18 March 2000
Before leaving Esperance this morning, went around the ocean drive we went round late yesterday afternoon. The coastline here really is picture postcard stuff with the deep blue Southern Ocean, beautiful waves and white surf; and the islands of the Recherche Archipelago close offshore. Incidentally, the place is named after two French ships that sheltered here in 1792: L'Esperance and Recherche.
After leaving Esperance, drove back the way we came yesterday through all the grasshoppers and the flooded road to Norseman, and then right turn and east towards the Great Australian Bight. Fairly uneventful drive on a reasonably clear and sunny day. Petrol dear: $1.12 at major roadhouse at Norseman (we paid $1.06 at a different service station), $1.18 at the Balladonia roadhouse and $1.20 at the Cocklebiddy roadhouse, where we are staying the night. They should be making a fortune at these roadhouses: in Queensland, the NT and WA. They are all well separated so that unless you have long-range fuel tanks you have to stop for petrol, and they have no competition. Balladonia wanted to charge $8.00 for a block of chocolate, but I wouldn't be in it.
About 4 kms out of Cocklebiddy were pulled over by Plod for a random licence check. I reckon it was the fault of this 4WD cowboy who flew past us about 20 or 30 kms out. I think (hope) they got him for speeding and we just happened along while Plod No 2 was at a loose end. 4WD cowboy was still there (he must have got there at least 5 minutes before us) and was receiving a form from Plod no 1. It was no big deal, just unusual. Especially after random breath test (negative) in Esperance last night. Lorraine said she was glad she wasn't driving when Plod No 2 pulled us over as she might have panicked and run over him. Good grief!
Lorraine can now boast she has driven the longest straight stretch of road in Australia. She drove the 90 mile (146 km) straight between Balladonia and Caiguna. Impressive, huh?
Should make the Yalata roadhouse for tomorrow night, a further 633 kms east. Not a long drive, but hope to view and photograph views of Southern Ocean from high cliffs of Great Australian Bight on the way.