Wednesday 15th June
We were up with the birds as we had no cover or flap on our tent so we could watch the stars and gets light so early here. Had bacon and eggs for breakfast so we had plenty of energy for walking. Which gorge do we go for first?. We first went to the Zebedee springs. These are thermal pools, but we didn’t go for a dip because it was packed with people. So onto the next gorge. We choose Amalia. This was a 3 hour walk return. So off we set with out lunch and 2 litres of water each. What a lovely walk. It wasn’t an easy walk though, over rocks, up through narrow gaps and over water via stones. But was it worth it in the end? Yes it was. There was supposed to be a 32 meter waterfall which if it had been a good wet season would have been magic but there was only a trickle. We went for a swim here in the big water hole. They didn’t get the usual wet season rain only about 20% of the norm so there’s not a lot of water around but enough to satisfy us for now. Well that took us 2.1/2 return so we went in to have a look at another one called El Questro Gorge. Well we thought the first one was really great but this one will take some betting. The green palm trees, water flowing and the rocks and it was really at lot cooler because it was the hottest time of the day. Its hard to describe but when you see the photos you will be able to appreciate a little of what we saw. We were had it after the first gorge being up and down and over rocks so we thought we would only go in for 5 minutes into this one but boy you couldn’t stop going. So in we went to the half way point for 1 hour one way. It was magic. We had another swim at the water hole here to cool off then off we set back to the camp, or so we thought. We took a detour because Rob wanted drive through this long waterway and we came to yet another lovely smaller gorge, but in its own way beautiful as well. We only walked up this one for 100mtrs or so because we where both stuffed. Rob went down another 4WD track and yet another gorge but not so nice this one. Then back to the camp for a rest and dinner. Not such a great sleep tonight . Very warm and uncomfortable. Think we over did things today. Leaving tomorrow for Drysdale Station on the way to Mitchell Falls.
Thursday 16th June 2005
Up and packed up the tent and campsite cleared up by 8.15am It costs us $15.00 each to get into this park and is valid for 7 days, then another $15.00 each per night to camp here. But it was worth it. (Me thinks this is going to be a expensive part of the trip if all the stations how to charge like this one.) Not much on the road today to see. We stopped at the Penticost River and took some photos back to the Cockburn ranges. What a sight. Must come back down the other way because these ranges are something else. Crossed about 5 river crossings, not so exciting now as we have crossed so many. Some of them quite deep still, but in a couple of weeks time there won’t be hardly any water in them. So we came at the right time.
A bit of a boring drive from here on. Roads are starting to deteriate somewhat. Reminds us of the road to Cape York with the corrugations. Only some stretches have very sharp rocks on so you have to watch on for your tyres and go very slowing and carefully. So not quick a trip, we did about 320 kms today. We stopped a one of the water holes for lunch and met Norm the Grader driver. What a blow hard. (Reminded us of John Barlett, nice bloke high I.) We also met a couple who had just come down the Cockburn ranges road and said it was very corrugated and they had broken a spring on their camper trailer. Well it says not to bring them in and they still do. Just about 15 mins from Drysdale station there was a 2 year old double cab 4wd and a caravan burnt out. When we got to Drysdale we heard that it was a couple from Cairns the Flying Doctor pilot who we had met at lake Argyle. They had to 2 boys about 8 and 10. All they got out with was the clothes they were in, not even thongs for the boys, and the wife had her wallet. Everything else was burnt. They had a fridge (like the one we bought) in the back of the ute but instead of having a dual battery system put in they just had a battery sitting in the back with the fridge attached. Well with the roads the way they were no wonder something fell on the battery and shorted it and started the fire. Drysdale station is very nice and friendly. We decided to treat ourselves and stay in a Doner, that is a room with a double bed and one room with a sofa. At least we can stretch out a little. Had dinner here as well and have book a flight to the Mitchell Falls tomorrow at 1.30pm. We are both looking forward to this. It will take about 2hours to complete and we should get some awesome photos. It’s very hot here again tonight. Will sign off till tomorrow.
