G'day All

There have been some fairly monumental happenings since my very last entry in this information page.

Possibly the most significant happening has been the Hickman Crater discovery, yes you have read this correctly, Dr Arthur Hickman of WA's Geoscience mapping geological survey department, using Google Earth search identified a substantial Meteorite impact crater, just 35 kilometres out of Newman.

I have visited the crater several times both privately and also on tour. It is a truely stunning find for Dr Hickman and the World.  You can access all information on the Crater by doing a Google search just using the words Hickman Crater.

My last visit to the crater was fairly special for Maria and myself, we toiled away in the Pilbara heat to set up a Postbox for a visitor log book, I did ask Dr Hickman if this was OK with him before driving the Star pickets into the ancient earth of his crater.  Hopefully the book will be used sensibly and it can then give Dr Hickman some idea as to who and how many people visit the site.

The track into the crater site is not overly challenging, but use caution as you negotiate the very rocky terrain as tyre and vehicle damage would cause you considerable problems in such a remote area.  Also please be mind full of the Pebble Mouse mounds (18) counted so far, these are mostly just off the track on both sides.

I will in time mark each Pebble Mouse Mound with a star picket ( painted white ) but this will not happen until next year, as the on comming wet season is already making it's mark, heavy rains in Newman last night ( 22-11-2008 ) and already very high day time temperatures, of 40 degrees Celsius.

Other monumental changes occurring in the town, high density housing, yes the town fathers have fallen prey to the booming mining sector. I'm not against progress but the break neck pace in practice right now, does not make sense, who will occupy all these new houses, now that the world economy is wobbling like a drunken miner who thought he could drink the pub dry ?

The major mining company BHP Billiton does not seem to be bothered about what's going on, openly anyway, but I'm sure if they (BHP.B) begin to show signs of economic struggle, the towns bubble will burst.

With a bit of luck, the wet season will be an absolute belter, the land and vegetation is in desperate need of a drink, over a long period of time. Most waterholes are looking rather sad, but it's a natural cycle in the Pilbara's life.

 Hopefully the Cyclonic impacts will be non events, we just need the rain thanks.

Safe and happy Christmas everyone.