Some of you may already be aware that our trip out the back in the wilds of BumbleF.. has finished. We are now home safe, sound and shivering, but in our own bed, in our own house, in our own little home town.
The last days of our trip were spent traveling from Wagga Wagga, through Echuca, Bendigo and Melbourne. I'd like to say we saw some truly magnificent things there and did some inspiring sight seeing, however I was so excited about getting closer to home, that I can't even remember half of what we did there, and if I hadn't kept a diary, I'd really have no idea what we did or saw those last few days.
I can related however that the trip on the boat was a bit rough, the road from Devonport to Hobart was way too long, and I just couldn't get home quick enough. I can also say that the surprise was successful and our girls were all very excited and totally surprised to see us walk in the door.
So we are officially home, our trip to BumbleF... and beyond is officially over, and my blog is complete. So thanks for following our story, and if Kevin ever talks me in to another trip, I'm sure I'll be blogging again!
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Outbacking our way home
As promised, this blog is coming from somewhere along the track on the way home from BumbleF......
We left Longreach and I can't say I was sorry to say goodbye to the town. It seemed that even the wildlife here had picked up the negative vibe, as part way along the road and an emu decided he'd wander out across the road, just because he could. Some clever braking from Kevin and we managed to avoid him as he casually trotted across the road and out of our way. The road is in pretty bad condition and there is heaps of road kill, so the crows are looking pretty fat!!
Come 9.30 and I was already hanging for a coffee, so I was on high alert for anything that vaguely resembled a decent coffee shop but wasn't having much luck. At this stage, I was pretty much getting over outback towns, chatty old people in caravan parks, and worst of all being classed as a 'grey nomad' when I think I've got some pretty good years in me still. One of us is still loving the outback experience, and the chatting for hours with random people he meets, but one of us is not relishing it quite as much!!
Along the road we stopped at a few random towns, some better than others. We stopped at Barcaldine for coffee, and found a really nice coffee at a very clean bakery. We were pleasantly surprised with Barcaldine, it was a very clean and tidy town. After Barcaldine, we turned onto another highway and started to head south.
There were heaps of emus on the road. We saw a dad emu and several chicks, but he wouldn't let us photograph them and took them into long grass to hide them. He was pretty clever actually. Lots of other random animals were about too. The wild pigs are ugly things, really rumpy looking and feral as!!
Our next overnighter was at Charleville. We arrived at our caravan park after traveling quite a few kilometers off the beaten track to get here. It was not what we were expecting and with no phone, no TV, and no Internet, can't say I was thrilled with the place. The couple who met us in reception were not filling us with a whole heap of confidence, and by the time I booked in, i was feeling like this was a very big mistake! We decided not to stay here two nights, so unpacked the van, then headed into town to give ourselves time to look around and decide what to do. In town, we booked into a town caravan park so we could stay in a reasonable park before heading in the direction of Bourke. By the time we headed back to where we'd left the van, it was pretty dark, and we had to dodge the huge kangaroos along the road. I was feeling an early night coming on!
The following morning Kevin took a farm tour. This was an experience i allowed him to enjoy alone. I forced myself to stay behind and sit in the sun. Then it was into town to stay at a caravan park closer to civilisation. The rest of our stay in Charleville consisted of a communal lamb spit roast at the caravan park and an observatory tour at night, which was a new experience. Who ever thought I'd be star gazing in the outback?
And so it was time to leave Charleville, and head to Bourke. We were on the road by 7.30 which was a record for us! The weather was pretty fresh -translation bloody freezing. But it was shaping up to be a pretty nice day. I was a bit nervous about what Bourke would bring, but decided to wait and see how I felt once I got there. What the town was like, was going to decide just how long we stayed there.
The trip to Bourke was fairly uneventful, which loosely translated means 'boring'. I did discover though that Kevin does a great impersonation of an emu, a talent he has managed to keep hidden from me for thirty odd years. There are so many emus on this road. Mind you emu impersonations shows what we've been reduced to on the road!!
And just when i thought it couldn't get any more BumbleF**k, we were now officially out the back of Bourke!! We arrived in Bourke and headed straight to the caravan park and got set up. We decided to take a paddle boat up the Darling River, which was OK. The town of Bourke though, was less than ordinary, and we understand now why we were warned not to stay right in the town. We did visit Heritage Centre before we left town though, and were surprised to read about those famous Australians that have links to the town.
The road home then took us towards Dubbo. The traveling was pretty hard though, as we had encountered a fair bit of turbulence on the road and this had played havoc with backs, necks and arms. The roads are pretty rough in general, and i must say my back is pleased that we are now on the home stretch!! Kevin did get very excited as we passed through Nyngen, as there is an Ag Expo on in the town, however it isn't on till Saturday and there was no way I was staying in Nyngen for another three days so he could go!! I did mention I was more than happy for him to go while I stayed in Dubbo, however AG Field Days in Nyngen were definitely not on my 'bucket list'!
We arrived in Dubbo and found the caravan park with very little fuss. After unpacking we headed into town to check out what might be there. We found the main city block and a shopping centre, but Kevin got a bit flustered with his driving in and around the shopping centre. He can drive all over Australia, but give him a shopping centre carpark, and he just doesn't cope!!
Our first day in Dubbo, and Kevin decided to go out for breakfast. He'd been on rations for big breakfasts after he overdosed on them while we were in Darwin. Then it was time for retail therapy for me - they even have a Myer in Dubbo!! I was wondering if the kilometers I'd walked shopping would wear off the kilojoules I'd inhaled eating pancakes and strawberries at breakfast.
So with all of our gourmet and retail needs met with our visit to Dubbo, it is now time to pack up and head for Wagga Wagga. Our jumpers have been pulled out of the cupboards, and the thongs and shorts have been stowed away. We are officially on the way home.
We left Longreach and I can't say I was sorry to say goodbye to the town. It seemed that even the wildlife here had picked up the negative vibe, as part way along the road and an emu decided he'd wander out across the road, just because he could. Some clever braking from Kevin and we managed to avoid him as he casually trotted across the road and out of our way. The road is in pretty bad condition and there is heaps of road kill, so the crows are looking pretty fat!!
Come 9.30 and I was already hanging for a coffee, so I was on high alert for anything that vaguely resembled a decent coffee shop but wasn't having much luck. At this stage, I was pretty much getting over outback towns, chatty old people in caravan parks, and worst of all being classed as a 'grey nomad' when I think I've got some pretty good years in me still. One of us is still loving the outback experience, and the chatting for hours with random people he meets, but one of us is not relishing it quite as much!!
Along the road we stopped at a few random towns, some better than others. We stopped at Barcaldine for coffee, and found a really nice coffee at a very clean bakery. We were pleasantly surprised with Barcaldine, it was a very clean and tidy town. After Barcaldine, we turned onto another highway and started to head south.
There were heaps of emus on the road. We saw a dad emu and several chicks, but he wouldn't let us photograph them and took them into long grass to hide them. He was pretty clever actually. Lots of other random animals were about too. The wild pigs are ugly things, really rumpy looking and feral as!!
Our next overnighter was at Charleville. We arrived at our caravan park after traveling quite a few kilometers off the beaten track to get here. It was not what we were expecting and with no phone, no TV, and no Internet, can't say I was thrilled with the place. The couple who met us in reception were not filling us with a whole heap of confidence, and by the time I booked in, i was feeling like this was a very big mistake! We decided not to stay here two nights, so unpacked the van, then headed into town to give ourselves time to look around and decide what to do. In town, we booked into a town caravan park so we could stay in a reasonable park before heading in the direction of Bourke. By the time we headed back to where we'd left the van, it was pretty dark, and we had to dodge the huge kangaroos along the road. I was feeling an early night coming on!
The following morning Kevin took a farm tour. This was an experience i allowed him to enjoy alone. I forced myself to stay behind and sit in the sun. Then it was into town to stay at a caravan park closer to civilisation. The rest of our stay in Charleville consisted of a communal lamb spit roast at the caravan park and an observatory tour at night, which was a new experience. Who ever thought I'd be star gazing in the outback?
And so it was time to leave Charleville, and head to Bourke. We were on the road by 7.30 which was a record for us! The weather was pretty fresh -translation bloody freezing. But it was shaping up to be a pretty nice day. I was a bit nervous about what Bourke would bring, but decided to wait and see how I felt once I got there. What the town was like, was going to decide just how long we stayed there.
The trip to Bourke was fairly uneventful, which loosely translated means 'boring'. I did discover though that Kevin does a great impersonation of an emu, a talent he has managed to keep hidden from me for thirty odd years. There are so many emus on this road. Mind you emu impersonations shows what we've been reduced to on the road!!
And just when i thought it couldn't get any more BumbleF**k, we were now officially out the back of Bourke!! We arrived in Bourke and headed straight to the caravan park and got set up. We decided to take a paddle boat up the Darling River, which was OK. The town of Bourke though, was less than ordinary, and we understand now why we were warned not to stay right in the town. We did visit Heritage Centre before we left town though, and were surprised to read about those famous Australians that have links to the town.
The road home then took us towards Dubbo. The traveling was pretty hard though, as we had encountered a fair bit of turbulence on the road and this had played havoc with backs, necks and arms. The roads are pretty rough in general, and i must say my back is pleased that we are now on the home stretch!! Kevin did get very excited as we passed through Nyngen, as there is an Ag Expo on in the town, however it isn't on till Saturday and there was no way I was staying in Nyngen for another three days so he could go!! I did mention I was more than happy for him to go while I stayed in Dubbo, however AG Field Days in Nyngen were definitely not on my 'bucket list'!
We arrived in Dubbo and found the caravan park with very little fuss. After unpacking we headed into town to check out what might be there. We found the main city block and a shopping centre, but Kevin got a bit flustered with his driving in and around the shopping centre. He can drive all over Australia, but give him a shopping centre carpark, and he just doesn't cope!!
Our first day in Dubbo, and Kevin decided to go out for breakfast. He'd been on rations for big breakfasts after he overdosed on them while we were in Darwin. Then it was time for retail therapy for me - they even have a Myer in Dubbo!! I was wondering if the kilometers I'd walked shopping would wear off the kilojoules I'd inhaled eating pancakes and strawberries at breakfast.
So with all of our gourmet and retail needs met with our visit to Dubbo, it is now time to pack up and head for Wagga Wagga. Our jumpers have been pulled out of the cupboards, and the thongs and shorts have been stowed away. We are officially on the way home.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Banjo Patterson country
Last time I blogged, our buddies had all left, and it was time for us to hit the road again and make the slow trip back home. We stopped off at Katherine where we were going to do the gorge trip on a sunset cruise as a last thing before we started heading to the Queensland border. The gorge trip at sunset was certainly a highlight of the trip.
