Hello All,
Firstly as usual we apologies for the lack of updates, this isn’t our fault blame TELSTRA. Even thought there coverage is much more advanced than craptus oh I mean Optus. The signal has been MIA since Broome, Arriving at Karijini we were not expecting signal and as we expected nothing, we are lucky enough that the reception office here supplies internet at a small charge so hence the update, this may well be the last as the next few places are quite remote until home, SORRY.
So continuing on from Coral Bay, Cleaverville Beach & Barn Hill post, we have since had Tasha’s wedding which went great, the alcohol was flowing freely so I enjoyed myself immensely although as I didn’t have my BFF’s around me I did restrain from dancing.
Sunday after the wedding we relaxed as we were pretty hang over, oh oh I mean exhausted. We had a drive around the town and went and relaxed some more.Sunday night we went to Matso’s Brewery in Broome for dinner, I had been saving my self all day for a beautiful steak. We sat down at our table to wait for at least 15 mins for someone to finally came to take our order, we ordered two cokes as they were out of almost all there own brewed drinks, dinner didn’t take to long after that, although after one bite of my steak it was obvious it wasn’t the medium well I had ordered was more like medium rare. After trying to finally get someone’s attention to complain Sherron had all but finished her meal so I ate my side dish of wedges and we left in disgust.
Then Monday we went to the shops to grab some last minute things for the journey home (including some new sunny’s for Sherron) and then went and met Jason and Helen, and Beautiful little Mia (Helen and Jason’s 9 Month old Girl) Sue and Tony (Helen’s Parents) for lunch. We ate at a Pub and it was very nice. We then said our goodbyes and headed back to the van to relax. We then headed down to the beach, took some photo’s I even saw some boobies!!! I just wish they weren’t mine.
Monday Night we headed to the Sun Open Air Cinema’s. We watched Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, it was quite funny and the open air idea was great, until the planes flew over top, then you couldn’t hear anything luckily it wasn’t as someone in the movie said “And the Killer Is” just as the plane fly’s over.
Tuesday morning we left Broome for the rest stop Cape Keraundren. In about 550 kms, during this trip we hit a few miles stones in the Rodeo we got 39999 and 40000kms and of course I had to get a picture of both!!
As usual was about 15kms inland from the Great Northern Highway, All corrugated gravel roads. We stopped at the rangers house to pay our dues and what a comedian he was I guess humour would keep you going living out there by yourself. We were asked if we had a dog or mother in law on board as both were prohibited on the Cape, the ranger said the mother in laws are more trouble than the dogs last week he had two going at it with knifes in there hands, We had neither so we were ok.
We then headed to our allotted spot and set up for the night, this is defiantly one place we could stay for a week or two. we went for a drive around to a few different spots and stole some shells off the beach for the holiday scrapbook. After listening to some John Williamson and having a beer we had some dinner, watched a movie and went to bed.
Wednesday morning we headed of to Karijini National Park, which was another 550kms roughly. Driving back along the 15kms of corrugated gravel roads we are once again faced by a HUGE BULL, well this time it was more like a small cow but once again standing between us and our next destination.
We stopped in Port Hedland for fuel and lunch and then arrived here at Karijini at about 5.30 after travelling another 30kms along corrugated gravel roads at 25kms per hour. We didn’t get much time to get photos today but I will get some tomorrow. We were told that in the Eco Park part of Karijini we are staying at you can only run your generator between 4-8pm which is a complete contradiction to there website, so we decided well move to the other part of the park tomorrow, we thought at least they had there Restaurant here so Sherron didn’t have to cook tonight, that was until we sat down to order and realised all their restaurant sold was the food uncooked, you were to cook it yourself on the adjacent bbq’s, not to bad until we saw the price a steak for $30, that’s just the steak and UNCOOKED!!!! So we came back to the van where Sherron cooked a very nice dinner.
Well that’s us for now. Just a quick note to Rove and Tasma, i know your reading this as you are both avid followers of our journeys, I just wanted to let you know which ever address you sent our wedding invite to we didn’t get it, as we read today you were married in Broome on the beach on Tuesday.
Well Until next time, say hi to your mother for me, oh and if you see mine say hi to her for me to, HEHE nah I know she’s reading this love ya mum!! and you to June!!
The soon to be home and back at work travellers
Shane and Sherron.
Hello Everyone,
Sorry about the lack of updates, Phone reception has been terrible along this stretch.
Firstly I would like to thank everyone for my birthday wishes, it was a great birthday, waking up in Coral Bay, to a stack load of presents then driving to a beautiful ocean side nature reserve for the night where we drank Corona and had a beautiful dinner thanks to my beautiful wife.