Friday 17th June 2005
Well it’s a little overcast and if you ask me it looks like rain. However, the clouds had all burnt off by 11am. So it looks like a great day for flying. We went to Miner hole for a swim and then back for lunch and a sit in the shade until our flight time. Seeing the plane had to fly the pilot and his family back to Kunnurra our flight was delayed until 2.30pm. What a great flight. The scenery was out of this world. The colours of these gorges and the rivers etc was fantastic. Words cannot describe the views we saw. It was n a wonderful flight until we went over the ocean. This is when my stomach started getting upset, from about the 1hour in on the flight. It was a 2 ½ hour flight. So you can image how I felt. Looking at these wonderful views but feeling like I wanted to jump out. The plane was so small. We flew over the Mitchell falls about 2 hr mark. Although there wasn’t much water running over them you could see how magnificent these falls are. It was a little disappointing as the sun was not on the falls due to the lateness of the day. If we had of left at 1.30 it would have been ok. However, we saw many huge waterfalls and gorges that in my mind were far superior to the Mitchells. Rob was clicking away but our camera is not made to take long distance photos and they do no do the views justice. I am so glad I went ever though I felt sick for a good 3 hours afterwards. We cooked tea in the cookhouse and then went over and had a drink at the bar and paid our tab. We met a NZ lady from Gisbourne who had just arrived and was going to fly over the Mitchells tomorrow and then fly back to Broome and then onto Perth and home the same night. What a long trip. They had been on a tour from Broome to Drysdale Station for 7 days. Better them than me.
Saturday 18th June 2005
It was to late to phone Roger for his birthday this morning as we thought he would have gone to rugby with Cameron. We did think about you though Roger. We are off today to Mt Elizabeth Station about 270 km of corrugations, dirt and rocks, by the time we go the Mt Barnett Roadhouse and back some 50ks to Mt Elizabeth. We have to fill up with fuel if we want to do the lap round Mt Elizabeth and Beverly stations. It still looks like rain. We were hoping it would rain a little while we were in the Kimberleys so we could see it in the wet. But this is the wrong time of the year for that. Road was the same as we came in for 60ks then it was new so to speak. (we hadn’t been on it). Wasn’t very exciting. We arrived at Mt Barnett and filled up with petrol and then rang Roger hoping we would catch him at home. Our phone doesn’t work out here so you have to use the pay phones at the stations. He was home. Then Robert decided not to go back to Mt Elizabeth after all so we went onto Bell Gorge. We got to the site and erected the tent and put up a shade cloth because it was threatening to rain, although the ranger said it would miss us. It had rained in Broome and Derby for 2 days which is unusual. Had n early tea and for some reason I was really tired so was in bed a 7.30. Then she started to rain. So be careful of what you wish for, it might just come true. It rained all night. Not a drop came into the tent. It is the first time we have camped in rain in this tent and we weren’t to sure how water proof it was going to be. So Rob keep waking up and checking the floor to see if it was wet. No not even damp. .
Sunday 19th June 2005
By the time we got up this morning the worst of the rain had gone. It was drizzling a little while we had breakfast then we went to see the gorge. We took our togs and our tramping boots just in case. Well we needed our boots. The road was sludge. There was water holes all the way down the road to the gorge which was 10 kms away. We had to go through creeks that had no water yesterday to running creeks today. What fun. Boy did we get the truck dirty. We were the first ones on the road so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The dust turns to a red sticky glue. As we walked the 20 mins into the gorge and falls our boots where caked with red glue. The track wasn’t like a national park track at all. It wasn’t even metal. When we reached the gorge we couldn’t believe our eyes. This was the nicest one we have seen so far. And with the rain last night the falls where flowing. The tourists told us yesterday when we arrived they weren’t worth going to as there was no water going over the falls. Well what difference a nights rain makes. Rob took over 80 photos of this one gorge. Don’t worry we won’t bore you by showing you them all. We walked up the top of the gorge for about 1¼ hours then turned back. This wasn’t easy walking by anyone’s imagination but you just had to go a bit further because of the views. We then came back to the falls crossed over them and went down the other side and then made our way down to the bottom of the falls and had a swim. We swam right up to the falls then let the current take us back down to where we started. It was great. Really deep in some parts then so shallow in others. It cooled us off, because by this time it was getting near midday and was getting muggy. So we stayed there for about 1 hour then had to walk back up to the top of the gorge and across the falls and back down the track to the truck. People were coming in and out all the time. Some just took a few photos and looked and went, some walked near the top and back. Several came down and had a swim. One the way back the road it was like a bog hole. The truck was sliding and it was a sticking as gum. The water had receded a little but with the 15 or so 4wds coming through they had spread the water a lot further on the roads and therefore made it near impassable. But we got through and back to the camp in one piece. Had lunch then transferred Robs 81 photos onto the computor. It seemed to cool off a bit this afternoon and it looked like we might get some more rain. Robert washed the truck because if he left it, it would set like concrete and be hell of a hard to get off. The news was coming in about the Tunnel Gorge and Wanjana National park. The road has been closed and that was where we were heading tomorrow. Apparently 2 big 4wd buses got stuck and 2 4wd with camper trailers jack knifed across the road and they can’t get them out. You have to see the roads to understand how this can happen. The buses and 4wd could be there up to 3 days until the road dries out enough to toe them out. One small motor home arrived next to us and they had gone down the road even though it said closed and had slipped into the bank and it took 4 4wds to toe them out and that was late this afternoon they had been there since last night. When they close a road here it means you don’t even attempt to go down it. It will be closed for 3-5 days so will more than likely go into Derby tomorrow and then Broome and come back when they open the road again.