From the moment we stepped on the boat the magic began. Apparently the aboriginal people have taken over the tour company again, and the improvements since the tour we did years ago were marked. The walkways were all paved, there was water and seats available along the walk and the sunset cruise idea, well that was just magic!
The tour was more about the place than the wildlife, and as we'd already done heaps of wildlife tours, this was great for us. In comparison with the Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise, that cruise was just a meal on a boat, this was an experience!! The whole place was quite spiritual and we were just amazed at the beauty and how much more intense the colors, and light and shade were at this time of night. And then just when we thought it couldn't get any better, our guide turned the motor off in the boat and we just drifted in absolute silence for five minutes soaking in the spirit of the place in the middle of the river!!
The second part of the cruise returned us to the first gorge and we boarded the dinner boat which was all set up with clothed tables, beautiful dinner settings, champagne etc. If i wasn't already married, this would be the ultimate place to be proposed to! The music played gently in the background (it was the music of an aboriginal musician who plays the guitar upside down and was truly beautiful) and after we ate the most amazing three course meal, the floodlights were turned on and the whole gorge was lit as we slowly drifted back down the gorge. This was the best thing we have done so far and a lovely way to farewell the Northern Territory.
We made an early start the next morning and headed off towards Mataranka but decided not to stop and kept going till we came to Daly Waters Roadhouse, and then we kept going. We pulled over on the side of the road for lunch which we made in the back of the van. Then we headed for Elliot. We weren't sure whether to stay at Elliot, or try and make it to Renner Springs Roadhouse for an overnight stay there. We drove through Elliot and decided straight away i was not staying there. I'd rather camp on the side of the road. It was right up there with Roebourne which had been up till now the worst place ever. I managed to get Renner Springs on the phone and pre-booked a powered caravan site for the night, so we breathed a sigh of relief and travelled slowly there.
We arrived to a huge amount of caravans, so we were glad we had booked our site. It was pretty primitive, and there is no way I would have used the amenities. With no phone coverage, we called home from the phonebox, then after fighting off the mosquitos, and speaking over the sound of the road trains, we headed off to get an early night.
We got away early again the following morning, but not as early as we would have liked. We were heading to Barkly Homestead as we thought it was probably the only point in the road suitable to stay as we knew we wouldnt make it to Mt ISA in a day from here. We weren't sure what we would find there and guessed our night stay would be similar as the night stay we had last night- ordinary at best! We made a short stop at Three Ways Roadhouse for fuel, comfort, coffee (which was surprisingly a great coffee), and a Three Ways stubby holder for Kevin's growing collection, we then hit the road again heading for Barkly Homestead.
We arrived at Barkly and were pleasantly surprised. The guy at Renner Springs has told us it was pretty average, but in comparison to Renner Springs, it was a five star place. We got our pick of the sites, and if it wasn't for the noisy generator that kept Kevin awake, it would have been a perfect stop along the way to Mt ISA which was our next stop.
The next day, we made it to Mt ISA in fairly good time, but were starting to feel quite travel-weary so decided to stop here for a few days to catch our breath and have a look around. The caravan park was OK, so we figured we'd be fairly comfortable here. Mt ISA itself is not really that inspiring though, and would not be my hometown of choice!!
We've noticed the weather is beginning to change, and I've dragged out the little fan heater again, as the mornings are quite chilly compared to the beautiful 27 degree days. I don't mind so much though, as it means I'm sleeping much better of a night. I found Darwin just way too hot with no escape from the heat at night.
We got away fairly early the morning we left Mt ISA, Kevin was aiming for 7.30 and we did it by 7.45, so not too bad. First main town was Cloncurry, where we stopped for fuel,and coffee. We sustained a 'war wound' on the van getting in to the fuel station and the woman in the bakery was an absolute cow. We didn't rate Cloncurry very highly at all. Next stop was Winton and the only decent cafe in the street decided they would put a closed sign up at 2.30, so there was no opportunity for a coffee. We found a service station but only had one pump available, so found another. This one only took credit card as they had closed for the day -well it was 2.30 afterall.
We left Winton behind after having lunch on the side of the road just outside of the town. It was a long haul, but we eventually arrived at Longreach at 5pm. We were tired and crabby by this time - well one of us was tired, and the other was crabby anyway! So we grabbed a quick meal and decided to call it a day - it had been a very very long one.
Longreach provided us with a much needed sleep-in and catch up morning, and then as Longreach is the home of the Stockman's Hall of Fame, it was obligatory that I should accompany Kevin there for the day. It was pretty well done, but a day of it was an overload of heritage really!
From Longreach we are heading to Charleville, and probably Bourke, but Kevin is still deciding, and I'm just ready to head for home, so quite frankly I'm not to fussed which way he goes as long as it's south!
My next blog will be somewhere along the track on the way home from BumbleF......
From the moment we stepped on the boat the magic began. Apparently the aboriginal people have taken over the tour company again, and the improvements since the tour we did years ago were marked. The walkways were all paved, there was water and seats available along the walk and the sunset cruise idea, well that was just magic!
The tour was more about the place than the wildlife, and as we'd already done heaps of wildlife tours, this was great for us. In comparison with the Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise, that cruise was just a meal on a boat, this was an experience!! The whole place was quite spiritual and we were just amazed at the beauty and how much more intense the colors, and light and shade were at this time of night. And then just when we thought it couldn't get any better, our guide turned the motor off in the boat and we just drifted in absolute silence for five minutes soaking in the spirit of the place in the middle of the river!!
The second part of the cruise returned us to the first gorge and we boarded the dinner boat which was all set up with clothed tables, beautiful dinner settings, champagne etc. If i wasn't already married, this would be the ultimate place to be proposed to! The music played gently in the background (it was the music of an aboriginal musician who plays the guitar upside down and was truly beautiful) and after we ate the most amazing three course meal, the floodlights were turned on and the whole gorge was lit as we slowly drifted back down the gorge. This was the best thing we have done so far and a lovely way to farewell the Northern Territory.
We made an early start the next morning and headed off towards Mataranka but decided not to stop and kept going till we came to Daly Waters Roadhouse, and then we kept going. We pulled over on the side of the road for lunch which we made in the back of the van. Then we headed for Elliot. We weren't sure whether to stay at Elliot, or try and make it to Renner Springs Roadhouse for an overnight stay there. We drove through Elliot and decided straight away i was not staying there. I'd rather camp on the side of the road. It was right up there with Roebourne which had been up till now the worst place ever. I managed to get Renner Springs on the phone and pre-booked a powered caravan site for the night, so we breathed a sigh of relief and travelled slowly there.
We arrived to a huge amount of caravans, so we were glad we had booked our site. It was pretty primitive, and there is no way I would have used the amenities. With no phone coverage, we called home from the phonebox, then after fighting off the mosquitos, and speaking over the sound of the road trains, we headed off to get an early night.
We got away early again the following morning, but not as early as we would have liked. We were heading to Barkly Homestead as we thought it was probably the only point in the road suitable to stay as we knew we wouldnt make it to Mt ISA in a day from here. We weren't sure what we would find there and guessed our night stay would be similar as the night stay we had last night- ordinary at best! We made a short stop at Three Ways Roadhouse for fuel, comfort, coffee (which was surprisingly a great coffee), and a Three Ways stubby holder for Kevin's growing collection, we then hit the road again heading for Barkly Homestead.
We arrived at Barkly and were pleasantly surprised. The guy at Renner Springs has told us it was pretty average, but in comparison to Renner Springs, it was a five star place. We got our pick of the sites, and if it wasn't for the noisy generator that kept Kevin awake, it would have been a perfect stop along the way to Mt ISA which was our next stop.
The next day, we made it to Mt ISA in fairly good time, but were starting to feel quite travel-weary so decided to stop here for a few days to catch our breath and have a look around. The caravan park was OK, so we figured we'd be fairly comfortable here. Mt ISA itself is not really that inspiring though, and would not be my hometown of choice!!
We've noticed the weather is beginning to change, and I've dragged out the little fan heater again, as the mornings are quite chilly compared to the beautiful 27 degree days. I don't mind so much though, as it means I'm sleeping much better of a night. I found Darwin just way too hot with no escape from the heat at night.
We got away fairly early the morning we left Mt ISA, Kevin was aiming for 7.30 and we did it by 7.45, so not too bad. First main town was Cloncurry, where we stopped for fuel,and coffee. We sustained a 'war wound' on the van getting in to the fuel station and the woman in the bakery was an absolute cow. We didn't rate Cloncurry very highly at all. Next stop was Winton and the only decent cafe in the street decided they would put a closed sign up at 2.30, so there was no opportunity for a coffee. We found a service station but only had one pump available, so found another. This one only took credit card as they had closed for the day -well it was 2.30 afterall.
We left Winton behind after having lunch on the side of the road just outside of the town. It was a long haul, but we eventually arrived at Longreach at 5pm. We were tired and crabby by this time - well one of us was tired, and the other was crabby anyway! So we grabbed a quick meal and decided to call it a day - it had been a very very long one.
Longreach provided us with a much needed sleep-in and catch up morning, and then as Longreach is the home of the Stockman's Hall of Fame, it was obligatory that I should accompany Kevin there for the day. It was pretty well done, but a day of it was an overload of heritage really!
From Longreach we are heading to Charleville, and probably Bourke, but Kevin is still deciding, and I'm just ready to head for home, so quite frankly I'm not to fussed which way he goes as long as it's south!
My next blog will be somewhere along the track on the way home from BumbleF......
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Darwin fun and other stuff
It has been a long time since my last blog. We have been so busy in Darwin, that time has managed to get away from me - very poor time management skills, you can tell I've been away from the office for a while, I just can't think what I've done with my time: relaxing, eating, touring, socializing!!! So where do I start .........
The last blog ended before our tour into Litchfield, so I'll start with the trip to the National Park. We were up early to go for our trip with Eco Tours as the bus picked us up around 7.15. We headed straight out past Humpty Doo to Fogg Dam to check out the wildlife there. Everyone was quite impressed with the wildlife and a bit wary as we weren't allowed to walk on the dam due to rogue salt water crocs in the area.
Then it was off to the Adelaide River to see the crocodiles that they knew were there. I stayed downstairs on the boat and had an amazing view of the crocs throughout the glass, and managed some great shots from behind the safety of the bullet proof (and croc I hope) glass.
