27^th August: Geraldton

Well, we have reached “civilization”! Traffic lights, cars not 4WDs, shops (even a Spotlight!) and trains that shunt in the night. ( I failed to notice that there was a railway yard on the map beside this park!) But I can still hear the surf crashing onto the each with a constant roar!

As we didn't have to leave early, I had time to go for a walk on the beach to see the rising sun over the river mouth. I don't know how any boat gets out to sea. The bar looks very dangerous with the raging surrf that is normal. Thereare warnings on the jetties. But it was very pretty.

On the way down, we stopped at Rainbow Jugle Parrot Sanctuary to pick up a few items. There was Baz, the corella, running around the floor, lying upside down playing with a box and climbing everything in sight. Glen danced with him but he nipped my toes! A very social bird and our entertainment for the morning!!

We called in at Port Gregory – a pretty place with a protective reef behind which boats were moored. A fishing village, its one claim to fame is the Pink Lake, a salt lake that is truly pink. It is mined by BASF, not RioTinto, and so you are able to see it. (I think it would be impossible to hide it! All Rio's salt mines are closed to public access.)

We came straight in to Geraldton then, watching the changing vegetation, from coastal heath to taller, flowering Blakely's wattles and then taller gums and then wheatfields. The two cars are booked in for services and I have three appointments tomorrow. Gail knows the way to the airport to pick up April who arrives on Thursday. (This is why we cut out time in Kalbarri short. ) I had a long chat to Kylie (and Hannah): it's Ethan's anniversary tomorrow!