Left Perth on Friday 31st Of May to start our Aussie Outback Adventure with a "chill down" weekend at Toodyay with our follow travellers Christine and Roger Goodwin. It also gave us the opportunity to catch up with other friends who normally meet up at Toodyay for the long weekend, Alan and Vera and Dean and Elsie Ewers.

I have come away on crutches as my left leg that I broke 9 weeks ago still needs a bit of support and my big toe on my right foot was operated on Wednesday 29th May before we left after dropping 2kg of soap powder on to it!! Hence I need to sit in the back of the car with my foot up.

Toodyay was lovely but windier than we normally get and this made it a bit unpleasant for sitting around the fire. Glenn went to use his multi meter and realised he had left it at home, Roger came to his rescue. I realise that I had left my bras at home, which was a big problem because I couldn't go 9 weeks with only the one I was wearing. So off we went to Perth for a flying visit to pickup the few things we forgot. Lucky it was only an hour away. Ryan spotted us on his way out to the Vines to play golf and Dale got a surprise when we rang him to unlock the front door.

We got up early on Monday 3rd June and pulled out at 8.10am after saying our goodbyes. Tachometer was on 110700, temperature was 13', a little overcast and no breeze. Roger led us on our way.

The first major town we passed through was Northam but everyone was still in bed. We passed 4 freight trains on their way to Perth, they obviously don't get the Monday long weekend off.

At 9.45am we pulled into Kellerberrin for a toilet stop and cuppa and finished off the Double Choc Brownie Slice that I made on the weekend. No one out of bed here either. Set off again at 10.20am this time with Glenn taking the lead. The breeze had picked up coming across us now and the road was terrible, might as well have been driving on gravel.

Passed through Merredin 11.00am and Southern Cross 12.15. Pulled up in a rest area at 12.45pm for a quick bite to eat and back on the road at 1pm.

Pulled into Coolgardie at 2.45pm as Roger had to fill up thinking he wouldn't make it to Norseman. Fuel was 155.9, We arrived in Norseman at 4.50pm and filled up at the Caltex using our Caltex Starcard. Fuel was 157.9, $239.37, 151.59lts. While we were there I texted Dale and Ryan who were at the footy. We drove about 15km east of Norseman to pull up for the night. It was getting dark quick and it wasn't too cold at 16' so we decided not to have a fire. We did however try to tune the tv in to watch the footy but couldn't get reception. Listened on the radio until half way through the last quarter then flicked it off in disgust. We did however enjoy our Beef Ragu and Penne Pasta that we had prepared and frozen earlier. Early to bed after watching a DVD, as it was going to be an early start in the morning.

Tuesday 4th June

We had decided that we should get up early and head off before the sun came up so the alarm was set for 5.30am. Had a quick wash of the face and made cuppa's for the road and headed off into the fog at 6.05am with the plan of stopping for breakfast as the sun came up. We had had a light rain over night and drove through fog for the first ¾'s of an hour. It was so thick; as you past one reflector on the road you couldn't see the next one in the distance. We were only doing 80km and I tried to take a photo of it. Not sure how it will come out but will have a look at the car camera and see if I can get a still off it. I was also on roo watch as these furry friends have a bad habit of jumping out in front of you. Last time we came over in 2009 we commented on all the road kill but this time we haven't seen very much. We did however see an Eagle with a wing span of about 1meter.

The morning fog cleared to just grey overcast skies so it was decided to push on until our tummies told us to pull over. This we did at Balladonia at 8.10am. We had noticed a lot of water on the verge on both sides of the road and after speaking to the attendant we were told that they had had 5 full days of rain filling their water tank for approximately 3 years supply!! I texted Dale and Ryan to let them know where we were.

Started our trip again at 8.50am feeling fuller. We made hot drinks to go again and headed out on to the infamous 90mile straight with Chris leading this time. Our drinks caught up with us about ½ way across so had to stop for a pee. It's still overcast and 15' and we are sitting on 90km. There is no wind, very green and still very straight. We reached the end of the "straight" about 11.00am. Have seen 6 eagles up to now, I believe there was a few missing at Subiaco last night. It's now 17' and very pleasant driving weather.

Reached Cocklebiddy at 11.45am for a stretch and Glenn bought his first badge for his hat. He forget to get them last time until nearing the end of our trip so is making an effort to get in early this time. Took another photo of the state of the population at the servo and will compare with the photo last time we crossed. Drove on to a pull off to have a quick lunch of ham and salad sandwiches. The fridge is running very well on 12v and was sitting at -4, our ham was a bit frozen. Left at 12.55pm with Glenn in the lead.

Entered Madura Pass at 1.30pm. It's easy to imagine this area once being an inland lake with the pass being the cliffs. Have counted 8 eagles now, they aren't afraid of being too close to the roads edge and we just narrowly missed a kangaroo who's out early before dusk.

It's nearly 3pm and we are about 60km from Eucla with a light drizzle falling and a cross breeze. There have been lots of Eagles (approx. 16) on the side of the road now. Haven't been able to stop and get a photo though. They are pretty game as they fed on road kill; Beautiful majestic birds.

Bye for now, Virginia and Glenn