Then it was off to Bachelor for lunch before we went on to the waterfalls. The lunch was OK although there was a discussion had, that the fruit platter was actually a bowl of tinned peaches! From lunch it was on to the waterfalls. The first falls we came to we couldn't swim in, the Wangi Falls had not been checked for saltwater crocs, so it was off limits for swimming, so we were pretty happy to comply with the request not to swim. Then on to Tolmer Falls, and we didn't swim there either, it was simply a look and see. But we finally made it to Florence falls and after negotiating heaps of steps, we made it down to the water hole, where the boys and Maureen got in the water and had a swim - with about 100 other people!! Unfortunately, after their swim, we had to re-negotiate the steps to get back up to the bus.
The next stop was Buley Rockholes, which was a series of rock pools, and small waterfalls. I found me a hole and I sat in it - it was lovely! It was a bit like an open-air spa. Then it was back on the bus until we came to a roadhouse where we changed out of our bathers, and Bradley scored a beer, Maureen a wine and the rest of us a soft drink -yes no red wine for me, it was way too hot for that. We then headed back to the bus for the trip back to Darwin.
We arrived back at the park and decided after the day, that we weren't going to cook, so all but Jane loaded into the car and we went in to Darwin City to Shenanigans for dinner. We had a great meal, and enjoyed the atmosphere of down-town Darwin before we headed back to the caravan park. Then the atmosphere unfortunately deteriorated!! The Darwin Show had set up at the show grounds, which happened to be next door to the caravan park. And Side Show Alley happened to be set up alongside our fence!! And it was this night they decided to give the rides a run. I knew straight away we were in for great treat over the next few days - not!!
And what a treat we had!! For the next week we had sideshow alley running from 10am till 11pm, we had an influx of 'carnies' in the park who managed to completely trash the amenities, cause havoc after dark, and generally ensure that our stay at Shady Glen Caravan Park was one we will never forget!! We were fortunate however that when the fireworks went off on the Saturday night we did actually have a ring-side seat from the other side of the wire fence -and they did manage not to burn anything down so that was also a bonus! We were a bit annoyed that we hadn't been warned when we booked the park site two months ahead, that the Show would be on, it would be next door, that sideshow alley would be against the fence and that the show 'carnies' would be moving into the park in droves. There was of course no refunds if we left early and no discounts, and therefore, you can find my review of our stay at the caravan park online at Trip Advisor for all to read!!
Our stay in Darwin wasn't all bad though. We had several great trips to Mindil Market, we visited the waterfront area of Darwin several times, we ate at some wonderful restaurants and had a great time with our family and friends who'd come all the way to Darwin to meet us. Thanks Jane, Maureen, Bradley and Janine for making our Darwin leg of our journey so good. We had some great laughs, and couldn't have wished for better (and funnier Brad) company. I could write a book about the escapades of Bradley, but that's another story (and yes Brad i have recorded it in my trip notes).
Once our buddies had all left, it was time for us to hit the road again and make the slow trip back home. We were really missing home now, and our girls and family, and one very special little man. So it was off to Katherine where we were going to do the gorge trip on a sunset cruise as a last thing before we started heading to the Queensland border, as we are traveling via Longreach to come home. So Katherine and beyond will be my next blog........
The last blog ended before our tour into Litchfield, so I'll start with the trip to the National Park. We were up early to go for our trip with Eco Tours as the bus picked us up around 7.15. We headed straight out past Humpty Doo to Fogg Dam to check out the wildlife there. Everyone was quite impressed with the wildlife and a bit wary as we weren't allowed to walk on the dam due to rogue salt water crocs in the area.
Then it was off to the Adelaide River to see the crocodiles that they knew were there. I stayed downstairs on the boat and had an amazing view of the crocs throughout the glass, and managed some great shots from behind the safety of the bullet proof (and croc I hope) glass.
Then it was off to Bachelor for lunch before we went on to the waterfalls. The lunch was OK although there was a discussion had, that the fruit platter was actually a bowl of tinned peaches! From lunch it was on to the waterfalls. The first falls we came to we couldn't swim in, the Wangi Falls had not been checked for saltwater crocs, so it was off limits for swimming, so we were pretty happy to comply with the request not to swim. Then on to Tolmer Falls, and we didn't swim there either, it was simply a look and see. But we finally made it to Florence falls and after negotiating heaps of steps, we made it down to the water hole, where the boys and Maureen got in the water and had a swim - with about 100 other people!! Unfortunately, after their swim, we had to re-negotiate the steps to get back up to the bus.
The next stop was Buley Rockholes, which was a series of rock pools, and small waterfalls. I found me a hole and I sat in it - it was lovely! It was a bit like an open-air spa. Then it was back on the bus until we came to a roadhouse where we changed out of our bathers, and Bradley scored a beer, Maureen a wine and the rest of us a soft drink -yes no red wine for me, it was way too hot for that. We then headed back to the bus for the trip back to Darwin.
We arrived back at the park and decided after the day, that we weren't going to cook, so all but Jane loaded into the car and we went in to Darwin City to Shenanigans for dinner. We had a great meal, and enjoyed the atmosphere of down-town Darwin before we headed back to the caravan park. Then the atmosphere unfortunately deteriorated!! The Darwin Show had set up at the show grounds, which happened to be next door to the caravan park. And Side Show Alley happened to be set up alongside our fence!! And it was this night they decided to give the rides a run. I knew straight away we were in for great treat over the next few days - not!!
And what a treat we had!! For the next week we had sideshow alley running from 10am till 11pm, we had an influx of 'carnies' in the park who managed to completely trash the amenities, cause havoc after dark, and generally ensure that our stay at Shady Glen Caravan Park was one we will never forget!! We were fortunate however that when the fireworks went off on the Saturday night we did actually have a ring-side seat from the other side of the wire fence -and they did manage not to burn anything down so that was also a bonus! We were a bit annoyed that we hadn't been warned when we booked the park site two months ahead, that the Show would be on, it would be next door, that sideshow alley would be against the fence and that the show 'carnies' would be moving into the park in droves. There was of course no refunds if we left early and no discounts, and therefore, you can find my review of our stay at the caravan park online at Trip Advisor for all to read!!
Our stay in Darwin wasn't all bad though. We had several great trips to Mindil Market, we visited the waterfront area of Darwin several times, we ate at some wonderful restaurants and had a great time with our family and friends who'd come all the way to Darwin to meet us. Thanks Jane, Maureen, Bradley and Janine for making our Darwin leg of our journey so good. We had some great laughs, and couldn't have wished for better (and funnier Brad) company. I could write a book about the escapades of Bradley, but that's another story (and yes Brad i have recorded it in my trip notes).
Once our buddies had all left, it was time for us to hit the road again and make the slow trip back home. We were really missing home now, and our girls and family, and one very special little man. So it was off to Katherine where we were going to do the gorge trip on a sunset cruise as a last thing before we started heading to the Queensland border, as we are traveling via Longreach to come home. So Katherine and beyond will be my next blog........
Monday, 18 July 2011
Fun in Darwin
We arrived in Darwin three days ahead of schedule, and the caravan parks were so full, we had to take the last site we could get in the Free Spirit Park on the outskirts of Darwin. It was OK, but only just. Our neighbor on one side was the ablutions block and garbage bins, so the smell drifting in our window of a night was a pleasant mix of various types of waste!! That mixed with humid sticky heat, made for an interesting stay. The green tree frogs had taken up residence in the toilet, and various types of mould had taken up residence in the showers, so our ensuite in the van proved to be an absolute lifesaver.
I was in desperate need of some civilisation, so we aimed ourselves in the direction of Casaurina Shopping Center for some serious retail therapy. Kevin was not as keen for therapy as I was, but he decided to come along for the ride. With the iPad assistance, we found the shopping centre without much hassle. We spent the next few hours wandering around, drinking coffee etc. For someone who was just along for the ride, Kevin was able to find quite a few things that made it into our shopping bags for the trip home!!
We left Casaurina, and Kevin suggested a trip into the city - my goodness, what had happened to him!! Anyway we headed towards Darwin City. We had a 'moment' over which carpark to park in, but we managed to recover from that and then spent some time wandering the streets, till we decided we'd really had enough of shopping (it was way too hot) and we turned the car towards the caravan park. Kevin spent the next hour flat out on the bed snoring, while I caught up with boring stuff - I liked Kevin's choice of activity better!!
We filled in the next few days running around Darwin getting stuff done that had been on hold until we were somewhere near civilisation, and then it was time for our visitors from home to arrive. I was pretty excited as we'd been on the road for two months with just each other for company - don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed that company, but it was time to expand our conversation pool for a while, and our buddies had arranged to be in Darwin when we were here so we could have some fun before we started back home.
The plane arrived about 20 minutes late, but we were pretty happy to wait a few extra minutes for the fun to start. Brad and Janine, and Jane and Maureen arrived pretty hot and removing layers as they had come straight from a very cold Tasmania to 30 degrees. So once in the Caravan Park, we all headed to the girls cabin for a few celebratory beverages, and that's when the first disaster happened!! Do you know how quickly a man and a chair can fall backwards from a balcony? Pretty quickly!! Brad moved his chair to get a photo with Kevin, and the leg went off the edge of the balcony, and Brad, his chair, and the glass top table all went off the edge backwards. Brad landed on his back on top of two very large, very sharp rocks!! We couldn't believe it - he was so lucky even though he was hurt, it could have been so much worse!! And he was stone cold sober! So after the balcony incident, the party folded and everyone headed for their beds.
After their night's sleep our travelers were all rested and we had decided to visit the Casino for the BIG Breakfast. Kevin had been waiting for this and was very very excited at the prospect of the buffet breakfast. We had to have seats outside, as the visiting Tasmanians wanted to soak up the sun. The rest of the day was filled with Parap Market, a barbecue tea, and a return to the Casino to watch St Kilda play on the big screen.
Over the next few days, we did various markets, went souvenir shopping, visited the city, did Mindil Beach at sunset, paddled in the man-made beach, checked out the wave pool and the waterfront district, ate ice-cream, drank coffee, walked the streets, sailed on the harbour, and generally had a fun time. Tomorrow we plan to have a bit of a rest from all our recreation, and get ready for a big trip on Thursday out to Litchfield National Park. That will be my next blog .....
I was in desperate need of some civilisation, so we aimed ourselves in the direction of Casaurina Shopping Center for some serious retail therapy. Kevin was not as keen for therapy as I was, but he decided to come along for the ride. With the iPad assistance, we found the shopping centre without much hassle. We spent the next few hours wandering around, drinking coffee etc. For someone who was just along for the ride, Kevin was able to find quite a few things that made it into our shopping bags for the trip home!!
