Day 12:

Delightful morning waking up and not having to get up and pack the van. Beautiful sparkling day, a bit fresh but it will do. Had great plans of going on a Superpit tour, although we did one 7 years ago it was only the one hour tour and it was pouring rain so could not see a great deal except the massive size. Wally went online and all booked out today and tomorrow and Thursday is supposed to be yuk weather wise but we booked for a 2.5 hour tour with a mine tour and the milling of the ore.

So today we decided to toddle off to Coolgardie which is 38 kms south-west of Kal. Back in its day it was third largest town in WA. Not anymore and it is staying alive with the mines surrounding and tourism. The museum was fascinating, my favourite bit being the herbal remedies and medicines of yesteryear - hilarious the cures they could do whilst probable killing you of poison no doubt. Just love the Little Pink Laxative Pills and the Hair restorer for grey hair. Our $2 entry fee (cause we are geriatric gypsies) also covered going to the restored wardens house on a hill on edge of town. Beautifully restored by National Trust to its olden times. Beautiful buildings in the main street and restoration is taking place so even better. Another fabulous discovery was a Sign Musuem which was just stacked with metal signs from the early 20th century for example Bex powders and Marlboro Cigarettes and Beer signs. Perfect condition and just one mans hobby. Pub for lunch - cause not too much to choose from. We were going to do a dirt road tour to some sights but it would have added another 150kms to our day. Went to the local gorge, brochure said very picturesque site 2 kms out of town. Our terminology would have been the local swamp but there was some water/sludge so that accounts for something. So little water up here and I love the colours of the country being terracotta and blue (on a sunny day) but could not cope with the problems of lack of the wet stuff.

Another day exploring tomorrow…may even enter a shop if I can guide him towards the Timber place in Boulder that I have a brochure for. Wonders will never cease to amaze me if that happens.

Xxx from the gypsies of the shoalhaven