Clare and Ross - a van, no plan.

After feeling that we were parked in the middle of the Eyre Highway all night, roadtrains coming and going all night, sunrise was late at 7.45. Entered the Nullarbor .....much more vegetation than we expected...hardy little silvery green shrubs 30 cm high with occasional straggly trees 2 m high. Nullabore Roadhouse.... exorbitant petrol prices, stroppy truck drivers and no shade, but clean bathrooms....showers for $1 Stunning lookout over Bunda Cliffs and the Great Australian Bight. After several hours approached the WA border. A police woman checked our G2G pass, ensured we had not been in Byron Bay and let us in. Quarantine confiscated the potatoes, onions and pumpkin SA had allowed, leaving us with shriveled mushrooms and a sweet potato!! Eucula just down the road....horray we're in WA....not a town....just a Roadhouse. Just gained 2 1/2 hours...or was it 1hr 45 mins? On we drove...on, on, on Stopped at Cocklebiddy , population 10,500......fli

Iron Knob to Yalata (603kms) Mornings are cool Clouds of galahs.....then a giant Galah. Crossed the halfway point at Kimba. Silo art......tidy town Driving, driving, driving .....then all of a sudden beautiful Ceduna on the coast.....the ocean seemed almost impossible after the scrubland we have driven through for 3 days. Ross called it the gift of the G A B. Topped up on fuel and water at Ceduna.....last water before the Nullarbor...$1 for as much potable water as you want.....but you must have a coin....lucky we did. On we went...tiny towns, single roadhouses.....trucks, trucks, trucks. Found our own private roadside stop just outside Yalata....Harry snacked on March flies.

Breakfast with a very happy nephew, Matt to start the day. Crossed in SA with no fanfare....no checks or requests for border passed. Further down the road....quarantine station...our capsicums, avocados, zucchinis and apples were confiscated......we were left with potatoes, mushrooms, onions and lettuce leaves. Long driving across flat plains with little variation. Up and over the Flinders Ranges to find the ocean.....which looked very strange after the red dirt. 3rd petrol stop for the day at Port Augusta then the final leg to Iron knob....familiar slag heaps remind us of Broken Hill. A community camp ground with 15 others...all spread out.....all very quiet.....dinner outside admiring the stars as they gradually reveled themselves.

Nyngan to Broken Hill Coffee at Cobar....great bakery! Sausage roll and apple pie for morning tea (Ross') Long drive today. Flat to the horizon.,.,tuff little olive green shrubs. Dry creek beds. Lots of feral goats by the road side.. Road Trains have started.....they drive faster than us! Lunch in a park at Wilcannia....everything was quiet! Made Broken Hill while it was still light. Drinks at the Palace surrounded by Pricilla ( Queen of the Desert)  paraphernalia and amazing wall frescos. Made very welcome by Caryn and David...thank you for your hospitality!.

Repairs are complete......8 wheels again! A big day of driving.....cows in very wet paddocks. Wide open spaces and a beautiful blue sky.  Lots of fellow caravaners lift a finger salute as they pass. Made Nyngan as the sun was setting. Paid hommage to the Big Bogan as we walked down a very quiet main street.

The day started hopefully.....expecting repairs to be done by lunch. But......needs a new hub. Hub manufacturer no longer in business. Only one available is in Brisbane. Roads are closed due to flooding. No-one seems able to arrange air freight. Unlikely to arrive in Rutherford before Friday. Gave up Returned home to wait!!!!

The plan was to drop in for Bfast with Ross's parents in Newcastle.......but all the best plans could not forsee what was about to happen. Pouring rain....flooding throughout NSW....feeling safe doing 85 on the freeway...until we were flagged down by a co motorist with his eyes pooping out of his head. A wheel had spin off our van across 3 lanes into bush in  the median strip. That was that! The bolts were sheared....unable to use the spare as a result. Tow truck 1st night of our adventure in a motel. It continued to pour with rain. Very helpful locals - lots of them. Repaired by lunchtime tomorrow - hopefully! Not an auspicious beginning.