We left Casaurina, and Kevin suggested a trip into the city - my goodness, what had happened to him!! Anyway we headed towards Darwin City. We had a 'moment' over which carpark to park in, but we managed to recover from that and then spent some time wandering the streets, till we decided we'd really had enough of shopping (it was way too hot) and we turned the car towards the caravan park. Kevin spent the next hour flat out on the bed snoring, while I caught up with boring stuff - I liked Kevin's choice of activity better!!
We filled in the next few days running around Darwin getting stuff done that had been on hold until we were somewhere near civilisation, and then it was time for our visitors from home to arrive. I was pretty excited as we'd been on the road for two months with just each other for company - don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed that company, but it was time to expand our conversation pool for a while, and our buddies had arranged to be in Darwin when we were here so we could have some fun before we started back home.
The plane arrived about 20 minutes late, but we were pretty happy to wait a few extra minutes for the fun to start. Brad and Janine, and Jane and Maureen arrived pretty hot and removing layers as they had come straight from a very cold Tasmania to 30 degrees. So once in the Caravan Park, we all headed to the girls cabin for a few celebratory beverages, and that's when the first disaster happened!! Do you know how quickly a man and a chair can fall backwards from a balcony? Pretty quickly!! Brad moved his chair to get a photo with Kevin, and the leg went off the edge of the balcony, and Brad, his chair, and the glass top table all went off the edge backwards. Brad landed on his back on top of two very large, very sharp rocks!! We couldn't believe it - he was so lucky even though he was hurt, it could have been so much worse!! And he was stone cold sober! So after the balcony incident, the party folded and everyone headed for their beds.
After their night's sleep our travelers were all rested and we had decided to visit the Casino for the BIG Breakfast. Kevin had been waiting for this and was very very excited at the prospect of the buffet breakfast. We had to have seats outside, as the visiting Tasmanians wanted to soak up the sun. The rest of the day was filled with Parap Market, a barbecue tea, and a return to the Casino to watch St Kilda play on the big screen.
Over the next few days, we did various markets, went souvenir shopping, visited the city, did Mindil Beach at sunset, paddled in the man-made beach, checked out the wave pool and the waterfront district, ate ice-cream, drank coffee, walked the streets, sailed on the harbour, and generally had a fun time. Tomorrow we plan to have a bit of a rest from all our recreation, and get ready for a big trip on Thursday out to Litchfield National Park. That will be my next blog .....
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Playing in Kakadu National Park
Today we leave Kakadu National Park and head to Darwin, so today I pick out all the juicy stuff from our time here in Kakadu to blog about.
Our first stop on the road to Kakadu was at the Mary River Roadhouse to buy the National Park Passes that we need for traveling in the Park over the next week. The outside toilets were a real treat!! And then I discovered some pleasant alternatives inside - too late to save me from the outside experience unfortunately.
One thing I have noticed is the amount of snakes we've been seeing. I've seen more snakes on the road to Kakadu than I have seen my whole life living in Tasmania. I'm starting to feel just a little concerned about walking around some of these bush tracks out here, and have given Kevin a bit of a talk about being wary of snakes while he's out tramping about on the bush as he does!!
So we arrived at Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park and I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly they allowed us to pick our own site, and we managed to get a great site with heaps of shade - however Kevin did do several laps of the park before he decided on the very best spot!! The pool was great, and the bistro area serves great meals, so I think I might enjoy it here. The comment about keeping our shoes inside as the dingoes that visit at night have taken a liking to them was just a bit off-putting though!!
We checked out the Jabiru township which took about 5 minutes, and then headed out to the interpretive centre to get our bearings and see what we should go and check out while we are here. Then exhausted from all that effort, we came back to the caravan park, and Kevin forced himself to have a swim in the pool, while I filled in my time with a red wine and some phone calls back home. Tomorrow we planned to check out some of the sights and sort out what cruise and which cultural tour we should take - or maybe we'd just relax (life's tough when your on holiday)!!
Day two in Kakadu started with boring stuff like washing sheets and generally cleaning up.
Today is quite windy here, and I'm hoping the washing doesnt takeoff on me while we are away soaking up the culture!! So once the housework stuff was done, we travelled out to the cultural area to view the aboriginal people rock art paintings which included walking to the top of a lookout, where I had the strangest feeling I'd been there before. I then discovered that the Crocodile Dundee movies were filmed from this very spot - and here I was feeling there was some deep spiritual feeling I was experiencing among all this culture!!
After the walk, we then headed off to the crossing on the East Alligator River between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, called Cahills Crossing, to watch the tide turn and check out the crocodiles who wait at the crossing with mouths open in the hope that they score an easy fish! We spent the next hour watching a big old croc lurking in the water, watching adventurous (stupid) drivers attempting the crossing on the turn of the tide, and watching the barrumundi fishermen getting way to close for comfort to the reptiles in the river!!
We decided after the long day, we'd eat out. Kevin expended more energy with a swim, and I expended mine just watching him. Then we treated ourselves to dinner at the Bistro. Beautiful meals, but very very big - we didn't need the extra wedges that Kein had ordered!!
Day three in Kakadu. We started our day early, as with the heat, we're not sleeping well so early starts are easy. We headed out to take a boat trip on the East Alligator River. Our tour guide was an aborigine guide called Terry, who was really great. We saw heaps of saltwater crocodiles - it was a little disconcerting when he started the tour with a safety talk that included not resting any body parts on the side of the boat or anywhere near the water. And what is it about providing us with life jackets on these boat trips? Who cares about drowning while you're being eaten??
The cruise was on the East Alligator River, which divides Kakadu National Park from Arnhem Land, allowed us to enter Arnhem Land - you have to get permission from the traditional owners. Terry then showed us how to throw spears and what they were used for. We also learned a bit about tribal justice and how traditionally they deal with those that break tribal laws - it was pretty interesting stuff.
On our return to the Caravan Park, we detoured and checked out the Uranium Mine out here at Jabiru. It was really awful to see it all happening in such an amazing place. The pit was huge and the piles of waste were mountain-high!!
By the time we reached home, Kevin was still hot, so we visited the pool, so he could cool down! Then he decided he couldn't be bothered cooking, so we settled in beside the pool with wine, a fancy chicken dish and music playing in the background. I wasn't sure at this point how I would ever return to my normal life!
Day three meant an early early start. I don't call a 4.30 start to the day much fun, but the fact that I was already awake at 3.30AM probably didn't help my mood at the beginning of the day. Anyway a quick shower helped to wake us up and before too long we hit the road to be at Cooinda Resort 50 Ks away to catch the boat for a Yellow River Boat trip.
After our arrival and checkin for the cruise, we sat on the boat in the dark for ten minutes contemplating just how many crocs there would be lurking just under us smelling their breakfast! But before they managed to eat any of us (although the million and twenty Mosquitos had had a fair go) it was time to hit the water! So just on sunrise we headed out, and two hours and a hundred photos later we'd had a great trip! We saw birds, crocodiles, amazing waterlillies, wetlands and more crocs!!
Then it was back to shore and back to the lineup to catch the shuttle bus back to the lodge for the big breakfast that was included -Kevin had been hanging out for this! We ended up being in the last load for the bus and the threat of missing out on crispy bacon was almost too much for Kevin to bear! But we made it, and there was bacon to spare, so disaster was averted!!
From breakfast, we moved on to the aboriginal cultural centre, and then to Jim Jim Billabong, but we couldn't get through the water that was blocking the track, so after attempting the first water crossing we decided to give the idea up. Kevin then had a great idea that we should climb a kilometer and go to the top of Cahills Lookout! Personally I felt it wasn't one of his greatest ideas, especially when I was half way up and just about dying on the track!! I did make it to the top however and was proud of my achievement, although I could have managed without the experience. Day four was to be a rest day for me while Kevin went trekking in the bush. I must say after the climb to the lookout I was more than happy for him to go off walking without me!
So day four arrived and my relax day. Kevin had organized to go walking in the wilds, and I had organized to do absolutely nothing!! Bliss!! So after packing the old boy off I'd decided to take it easy -to take it very easy in fact. Washing done, ironing done, groceries done, caravan cleaned, booked in to the next caravan park in Darwin and generally just sat about. Good for the soul and not very productive, but I felt quite relaxed at the end of it. Kevin returned about 3 and had had a great day walking in the heat (not sure how he could have but each to his own)
So our Kakadu experience was just about over. Now it's on to Darwin and on to the next adventure. I must say the civilisation is looking pretty good to me at the moment. There's only so much of the 'wild' a girl can take. I think I need a manicure, a pedicure, a massage, and some serious retail therapy to recover ....... But that's my next blog!!!
Our first stop on the road to Kakadu was at the Mary River Roadhouse to buy the National Park Passes that we need for traveling in the Park over the next week. The outside toilets were a real treat!! And then I discovered some pleasant alternatives inside - too late to save me from the outside experience unfortunately.
One thing I have noticed is the amount of snakes we've been seeing. I've seen more snakes on the road to Kakadu than I have seen my whole life living in Tasmania. I'm starting to feel just a little concerned about walking around some of these bush tracks out here, and have given Kevin a bit of a talk about being wary of snakes while he's out tramping about on the bush as he does!!
So we arrived at Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park and I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly they allowed us to pick our own site, and we managed to get a great site with heaps of shade - however Kevin did do several laps of the park before he decided on the very best spot!! The pool was great, and the bistro area serves great meals, so I think I might enjoy it here. The comment about keeping our shoes inside as the dingoes that visit at night have taken a liking to them was just a bit off-putting though!!
We checked out the Jabiru township which took about 5 minutes, and then headed out to the interpretive centre to get our bearings and see what we should go and check out while we are here. Then exhausted from all that effort, we came back to the caravan park, and Kevin forced himself to have a swim in the pool, while I filled in my time with a red wine and some phone calls back home. Tomorrow we planned to check out some of the sights and sort out what cruise and which cultural tour we should take - or maybe we'd just relax (life's tough when your on holiday)!!
Day two in Kakadu started with boring stuff like washing sheets and generally cleaning up.
Today is quite windy here, and I'm hoping the washing doesnt takeoff on me while we are away soaking up the culture!! So once the housework stuff was done, we travelled out to the cultural area to view the aboriginal people rock art paintings which included walking to the top of a lookout, where I had the strangest feeling I'd been there before. I then discovered that the Crocodile Dundee movies were filmed from this very spot - and here I was feeling there was some deep spiritual feeling I was experiencing among all this culture!!
