Diary: Sunday 21 May 2000

Sunday 21 May 2000

Sorry for such a long silence, it didn’t seem worth boring you with the nitty gritty details of our wait in Perth. We have finally sorted everything out with the car and are ready to leave Perth. The landrover is legal on the road and has been Australianised. It has been christened Larry by the registration authorities. Well, the number plate is 1ARI 780, so with a little imagination… Anyhow, Larry the Landrover runs off the tongue pretty well.

Headed north out of Perth on the road to the small town of Lancelin. Stopped for lunch at Yanchep National Park. Bought an ‘All Parks’ pass for WA parks. Had a toddle around the lake and explored Boomerang Gorge. Stuck our noses through the bars of the caves but didn’t wait for a tour. The park has quite a small, easily accessible central area – everything is within walking distance. Good place to stop for a picnic, although we didn’t make use of the BBQ facilities!

Set off again in the direction of Lancelin. Problem with the fanbelt on the secondary alternator slipping. Closer investigation showed that the bracket on the tension adjustor had broken. Removed alternator and bracket. Joined batteries so both were charged by primary alternator. On way again… but load too much for old fan belt – ate it! Replaced fanbelt and hit the road again. Had bracket welded at the Service station in Lancelin and put everything back to normal. Found van park, watched sunset from the top a tall dune. Then settled down.