Day 3 - Friday - More north than I have ever been, Shark Bay

Day 3

Friday

6 July 2018

Northampton – Hamelin Outback Station 

Finished The Fall by Tristan Bancks. This was a quick and easy read and would be enjoyed by my class. I am now onto How To Bee by Bren MacDibble. This is a Book Council Award Winner for 2018 and is another one to be read to check its suitability to read to a class. 

I feel like my body is made of memory foam. I found my sleeping position far easier last night and had a good night’s rest. It might have also helped that the howling wind, pelting rain and raging seas weren’t playing in the background, in fact it was deathly quiet. 

We were up and moving by 7.45am. We had to be moving because it was so freaking cold. Socks and beanie helped keep some of the body heat in. By 8.30am we had had breakfast, done the dishes and packed away our things and were ready to begin the day’s travel that would see me making my way further to the north than I have ever travelled on the west coast. 

We stopped in town for fuel and the dump point and then we were off. The sun was out and the blue sky was slowly warming us, perfect. The drive was uneventful, with the notice of a bend something to celebrate. It was funny how entering the Gascoyne region saw a change in the vegetation. We went from rolling green, farming hills to rich red dirt and low shrubbery. I noted how a like it was to our drive up the centre. 

We rolled into Overlander at 11am, stopping for fuel and chocolate before taking the left turn towards Denham. It was only a short 30km drive, before we reached the Hamelin Outback Station. The 1km driveway was in need of grading and we could see the distinct mark of torrential rain, with rivulets and gullies carving their way through the red of the dirt. 

We made our way to reception, signed in with the very cheerful Jacquie and then chose our spot, 21. After paying up the $28 a night, we made our way to our patch and set up camp for the next 4 nights. As usual, Paul busied about outside while I did the inside jobs. 

After working up a sweat, Paul was off for a warm shower. I attempted to follow, but the showers were cold and the sign said tell reception and they would sort the gas bottle. I couldn’t be bothered, so returned still stinking. 

We had lunch, contemplated our days ahead, passed by reception to let them know about the showers and then did a walk out to the small lake. We were now dressed in shorts and thongs and I was wishing I still had my jumper on. The wind whipping up over the lake was very cool. 

Once we had returned to the van, we jumped in the car and drove the 5km to Hamelin Pool so that we could check out the stromatolites. Ancient microbial animals go about trapping particles that are then turned into a rock structure. The structures grow so tall that they eventually sit above the water level. Without these microbes, no living thing would have ever existed on earth. 

We parked the car and followed the signs to a boardwalk that stretched out over the shallows. From here we had a pretty good view of the many stromatolites that have been created in the salty waters of Hamelin Pool. 

After taking it all in, we followed the walk trail through the sand dunes to the shell quarry. A preserved example of the shell pit where you could see blocks that were carved from the ground. It gave a very good idea of how the materials were gathered and then used to make structures within the Shark Bay area. 

We completed the loop and returned to the car and ultimately back to the homestead. After our sightseeing it was time for a well earned rest, finally feeling like we were on holiday. We sat outside, sun warming our exposed legs, as we read our books. Slowly the park began to fill with more and more tourists and before long it was quite bustling. 

We went for a walk to the lake once again, this time as the sun was beginning to set. The golden light made the bull rushes come alive and unfortunately stirred up all of the midgies. I had to walk with my head down to ensure I didn’t take in a mouthful. 

Once we were back at the van, we organised dinner, both of us starving. We hoovered up our chicken and vege before getting stuck into some icecream. I then got into sorting the day’s photos before we did a final wander for the night, this time to check out the stars beginning to shine against the oil black background. We didn’t bring a torch out with us, but should have. It was so dark we couldn’t see beyond a few metres. 

When we returned, Paul was into bed, eager to get warm. It might be warmish and dry during the day, but with no clouds the evenings are very cool. I finished off my computer bits and wine before also looking for the solace of the warm and cosy be.