Heavenly Beverley : Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire!

We awoke at Wooramel Station with the southeasterly wind still howling. I was heartily sick of the fine dust that had once more permeated Will's interior. Michael, unbeknown to me at that point, was just sick.

I was alerted to the possibility of Michael being unwell as he sat up in bed, producing a rather deep and nasty cough. He then admitted that he had been suffering from a sore throat for a few days. I had noticed he had been using his Ventolin inhaler more often. However, he had completely disavowed using a spacer, due to their perceived bulkiness. Perhaps he considered carrying a spacer to be not blokey enough...

Needless to say, I was concerned, frustrated, furious and resigned all in a single second. Michael's respiratory infection had been lurking in his upper airway for several days. I knew, from experience, that left untreated, he would inevitably develop a chest infection, which could result in IV antibiotics...And we had just booked three nights on an unpowered site with a cold wind showing no sign of abating. Bollocks.

So, we discussed the Situation. Michael, by now feeling foolish in the face of my pointed logic, agreed that Wooramel's conditions were far from ideal for his chest and we needed to return to a location with power in order to crank up our heater. The decision was made, I manged to secure a refund for one of our two remaining nights at Wooramel, arranged to book two additional nights at our digs in Carnarvon and drove north.

We arrived at the newly re-badged Discovery Park (formerly Wintersun Caravan Park) around two in the afternoon. Michael slowly undertook only the necessary - reversing Will into our site and lowering the stabilisers - before we set off for Emergency. Only as we entered the hospital doors did we realise we had visited previously! We were efficiently triaged and brought to one of the bed cubicles. The good-natured doctor assured us Michael did not have a chest infection but prescribed him the usual course of atom bomb antibiotics to clear up the infection. He also firmly suggested that we procure a spacer for Michael's puffer! We visited the very well-stocked pharmacy on Robinson Street and filled his prescription and other items, including a spacer.

Since our arrival, we have caught up with the wash, de-dusted Will (again), listened to the regular park band, had acceptable fish and chips and stunning goat pies, caught up for multiple evening drinks with one of our artists Irene Perry (!) and husband Mal, attended the Saturday markets and been on a few extremely pleasant drives. Yesterday, we attended the fabulous Space Museum and spend an amazing and enjoyable couple of hours there. Well worth the modest entry fee (see next post).

Yet, our very low-key stay has not been without major irritations. Our caravan battery management was apparently, all Systems GO when we left home. Two nights ago, we were aurally assaulted by annoying beeping, needing repeated efforts by Michael lying on the floor to hit the most inconveniently placed switch every time we used the water pump. Last night, our internal lights failed, and then our water pump finally gave up the ghost as well. A final insult was one of our gas bottles becoming empty at ten o'clock as Michael was making my bedtime tea. And we cannot get this most disruption battery issue looked at here in Carnarvon before Friday...

Just as well that we are flexible and adaptable Hillbillies. I have discovered the presence of two auto electricians in Onslow. I have changed our free camp en-route to Onslow to a powered site at Nanutarra. Today, we will purchase an internal light for Will that can illuminate our night activities, two new gas bottles and a collapsible water container for washing up purposes, so we are not tied to campers' kitchens that may not be convenient.

Also on today's tourism agenda is a trip to the Blowholes up the coast. Stay tuned for my summary of that expedition after my report of the Space Museum...