Saturday 25 February: to Esperance

 We wake pretty early and are on the road by 8 o’clock. We’re pleased to hear that the South Coast Highway has reopened following the recent bush fires. The roads are straight and virtually deserted apart from the odd Road Train and Grey Nomad. Tree lined with arid plains stretching into the distance. We pass the remnants of the bush fire where the smell of smoke lingers and it is sobering and sad to see the charcoaled devastation. We stop at Ravensthorpe to refuel. An old mining town. Not much to it and the supermarket rather too basic to refuel our human needs! No cafe so we brew a coffee by the side of the road arriving in Esperance after about 4 hours. The Woolworths supermarket is massive and better stocked than anywhere since Perth although we feel a bit overwhelmed and it’s hard to plan what we’ll need. Our campsite is called Bather’s Paradise but on first look seems to be set within a housing estate! Not the most picturesque but small and close to the sea. We have learned that there isn’t much choice as everywhere is so booked up. After a late lunch we walk along the beach and esplanade towards the town. Lined with Norfolk Pines it looks quite splendid although a bit breezy to sit on the beach. Back to base for salmon on the outside BBQ with ratatouille.