Monday 20th June 2005
Up early as we had gone to bed early. Wanted to get over the road before every 4wd went as the more that use the road the worse it gets. Well the road was passable but only just. It’s going to get worse as the day goes on with the traffic going over it. We didn’t go to the King Lepoard gorge which is supposed to be really great as the road was impassable. We will wait until we come back and go and see this one. No much on this road until you get to the Napier ranges which is part of the Wanjana National park. The roads were sticky in parts and it wasn’t a fast trip by anyone’s imagination.
We finally got to the tar seal road and did it feel great. We arrived in Derby and decided to stay in the Hotel. Not a very nice town. The tide here is the second lowest and the highest tide in the world. It goes out a long way. There are crocs everywhere and not the fresh water ones the horrible, dangerous ones the salt water ones. We went out to the jetty to have lunch at the best fish and chips shop in Western Australia and yes it was Closed, until Tuesday. Went to check the internet, very slow and found a hotel room. Had lunch and then relaxed and watched some TV. Then dined in for dinner and had a real good sleep. .
Tuesday 21st June 2005
Up and off to see Prison tree where they used to keep the abo’s. The longest water tough in Aussie used in the olden days for the large stock droving. It is still fill but not used as the road trains transport the most of the animals. We had a great drive to Broome all seal and no caravan behind to worry about. Got the Broome about 3 pm and went searching for a motel. We found a great apartment with one bedroom and lounge, washing machine and dryer. Just 3 minutes from Cable Beach. Unpacked, put washing on and started on the photos. Robert went for a walk and came back after ½ hours to get me as he said I must see the sunset. Well you never saw anything like it. Robert starting driving down the beach and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were at least 100 odd 4wds on beach. The sand was firm and it reminded us of Ninety mile Beach, some were setting up to have a BBQ some had their table & chairs out drinking wine. What a great atmosphere. We parked and watched for about an hour and it was worth waiting for, the sunset that is. We might have a BBQ down here tomorrow. The camel trains came along with about 10 camels each with 2 persons on each just as the sun was setting. What a great sight.
.Wednesday 22nd June 2005
Went into Broome and had a look around the town. Tried to find Maud s family or someone that new the McNarama’s but didn’t find anyone. The shopping here was not the best. When we came here 29 years ago the population was about 200 and know it has a international airport, huge hotel complex’s and very expensive, and the shopping centers leave a lot to be desired. The information center is the worst we have come across, service is lousy, you have to pay for a map of the town and they didn’t help people looking for accommodation. Robert had a massage after his driving, and I mean driving around the outback’s, and I had a haircut. All the hairdressers were booked up then I saw this little one that wasn’t flash so called in and he could cut my hair straight away. I thought oh shit, maybe I shouldn’t let him, but it turned out this was the hairdressers the locals come to and he was very nice and cut my hair very well. Back to the apartment for a lazy afternoon. Went for a drive to the lighthouse etc and watched the sunset from there and then back to go onto the beach but we couldn’t because of all the 4wds coming off. So we sat at the café and had fish and chips for tea. Went back and watched some TV then bed.
Thursday 23rd June 2005
Had a day off. Robert went to check out the tyres and water and oil etc and discovered the battery had moved (the new deep cycle one we just got in at Lismore) and wore a hole in the side and acid was leaking out so he had to go a get a new one.
