Some of the group were up at 5:00am this morning heading off at 5:30 to walk to the summit of Peak Charles, a three hour round trip. I decided against going as my right heel was very sore after driving yesterday. The usual breakfast before wandering around the lower slope of Peak Charles with the Insta360 camera.
Today's route turned out to be rather interesting as we wended our way north on winding dirt tracks adjacent to dry salt lakes.
Our intended campsite had been burned out by a bush fire sometime during the last couple of years and the trees hadn't grown back. Everyone wanted shade and a decision was made to continue on to "The Breakaways" on the Norseman - Hyden Road.
The afternoon was hot and the flies were out in force. Foolishly I went walking without my head net and paid the price. At the base of The Breakaways I met Vlado and Audrey, two members of our group. Vlado is from Croatia and Audrey from Singapore.
This is a large camping area. However the only facilities is a bush toilet (long drop)
The Breakaways are formed when there is a hard surface layer covering a softer and deeper layer beneath. The ironstone or granite top layer remains in tact whilst the softer underlayer is eaten away by the constant action of wind and rain. Eventually this creates a mesa or cliff. When the sun falls on the Breakaway it produces a spectacular array of orange, red and white.
That evening the wind arrived along with a serious drop in temperature (it is desert). I decided not to attempt to cook an evening meal in the wind and went directly to bed with a ham & cheese sandwich.
During the night the rooftop tent on the trailer received some buffeting from the wind however I managed to sleep through most of it.
The wind had died by morning and I decided to have last night's dinner for breakfast. Grilled sausages and two eggs.
Everyone was packed and ready to move by 9am. Some; like me; were heading directly back to Perth, whilst others intended to spend another night. Being Easter Monday I wondered how busy the road home might be with returning holiday makers. It actually turned out to be a relatively relaxed 540km drive and I arrived home mid afternoon.
I now face two days of cleaning the 4WD and camper trailer.
2 comments :
So pleased you did the trip unscathed. It's always so interesting to see your outback photos. But I notice you didnt seem to come across any camels.
Always safer in a group Jenny. No camels this trip, just the donkeys and lizards.
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