I left of the last post from Coral Bay, unfortunately because we had been there before we weren’t really into exploring so it was just a relaxing stay for us, I have attached a photo of the Ningaloo Reef Resort Pub I mentioned in the last post also sorry it isn’t the best picture as I took it with my I phone at night, the resort looks more like it belongs in Bali or Thai Land as it is littered with grass huts and is very relaxing.
On Wednesday we headed to Cleaverville beach, the scenery was like the past few days very plain, we noticed upon leaving Coral Bay this morning that we had broken on of our U bolts from the distribution bars we have fitted to the caravan so we called into Karratha to see if we could source a replacement, in which we failed miserably. We then went to Andrews old stomping grounds Roebourne, it is a small community about 40 kms north or Karratha, the turn of to Cleaverville beach was actually before Roebourne but Sherron had felt guilty she hadn’t gotten me a birthday cake and we forgot to look in Karratha so we thought we would go into Roebourne and grab something after a very quick tour of the town we ended up with an ice cream each and headed for Cleaverville.
I have attached a map of where the 3 area’s are in relevance.
Cleaverville Beach was nice, although the road in was very rutty and was about 22kms inland so it was a slow drive.
Once we got there and setup someone came up to us and said you should park facing the other way like the rest of us as the wind comes in from this side pointing to the side my caravan door and annex where. I looked around and noticed in fact we were the only van out of about 30 that were facing this direction DURRR!!!! As we were only there for the night we didn’t turn around, this was our first real night of free camping, using the generator for power of 240v items e.g. the TV and Aircon, two things I cant live without, especially because Sherron had brought me underbelly for my birthday and I was dying to watch it.
We turned the Generator off at about 10ish and went to sleep as we were headed to eighty mile beach tomorrow about 518kms away.
As we set of we phoned the Caravan park at Eighty Mile Beach, Sherron got a lady who answered who was a right bitch if I don’t say so myself, Sherron asked if there were any powered site for the night, and she replied we don’t take bookings and by the time you get here they will be all gone, the only thing she didn’t ask was how far we were away. She must have had ESP with built in GPS and I reckon a little PMS to go with all the other acronyms (see now I’m 28 not only do I use big words but I can even use them in the right context 
, well at least I hope I have.) So we thought we will bypass rude town, oh I mean Eighty Mile Beach and headed to Barn Hill where a friend of mine highly recommended. The only issue was that was that Barn Hill was another 180kms further than Eighty Mile Beach and was only 130kms short of Broome, but we thought stuff it and we headed to Barn Hill. Stopping to top up the tanks and change drivers I found a nice dead tree to take a photo of, I don’t know what makes me like dead trees but this one was something special.
After the spectacular dead tree photo’s we continued our way to Barn Hill. After it started to get dark we both kept an eye for wild life, when at about 6.30pm we came across the turn of. Only 10kms to the Barn Hill Homestead along a sandy track. We had to stop a few times to open and shut gates when we came across THE BEAST. It scared us both, if we were game to get out of the car we would have gone to the van to change our undies as we almost literally shit our self’s:) There right in front of us was a large bull, A fence running down one side and an embankment down the other and then us and the biggest bull on earth (maybe a slight exaggeration) right in the middle, so I thought we will just sneak past him. So we approached slowly and then he turned, his eyes bright red and steam coming out of his nose he started to charge us (well he turned took two steps then continued forward again) he then turned and moved 3 steps then stopped then waiting a while he took another few steps and stopped. This went on for about 30 mins until we finally had phone signal and we could ring the station ahead and get advice, or a cowboy to save us. Picture this Sherron standing on the sidestep trying to get good enough reception to tell the people ahead that we were stuck behind a bull!! The lady on the other end of the phone through her laughter said just dim your lights and sneak past, easy said then done I think but I pushed through the fear and it was all over we where finally making way to our nights rest spot, 2 fearless bull wranglers. I have attached a picture of the bull, sorry it isn’t very good but between the shaking and the nights darkness it was the best we could do.
You might be thinking gezz the bull doesn’t look that big, that’s because we are a looooong way away
So we finally make it to Barn Hill were we setup have dinner what a big of TV and then go to bed. In the morning we wake up to find a different landscape than we expected with the water just a few hundred meters away.
Then this morning we left Barn Hill for Broome, Finally we get to relax and not driving nor shift the van for a few days, the drive was only 130 kms and was over in a flash. As we pulled up to our caravan park (Palm Grove Caravan Park), we payed our fee’s and head to our site 102. When we get there it was instantly obvious this spot wasn’t meant for vans, more so camper trailers or very small vans. After a few try’s to get it in the spot several other people can up to us and said that no one with a van has been able to successfully park here without the caravan park people coming and doing it, which is bullsh*t we booked this in January, so I got straight on the phone booked another caravan park which was better positioned and for only a $1 more a night we got an ensuite. We then hooked the caravan back up and went to the office for a full refund and a chance to display my true disappointment and then we headed for Broome Vacation Village, which we are just rapt with.