After the walk, we then headed off to the crossing on the East Alligator River between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, called Cahills Crossing, to watch the tide turn and check out the crocodiles who wait at the crossing with mouths open in the hope that they score an easy fish! We spent the next hour watching a big old croc lurking in the water, watching adventurous (stupid) drivers attempting the crossing on the turn of the tide, and watching the barrumundi fishermen getting way to close for comfort to the reptiles in the river!!
We decided after the long day, we'd eat out. Kevin expended more energy with a swim, and I expended mine just watching him. Then we treated ourselves to dinner at the Bistro. Beautiful meals, but very very big - we didn't need the extra wedges that Kein had ordered!!
Day three in Kakadu. We started our day early, as with the heat, we're not sleeping well so early starts are easy. We headed out to take a boat trip on the East Alligator River. Our tour guide was an aborigine guide called Terry, who was really great. We saw heaps of saltwater crocodiles - it was a little disconcerting when he started the tour with a safety talk that included not resting any body parts on the side of the boat or anywhere near the water. And what is it about providing us with life jackets on these boat trips? Who cares about drowning while you're being eaten??
The cruise was on the East Alligator River, which divides Kakadu National Park from Arnhem Land, allowed us to enter Arnhem Land - you have to get permission from the traditional owners. Terry then showed us how to throw spears and what they were used for. We also learned a bit about tribal justice and how traditionally they deal with those that break tribal laws - it was pretty interesting stuff.
On our return to the Caravan Park, we detoured and checked out the Uranium Mine out here at Jabiru. It was really awful to see it all happening in such an amazing place. The pit was huge and the piles of waste were mountain-high!!
By the time we reached home, Kevin was still hot, so we visited the pool, so he could cool down! Then he decided he couldn't be bothered cooking, so we settled in beside the pool with wine, a fancy chicken dish and music playing in the background. I wasn't sure at this point how I would ever return to my normal life!
Day three meant an early early start. I don't call a 4.30 start to the day much fun, but the fact that I was already awake at 3.30AM probably didn't help my mood at the beginning of the day. Anyway a quick shower helped to wake us up and before too long we hit the road to be at Cooinda Resort 50 Ks away to catch the boat for a Yellow River Boat trip.
After our arrival and checkin for the cruise, we sat on the boat in the dark for ten minutes contemplating just how many crocs there would be lurking just under us smelling their breakfast! But before they managed to eat any of us (although the million and twenty Mosquitos had had a fair go) it was time to hit the water! So just on sunrise we headed out, and two hours and a hundred photos later we'd had a great trip! We saw birds, crocodiles, amazing waterlillies, wetlands and more crocs!!
Then it was back to shore and back to the lineup to catch the shuttle bus back to the lodge for the big breakfast that was included -Kevin had been hanging out for this! We ended up being in the last load for the bus and the threat of missing out on crispy bacon was almost too much for Kevin to bear! But we made it, and there was bacon to spare, so disaster was averted!!
From breakfast, we moved on to the aboriginal cultural centre, and then to Jim Jim Billabong, but we couldn't get through the water that was blocking the track, so after attempting the first water crossing we decided to give the idea up. Kevin then had a great idea that we should climb a kilometer and go to the top of Cahills Lookout! Personally I felt it wasn't one of his greatest ideas, especially when I was half way up and just about dying on the track!! I did make it to the top however and was proud of my achievement, although I could have managed without the experience. Day four was to be a rest day for me while Kevin went trekking in the bush. I must say after the climb to the lookout I was more than happy for him to go off walking without me!
So day four arrived and my relax day. Kevin had organized to go walking in the wilds, and I had organized to do absolutely nothing!! Bliss!! So after packing the old boy off I'd decided to take it easy -to take it very easy in fact. Washing done, ironing done, groceries done, caravan cleaned, booked in to the next caravan park in Darwin and generally just sat about. Good for the soul and not very productive, but I felt quite relaxed at the end of it. Kevin returned about 3 and had had a great day walking in the heat (not sure how he could have but each to his own)
So our Kakadu experience was just about over. Now it's on to Darwin and on to the next adventure. I must say the civilisation is looking pretty good to me at the moment. There's only so much of the 'wild' a girl can take. I think I need a manicure, a pedicure, a massage, and some serious retail therapy to recover ....... But that's my next blog!!!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Onwards to Katherine .. We hit the Northern Territory
It was time to hit the road again, as we were leaving Kununurra behind and heading towards the Northern Territory border. After a robust discussion and slight confusion (on Kevins part) over which way the clocks should be turned, we agreed that the clock should go forward and we would lose an hour and a half as we slowly made our way back to the east coast of Australia, (and slowly left BumbleF**k behind us -maybe)!
The distance to Katherine was too far to make before the caravan park reception closed, (as we lost an hour and a half), so we decided to stop at the Victoria River Roadhouse for the night. We'd heard it was a pretty place and worth the stop. Well it was a pretty place, but I probably would have just stopped for a 'look' rather than a 'night' if I had known what the Caravan Park was like.
Victoria River scenery was pretty spectacular with huge gorges, a very inviting river -except of course for the crocodiles that live in it - and the contrast of the Northern Territory colours. I was tempted to take a helicopter ride over the National Park, and the helicopter pilot was cute enough to nearly make me forget that I don't like flying in anything under a 100 seats, but commonsense prevailed, and I gave the flight a miss! We found out later it was only $50 so we were kicking ourselves we didn't go!
We filled the afternoon in chatting to travellers at the Roadhouse, and also took a short walk to the river for a photo, but the 33 degree heat was a bit much for me, so I headed back to the van. Several glasses of water, an icecream and two panadol later and I was feeling heaps better.
So after our overnight stop we headed off to Katherine. I'd like to say we left Victoria River Roadhouse bright and early as scheduled, however, Kevin does love to talk -and that's all I'll say on the matter! So a little later than planned we hit the road and headed for Katherine. One night with no 3G coverage in fairly basic camping situation was enough for me. The showers were a breeding ground for who knows what, and with no water pressure to have a shower in the van, I was hanging out for a decent shower in Katherine!
We arrived at the park, which was a pleasant surprise after the very ordinary arrangement at Victoria River. We even managed to find a decent place in Katherine to get coffee -so now I'm feeling more human again!!
Our first night at the caravan park and we were surprised to hear music from the bistro area, so we made our way over for a look and once closer we were treated to some lovely 'yeehaa' music. So with red wine in hand, I settled in for the next half an hour and listened to the dulcet tones of some very very old music!! Kevin wouldn't dance with me though which was more than a little disappointing.
Our second day in Katherine and we discovered the Thermal Pools. We spent an hour floating about and generally relaxing in the water that is a constant 32 degrees. Of course there were other tourists there doing the same thing, and so of course our stay there was lengthened because Kevin struck up conversation. Still it was a pleasant way to pass the afternoon, and I really didn't mind listening to an old lady's life story while Kevin chatted happily to her husband!!
Our last day in Katherine we started the day around 7, with me heading to the showers and Kevin heading off for a walk to deal with his muffin top! We planned to head off early to go to Edith Falls, however our neighbor came across for a chat, and the rest is history!! An hour later, we headed off. Kevins good work was undone with the coffee and biscuits we had in Katherine before we left for the falls.
The day at the falls was pretty good. It was very very hot, and I completely squibbed out on the 2.6 kilometer walk to the top falls, so Kevin had to be content with the bottom falls. The water was pretty inviting, but the temperature, and the fact that there were reptile eyes watching us, ensured I didn't go for a swim! Kevin braved it though and had a wonderful time. I was happy to be the resident photographer.
Tomorrow we head off for Jabiru in Kakadu National Park, and I doubt there will be much swimming, as the salt water crocodiles live there, and they don't love sharing their water!! I'll blog more about our Kakadu adventures next time .......
The distance to Katherine was too far to make before the caravan park reception closed, (as we lost an hour and a half), so we decided to stop at the Victoria River Roadhouse for the night. We'd heard it was a pretty place and worth the stop. Well it was a pretty place, but I probably would have just stopped for a 'look' rather than a 'night' if I had known what the Caravan Park was like.
Victoria River scenery was pretty spectacular with huge gorges, a very inviting river -except of course for the crocodiles that live in it - and the contrast of the Northern Territory colours. I was tempted to take a helicopter ride over the National Park, and the helicopter pilot was cute enough to nearly make me forget that I don't like flying in anything under a 100 seats, but commonsense prevailed, and I gave the flight a miss! We found out later it was only $50 so we were kicking ourselves we didn't go!
We filled the afternoon in chatting to travellers at the Roadhouse, and also took a short walk to the river for a photo, but the 33 degree heat was a bit much for me, so I headed back to the van. Several glasses of water, an icecream and two panadol later and I was feeling heaps better.
So after our overnight stop we headed off to Katherine. I'd like to say we left Victoria River Roadhouse bright and early as scheduled, however, Kevin does love to talk -and that's all I'll say on the matter! So a little later than planned we hit the road and headed for Katherine. One night with no 3G coverage in fairly basic camping situation was enough for me. The showers were a breeding ground for who knows what, and with no water pressure to have a shower in the van, I was hanging out for a decent shower in Katherine!
We arrived at the park, which was a pleasant surprise after the very ordinary arrangement at Victoria River. We even managed to find a decent place in Katherine to get coffee -so now I'm feeling more human again!!
Our first night at the caravan park and we were surprised to hear music from the bistro area, so we made our way over for a look and once closer we were treated to some lovely 'yeehaa' music. So with red wine in hand, I settled in for the next half an hour and listened to the dulcet tones of some very very old music!! Kevin wouldn't dance with me though which was more than a little disappointing.
Our second day in Katherine and we discovered the Thermal Pools. We spent an hour floating about and generally relaxing in the water that is a constant 32 degrees. Of course there were other tourists there doing the same thing, and so of course our stay there was lengthened because Kevin struck up conversation. Still it was a pleasant way to pass the afternoon, and I really didn't mind listening to an old lady's life story while Kevin chatted happily to her husband!!
Our last day in Katherine we started the day around 7, with me heading to the showers and Kevin heading off for a walk to deal with his muffin top! We planned to head off early to go to Edith Falls, however our neighbor came across for a chat, and the rest is history!! An hour later, we headed off. Kevins good work was undone with the coffee and biscuits we had in Katherine before we left for the falls.
The day at the falls was pretty good. It was very very hot, and I completely squibbed out on the 2.6 kilometer walk to the top falls, so Kevin had to be content with the bottom falls. The water was pretty inviting, but the temperature, and the fact that there were reptile eyes watching us, ensured I didn't go for a swim! Kevin braved it though and had a wonderful time. I was happy to be the resident photographer.
