Day 112 - Beach Day

30/07/11

Jude feeling poorly this morning so Sean and I left her at home and went to the beach for a swim.  Lots of dos and donts as well as warnings on the sign - must be confusing for overseas visitors.


Much more water this morning and less sand - we arrived 1 hour before high tide - had a great swim and Sean played on a boogie board for an hour.  The Beach Hut hires all sorts of paraphernalia.
 

After we went back to the van then we had Bonnie dropped off.  Bonnie is a Maltese dog that we met, along with her owners Nola and Dennis, at Kununurra.  We caught up with them yesterday and they were already in Broome.  We agreed to look after Bonnie for the afternoon.  After some lunch Sean and I took them to Reddel Beach just down the road and they had a great time then required some rest and refueling.


The Campbells

Day 111 - Broome Here We Are

29/07/11

Reluctantly packed up at Derby - have really enjoyed the time here and we will probably come back for 1 or 2 nights on the way back - if we do the scout leader has offered us his yard to park the van.  On the way out of town checked out the cattle trough - supposed to be the longest anywhere - its about 100m long.

Then just a little trip down the road to broom - we checked at the information center and after a little running around we found a spot at the Seventh Day Adventist church grounds.


The caretaker at the camp ground told us they only open these grounds as overflow for a 7 week period in the middle of the tourist season and it cost $35 per night which is no more than we've paid anywhere else, so we got our spot despite the horror stories we've been told.

In the afternoon had a look through town and went into one of the pearl shops - the pearls were impressive however the souvenir shop next door held the rela surprise.  There was an incredible display of 3d fish made from plaster along the back wall.  When I asked about them was told they're all made by a local over a period of 50 years - he caught them them made a plaster cast and painted them himself - the pearls were nice but this display is worth a visit.

Went down and had a squiz at the famed Cable Beach - boy there's plenty of sand there!


Back to the van and finished setting up then settled for the night.

The Campbells

Day 110 - The Wonderful North

28/07/11

It's hard to remember at times that it is winter and wet and cold in our homeland at the moment.  The weather is so great here it ceases to become a topic of conversation.

Today was a perfect day again and I had the privilege of spending most of it on the jetty having a fish - the result of my endeavours had nothing to do with the pleasure derived from it.  The guy next to em caught a 3ft shark which broke his rod and I caught 2 catfish.


Jude and Sean had a look around Derby and took this shot of a boab tree at the local garage which has made friends with a local gum tree.


Back down to the jetty to check out sunset in this lovely place while Jude and Sean attended the local scout group meeting.


The Campbells

Day 109 - Tunnel Creek

27/07/11

Left Derby early after handing Rosie off to Reg and Jenny who we'd met yesterday on the jetty.  After 5 mins talking they offered to look after Rosie for the day - people are great!.

Off down the track from Derby and onto the Gibb River Road - 130km (about half sealed) then turn off to Tunnel Creek and another 60km down the road.  This part of the road pretty good with only some patches where the corrugations got rough.


We arrived at Tunnel Creek and found a lot of others with the same idea as us.


There is a walk through the creek that goes in 1km and return.  We started of through the rocks to the entrance and then into the water.  While Sean was making his way through the water a small freshwater croc slid into the water just beside him.


About half way along there is an open area where the roof has caved in.


Then another stretch through the dark and the water to the opening at the other end.


Really enjoyed this walk and had fun going through the water.  Next we backtrack 30km to Windjana National Park.  Along the way we pass through Fairfield Station.


Then we arrived at Windjara Gorge.  A lovely walk up the gorge where there are many freshwater crocs and some beautiful scenery.  The surrounding cliffs are ancient barrier reef systems and its easy to see the old reef structure.


Just at the start of the gorge walk there is a large stage set up for a unique concert which happens to be on tonight - the main act is called Jandamara after a local aborigine who was killed here in late 1800s.  This afternoon's act also includes Paul Kelly (here he is warming up).

Then the trip back to Derby we had a chance to check out some wildflowers and snap some of the amazing array of boab trees including this ancient giant as well as the one that is growing horizontally.


Made it back and picked up the dog who enjoyed her day away from us.

The Campbells

Day 108 - Derby

26/07/11

We left our roadside camp and headed north to Derby. On the way we noticed a cloud along the horizon - after a while we realised it was actually smoke from a bushfire - a serious bushfire (we heard later that it had been burning for several days).


Then onto Derby - famous for the largest tides in Oz.  On the way into town we saw the Prison Tree - they actually put aborigines in here overnight as they were travelling yo the prison in Derby.


Into the only caravan park in town and signed up for 3 nights.  One of our neighbours travels in different style.


Next down to the jetty for a spot of fishing.  Turns out they are having neap tides at the moment so only 4m difference - in summer it is up to 12m.  We fished the outgoing tide and lost a bit of bait.  I had one hookup on a good fish but he broke me off.


The Campbells