Day 50 - South Lefroy, Ningaloo
Thursday, 16 May 2013Tuesday 7th to Thursday 16th May. What a change! Tucked in at the base of a large dune at Site 1 we were very happy with our move. A beachfront 'property' again. Met the neighbours, Michael and Denise who had just arrived at No 2. Over 5's that sunset we learnt they had been coming for 30 years and this stay was for 3 months They had a Bush Tracker caravan, but also a huge trailer (as large as a small caravan) which they left at the Station and stored all the extras in. Over the next week we were amazed to see Michael transform their site into a palatial garden/courtyard complete with Cottesloe Pavalion. Out of the trailer had come 3 gazebos, enough wooden posts and shade cloth to build a rabbit warren of wind breaks, all of which was ground covering of shade cloth or carpets. But wait there was more - a large rubber dinghy, with motor and 2 kayaks. They had brought their 3 parrots, as you do. Ruby (Eclectic?) and Alex the Alexandrian or something like that and a Weiro. Talk and mimic, they entertain us all day. Proper show offs.
After 2 days we had no desire to leave and managed to extend our stay another week. We got settled in. Unfortunately the weather was to test my camping durability. Over the weekend we experienced a storm that would probably have scared me if I was under a proper roof.
Fortunately we were prepared and had taken the gazebo down. By 2am I was that rattled I had to get up. He that never gets rattled asked me where I was going. I said I didn't know but I couldn't lay there any more. I had tried to get a cuddle but it was like attaching myself to someone comatose, no response or reassurance!! Once up, ie climbing down 3 steps and standing on the bouncing floor I didn't know what to do, so I got dressed. What are you getting dressed for asked the speaking unmoved body up on the bed? Don't know, but it might help if the canvas blows away - visualising images of me on the beach in flapping nightdress :)
Had to distract myself so sat down with head torch and sudoku. Wasn't long before I felt sea sick. I could just hear over the noise of the flapping canvas Captain Harrison advising his passenger to please stow away the table and fasten the seatbelt - if only I had one! It was equal to the turbulence coming into Perth when there is a strong Easterly blowing. By 2:30 I noticed a puddle on the floor, no not me, (even though I have been known for 'marking' corners) but the horizontal rain had completely saturated the canvas and was running in through the seams. Also up top by the bed, so Captain Harrison had to get up and start mopping. Wasn't long before I had to empty out a large ice cream container or rain. By 4am things seemed to have quietened down, so lay down again, fortunately still dressed as that must have been the eye of the storm and by 4:30am it started over.
Daylight saw us in one piece. I was amazed, had seriously thought there was no way our canvas could stand up to such a battering for so long. The wind was coming at our broadest side, typical. So whilst the 'house' was ok, the foundations had been eroded and we saw the one of the legs to the floor was just hanging in the air. Repairs and reinforcements were required. Couldn't see our doormat, but further investigation showed it had become buried (probably the sad dug out from under the leg). Also most of the sand from a back tyre had gone.
The wind kept up in various degrees for most of the day and I felt one of us should stay inside to weigh the floor side of the camper down, so we took it in turns to face the elements and blow the cobwebs away. One camper trailer on the beach had faired ok, but the couple in the tent spent the night in the car after their tent was destroyed.
Michael and Denise found a candle so M could wax the seams in our canvas. Don't know if it will help, but it feels better to try something than do nothing at all. Forecast showed more wind for the night, groan, but somehow you just muddle through. Well there wasn't a choice. Certainly can't put the camper down in that gale so nothing else to do.
Met another couple further down the beach that had been here a few times before, from Victoria. Understand now why these regulars have windbreaks here :) Hans and Annika were delightfully hospitable and it was nice to shelter in their annexe that had firm ground. I was over the turbulence. Annika is a very talented crafts person and in no time she was showing me her free form crochet and Kumihimo braiding. In fact I left with some instructions and a bag of braid to create my own lanyard.
The second night, no rain, but winds and a king tide. We were ok, but the poor couple with broken tent were flooded out. Must have been quite scarey for them as the tide came up past the car. Another day with no sun, fingers crossed for the batteries, not opening fridge or freezer.
Third day, all is forgiven, but not quite forgotten, blue skies, no wind, perfect. The Fisherman is back on the beach. So easy to settle into this way of life(when the weather is good). A few more people camping on the beach now, yep that same beach that was under water not so long ago. Love seeing all the different style camping, tents, trailers, slide on's, caravans and annexes. Have learnt about the Pee Pipe. Gents version, just a 10cm length of PVC pipe sunk into the sand. Ladies version have a funnel stuck in the top. Flushed with a bit of water and disinfectant daily. Perfect for a long stay where there are no other facilities - I guess the soft sand is the other must.
Have also learnt that iPhones don't work very well here. One bar up the top of the dune first thing in the morning or early evening. The old phones have better coverage. It is quite a funny sight watching people standing up on the dunes holding their phones up trying to get signal. The 'residents' have it sussed, with old phone and tall squid job arials.
There are quite a few bores here as well. It means having jerry cans and a small pump, of which we have neither, however, everyone we have met have offered us help, if we need to top up. Fortunately, whilst we have flapping canvas, we have a 120 litre water tank - so long as we drink beer at night and not water we can easily go a couple of weeks. Also most washing, bodies, clothes and dishes, is done in sea water, finishing off with a small fresh water rinse. Just love it, don't relish the thought of having to live under a proper roof again.
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