Around Oz - Geoff and Lorelle - April to October 2011: Days 55

[Port Hedland - Can't they spell 'headland' up here? - "Though the coastline in the area had been explored in the 18th century, Captain Peter Hedland was one of the first Europeans to explore the harbour for the purpose of developing an export port. Peter Hedland arrived in the area in April 1863 onboard his boat, Mystery. He named the harbour Mangrove Harbour and reported that it would make a good landing site with a well protected harbour and that there was also fresh water available."]
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On Thursday, I had my car serviced - a standard 160,000 service - $1259! I'm glad there was nothing wrong!!! To make matters worse, they said that my rear brake pads would not make it to the next service and they had none in stock and even if they did, the next service vacancy they had was on the 11 July.... Give me Gatton any day.

Anyway, I rang Karratha Toyota, a few hundred kilometres south from here and they are doing the pads next Friday. Doug is going to get his car done at the same time.

On Friday, Julie and Greg took us on a tour of Port Hedland and South Hedland. We had lunch at Pretty Pool where they used to live before they bought their current house. The real estate here is ridiculous - the median price at South Hedland is $650,000 which would get you a house in Gatton worth $250-$300 thousand. At Port Hedland, the median price is over one million. Most of the houses are built from corrugated iron and everything is covered in a red film due to the red soil.

Greg & Julie's house is good - a brick house that they have only been in since last November. They of course have lots of plans to renovate the place and the yard was looking good before we plonked our vans and cars in the front yard.

Saturday we did nothing much - went to a garage sale, relaxed. We have decided to head for Karajini National Park tomorrow (Sunday). Julie & Greg are putting on a BBQ for us and friends tonight. It has been good seeing Julie & Greg again and they will be home for Christmas this year.