Back on the road again we arrived in Norseman just before lunch. Went straight to the Norseman golf course where we played holes #4 & #5. Headed into the Visitor Centre where we met Di & Terry and had our scorecards stamped for the Norseman holes.
We then headed East from Norseman on the Eyre Highway which begins the journey across the Nullarbor. Stopped at Fraser Range Station for hole #6. Quite a jaunt into the tee. We started to walk but soon returned and took Rans car up to the hole. Nice and clear but I managed to find a dry creek bed behind the hole. Damn! We had our lunch before driving East another 100Km to Harms Lake Rest Stop (No Lake) near Balladonia. The campsites along the Nullarbor are fairly numerous and many of them extend off the highway quite a ways. This is good as you can get a bit more private and quiet spots. Unfortunately very few have toilet facilities or any water supplies. Luckily we are self sufficient and we filled our spare water containers before leaving Kalgoorlie. Sandra and I sat out on our chairs after dark and spotted Sputniks and stars. Beautiful night!
Thursday morning we made our first stop at Balladonia where we did hole #7. This was one of the most challenging as you couldn't even see the green or flag on the par 3. They actually have a red target painted behind the hole but we couldn't see it either. I got lucky and flew over the trees and ended up just behind the green. Miracle!
Next stop hole #8 at Caiguna. Got a picture under the longest straight road sign (90 Miles) and a quick stop at the Caiguna Blowhole. This was actually an underground cave with very cool air blowing through it from the coast miles away. I jumped in and the temperature difference was amazing.
Hole #9 was at Cocklebiddy. Sandra and Carol both had a turn driving to give us boys a break. Easy driving as very straight. Road quite good. Had a few stops for Diesel which is getting more expensive as we go ($1.95/l is the highest). Met Terry and Di at Cocklebiddy as they had gone on ahead of us golfers. Stopped at Observatory Rest Stop just East of Cocklebiddy. Carol, Sandra, and I ventured off south on a 4WD track to see the Eyre Bird Observatory. Unfortunately we stopped short of the Observatory at the top of the escarpment. The remaining 10KM was on a loose sand track and down a steep descent. We decided against it as only had our vehicle and no communication. Got a few pictures from the Escarpment before heading back to camp for happy hour. Discovered after tea that it was actually Carol and Stephen's 26th wedding anniversary. Belated congratulations and a romantic candlelight dessert were served in their honour. Had another clear night with a full moon.
Friday morning we headed East again with our first stop at Madura for hole #10. We backtracked a couple of kilometres to the Madura Pass Lookout for some photos. Quite a view as can see for miles.
Mundrabilla Roadhouse was hole #11. We continued East before stopping just West of Eucla at a Rest Stop. We found a place well back off the road that was quite secluded. We set up for a couple of days as are planning a baked dinner before the border. Di & Terry decided to press on after only the one night as the Nullarbor is really not that exciting a place to be. The trees surrounding the campsite were quite unique and had kind of an eerie feel about them. Horror movie set I reckon!
Saturday the Ransleys and Bewells did a sightseeing day. Our first stop was Eucla where we did hole #12. This was at the rifle range/airport/golf course about 5 Km on a dirt road north. One of our wider and cleaner fairways. Met a couple of policeman there practising with their rifles. Girls had a go as well with the golf. Lots of laughs with the golfing.
We continued East stopping at 3 lookouts along the way which gave you views of the Bunda Cliffs. The 13KM Lookout was our pick of the 3 we stopped at. Very nice viewpoint with a few people camped overlooking the cliffs. Very nice view but no shade and would be very windy. Stopped at Eucla on the way back to view the Telegraph Station Ruins before returning home to campsite where we prepared our baked dinner. It was very good and we don't have to worry about the quarantine anymore as we are almost out of fruit and veggie.
Sunday morning, and Sandra has developed a very sore throat during our stay. To top it off she put her back out this morning. I told her she was very lucky she wasn't a horse; as she could end up buried on the Nullarbor. Funny thing is; I almost did after my innocent observation! Only thing that saved me was the bad back.
We had a quiet day travelling East along the Nullarbor. We stopped a several lookouts of the Bunda Cliffs with the Bunda Cliff Lookout at 74Km from the Border being by far the best. Beautiful view of the cliffs with wonderful colours in the water and cliffs. A second stop was very good as you could see the caravans parked on the edge of the cliffs from the lookout. Amazing!! Stopped at a Rest Stop before Nullarbor Roadhouse. Sandra really not well and had a nap this afternoon. Tried to stop in at health centre in Eucla but only Monday to Friday. I am now hoping she gets well soon; as I don't think I could possibly dig a grave in this hard ground. It's solid rock if you didn't already know!
Monday morning we stopped at Nullarbor Roadhouse for hole #14. This was a long Par 5 where you walked up half a Kilometre to the Tee and hit back towards the Roadhouse. One of the better and wider fairways but both Rans and I found a way to miss it completely as we made our way to the green. Rans had a great tee shot where the tee flew about 30m while the golf ball plopped back down on the tee where his tee had been originally. Needless to say Carol and I came him very respectful support during this difficult time.
Shortly after this we drove into the Head of the Bight Marine National Park. Had to pay a small admission fee for entry which I believe goes to the Aboriginal Landowners. Was well laid out with beautiful walkways. Unfortunately, it was a bit hazy and with quite a bit of glare during our visit. Got a few nice photos but the colours weren't as good as they could have been because of the haziness.
Nundroo Roadhouse was hole #15. Same setup as Nullarbor Roadhouse. Nice walk into the distance before hitting back towards the Roadhouse. It was a sad moment for me as I lost my first golf ball of the Links. Actually was one of my better hits but just couldn't find it. Damn!
Carried on East and South from Nundroo to Fowlers Bay Caravan Park. Our first caravan park in a week and we all enjoyed a good shower. Sandra is even sicker so I took her the 150Km into Ceduna to the hospital. Lovely new hospital and she got in quite quickly to see a nurse. He was able to contact a doctor and provide Sandra with a couple of days of prescription as is a public holiday in South Australia. Drove back to Fowlers Bay and had an early night. Long day! Sandra had another bad nights sleep.
Tuesday was really hot and Sandra is still not well. Did a short walk down to the Jetty in the afternoon. Fowler Bay is quite pretty with huge sand dunes surrounding it. The camp generator quit in the afternoon which made it even hotter (no air conditioning). Had a group pasta dinner with the Ransleys. Carol was kind enough to cook for all of us. Sat outside as was slightly cooler but had to share with the flies. We suffered through quite a hot night.
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