Tonight we went to see the Stairway to Heaven. Luckily for us the full moon was tonight and the lowest tide was tonight. So off we set to go to another hotel to get a good look at this marvelous spectacle. Well we got there at 5.30 at had to wait until 6.35 for the moon to come up. Was it worth waiting for? I’ll say. It was magic. The moon rising and the reflection on the mud flats just looked like steps going up to the moon. No wander all the hotels etc were booked out from today on. We got our one because of a cancellation. There were only about 10 of us at 5.30 and we got the front row seats. Met Colin who sat and talked to Rob and was flying out that night straight after the moon spectacle. I sat next to a lady who had come up from Adelaide especially for this. It cost here about $4000.00 to fly up and stay for a week. Broome is not a cheap place. About 6.00 the place was packed. There must have been 200m-250 people on the lawn of this Hotel waiting. Only standing room. It only lasts 11 minutes and it’s all over. It’s on for 3 nights moon came up at 6.35 tonight tomorrow it will be 7.30 and Saturday night 8.30. I’m glad we came tonight. We are leaving in the morning for Fitzroy Crossing and then to tunnel creek. On our way out Colin was still waiting for a taxi to take him to the airport, he would miss his flight if he didn’t get there quickly. He jumped in the back of the truck and got him there on time. He had to sit on the trunk, as we have no seats in the back due to the camping gear. Another good nights sleep.
Friday 24th June 05
Rob drove for 50 km’s then handed the driving over to me. I drove to the turn off to Windjana National Park, 100kms on the metal as well. Corrugations and bull dust. We stayed the night at this park. Went for a walk down the gorge, it was going to be about 1 hour but it turned out to be nearly 3 hours. We saw so many crocadiles. Rob went right up to one about 1 meter away and got a photo, silly bugger. They just stay where they are they hardly move. In one spot we counted 28. People swim in the water; we weren’t that brave or stupid. These are fresh water crocs so they’re not dangerous to humans, we are not their emery. One was about 2 ½ meters long. That’s quite big for a fresh water croc. We walked up the gorge until it parted then back again. As I have said before every gorge is different. Well thought we would have good nights sleep, but instead we had a rat shit one. The kids next door cried and the father snored and then the kid was sick and they had put his bed outside. The tent was a little way away but they are not noise proof. Only have cold showers in these camps so I am getting used to having them. Quite refreshing really.
Saturday 25th June 05
So since we were awake at 5.30 we got up. Had a quick breakfast packed up away at 7am. This is the earliest I think we have left anywhere. Well are we glad we did. You would not believe the sights we saw. We went 37 km’s down the road to Tunnel Creek, I thought it was just a tunnel you walk through and out the other side. Well it was that and so much more. This is a real WOW. You have to climb down rocks, walk through water up to your bum over soft sand, all in a tunnel and then we came to this amazing site. Even the photos don’t show it well enough. As we were the first ones in the tunnel no one had disturbed the water and the sun coming through the opening and shining into the water was magic. The mirror reflection was spooking as real as if you were standing on the edge of a cliff and if you moved you would full into this enormous canyon. I have never seen anything like this before. You would have to see it for yourselves to appreciate what we saw. I stood there for about 5 minutes just looking at it. No I know this doesn’t sound like me but this takes the cake for me on this trip. I have seen and been to so many beautiful and wonderful things but this. We carried on the walked right through looking at the stalactites and walking through more water. We saw some Abo paintings and another gorge at the end but nothing to compare with what we had seen already. So we turned round and came back through and there were people coming in now. When we got back to the reflection it was not nearly as great as before because of the sun, It was still great though. Boy have we done some walking on this trip. If exercise is supposed to make you lose weight I should be 6 stone by now but I’m not. Well we set off to Fitzroy crossing to get a motel , , but when we got there we got a Safari Hut. It is a big tent with a shower and toilet. Rang Zac for his birthday We had lunch at the lodge then Rob decided we should go and have a look at the Geikie Gorge. We were going here tomorrow. So off we went, boots on and away we went. We walked for 1 ¼ to the end. Well this gorge is not like the others. Its nice but not WOW. We walked back along the river and it was quite warm. Soft sand was hard to walk in. So my calves are hurting a little. We got back had a shower, and a rest then off to dinner. There a lot of caravans in the park and it makes me homesick for mine. I would rather be in the caravan than in a tent. I am really stuffed and need a good nights sleep, but alas this escapes me again as Rob is up all night with the cough. We bought him so cough mixture today that hasn’t helped. He only seems to get this at night. Hope tomorrow I can get some sleep. No walking tomorrow I hope.
