Day 5, Monday 25/06/2012, Mt Ive Station to Loche Claypan

We got up too early today because Col’s iPhone had reverted back to Newcastle time. This was a bonus as I saw a lovely sunrise. Michael and Jamie had another melt down this morning. They can’t handle cold, early mornings.  Col took Jamie to see the baby goats, but I had to go and save her because Col can be a bit ‘scary’.

It is a lovely hike up a creek bed to see Cath’s Castle. Kangaroos were watching us from rocks just above. Passed several waterholes and if you look backwards an amazing view down the valley. Peter didn’t do this trek as he couldn’t manage with his broken foot, although most of the time you wouldn’t even realize he had it.

Poor Jess! Not a happy Williams family. Jess accidentally deleted all of their trip photos so far.

Lake Gairdner was as spectacular as ever! Wow. Amazing white glow with perfect reflections. This time we walked out which was an experience we missed last time. I was amazed by the thick, rock hard salt crystal floor. The white had a real glow to it, and the water was crystal clear and freezing. Just step out and your foot instantly dries white with a coating of salt

As soon as we left here I downloaded my photos and backed them up on a flash-drive.

Williams volunteered to run the keys and mud maps back to the property once we were back through the locked gate, and Jordan had another hour long drive from Mt Ive Station.

We found our amazing bush camp site at Loche Claypan (Salt Lake). The T-Van managed the sandy bush drive without a problem. It is perfect. Isolated with amazing views across the claypan, where the kids were instantly running wild. There were emu, kangaroo and wombat prints everywhere and 3 huge wombat holes. The adults hiked out into the middle trying to get to the water. It gets muddier as you go. Clay feet. Great sunset shots here, and then the best bonfire. Bruce went for a walk to check the wombat holes, but all still asleep.

Sadly the rain chased us to bed prematurely.

Day 4, Sunday 24/06/2012 Mt Ive Station

I went for a walk around the farm with Michael this morning.  There weren’t any puppies this time, but we did find an emu in the chook pen! I took a photo of Michael using his camera, on the old farm cart, using his magic panoramic function.

It was just a partial pack up this morning. We’re camping here tonight, but have to pack up our rooftop tents to go for a drive.

The Flight Path was a 32km 4wd track that takes you touring around the expansive sheep station. I wouldn’t rate it as the moderate to difficult written on the mud map. I would say easy with a few tricky spots that would rate moderate crossing some of the steeper banked creek beds. If you’re up for some real excitement though, drive the multiple creek crossings in the wet! Maybe this would be the difficult rating.

It was fun to head off in a convoy, 4wding in some absolutely amazing scenery. We all let our tyres down a bit to 30psi to reduce the chance of punctures on the rocky track. It was a fun day had by all exploring the 900km2 property. There were sheep, goats and kangaroos galore. The Williams family had a lamb that decided to adopt them. Jess cried when they had to leave it there and drive on with it screaming after them.

Amazing contrast of green shrubs with the orange rocks. Little pillars everywhere, but the most impressive being the Pete’s Pillars. They are rhyolite rock formations formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.

It is so much more exciting when you have a turn driving and Jordan agrees. She’ll be better at 4wding than most by the time she gets her ‘Ps’.

It took most of the day with lunch at a rocky creek bed near Pete’s Pillars.

Back at camp and out came the nibblies for ‘happy hour’. A bit of exploration and photography around the property. The baby goats were so cute. One was stuck, so Jess convinced Col to go and save it.

Thank goodness Lisa and Stuart stopped for firewood. It was beautiful sitting around a warm fire. Bruce decided to get out the old bottle of Port.