Camp # 7 – Sid’s Reservation, Cocklebiddy

WikiCamps is super app and helped us find this beaut spot. Again, well off the main highway, which we love. We had the place to ourselves. Kenny belting out some great beats to the bush and no complaints from the neighbours. Another camp fire and spectacular sunset.

As we are nearing the WA boarder I’m conscious of using up all our fresh food and Charlottes inner chef was calling so we broke out the thermi to whip up dinner and had a buzz about the kitchen making a bush version of grandma’s lemon delicious pudding. Yummy!

There are lots of caves and good looking tracks about here so in the morning we got the bikes down and went for a ride. Roo’s aplenty and a couple of wedgetail eagles. The girls did well and on our return we had another hasty pack up before treating ourselve to bacon and eggs at Cocklebiddy road house. Was nice enough but wouldn’t plan to stop here again. Madura looked nice with lots of trees, although we didn’t stop here and Mundrabillia was friendly, clean and very nice.

The girls had spotted a dead roo on the side of the road near the turn off to Sid’s Reservation and were keen to visit with dead roo. His bloated and stiff posture was most curious especially to Georgia whom is quiet clear she is going to be a vet one day. Begging us to stop we did and got up close with road kill. Another skeleton near by helped with the education of a rotting decomposting corpse. Not sure where this one fits into the Australian curriculum but i’ll find a way to relate it to something. #homeschooling on the road

Camp # 6 – Fraser Range Station

Completing the Hyden to Norseman road, we stopped for lunch and fuel in Norseman. Then turning east on the No 1 highway, the Eyre Highway made our way to Fraser Range Station caravan park. Friends Val and Martin had tipped us off about this place and we are very grateful they did!

What a delightful property. Charm and character set in beautiful surrounds with fabulous Australian bush colours. Rich reds, dusty greens, beautiful sunset.

We rolled in late and jagged the best bay next to the nicest people from Pinjara. Ian helped us out with a tap fitting as we realised we had left ours at Wave Rock. Rookie mistake he himself had made and now carried spares, as we will do as soon as we hit civilisation again.

As we arrived the weather had turned wet, windy and cold. However after arriving somewhere new we love a quick explore and the kids need to burn a little energy stored up from hours in the car. Georgia was needing a little mummy time so we went our separate ways and explored the station only to find each other at the top of the nearest hill catching a lovely sunset over spectacular country.

It was a Friday night and the pizza and movie night tradition continues. Bought bases on this occasion. All three girls jumped into our bed snuggled up and watch a film. Was super cute but seems I fail to capture this moment.

Ken and I are spending our evenings planning the next days travel and blogging and somehow we are always crawling into bed too late. The girls (or Charlotte at least) are usually up at 0630 and love a nature walk. Aside from the battle with my eye lids its a lovely time for a walk so we again explored the station a little more and went roo, wallaby and emu spotting with great success.

Charming spot, but need to keep moving so packed up again and back on the road

.

 

 

 

 

Camp # 5 – McDermid Rock

Free camping on the Hyden – Norseman road. A local in Hyden had recommended this spot to us. We had pulled into another popular camp ‘the breakaways’ but decided to drive on to McDermid Rock and had a wonderful time.

The Breakaways

I swear we had only been out of the car for 3 minuets when we get a big shout from Charlotte echoing across the camp and low and behold she has bolted up the Rock and is perch on top waving at us. How she got there so quick I still can’t fathom.

Pre-dinner snack found in the fire wood.

Isolated and quiet we were the only folks here and we were all keen to get the fire going tonight so a quick set up and scavenge for wood and we were ready. Camp set, we put Lulu in the sling and headed to the top of McDermid Rock to check out our surrounds.

It was a pretty easy climb. When we reached to top Charlotte whip out a speaker and iPod from her bag and with music blaring across the bush, busted a groove on top the rock. Very Priscilla Queen of the Desert, if only she knew.

With dinner to prep I descended promptly, accompanied by the tunes from the dance party happening at the peak. A night around the fire toasting mashmellows was enjoyed.

The next morning we walk the fabulous trail established all over the rock. It was only 1.1km but with 18 very informative plaques placed on the trail explaining various geological features it was both fun and educational. However took us much longer than we anticipated (couple of hours).

 

The flies were atrocious and seem to love me. Being a little hot and bothered now, we hastily packed up on got on the road.