Day Two Sunday 24/09/2006
Very relaxing here, none of us slept that well & I froze, too cold to get up & put on more clothes so I tried to keep my coat on top of me. We will all wear more clothes to bed tonight. Left about 9-00 & stopped at a rocky outcrop before Norseman. Arrived in Norseman about 11-00 & went to Supermart to top up with supplies, two frozen loaves bread one with use by July & the other use by Sept, bar of chocolate & a kettle (naughty Barry, burnt Tim’s special kettle’s handle nearly off). Went to the Tourist centre & the woman was great value, she also told us to visit John Graham who is a great bloke & will know heaps (“you do know he is aboriginal do you?”). Had lunch in the park & asked some other people who won the footy, Adelaide were well in front when we lost reception at half time. Exciting to hear Eagles won. Went to see John Graham but he had gone to Esperance for the day, had a good chat to Lurleen his wife but she didn’t know much about Southern Hills. John’s brother Simon was in town from Esperance at the church but we missed him too. Headed out of town on the old Esperance road which took us through lots of old gold mines, stopped at the Breakaday cricket pitch which has been there since 1895.
Next stop was the junction of Telegraph Line & old Esperance road, quite an eerie feeling as we are starting to feel as though we are going back in time. Only a few Ks along we came across a salt lake which had a very steep entrance, goodness knows how Tom & Paula got the wagon/cart through. A little further & the fallen trees started, the track wasn’t too bad but lots of small fallen trees that had to be cleared off the track before we could continue. Followed a track for 6 Ks to look at a rocky outcrop but didn’t find it so back to Telegraph Line. Found the track & also found the rocky outcrop, disturbed a big mob of camels.
About 50ks from Norseman we came across a water tank with the remains of the structure for a roof which would be the catchment to keep the tank full. We were keen to get to Southern Hills tonight but very slow going, so decided to stick to itinerary & camped in a salt lake beside a small rocky outcrop, beaut spot. Tim radioed in but no messages. Chicken something or other tonight for dinner, Kerry you are incredible.
Barry Dennis