In the sticks

On Sunday we left Karalundi with a vague plan to head to meekatharra then South East to sandstone and then onto lake Ballard which is near Menzies. On the main highway had to pull in a few times to let massive wide load road trains pass us. They were carrying the biggest mine buckets/shovels probably about 25m wide, 20m high so took over the whole road. Cant even imagine the size of the machinery needed to operate one of these things. 

Once again the road was in super condition with no corrugations at all. Stopped at balangi Rick for morning tea which was a billion year old cone left over from a meteorite impact. Drive out to lake Mason homestead and station which has been acquired by national parks as the pastoral lease was unviable. It was cold enough for jackets plus we when got a few drops of rain. Saw some very pretty Wallabies but have no idea what they were. Could camp out there and there was only one other car out there. 

Drive onto sandstone which wins the prettiest village/town we have been to in our trip so far I think. Really well kept and beautiful old sandstone buildings. The pub looked very tempting but being only 1pm we went to the tea shop instead. What a find that place was. Best carrot cake and Apple sponge on a cool, blustery showery afternoon. Defo pop in here if your ever nearby. The local history is interesting as well and we saw the brewery in the sandstone cliff (an Irishmans solution to cold beer in the outback, the archway at London bridge and the state battery which ran till 1982. 

From there we headed further south east on the quietest road we have been on all trip. Lake Ballard was 250km from sandstone so by 5.30 it was still 70km. We decided to pull into a little cleared area in the bush for the night and it was fantastic. There was 3 cars and a fuel truck have passed us since we left sandstone so the quietest night sleep of the trip. Had a little fire as it was pretty cold (like sub 10!!) But the moon contrived to hide the Milky way. Ahhh well can't have everything the way you want it!! The kids loved the randomness and adventure of the day which is good cos we've plenty driving days like this ahead for the next 3 weeks. 

So now we're still heading to lake Ballard then onto Menzies and Laverton and then the great Central Highway for another random camp site tonight. 

#END