home made using sea containers, beautiful, practical and in a perfect spot.

Set up and in need of a food refill we headed into Tom Price on the Sunday for supplies. So far from Perth and of all people to see we saw my parents, who had not long finished the Canning Stock Route and where off to Karajini for a few days {then coming to see us at the station}. talk about the cliche mining town, I've never seen so much hi vis gear in the once place.

Monday saw Justin starting work on what would soon turn into an ablution block. Having just arrived it was simply a leveled plot of red dirt, or rather bull dust.

Tuesday my folks arrived to spend two nights with us and it was lovely to spend sometime with them. A break from school work for all of us {very much needed} and some exploring of the station while J worked his butt off.

We went out to the stations gorge/water hole and after first missing it and doing so 4WD, just myself and the smalls we found a simply stunning spot where we spent a lovely warm winters afternoon. Mum and Kyla took a swim, although I'm not sure how they could bring themselves to sit as it was so cold, while the rest of us relaxed, took pictures and just enjoyed the scenery and sounds that surrounded us.

Thursday saw it time for my parents to leave and we headed {with J} out to check out one of the springs on the station. It was another lovely spot full of water, amazing shaped rocks, reeds and plenty of bird life. Given it didn't take as long as we thought we then made out way back to the out camp and then onto the old abandoned Big Sarah Mine.

It was an interesting drive out there, taking in more of the landscape that his Cheela Plains and when we got there what an interesting set up. One that simply showed that the person with the lease just up and left, leaving nearly everything behind. We spent a hour or so exploring the buildings and old mine shafts/holes that scared this once used gold mine. I'm unsure when they move/started there but they left in 2004. We said goodbye to Mum and Dad who then headed to Exmouth for a few days before heading onto Winning Station to surprise Nana & Pop {my Mums parents}.

The week flew past and it was time to head into Tom Price again for supplies, worked well actually as the Nameless Festival was also on that weekend.  We had a great time wandering around, eating yummy burgers & ice-cream and seeing what was on offer.

The time really has flown by and Thursday sees us heading over to Karratha for the weekend, a break for us all from our home for all but 3 weeks {only just worked that one out}.  We will be going over in the car only and then back to Cheela for a few days to finish off the job & work out where to next.