Where did the last 10 weeks go and how quickly will the next 3 disappear? We have headed inland to try and escape the relentless wind on the coast. Last night it bucketed down and blew a gale again. Our campsite was a bit sheltered down by the river though. We woke up to not to bad weather and just a breeze but the wind soon ramped up a bit and we drove through on and off showers all day.

More wildflowers on the way out of Murchinson Station

We traveled through several towns and interesting places along the way today. First stop after a while driving was the pink lake next to Port Gregory. The lake really was a strong pink colour. The colour is due to a bacteria (Danielle salina) trapped in the salt granules. This provides a rich source of Beta Carotene which is harvested on one side of the lake by a chemical company. Just down the road was an old convict settlement that only lasted 3 years in the 1850’s. They brought out a 3 tonne steam engine from England and it got bogged in the first few meters of the beach and never did much more. Apparently it was one of the first motorised contraptions ever in WA. Why they brought out such a heavy piece of equipment where there is little water and very few trees is beyond most people, they had no idea?

It was a LOT pinker than the photo shows

One of the old buildings

Up on the hill a memorial to one of the original ancestors

Down the road we took a 30Km detour into Horrocks to the aboriginal caves just before the township. Just down the road was Northampton a bigger town and it advertised the Northampton Family Store. Not sure what we were expecting but it was just an old store with old fittings and a random assortment of bits and bobs. The local coffee shop did have some excellent scones that we ate while traveling along though.

Interesting rock formations

We continued on Geraldton as I needed to get an oil change into the truck. I was going to do it myself but after not being able to buy any of the right type of oil at Repco or Supercheap in the complex we went to I rang a 4WD mob just down the road we had read about in a tourist book. They offer drive through no wait oil changes for people with caravans over a pit. I gave them a ring and they could fit us in in about 10 minutes time and we were 5 minutes away. They must have had a laugh about all the wire and missing bits under the truck!

We soldiered on to Mullen, a really nice local caravan park where you have to book in at the local servo. It is very clean and cheap. No onsite manager but it seems Ok so far tonight and a reasonable number in residence already. Roadside stops are very limited out here in the wheat belt area. More driving days coming up and maybe a visit to Lake Ballard for a nights camping if the road is not too rough.