Sunday 26th June 2005
We set off for Halls Creek today its about 288 km’s away. Rob started to drive then I took over again. He is still no feeling 100%, he is getting used of me driving and is enjoying the views. You miss out so much when you are driving. I just put the truck on cruise control about 112 and let it go. Occasionally I would have to steer it. The roads are so straight. They go for miles just one straight after another. Every now and again I would have to pass another vehicle. We did a survey and found there are more 4 WD drives on the road than anything else. More pop up caravans than full size caravans. We were going to get a motel in Halls Creek as you wouldn’t want to stay there in a tent, not with the early settlers around this area. Halls creek hasn’t changed much since we were here last. Dirty and no shops hardly and what shops there are, are not very well stocked. We filled up with petrol and had lunch then we decided to go to the Crater, which is about 150 km’s away on dirt track again. We found out that there was camping allowed down there so off we set. Well we got there and our intentions were to set up camp relax for the afternoon and then get up early in the morning and walk to the top of the crater ridge and maybe down into it and around the perimeter. But you know Rob he couldn’t wait it was only 2.30pm. So off we set, did the whole walk that took us 2 hours and it was over rocks, sliding down the 20 meters of rock face and then climbing up it again. We were walking through the middle through short shrub and spinafex and Rob jumped back and nearly knocked me over. There in front of us was this 1.2 meters long snake. It was just sitting there steering at us. Just as well he didn’t stand on this one ahy. We stood still and waited for it to slide away and Rob took some photos. Gave us a bit of a fright but we carried on. Never saw another one but you can bet they were there. My legs are getting real tired. Maybe tomorrow we can rest and not go for any walks. Ha ha Had tea. Then came into the tent and I finish this diary up until now 7.50 pm on Sunday night.
Monday 27th June 2005
Up and packed left the crater about 8.00. thought we would go though a track marked on the map that cut out Halls Creek and ended up at Old Hall Creek. We this was a track, not many vechicles come up this one. We got about 20km’s in and the soft sand track, and the dirt track ended and the sticky peat soil started. Well out wheels started to get sticky and it didn’t look like it was going to improve in fact it looked like you had to go over a small swamp of this peat, and seeing we were by ourselves we sensibly decided to do a U turn and go back the way we came. So back 20 km;s then another 150 on dirt road again. Filled up with petrol and got some water and then went off to Old Halls Creek. It is written up in the tour books as magic, it was a dump to put it mildly. There was a caravan park and a lodge which you could stay but it was so filthy and run down you wouldn’t put your worst emermy in there. So we had lunch at the picinic spot there, if you could call it that and then found another track that lead out to the main road. It had a sign post to the Old Rock Hut 14 kms so we thought this sounds good. First we went and looked at the China Wall. Wow not.
Then onto find this hut. Well the sign post was there but the hut seems to have vanished, maybe in the last wet. We eventually came out onto the main highway so decided to go onto the Bungle Bungles. The sealed road was heaven to drive on for 170 km’s then back to dirt and rock road. The last 53km’s into the Bungle Bungles was rough. We were stuffed and it felt like it took forever to get there. Only took 1 ½ to go 53km’s so what are we complaining about ahy. When we got there it didn’t seem like much and we wandered what all the fuss was about. All the TV programes we have seen and books we read about this area really built it up. We must be getting hard to please. We didn’t even go to see the sunset. We cooked tea on the communial BBQ and met some nice people then went to bed buggered at 8.pm Had a fairly good night, Rob only had one coughing fit, which lastest about ½ hour. It was b….. freezing though. It’s the coldest night we have had in a long time and we weren’t ready for it. It must have been about 4 degrees.
Tuesday 28th June 2005
Well up bright and early. Its warmer up than in bed. Had bacon and eggs on the comm.. BBQ again this morning. Went down to the airfield to book a helicopter flight around the Bungles Bungles. On the way down we started to notice how lovely these were. We must have been tired last night when we came in and didn’t really appreciate what we were seeing. Well the guy at the airfield was a Nz’er and he got us on the 9.00am flight. He told us it was real cold up there, luckily we had our clothes still in the truck, so we put on jumper and thermals. The helicopter was a Robinson something and it had no doors. I got in the front next to the pilot, we only had a seat belt to keep us in. I was a little nervous to say the least. The trip was for ½ hour. Well we took off and it was blowing quite a bit and the helicopter was swaying as it was going up. I thought, what the hell am I doing in this thing. Anyway as we got up and started going over the Bungle Bungles, I forgot about my nerves and just couldn’t take my eyes off what was below us. What a great WOW magnificent place and unusual. We went around and down and through the gorges and rock formations and we were on the side and I didn’t even get scared. I wasn’t that cold as the pilot was