We pulled into Port Hedland amazed at the lack of things to see and do. Granted it does have a huge port, but apart from a Woolworths and a couple of dodgy cafes that was it. After stocking up for the next 10 days we headed off in the direction of 80 Mile Beach. After a long (8hr) drive in total we arrived. I had been told by a grey nomad, back in Esperence, that 80 Mile was a must for the kids as there were great shells to be found on the beach. Not just your every day shells but the big ones you see in shops.
The Backsons had arrived here a couple of days earlier, and sure enough there were great shells to be found. As well as the shells Oli, Ned and Ivy shared great stories about some of the "locals" (people who live here for 4-6 months a year) who make awesome animals from the shells. Matt, Zach and Abbey could hardly wait for the morning to come to set off and explore and meet the locals too. Mark and Lauren were also here and gave us a bag of their reject shells, which I thought looked pretty good. Abbey enjoyed playing and wandering around the park with Jayde before they set off further North. Nick took advantage of Marks tools and knick knacks and helped to patch the tent.
We'd heard that the "better" shells we 5-10km up the beach, which if we had a 4wd would be no worries. Thoughtfully Hamish drove us 5km down and we could walk back. Combing the beach we found some beautiful shells, corals, drift wood, my favourite - star urchins and even a sea snake. Although a 5km walk doesn't usually take too long, when you're combing the beach it's amazing how long it can take. Dusk had fallen and it was almost dark when a lone car came past. We all climbed in, Abbey sitting on the lady's lap, Nick stood on one footplate while Oli and I stood on the other and Matt, Zach and Ned were hoisted up into the rear which was like a workman's ute with locked sides. Everyone thought it was a bit of an adventure, together with our buckets full of precious finds.
Abbey made friends with most of the caravan park, which was predominantly over the age of sixty. I went to the toilets and was chatting to the cleaner about "my daughter" when another lady walked past and said "do you mean Abbey". The lady laughed and told me that Abbey had told her all about her family and what we were doing, graciously telling me she needed a grandchild fix as she wouldn't see hers for 6 months and she enjoyed Abbeys chats.
The Kids met Keith who made the little animals and wind chimes with shells. One afternoon Keith patiently made each of the kids (ours and the Backson kids) a shell animal each. The kids sat in his annex watching eagerly as Keith opened various boxes with shells of all shapes and sizes, keenly trying to remember the way he made them so they could replicate the animals with their own collection of shells.
Josh tried his hand at fishing but apart from a catfish had no luck. He did befriend a guy while he was fishing who later presented Josh with a surf rod and reel, which Josh was shocked and appreciative of his generosity.
Matt, Zach and Abbey befriended Ranger Pete, who took them on a quad bike ride along the beach, showed them photos of a crocodile he had caught (instantly giving him hero status in Zach's eyes), gave them each a large trumpet shell and star fish and let the kids help him around the park. Hopefully we'll catch up with Pete and his wife in Darwin when they have finished the season at 80 Mile Beach.
With the wind not easing up we decided to head to Barn Hill Station a couple of hundred km North.
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