Today wasn't a day I was looking forward to very much. Sure, it would put me within striking distance of Broome, but it also meant driving about 860km.
But what a day it was. I'd forgotten how much the scenery changes as you drive across the Pilbara. From coastal plains and ancient mesas, to flood plains and ghost gums. Interspersed with gas plants, mine sites, giant trains and massive ports. It really didn't didn't feel like I drove for 9 and a bit hours. But therein lies the problem. I drove THROUGH the Pilbara. To reach my destination I couldn’t stop and explore the myriad of National Parks, tracks, pools, and rivers that still held water. Guess this'll be yet another trip…
Eventually I turned off onto the 17km dirt track to Pardoo Station and less than 1km from it, the tyre pressure monitor shouts at me that my rear passenger tyre has lost pressure. Once I checked in at camp and got to my campsite I changed the wheel and inspected the tyre to find a flippin’ great tec screw through a block on the tread. Without TPMS that would have been a nasty surprise in the morning. I might have damaged the tyre. This is the second time it's alerted me to a problem, so if it has just saved one tyre it's paid for itself. As for the puncture, I'm pretty hopeful that as it’s in a tread block, the repair should be ok, but I'll get it checked in Broome.
While I'm singing the praises of kit I must mention my 12v oven. About an hour and a half from camp I put in a frozen lasagne to cook. It worked beautifully and meant that when I was tired and grumpy after fixing the tyre, dinner was already sorted. That was very welcome.
But it's not all good. The aftermarket 4000kg bottle jack I got to supplement the Toyota one appears to have shit itself at first use. Not impressed and it's going in the bin. No point in carrying useless crap.
Now for another relaxing beer and dream of arriving in Broome. I've earned both..!
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