Jun 2007

We set out from Boddington around mid-morning but did not get far before we realized that the speedometer and the automatic gears were not working properly. This is a problem we have had previously. It is caused by some electrical feedback from the caravan to the car. We had disconnected the main power feed this time but it looks like the feedback may be coming from the trailer lights connections. The feedback causes one of the fuses to blow and the speedometer and odometer don’t work at all and the automatic gearbox will not go into overdrive. We hunted around the fuses for a while but could not find the offending fuse and decided to press on to Northam. The car was still safe to drive so there was no problem there.

We went to Northam via Wandering, Pingelly, Brookton, Beverley and York taking the inland routes to see some of the countryside.

York is a lovely old town that has been well preserved and maintains many of its early buildings and character. There was an arts and craft day at the town hall so Anne could get her fix. We got out pretty cheap, just a necklace and some lollies.

We wandered the main street and looked in the various shops and lovely old buildings in the town. It was a pleasant stroll.

We arrived in Northam around 4pm and set up at the caravan park. It was really windy and cold that night.Halfway through the night we had to have the heater on in the van

Today we got underway, with first a short trip to Boddington. Here we met up with Mabel and Arthur (our Aunt and Uncle) and our other 4 companions for the Canning Stock Route trip planned for August. This was the second of our meetings to discuss the plans and arrange all our necessities. We have agreed on a departure date of August 2. This is good as it now allows for some definite plans to be made. We stayed overnight at Mabel and Arthur’s.

On Saturday June 16 we head off to the north of Western Australia intending to spend about three weeks around Geraldton, Carnarvon and Exmouth. This is a chance to get away for a break and check things out in the caravan and cruiser before we head off for some 4WD adventure (without the caravan) for 3 weeks and then off for 5 months to the south and east coast of Australia.

Initially in this trip we are going to Boddington which is about 1.5 hours south east of Perth to meet to discuss plans for our journey in August along the Canning Stock Route, Karajini national Park and Mount Augustus. These are all in the northwest of Western Australia and all is 4WD territory. We will not be taking our caravan on that trip.

Below is a picture of Brian standing alongside the Landcruiser and the caravan.