Shit is an exceedingly useful word in the Australian vernacular. One can look "shit-hot" after a stylish haircut or wearing a flattering outfit. One may exclaim "shit" as an expression of surprise or to describe something that isn't quite up to scratch. I occasionally refer to Stella and Pip as "shitheads" when they are behaving in an annoying, albeit lovable manner. However, "shithead", when spoken with anger may be describing somebody for whom one has complete contempt. And of course, shit is a description of the solid waste matter than we expel from our bodies after sustenance passes through our intestines.
Whether we are comfortable with this action or not, we all need to shit/poo/defecate. With the advent of modern plumbing, one may now perform this operation in private, using the time involved to play games, read the paper or peruse a book. In a caravan, privacy is a little more difficult to obtain, given that Digger is only five and a half metres long and two and a half metres wide. The toilet is a bit of an illusion, as the products do not actually leave via the body of the caravan. Instead, it is all stored in a container known as a cassette located under the loo in its own special compartment. Digger's cassette is on the right side of the caravan one hatch from the back. Who is responsible for the emptying of the cassette is grounds for lively debate around any firepit. One caravanning lady disavowed any knowledge of her cassette, arguing that the position and disposal of the cassette's contents was the man's job.
Upon arrival at one of our favourite places, Cue, Michael was required to reverse Digger into his designated bay. As he did so, he managed to make contact with the border bollard of our site that was securely attached to the ground. I watched Michael hit the aforementioned bollard but as it was more of a nudge than a solid whack, I thought nothing more of this incident.
Michael duly noted a bit of damage to the very back hatch that houses the electric cord, hoses and tyres' chocks. There did not appear to be any dings to the cassette hatch so we promptly forgot about the minor bingle. We then spent a very happy couple of afternoons in the old tip and at the old railway platform at Day Dawn.
Time had come to move on. Michael opened the cassette's hatch and attempted to remove it from inside Digger's (pardon the pun) bowels. The cassette was stuck fast. The collision with the bollard was possibly the cause of this disaster, as was overfilling the wretched device. We tried tugging. We tried opening and closing the valve at the top of the cassette. Eugh...that was my task and I trust that I shall never have to conduct that action ever again. We ended up with a large bucket to collect the contents of the cassette which we then deposited down the dump point. Eventually, after a great deal of unpleasantness, we managed to dislodge the cassette from the hatch and finish the awful job. Michael was stoic whilst standing in the dreadful miasma, hosing out all the necessary parts and returning the cassette to its rightful place. After much washing of hands, we waved Cue goodbye.
En route to Newman was spent at the Kumarina Roadhouse "caravan park" All powered sites were dictated by proximity to the single pole that had multiple outside powerpoints attached to this structure. The toilets were still pretty basic and we decided against a shower each. And there was no water or dump point so we did not dilly dally when we left. OK for an overnight stop but still a bit...shit. Having said that, we met a memorable bunch of roadworkers around the fire. We hope to catch up with Mal, Chris and Al somewhere in the future.
Yesterday, again, we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and officially entered the Pilbara. Once we drove "around the bay for a bob", we found the fabulous Newman Visitors' Centre, stocked up with more essential brochures and pinpointed our way to the brand-new Yurlu Caravan Park on the edge of town, which is still very much a work in progress. Even so, there are plenty of powered and unpowered sites. Some are even grassed - these are more expensive. The toilet and shower facilities are brand new and very clean. And best of all, we have removed all outer clothing and are now clad in jeans, teeshirts and thongs.
Hurray for the warmth of the Northwest. And today, we head west for Tom Price, where we will spend three nights. Tom Price is a very attractive town and the highest in WA. The caravan park is very popular (we have booked) and is at the base of Mount Nameless/Jarndunmunha. We are not planning much apart from a bit of washing, a few running repairs and a great deal of relaxing.
Oh and a check of that troublesome cassette. Michael is charged with that responsibility...
Dreaming of a gold strike in Cue - early miners...
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