Tomorrow we head off for Jabiru in Kakadu National Park, and I doubt there will be much swimming, as the salt water crocodiles live there, and they don't love sharing their water!! I'll blog more about our Kakadu adventures next time .......
Friday, 1 July 2011
It's all about Kununurra
It's time to blog again, and its all about Kununurra. We've spent the last few days doing and seeing all there is to do and see around Kununurra.
My first morning here started with a very cute, small lizard staring at me from beside the taps on the sink in the amenities block. The wildlife in the toilets is just another gentle reminder that I am actually in the wilds of BumbleF**k should I momentarily forget.
Our sight-seeing took us to the lookout above the town, and then out to Zebra Rock Gallery to check out the weird zebra looking rocks that are found in the area. Kevin bought a toothpick holder as a memento- not sure how useful that will be but it's sort of cute in a rockish kind of way!!
By 8.30 on our first night, and Kevin was snoring his head off in bed as per normal. The early mornings we put in mean we tend to go to bed pretty early. His excuse for early snoring was of course that the next day we were heading out for a cruise on Lake Argyle and a boat trip on the Ord River, and he needed to be rested for that.
Our trip to Lake Argyle and the Ord River meant an early start which was a bit of a killer, but once over that hurdle, it proved to be a great day. We headed off in the bus to the Lake and then from the bus onto a boat to take us for a two hour cruise. We had morning tea on board, and then after touring around for a few hours, taking at least 80 photographs, listening to a running commentary and generally just relaxing, we motored back to Lake Argyle Resort for lunch.
Lunch was without doubt the worst meal we had eaten the whole time we've been away! We waited for half an hour and then with only ten minutes left before we needed to get back on the bus, lunch arrived. Now whether it was because I'd asked how much longer our meal was, or whether they are just generally crap at hospitality and meals in general, but when the meal finally arrived it was almost inedible. Kevin's chicken was about 2 cm square, completely overcooked , very dark brown and crunchy!! So with lunch sitting in our stomachs like a brick, it was back on the bus and down to the water for the next part of the trip - a four hour cruise on the Ord River back to Kununurra.
The Ord River was amazing. The scenery was stunning and the eye candy who was commentating this part of the journey wasnt bad either, although I think he may have been just a tad young to be entirely appropriate. We had a great time, and spent the next four hours taking photos and soaking up the scenery (both in and out of the boat). It was a great tour and an amazing day
Day three in Kununurra and Kevin was up bright and early ready for a trip over the Bungles in a small plane. I wasn't going with him, as the plane was small and I felt the risk of not surviving was way too great! With Kevin packed off in the bus to take him to the plane, I headed into kununurra township to see what I could find. I decided on a pampering at the Kimberley Hair and Beauty. In hindsight it would have been safer on the plane!
I should have been wary when the girl was asking the manager (who looked extremely young) what colour to mix up. And I should have perhaps left when she mentioned that it may go purple. But I didn't, and I payed the price! Purple is definitely not my colour, and they tell me that it should wash out in a few washes! The cut, also a disaster may mean I wear a hat for the next two weeks until the botched job actually resumes a normal colour and grows at least two more centimetres. Kevin is very diplomatic, but he definitely does not love the Kununurra 'cut and colour'. In fact I think from now on a botched hair job will become officially known as a 'Kimberleys Cut and Colour'!!
Day four and Kevin was excited. This was the day he had booked to do a farm tour! I wasn't excited and I wasn't going with him. I'd decided to drop him off at 8.15 and come back and get him. I'd found an art gallery and I planned to go and check it out.
I dropped Kevin at the Hoochery - a place were they make rum and I headed off into town to find the art gallery. The gallery was closed as it was still only 8.45 so I headed to find a coffee shop to fill in some time. A coffee later, and I headed back to the gallery which was now open. I was absolutely amazed at such a cosmopolitan gallery in such an outback place, but there it was.
From the art gallery I moved on to the SandleWood gallery where I whiled the time away testing samples, smelling the products and watching a DVD about the production process. Half an hour later, and smelling much prettier than before, I headed back to the Hoochery to collect the farm traveller who i presumed would by now be much more informed about the Ord River irrigation scheme, the local cropping processes and all things agricultural around Kununurra.
Day five in Kununurra and the plan was to head to Wyndham. We spent the morning just chilling (well not really chilling because it was 25 degrees at 9am) but we thought we'd better make an effort, and get ourselves out of our deck chairs and on the road.
Our first stop on the road was the Grotto. A waterhole in the middle of a chasm. It was spectacular, even though the steps to get down there risked life and limb. Once down, the Grotto was like a mystical place out of a fantasy story. I could have spent hours there drawing!! Our visit to the Grotto was also shared by a big old lizard who had a fish hook caught in his mouth. It was a bit sad, and Kevin tried to help him, but he wasn't keen to be helped!
From the Grotto we moved on to Parry Lagoon and the Marglu Billabong. It was a birdlife Sanctuary, with a hide built out over the billabong. We sat and watched a crocodile checking out the possibilities for lunch. Then on to Wyndham.
The best things about Wyndham were the Barra and Chips, and the Five Rivers Lookout which was pretty spectacular viewing. So, after Kevin had finished speaking to everyone at the lookout, we headed for our last photo stop at the giant crocodile, before turning the car towards Kununurra and home (the caravan). It was really hot, but also unseasonably cloudy, which is probably just as well as any more degrees and I don't think I'd cope!!
Tomorrow will be day six. We are planning on doing the Kununurra markets, and then the afternoon preparing to say goodbye to Kununurra as we head towards the Northern Territory. But that's another story for the next blog........
My first morning here started with a very cute, small lizard staring at me from beside the taps on the sink in the amenities block. The wildlife in the toilets is just another gentle reminder that I am actually in the wilds of BumbleF**k should I momentarily forget.
Our sight-seeing took us to the lookout above the town, and then out to Zebra Rock Gallery to check out the weird zebra looking rocks that are found in the area. Kevin bought a toothpick holder as a memento- not sure how useful that will be but it's sort of cute in a rockish kind of way!!
By 8.30 on our first night, and Kevin was snoring his head off in bed as per normal. The early mornings we put in mean we tend to go to bed pretty early. His excuse for early snoring was of course that the next day we were heading out for a cruise on Lake Argyle and a boat trip on the Ord River, and he needed to be rested for that.
Our trip to Lake Argyle and the Ord River meant an early start which was a bit of a killer, but once over that hurdle, it proved to be a great day. We headed off in the bus to the Lake and then from the bus onto a boat to take us for a two hour cruise. We had morning tea on board, and then after touring around for a few hours, taking at least 80 photographs, listening to a running commentary and generally just relaxing, we motored back to Lake Argyle Resort for lunch.
Lunch was without doubt the worst meal we had eaten the whole time we've been away! We waited for half an hour and then with only ten minutes left before we needed to get back on the bus, lunch arrived. Now whether it was because I'd asked how much longer our meal was, or whether they are just generally crap at hospitality and meals in general, but when the meal finally arrived it was almost inedible. Kevin's chicken was about 2 cm square, completely overcooked , very dark brown and crunchy!! So with lunch sitting in our stomachs like a brick, it was back on the bus and down to the water for the next part of the trip - a four hour cruise on the Ord River back to Kununurra.
The Ord River was amazing. The scenery was stunning and the eye candy who was commentating this part of the journey wasnt bad either, although I think he may have been just a tad young to be entirely appropriate. We had a great time, and spent the next four hours taking photos and soaking up the scenery (both in and out of the boat). It was a great tour and an amazing day
Day three in Kununurra and Kevin was up bright and early ready for a trip over the Bungles in a small plane. I wasn't going with him, as the plane was small and I felt the risk of not surviving was way too great! With Kevin packed off in the bus to take him to the plane, I headed into kununurra township to see what I could find. I decided on a pampering at the Kimberley Hair and Beauty. In hindsight it would have been safer on the plane!
I should have been wary when the girl was asking the manager (who looked extremely young) what colour to mix up. And I should have perhaps left when she mentioned that it may go purple. But I didn't, and I payed the price! Purple is definitely not my colour, and they tell me that it should wash out in a few washes! The cut, also a disaster may mean I wear a hat for the next two weeks until the botched job actually resumes a normal colour and grows at least two more centimetres. Kevin is very diplomatic, but he definitely does not love the Kununurra 'cut and colour'. In fact I think from now on a botched hair job will become officially known as a 'Kimberleys Cut and Colour'!!
Day four and Kevin was excited. This was the day he had booked to do a farm tour! I wasn't excited and I wasn't going with him. I'd decided to drop him off at 8.15 and come back and get him. I'd found an art gallery and I planned to go and check it out.
I dropped Kevin at the Hoochery - a place were they make rum and I headed off into town to find the art gallery. The gallery was closed as it was still only 8.45 so I headed to find a coffee shop to fill in some time. A coffee later, and I headed back to the gallery which was now open. I was absolutely amazed at such a cosmopolitan gallery in such an outback place, but there it was.
From the art gallery I moved on to the SandleWood gallery where I whiled the time away testing samples, smelling the products and watching a DVD about the production process. Half an hour later, and smelling much prettier than before, I headed back to the Hoochery to collect the farm traveller who i presumed would by now be much more informed about the Ord River irrigation scheme, the local cropping processes and all things agricultural around Kununurra.
Day five in Kununurra and the plan was to head to Wyndham. We spent the morning just chilling (well not really chilling because it was 25 degrees at 9am) but we thought we'd better make an effort, and get ourselves out of our deck chairs and on the road.
Our first stop on the road was the Grotto. A waterhole in the middle of a chasm. It was spectacular, even though the steps to get down there risked life and limb. Once down, the Grotto was like a mystical place out of a fantasy story. I could have spent hours there drawing!! Our visit to the Grotto was also shared by a big old lizard who had a fish hook caught in his mouth. It was a bit sad, and Kevin tried to help him, but he wasn't keen to be helped!
From the Grotto we moved on to Parry Lagoon and the Marglu Billabong. It was a birdlife Sanctuary, with a hide built out over the billabong. We sat and watched a crocodile checking out the possibilities for lunch. Then on to Wyndham.
The best things about Wyndham were the Barra and Chips, and the Five Rivers Lookout which was pretty spectacular viewing. So, after Kevin had finished speaking to everyone at the lookout, we headed for our last photo stop at the giant crocodile, before turning the car towards Kununurra and home (the caravan). It was really hot, but also unseasonably cloudy, which is probably just as well as any more degrees and I don't think I'd cope!!
