Hobo Life

Day 10 - Forrest

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Went up to the house for a coffee and to say thank you and goodbye, but we succumbed to yet another feast, bacon and eggs.

Sad to say goodbye to these generous people, but we did.

A rough track to Forrest and we were very glad to arrive. Very little to relieve the bumps. Quite a lot of trains tooted at us, a few bird house apartments.

Forrest another surprise for me. Kate and Greg Barrington, the current managers were very welcoming and after lots of conversation, and arvos that our club would have been proud of, we set up camp with an invite to come back later for dinner.

This is an airport, quite busy. Accommodation in old cottages is offered, with full board if required. Out the back not too far from the runway is a quaint museum, and bathroom and kitchen facilities. There was an old meteorological platform on top of the buildings which offered superb 360* views. I was surprised to learn how busy kate is kept with the cottages and meals with lots of small planes and helicopters calling in. Greg is also busy with maintenance and the aviation/refuelling/runway check side of things. It was fun to see their weekly supply of groceries (and medicine) arrive.

Found we had lots in common from living in the Middle East, and up in the Hills of Perth.

Yet another wonderful social evening.

	Photo 1 [Map]		The longest stretch of straight line [Map]
	Apartments on the Nullabor [Map]		Old station [Map]
	Cool Entry statement [Map]		Birds eye view [Map]
	To runway, from meteorological platform [Map]		To accommodation from platform [Map]

Day 11 - Forrest to Cook

Monday, 4 November 2013

Excitement this morning as the Indian Pacific was stopping to drop off Kate and Greg's weekly supplies. After safely packing in my fridge and wonderful bag of fresh green salad leaves from Kate's garden we all drove over to the rail line to await the groceries. Waved to lots of passengers on the train.

After HH gave a helping hand to transfer boxes of goodies from train to ute, a few more photos, hugs and farewells and thanks, yet again we feel blessed to have met another interesting couple and hope our paths cross again.

Only 23km eastward, we stopped at a blowhole that we were told about. Covered under a 3 sided shelter made of sleepers, it looked like a long drop. The cool rush of wind gushing up was incredible. Trying to show on a photo the strength of wind rising I stood over the hole, but not wearing a Marilyn Monroe skirt it only looked as if I was aiming over a long drop. HH's shirt did the trick. If only it was lunch time we could have picnicked there with our lunch, but it wasn't even morno's time and we had a long day ahead - huh little did we know how long.

Quite a few trains passed. We tried to keep up with one, but the track was too rough to get faster than 70. It was a very uncomfortable drive, but HH kept up the pace without complaint, and ignoring my occasional groan.

Six and a half hours and 215km later we rolled into Cook! Again a lot of buildings, an old hospital "come to Cook if you are crook", an old school etc. even two old jail cells. Found caretaker Colin who filled us in on the history. This is where the train crew change over from WA to SA staff. There is a full camp here for them.

We camped over at the old school, plenty of rain water and toilets over by the station, we rested up in luxury and comfort thinking back on our amazing experiences along the trans Australian rail access track". Colin did politely tell us no one is allowed to drive the track, but he wasn't fazed. Blame it on a wonderful Dutch couple me met earlier this year camping on Ningaloo station. We saw a photo of them in the camp kitchen at Forrest, along with their dog and caravan. Good advertising for an off road caravan Anneke and Hans!!

	High rise on the Nullabor [Map]		Crossing the Border [Map]
	Weekly supplies [Map]		Thrown off !! [Map]
	Cool blow hole [Map]		Oops, M fell out! [Map]

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