Well I will endeavour to update over the next few days what we see and find in Broome, although I cant expect it to be any more than Booze, Beaches and Chillaxing, Oh and Tasha’s wedding of course.
Until Next Time
Your very relaxed Brownish Haired Nomads
The Mature Shane and Sherron Van Daele
Monday we left Denham to Coral Bay, it was a good drive and we arrived in Coral Bay at about 5pm.
We have been to Coral Bay before and it is much the same as before, except for the fact we are now
travelling in the Toy Hauler not paying exorbitant prices for a unit. We setup, relaxed and read our books, had a drink and I did a little work.
We then went to the Ningaloo Reef Resort Pub for tea, we had snacked during the day so neither of us were overly hungry, I had the best chicken ceaser salad ever. The prices were good and the service was quick.
Then Tuesday we woke up hoping someone was going to be leaving the Peoples Caravan Park early today as our booking was only for the Monday Night, so at 8.30 Sherron phoned the office and as luck would have it someone had left early, the only thing was we had to move bays which wasn’t an issue and only took us 20 mins.
After moving bays we just chillaxed reading and eating a fresh jam donut from the local bakery. In the afternoon after a nice salad roll for lunch we headed to the beach for a look, the water was a little chilly, so we declined a swim. I don’t like the beach much anyway just my luck a group of Japanese tourists would either harpoon me or some hippies would roll me back into the water, chanting save the whales .
We then did a bit more relaxing and headed to the Pub for another dinner, this time the place was packed. When we ordered 2 steaks, there was a sign that said dinner orders can take up to
30 mins. We ordered some drinks and sat down to wait, which was considerably shorter than expected as dinner was ready in less that 20 mins.
Tomorrow is a great day (MY BIRTHDAY!!!!) and we are heading to Cleaverville Beach which is a free camp.
I expect you all will be expecting a much more mature post tomorrow as I will be 28 so I will google some big words to use.
Until Tomorrow.
Shane and Sherron
Today we left Mandurah 4.50am. Sherron woke me at 4.30, I thought she was kidding when she woke me up but it was just Bloody early.
We had a good day driving, it ended up being about 950kms.We arrived at Denham at about 4.30 got set up and then headed to Monkey Mia to get some good sunset pics. Unfortunately some pictures we took on Sherron’s camera may never see the light of day as the memory stick seem to die today.
We are going to have a look around this cute little town tomorrow morning then head to Coral Bay about 650km’s.
Until Tomorrow
Shane and Sherron (The not so grey haired Nomad’s.)
We are planning to take 6 Days to get to Broome from Mandurah Roughly 2912 kms, we are in Broome for 3 Days and then will take 6 Days to get home.
We are leaving Sunday 7th June 2009.
1st Day (Sun 7th June 2009)
Mandurah – Monkey Mia (930kms) 
2nd Day (Mon 8th June 2009)
Monkey Mia – Coral Bay (673kms)
3rd Day (Tue 9th June 2009)
Coral Bay Layover
4th Day (Wed 10th June 2009)
Coral Bay – Cleaverville Beach (612kms)
5th Day (Thursday 11th June 2009)
Cleaverville Beach – Eighty Mile Beach (518kms)
6th Day (Friday 12th June 2009)
Eighty Mile Beach – Broome (339kms)
7th Day (Sat 13th June 2009)
Broome Lay Over
8th Day (Sun 14th June 2009)
Broome Lay Over
9th Day (Mon 15th June 2009)
Broome Lay over
10th Day (Tue 16th June 2009)
Broome – De Grey (547kms)
11th Day (Wed 17th June 2009)
De Grey – Karijini (448kms)
12th Day (Thurs 18th June 2009)
Karijini Lay over
13th Day (Friday 19th June 2009)
TBA
14th Day (Sat 20th June 2009)
TBA
15th Day (Sun 21st June 2009)
TBA – Mandurah (kms)
My second race since, State Titles Feb 2008. It has been a few months since my first race of the season, and happened to be the last race of the season, Ellenbrook Speedway. If was a busy year and the car isn’t were it should be in setup so we thought we would just give it one last run before rebuilding it.