Tomorrow will be day six. We are planning on doing the Kununurra markets, and then the afternoon preparing to say goodbye to Kununurra as we head towards the Northern Territory. But that's another story for the next blog........
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Onwards to Kununurra
Our four-wheel drive trip to Tunnel Creek was cancelled as our advice from the other happy campers around us was that the road was rough and even though we'd make it, they wouldn't take their good four-wheel drives in, plus the aboriginal guy that runs the Tunnel Creek entry point isn't always there if the mood takes him. So we decided on a day of rest and relaxation at Fitzroy Crossing. And as the town doesn't offer very much action, and the Information Centre was closed that could have advised us on any possible activity that might have been happening, we didn't have much choice than to put our feet up and chat to the neighbors (Kevin is really getting good at this).
We did discover a Bower Bird that had built a nest on the ground in the park. Apparently they gather heaps of bits and pieces and build a 'bower' to attract the ladies. This one spent hours and hours decorating and redecorating with heaps of shells, feathers, polystyrene, a small medicine cup and several cable ties. He put stuff in and then would rearrange and move it all around until he was happy with it's placement (I thought he acted like a very frustrated interior designer but Kevin insists this is normal Bower Bird behavior). Kevin reckons he's coming back as a Bower Bird because all they have to do is a bit of housework, mate with whichever and however many ladies they choose, then they send the girls off to rear their children, and they don't even pay any maintenance! What a life!! The only drawback is that he does have to do a very silly dance to attract the ladies, and Kevin doesn't dance!
I'd like to make a statement at this point in the trip as to an issue that I have identified about the caravanning life. We (I) have decided that a few adjustments need to be made to certain caravan behaviour! If Kevin leaves the door open one more time and let's insects in, I will be chasing him with the can of fly spray instead of the thousand insects that invade through the crack in the ajar door! Last night I was in fact chased by a very large insect with extremely lengthy, pointed and (I'm fairly positive) poisonous stingers attached to its rear. This insect had managed to enter the caravan through the open fly screen door, and had made a bee line for me. It took half a can of fly spray and a lot of jumping and squealing on my part to exterminate the enemy! My question is, "why pay for screens for the door if you don't intend to close them?" I just thought this issue needed to be aired.
And so it was time to leave Fitzroy Crossing and head towards Kununurra. We'd been told by quite a few people not to stop at Halls Creek, which would have broken up the trip, so we had a very long day ahead to drive 629 Ks to the next safe place to stop overnight.
As we passed through Halls Creek we pretty quickly identified why we'd been advised to keep going at Halls Creek! To say the place was dodgy would be an understatement. We got fuel, after lining up at the one bowser that was working along with about 10 other cars, and then we high-tailed it out of there. Lunch was on the side of the road at a rest stop, and we made another fuel stop at Turkey Creek, an ice-cream stop at Doon Doon Roadhouse, and then we headed down the final 111 Ks to Kununurra.
We arrived at the Caravan Park, and thank goodness I had booked, as the park was completely booked out!! The staff were really helpful and we even managed to book some tours before they closed for the night. We plan to spend about 5-6 days here doing all the Kimberley sightseeing stuff before we head across the border to the Northern Territory.
We did discover a Bower Bird that had built a nest on the ground in the park. Apparently they gather heaps of bits and pieces and build a 'bower' to attract the ladies. This one spent hours and hours decorating and redecorating with heaps of shells, feathers, polystyrene, a small medicine cup and several cable ties. He put stuff in and then would rearrange and move it all around until he was happy with it's placement (I thought he acted like a very frustrated interior designer but Kevin insists this is normal Bower Bird behavior). Kevin reckons he's coming back as a Bower Bird because all they have to do is a bit of housework, mate with whichever and however many ladies they choose, then they send the girls off to rear their children, and they don't even pay any maintenance! What a life!! The only drawback is that he does have to do a very silly dance to attract the ladies, and Kevin doesn't dance!
I'd like to make a statement at this point in the trip as to an issue that I have identified about the caravanning life. We (I) have decided that a few adjustments need to be made to certain caravan behaviour! If Kevin leaves the door open one more time and let's insects in, I will be chasing him with the can of fly spray instead of the thousand insects that invade through the crack in the ajar door! Last night I was in fact chased by a very large insect with extremely lengthy, pointed and (I'm fairly positive) poisonous stingers attached to its rear. This insect had managed to enter the caravan through the open fly screen door, and had made a bee line for me. It took half a can of fly spray and a lot of jumping and squealing on my part to exterminate the enemy! My question is, "why pay for screens for the door if you don't intend to close them?" I just thought this issue needed to be aired.
And so it was time to leave Fitzroy Crossing and head towards Kununurra. We'd been told by quite a few people not to stop at Halls Creek, which would have broken up the trip, so we had a very long day ahead to drive 629 Ks to the next safe place to stop overnight.
As we passed through Halls Creek we pretty quickly identified why we'd been advised to keep going at Halls Creek! To say the place was dodgy would be an understatement. We got fuel, after lining up at the one bowser that was working along with about 10 other cars, and then we high-tailed it out of there. Lunch was on the side of the road at a rest stop, and we made another fuel stop at Turkey Creek, an ice-cream stop at Doon Doon Roadhouse, and then we headed down the final 111 Ks to Kununurra.
We arrived at the Caravan Park, and thank goodness I had booked, as the park was completely booked out!! The staff were really helpful and we even managed to book some tours before they closed for the night. We plan to spend about 5-6 days here doing all the Kimberley sightseeing stuff before we head across the border to the Northern Territory.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Goodbye Broome, hello Fitzroy Crossing
We've been on the road now for nearly seven weeks and I think I'm slowly becoming accustomed to the BumbleF**k life. You know you've been in the wilderness too long when the sign on the toilet wall "please close the lid to keep the frogs out" doesn't fase you any more, and you no longer go looking for every little bug that might be lurking when you do in fact use that toilet!
We have spent the last eight days in Broome, so it was finally time to say goodbye and head out towards Fitzroy Crossing and the Kimberley region.
Our last day in Broome was pretty cruisey, we did our small shopping run, had our normal coffee requirements for the day, Kevin did his normal chatting to the neighbours thing and we generally relaxed. Then as the sun started to get lower in the sky, we headed to the Sunset Bar on Cable Beach (along with a couple of hundred others who had the same idea), and with a glass of wine in hand, I watched the last sunset on Cable Beach.
Kevin decided he had a burning desire for fish and chips from Blueys, so we headed into the town to get a modest order (as opposed to the total overindulgence of the last fish and chip effort). So with fish and chips under our belts (which have been let out a few notches) we decided on an early night so we can get away early for our trip to Fitzroy Crossing.
It was an early start to get to Fitzroy Crossing. We headed off after saying goodbye to the friends we'd made. The road to Fitzroy Crossing provided us with some amazing scenery. Boab trees, ant hills, lots and lots of green everywhere, and river crossings with water in abundance. We crossed Cockatoo Bridge and a huge flock of cockatoos, as if on cue, flew across in front of us. Two brolgas were just randomly standing on the side of the road and then we crossed a one-lane bridge where a crocodile had just been sighted in the river below -we really are in Kimberley country.
We stopped off at the Willare Bridge Roadhouse for fuel, but as the toilet was full of dear little old ladies off a bus tour who were flat out discussing the lack of locking facilities on the toilet doors, and how they had timed their 'wee stop' for the window of opportunity after their morning tea and before the next bus arrived, I made my excuses and used the loo in the van instead.
We turned off and onto the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, and we came to another photo opportunity at a giant boab tree, where we had a slight issue over whether or not it was actually worth photographing -and where I swear Kevin shook his head at me (right up there with rolling his eyes). So with a chilly silence filling the vehicle, we hit the road again.
All was forgiven by the time we stopped for lunch - not forgotten just forgiven. We pulled up at a 24hr parking spot and it looked like Central Station there with heaps of caravans and tour groups. I think I'd rather park in a Caravan Park, it is almost less crowded. A quick drink, and lunch and then we're on the road again. We needed to get to Fitzroy River Lodge in time to get a powered caravan spot - damn battery!!
We managed to secure the last powered site available at Fitzroy River Lodge and then headed in to check out the information centre in town. Then centre was closed and wouldn't re-open for three days, so we figured we'd have to do our tour information online. We noticed a tour of Geikie Gorge was happening in 20 minutes, so we headed out in the hope of catching the last trip of the day. Success, we set off up the Gorge with an aboriginal guide doing the commentary. It was a fantastic trip, with crocodiles watching us from the bank, it was great fun. The scenery was amazing and the light at this time of the day was great.
So then back to the caravan to prepare for our trip to attempt the 4-wheel drive track out to Tunnel Creek tomorrow. We've decided to test out the Navara and the nerves. I'm guessing there will be head shaking, rolling of eyes and several expletives before tomorrow is over!!
We have spent the last eight days in Broome, so it was finally time to say goodbye and head out towards Fitzroy Crossing and the Kimberley region.
Our last day in Broome was pretty cruisey, we did our small shopping run, had our normal coffee requirements for the day, Kevin did his normal chatting to the neighbours thing and we generally relaxed. Then as the sun started to get lower in the sky, we headed to the Sunset Bar on Cable Beach (along with a couple of hundred others who had the same idea), and with a glass of wine in hand, I watched the last sunset on Cable Beach.
Kevin decided he had a burning desire for fish and chips from Blueys, so we headed into the town to get a modest order (as opposed to the total overindulgence of the last fish and chip effort). So with fish and chips under our belts (which have been let out a few notches) we decided on an early night so we can get away early for our trip to Fitzroy Crossing.
It was an early start to get to Fitzroy Crossing. We headed off after saying goodbye to the friends we'd made. The road to Fitzroy Crossing provided us with some amazing scenery. Boab trees, ant hills, lots and lots of green everywhere, and river crossings with water in abundance. We crossed Cockatoo Bridge and a huge flock of cockatoos, as if on cue, flew across in front of us. Two brolgas were just randomly standing on the side of the road and then we crossed a one-lane bridge where a crocodile had just been sighted in the river below -we really are in Kimberley country.
We stopped off at the Willare Bridge Roadhouse for fuel, but as the toilet was full of dear little old ladies off a bus tour who were flat out discussing the lack of locking facilities on the toilet doors, and how they had timed their 'wee stop' for the window of opportunity after their morning tea and before the next bus arrived, I made my excuses and used the loo in the van instead.
