My 40th

Big bird aviary

Imagine a long wide river, somewhat dry now, but lined with trees and beautiful lush grasses. In the distance is a railway - probably there to service diesel trains as they transport commercial goods or minerals (which is most likely in these parts) to the rest of Australia. Along the shoreline there are muddy tracks left by 4WD's which plough through to find camping spots for caravans and poptops.

If you stand still, you will notice a varied collection of birds which either run or flit about in pursuit insects. Above, in the tree tops, you can hear budgies squawking and chirping their cheerful hilarious dialogue.

Below, in the grass, quail dart about in single file, trying very hard to enjoy the day's joys but trying also to be elusive of human contact.

Welcome to De Grey River.

But beware the snakes! This fellow gave Jase a proverbial heart attack when he almost stepped on it; and it flattened its head as if to say "Hey, I was here first! Bugger off!! Or I'll give you such a nip!!!!!"

Camping at De Grey

There are lots of campers here, but you can either be sociable or you can try very hard to find a spot on your own. The camp ground is several km's long, is free, and is very popular with grey nomads who return year after year to this spot. People walk to the water's edge and fill buckets to do their washing in; and you will often spot a clothes line filled with towels or big baggy underpants. If you take a short walk, you will be "hello"d many times, and in fact, we were offered a cuppa which we found irresistible. An hour later, another man invited us to his camp to enjoy a modest campfire and to shoot the breeze, or share a tale, as if often done in areas like this.

It's the 14th July, the day before my 40th birthday, and I am excited to awaken, on my birthday, with budgies and quail and finches welcoming the day.

An early night then.

My birthday!

Dawn on the 15th, and I am roused awake by Jase who excitedly wishes me a happy birthday and dashes outside to light a small campfire. Coffee brewed, we watch the sun rise and munch on bacon & egg sandwiches. Some campers approach and sing me happy birthday which is surprising and pleasant, and thoroughly perfect.

We pack up camp and drive to Port Hedland, where we hope to find a nice restaurant to have our dinner.

Port Hedland- 'interesting' choice for a birthday

Port Hedland surprised us.... salt pans, refineries and smoke stacks line the horizon, which had us thinking, in horror, "Oh my goodness, where the hell are we spending my special day???" Australia's biggest port, apparently. The town is swarming with miners who are sweaty and dirty (think 18th century chimney sweepers). For lunch we find a local pub with a large beer garden (note the sign at the door "July 16th... Pyjama Party".... in a town full of dirty men, what woman in her right mind would attend a PJ party????) which serves a good feed of hamburger & chips, with a deliciously bitter Emu Bitter on the side.

Miners Mess

Dinner is even more 'interesting'. We are told of the Miner's Mess, situated right in the miners' living complex. Apparently Friday night is "seafood night". We are won over. Being warned not wear anything revealing (the basic Indian cotton top I was wearing was apparently too indiscreet for this crowd which can get rowdy if provoked), I donned a basic peasant top with slacks, and we bought our meal tickets, heading into what I thought would be a prison or army barracks-type arrangement (ie Blues Brothers "Jailhouse Rock"). Nothing of the sort! Really good tucker (the chef will cook your steak to order, "I'll have mine blue thanks!" says I), all you can eat, sports telecast on numerous TV screens, and even a couple of tourists just like us. A perfect, interesting,strange old day, thanks to the thoughts of my darling husband.

Miner's complex

Mess

And thank you!

Thank you to those of you who texted, phoned, posted and emailed; how lovely to get so many messages whilst many thousands of km's from home!