blocking a lot of the wind from me, but Rob was in the back and he was freezing. What a flight. Rob had the camera and only took 85 photos. Back on the ground and we went for a walk to see it from the ground level. We went to Cathedral Gorge, like an amphitheatre. I would have loved to hear you sing in here Jan. We saw the mirror reflection, but nothing like tunnel creek. That walk took just over 2 hours. Then onto the other ones about 30kms’ away on terrible roads, but what sights when you get there and on the way. Another 1 hours walk to the Echina Chasm and this is a gorge in the making. It is only from 2 meters wide down to 800. You have to climb rocks and even a ladder to get to the end. Most of the walking is done in stone river beds so it’s not an walk in the park so to speak. This one really took Robs fancy. It was different from all the other gorges that we have seen. The walls were over 100meters high and being so narrow it was a funny feeling. Then out of that and onto another one for 1 hour then another one, however by this time it was 3.30 and we didn’t have time to go to the end of Mini palm gorge. It takes about 3 hours return and it gets dark here and 5.15 so we went back the 30km’s to our tent site. Had a sit down and relax for ½ hour then start to get dinner ready. Cooking on the Comm. BBQ again tonight. When we got over there, there was already one fire going and it by a gang of bikies. Well talk about laugh, one looked like Gilligan, or I named his that, his real name Simon he was a real character. They ranged in age from about 60 to 25 years. 8 in all only 2 married. Then another couple Sue and Neal joined us and they have a unmarried daughter and she was trying to get Andrew to phone her and she thought they would make a lovely couple. She was drunk. The boys had run out of booze and it was going to be a dry night, however, Neal came to the rescue as he had home brow on board and sold them 24 bottles., Well it turned out to be a great night. We laughed and joked and ate they kings. Gilligan recited the poem "the man from snowy river" It was great the actions, and the length of the poem, I don’t know how he could remember all that. We finally went to bed around 9.30pm. Started at 4.30. Most of the gang where from Sydney and were very wealthy property developers or property brokers. Great blokes. My feet are sore and muscles need a days rest. I hope tomorrow I will get one.But what a day, it’s harder doing this than working.
Wednesday 29th June 2005
Well up early and off today to get my white maggot ( our van). I am really missing my bed. Just 200kms’ of seal and 53 kms of that bad road in here. Still not to bad today as we are both fresh and it only took us 1¼ hours to get out. Back on the road with the road trains and 50 or so and I’m, not exaggerating either, caravans and pop tops coming towards us. They said the season up here really starts about the first week of July. I wouldn’t have wanted to come any later. Next time we come it will be early May. Still the trip was an easy one. Got back to the van about 1 pm. Gosh it was good to see it all in one piece. Had lunch at Barra Barra where the caravan was left and then went to the caravan park. Lots of washing to do 3 loads, I’m picking, because of all that red dust. Set up camp and then found out tonight that the battery had gone flat and the lights flicker so we will have to look into that tomorrow. Had a long shower and washed my hair over and over again to get the dust out. Went shopping as the fridge was empty and we had to fill the cupboards and the fridge up again. Booked the Truck in for a service, we were lucky to get it in tomorrow morning at 8 am. Thought we might have to wait 2 or 3 days. Had dinner and then watched a little TV Blue Heelers then bed, beautiful comfortable bed. Rob only woke me up once with his coughing. Getting better. I think it’s the fine dust that is doing it. We are heading back to Katherine then up to Darwin and then it is undecided which way we will travel back to Lismore.
Thursday 30th June 2005
Well decided to finish off the month with this newsletter. Rob took the truck in for servicing this morning. Quite nice camp but smaller sites than the last one we stayed in here. Still change is as good as a rest so they say. Checked emails etc. J Bought a battery charger for the van. Had to get new back brake pads on the truck. We knew they were due, so it is safer to get them on here than travel back to the coast with not so good brakes. Finally it was ready at 2.30 and so Rob dropped me back at the park and he went to water blast the truck. It is really dirty and looks horrible. I caught up on some of this newsletter. Oh for the mod cons.
Well we are not leaving tomorrow now as we are both had it. We are going to have a day not doing anything but relaxing. Certainly not walking. We are going up town only so we can email this and maybe get a few groceries, but in the truck. We’ll send you all another update in a few weeks. Don’t expect anything to exciting in the next one as we will only be going back the way we came for 3 weeks. We hope to catch up with Pat & Wally in Mt Isa. They are on their way to Perth, as they are expecting a new grandchild. However, their truck, a prada not a Toyota, blew a piston and they have to stay in Mt Isa for three weeks while waiting for it to get fixed. Well hope all of you back there are well, we are. What a great time we are having. We are both really loving it and if you couldn’t tell by these newsletters. What a great thing Robert did by talking me into coming to the Kimberleys this time.