I have been reading the most wonderful book called "Secrets Mothers Keep" and I wasn't going to get up until I'd finished it. Then once I'd finished it I was feeling a bit lost.

We had made the decision to leave and it felt a tinge hotter this morning so probably a good move. Our hit and miss internet enabled us to deal with some emails, pack up and then get out of there.

On the road from Quobba back to the Highway Kimbo remembered there were nests that had been built on the power poles for nesting ospreys. We couldn't see them on the way in and thought they weren't there anymore, but indeed they were, just invisible going in. They are made of old tyre rims and strategically placed high up on the poles. No birds nesting today but the remnants of nests was very evident.

Once we hit the highway the stream of traffic heading south was constant. It certainly must be Christmas. The seabreeze was gone too as we'd headed inland and as the breeze dropped the temperature climbed. Peaking at 42 degrees.

Our only stop today was for another ice cream this time at Minilya Roadhouse and time to switch on the air conditioner. Unleaded fuel $175.9 and diesel $182.8. Ice cream prices not to bad which was the main thing.

The landscape was changing and we sighted our first termite mounds and continued to traverse red sand dunes. Love the colours of the Pilbara, azure blue, russet and the the white of the ghost gums. There was a lot more fresh road kill, which is always awful to see, especially joeys, but we did sight our first eagle enjoying a feast of hot steamy meat together with those most vile crows.

I felt we must be the only vehicle travelling north as there was nobody in front of us and hardly anyone passed us. Maybe everybody else knows something we don't!

By 4.00pm we'd had enough and thankfully Barradale Rest Area appeared before our very eyes - it was like a mirage. Nobody else there when we arrived and we had the huge area all to ourselves, with the river right next to us, sadly it's dry, so a dip wasn't an option.

Once the sun started to dip we went for a walk and took some wonderful photos.

We are often asked "why do you keep travelling"? Staying in a spots like this is why.

Wouldn't change our lifestyle for the world.

Onslow is our final destination tomorrow - where our new adventure starts.