We really liked Onslow but had to move on. Since Carnarvon we have been averaging around 400 kms per day. We share the driving and take our time, stopping for morning tea and lunch, ideally finding a place to camp between 2 and 3pm. Since covid-19 became the norm and stopped international travel, Australians are taking the opportunity to see their own country. There are so many caravans, campers and mobile homes on the road so it is important to find a free camp (or even a caravan park) early before it fills up. I don’t expect we will travel this distance for much longer, but WA is very flat; the same scenery goes on for a very, very, very long way and there are very few towns along the road.

After Onslow we camped at the very pretty Miaree Pool, a free camp right on the river. John tried his hand at fishing but gave up very quickly.

The next morning we took off towards Karratha, Dampier and Port Hedland. We by-passed Karratha as we have been there before but were impressed with Dampier. By the time we reached South Hedland, it was time to find a place to camp for the night. I suggested the local Golf Club that had camping, and John was quick to agree. We had an unpowered site (which is fine as we have solar) but we were able to have a nice, hot shower and a drink at the club. As it was Friday evening, we were told they had fish and chips on so we didn’t have to cook.

The next morning, after another very comfortable night’s sleep – we are sleeping up to 12 hours a night – we took off heading towards Broome but without travelling that far. We called in at Pardoo and Sandfire Roadhouses for fuel and camped at Stanley Rest Area. We arrived by 2.30pm and, as it takes us just ten minutes to set up, we read for a while and enjoyed the quiet.

The weather has been odd for this time of year. Cloud cover has followed us from day one. Apart from the storms at Useless Loop, most days it has been cloudy with a little drizzle. The clouds have kept the nights mild and the days are warming up but not yet hot.