We had 3 heats and a final tonight, from the first heat I had nothing but trouble, Kevin and Perry had to rewire the starter and alternator wire as the car wasn’t charging so after waiting in the pit lane for a crash to be cleaned up from the previous race, the battery was drained and the car wouldn’t run as without enough power in the battery the ECU and anything electrical e.g. fuel pumps wouldn’t work, they tried push starting me but it didn’t work so I watched this race from the infield.
The Second heat I got a great draw Outside front and into the first corner I had great speed, as I let the Pole driver into the corner I was hit from behind, and because the starter was bypassed I couldn’t let the car stall so I dropped it into first gear to prevent stalling which unfortunately dropped so much speed that I lost 5 positions after the second corner.
I haven’t yet mentioned this was the hardest track I’ve ever raced, the actual track was very rutty (not smooth) so it was hard to pick the right part of the track to take the corner, and Turns 1 & 2 we very dull so it was even harder to pick the race line.
On lap 4 I’ve come through turn two, and we assume the tyre has come of the rim due to hitting a rutt, we think this has then snapped the caster rod front the strut arm, this is the rod that stops the wheel moving forward or back.
After going into turn three i have now lost control of the steering and smashed into the wall, at the time I was unaware of the problem, the tow truck guys got me back onto the track and running but i had lost all steering on the front right so I was out.
It was a hard it but the only thing that hurt was the fact as the wheel hit the wall it pushed through the wheel arch and into my right foot. It wasn’t a big issue, just a little swelling.
Well that was the end of my night and the season.
We are now trying to decide if we should rebuild the current car or rebody the car, which means getting a street car, stripping it and moving all of the racing components into the “new body”.
Well we will hope for more track time next year depends on the route we take on the car.
NEXT SEASON AND BEYOND………………………………….
SVD #13
Today while staying at Venus Bay, we took a drive around the bay and out to Point Labatt, about 90kms away, 50kms on a limestone gravel road.
Point Labatt has a Australian Sea Lion reserve, This is the only mainland area where The Australian Sea Lion’s breed.
I have got pictures of today’s little trip below:
Shane and Sherron.
Venus Bay is 240km’s from Port Lincoln, it was a quick drive, with not much to see.
When we got here, WOW what a place.
The park is small and quaint, right on the beach and the bay is relatively still with little wind.
Although there is nothing actually here to do, I think we might stay here again tomorrow as we have a few spare days up our sleaves, and delaying the 3 days of 800km plus days is always a good thing, oh and nothing like relaxing in paradise.
Until Tomorrow
Shane & Sherron
Ps I actually got the bloody satellite to work today for the second time the whole holiday 5 min setup my ass.
Robe, was a nice place to visit but being a small fishing village there wasn’t much to see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robe,_South_Australia
Victor Harbour reminded me a lot of Mandurah, a classic old town with a modern city pushing though.
While walking along there street markets we noticed a sign at a local pub quoting “ Come try our famous Carvery $32 for two people”. Well that sounds like a challenge to me, so we headed in and booked.
Getting there a few minutes early we decided to head to the slot machines, Sherron started with $10, and I started with $20. After about 15 mins we both finished with the same amount we started with so that was great we paid for our dinner with $1 coins .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Harbor,_South_Australia
This morning we left Victor Harbour and travelled through Adelaide slowly on our way to Port Pirie.
Port Pirie is a Mining port with the world’s largest Lead Smelter. They also refine Zinc, Copper and Gold. It is quite a big place, but very industrial looking.
The van park is nice with our bay backing onto a lake, as seen in the photo’s below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Pirie,_South_Australia
Tomorrow we head to Port Lincoln we have a few spare days up our sleeves so we may stay here for two days, and then we are of to Venus Bay, and I’ve been told this is a beautiful place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Lincoln,_South_Australia
We haven’t been doing a lot just looking around the towns we are staying, hence why my posts have been a little boring, sorry we will try and spice things up for the next few days other wise ill just make some shit up:)
A view of the caravan park’s and surrounding area’s in:
Robe:
Victor Harbour:
Port Pirie:
S&S
Hey everyone.
We are currently sitting in Robe SA. A town that resembles Lancelin and is known for its Cray Fishing and once was SA’s third biggest port.
The drive from Warrnambool was a boring one with not much to see.
I am going to post some pictures today from the last few days, I will try and post more when we can get to a McDonald’s as using there Free wifi is alot faster and cheaper than using our Telstra Wireless broadband.
A Little windy here but the town and the park are beautiful.
Heading to Victor Harbour tomorrow.
Until then.
S&S
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Adventure Caravaning for the not so old…
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Countdown
- Since we left on our First Road Trip:
1 year, 5 months, 23 days, 12 hours, 59 minutes ago - Until we leave to goto Broome Second Road Trip:
1 year, 1 month, 23 days, 13 hours, 59 minutes ago