Attracted to Mt Magnet - 16th & 17th July 2013

The ride from Leonora to Mt Magnet was a treat as we both love the scenery out here. Even the cold wind did not take away from our enjoyment. First stop was Leinster for a refuel and toilet break. Leinster was a bit of a surprise particularly after Laverton in its post mining days. Leinster being one of those well laid out and very neat company built mining towns. The only sign of being in the outback was the unmanned self-serve petrol station.

Next stop Sandstone again for fuel and a bit of a look around. Things did not look as hopeful at the Sandstone servo with the only bowser locked and a sign about ringing a phone number if you wanted fuel and if possible they would help you out. Head winds had kicked in and along with that and towing the trailer I preferred to have fuel before going on. Luckily while we were chatting about it and reaching for the phone to ring the number supplied, a woman in jeans, boots and big ( Queensland style hat ) appeared and proceeded to unlock the bowser.

Once fuelled it was time to explore the old style country pub and fill our tummies with food for the final leg to Mt Magnet. I have been using the new web site from the Bureau of Metrology called MetEye. It is a one stop tells you everything interactive site. You can see how winds, rains, temperature and much more will be changing in 3 hour intervals for up to a week ahead. I love this site for our travel planning. I knew that we would be hitting stronger head winds from here on and that there was a chance of a bit of drizzle. True to form winds picked up clouds darkened but luckily the road slipped between the main showers and we only picked up light drizzle.

Mt Magnet holds a special place for us as we went there on a whirl wind bike trip for our Honeymoon. A sleepy little place but there is a great new museum there now and that occupied a lot of our time. And of course we could not escape without buying some of the local rocks.

This was a great little caravan park with an excellent camper's kitchen where we had some interesting conversations with fellow travellers. MetEye had told us that the last night was going to be a cold one and we woke to heavy frost over everything. Memories of -5 degrees in Canberra. By the time we were packing up the sun had thawed the frost but the bitter wind made sure we were rugged up for the days travelling to Meekatharra.

Forecaster Dave