We turned off and onto the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, and we came to another photo opportunity at a giant boab tree, where we had a slight issue over whether or not it was actually worth photographing -and where I swear Kevin shook his head at me (right up there with rolling his eyes). So with a chilly silence filling the vehicle, we hit the road again.
All was forgiven by the time we stopped for lunch - not forgotten just forgiven. We pulled up at a 24hr parking spot and it looked like Central Station there with heaps of caravans and tour groups. I think I'd rather park in a Caravan Park, it is almost less crowded. A quick drink, and lunch and then we're on the road again. We needed to get to Fitzroy River Lodge in time to get a powered caravan spot - damn battery!!
We managed to secure the last powered site available at Fitzroy River Lodge and then headed in to check out the information centre in town. Then centre was closed and wouldn't re-open for three days, so we figured we'd have to do our tour information online. We noticed a tour of Geikie Gorge was happening in 20 minutes, so we headed out in the hope of catching the last trip of the day. Success, we set off up the Gorge with an aboriginal guide doing the commentary. It was a fantastic trip, with crocodiles watching us from the bank, it was great fun. The scenery was amazing and the light at this time of the day was great.
So then back to the caravan to prepare for our trip to attempt the 4-wheel drive track out to Tunnel Creek tomorrow. We've decided to test out the Navara and the nerves. I'm guessing there will be head shaking, rolling of eyes and several expletives before tomorrow is over!!
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Last days in and around Broome
Day five in Broome and after doing the normal ablutions run and laundry duties (sigh) it was time to decide what little activity we might do today. Not too energetic, just some low level activity to while away our time here! We decided to take a trip about 50 Ks out to catch up with a mate of Kevin's who's staying at a station further out from Broome proper.
Temperature around 27 (nothing new there), and a slight breeze (a little un-seasonal). It looks like the biggest decision of the day might be which pair of shorts and what tshirt to wear, and will I need a light jacket by the end of the afternoon- pretty stressful decisions I know!!
Had a great few hours at Barn Hill. The road in was rough, and there were three gates that needed opening (my job apparently) but the beach was beautiful with a rugged red coastline that met the white sand on the beach. The amenities were an experience, lots of corrugated iron, red dust cement, and plenty of fresh air round the ankles - in fact there was quite an 'alfresco' feel to the toilet!!
Back to Broome and it was time to get ready to head out to dinner - feels like we drift from one eating session to the next - and then an early night ready for our big trip to Cape Leveque.
The big trip to Cape Leveque meant an early start and out to the bus by 7.00AM. When the four wheel drive turned up looking less than average, with bits that looked like they might fall off, I thought we were in for a repeat of our 'Barry an Betty' bus trip to Ayers Rock! But it was too late to back out, and we'd paid our money, so it was grin and bear it and get on the bus.
When we headed off down the road at 100Ks an hour and hit the red dirt at exactly the same speed I was sure we were in for a treat! I calculated thatvwe had to survive for the next twelve hours because that was our estimated return time should we survive! Of course survival wasn't guaranteed and when we were asked for contact numbers of our nearest and dearest should an accident befall us, to say i was nervous was a huge understatement.
So with red dust flying and bottoms bouncing wildly on seats, we carreered off down the road. And in a manic sort of way I was actually starting to enjoy the trip.
Our first stop was a beautiful little church at the aboriginal settlement at Beagle Bay where we had morning tea offered to us, should our stomachs settle enough to eat it. We were all starting to joke amongst ourselves about the ride, one guy insisting that any gold that was found on the bus floor was certainly out of his teeth!! It was either very nervous laughter, or we were all starting to enjoy the ride.
After morning tea it was back in the bus and off to the marine hatchery were we had a tour and had the opportunity to hand feed a Barramundi. We were told the huge fish would just suck the food from our fingers very gently.. We were told wrong. After the first big splash and grab of the food we realized we'd been 'had'! The barramundi jumped out of the water and snatched the fish and generally scared the living daylights out of everyone. And yes Kevin got it all on camera and has refused to allow me to delete the hideous photo of my face in shock after the barramundi assault!! The hatchery tour was a great success, except for the fish scare, then it was back on the bus and off to Cygnet Bay to the pearl farm.
Lunch was waiting for us at the Pearl Farm and we were all pretty hungry by this, so jumped into some pretty nice food laid on at the little cafe onsite. Then it was off to learn all there is to know about pearls. The tour was pretty good and I'm sure Kevin was keen to buy me the $13,000 pearl at the gallery there, but i said I was happy to wait for a diamond from the Argyle Diamond Mine instead!!
After our tour it was back on the bus (which wasn't half as scary now) and off to the beach at Cape Leveque). Our driver deflated the tyres, put it into four wheel drive, suggested we fasten our seatbelts tight (like they weren't already) and we headed off through the soft sand hills to the beach. We got there safely with a few prayers being said, and them spent the next hour walking the beach and generally soaking it in. Afternoon tea was tea and bickies on the beach. Then it was back on the vehicle and over to the west beach to watch the sun setting on the red rocks of the beach. It was quite spectacular and a great way to end our visit to the Cape.
So with the tour over it was back on the bus for the bone-shaking three hour journey back to Broome. My back may never be the same again, and I've never been more pleased to have the extra padding on my butt, but all in all it was a great day and we were really pleased we did it! Tomorrow we intend to just draw breath, put our feet up and generally relax before we head off from Broome on Friday.
Temperature around 27 (nothing new there), and a slight breeze (a little un-seasonal). It looks like the biggest decision of the day might be which pair of shorts and what tshirt to wear, and will I need a light jacket by the end of the afternoon- pretty stressful decisions I know!!
Had a great few hours at Barn Hill. The road in was rough, and there were three gates that needed opening (my job apparently) but the beach was beautiful with a rugged red coastline that met the white sand on the beach. The amenities were an experience, lots of corrugated iron, red dust cement, and plenty of fresh air round the ankles - in fact there was quite an 'alfresco' feel to the toilet!!
Back to Broome and it was time to get ready to head out to dinner - feels like we drift from one eating session to the next - and then an early night ready for our big trip to Cape Leveque.
The big trip to Cape Leveque meant an early start and out to the bus by 7.00AM. When the four wheel drive turned up looking less than average, with bits that looked like they might fall off, I thought we were in for a repeat of our 'Barry an Betty' bus trip to Ayers Rock! But it was too late to back out, and we'd paid our money, so it was grin and bear it and get on the bus.
When we headed off down the road at 100Ks an hour and hit the red dirt at exactly the same speed I was sure we were in for a treat! I calculated thatvwe had to survive for the next twelve hours because that was our estimated return time should we survive! Of course survival wasn't guaranteed and when we were asked for contact numbers of our nearest and dearest should an accident befall us, to say i was nervous was a huge understatement.
So with red dust flying and bottoms bouncing wildly on seats, we carreered off down the road. And in a manic sort of way I was actually starting to enjoy the trip.
Our first stop was a beautiful little church at the aboriginal settlement at Beagle Bay where we had morning tea offered to us, should our stomachs settle enough to eat it. We were all starting to joke amongst ourselves about the ride, one guy insisting that any gold that was found on the bus floor was certainly out of his teeth!! It was either very nervous laughter, or we were all starting to enjoy the ride.
After morning tea it was back in the bus and off to the marine hatchery were we had a tour and had the opportunity to hand feed a Barramundi. We were told the huge fish would just suck the food from our fingers very gently.. We were told wrong. After the first big splash and grab of the food we realized we'd been 'had'! The barramundi jumped out of the water and snatched the fish and generally scared the living daylights out of everyone. And yes Kevin got it all on camera and has refused to allow me to delete the hideous photo of my face in shock after the barramundi assault!! The hatchery tour was a great success, except for the fish scare, then it was back on the bus and off to Cygnet Bay to the pearl farm.
Lunch was waiting for us at the Pearl Farm and we were all pretty hungry by this, so jumped into some pretty nice food laid on at the little cafe onsite. Then it was off to learn all there is to know about pearls. The tour was pretty good and I'm sure Kevin was keen to buy me the $13,000 pearl at the gallery there, but i said I was happy to wait for a diamond from the Argyle Diamond Mine instead!!
After our tour it was back on the bus (which wasn't half as scary now) and off to the beach at Cape Leveque). Our driver deflated the tyres, put it into four wheel drive, suggested we fasten our seatbelts tight (like they weren't already) and we headed off through the soft sand hills to the beach. We got there safely with a few prayers being said, and them spent the next hour walking the beach and generally soaking it in. Afternoon tea was tea and bickies on the beach. Then it was back on the vehicle and over to the west beach to watch the sun setting on the red rocks of the beach. It was quite spectacular and a great way to end our visit to the Cape.
So with the tour over it was back on the bus for the bone-shaking three hour journey back to Broome. My back may never be the same again, and I've never been more pleased to have the extra padding on my butt, but all in all it was a great day and we were really pleased we did it! Tomorrow we intend to just draw breath, put our feet up and generally relax before we head off from Broome on Friday.
Monday, 20 June 2011
More Broome
Day three in Broome, and I started the day with several loads of washing just to remind myself that even though it feels like paradise, some things still need to be done!!
Downtown, and there was a great need to head to our favorite cafe and have a mango muffin and cappuccino. We then headed to book a tour to Cape Leveque. We ran into a snag at the booking office, as all the big tours were booked. We headed off to the Information Centre to check out what else we could do. The info Centre was great and after 20 minutes holding up the line of people waiting to speak to a consultant, we left the centre with a sunset cruise booked, and a Cape Leveque tour pending confirmation - not bad for 20 minutes work.
We then headed off to do groceries, and headed back to the caravan park. We were meeting up with one of Kevin's old work mates for dinner, so needed to get ready for that. We started off with heaps of time to spare, but Kevin does love to talk, and when our neighbor at the caravan park came over for a chat, we ended up 40 minutes behind schedule!!
The 40 minutes ended up being an hour, as even though the address we were looking for was only 2 minutes away, we had a few navigation issues. The GPS was absolutely no help whatsoever and actually headed us in completely the wrong direction. If it wasn't for the iPad, we'd still be wandering in the wilds of Broome completely lost. We found the target address, but not before one small disagreement and the threat of 'never navigating again'!!
It was a great night, and after more food we headed off and took the direct route home rather than the scenic version earlier.
Day four in Broome, and we planned for an easy morning and then a Whale Watching Sunset Cruise to end off the afternoon. So we ran around in the morning, doing our stuff including, car washing, gas bottle changing, re-stocking supplies and of course we managed to fit in a coffee and muffin too.
Back at the caravan park all was running to schedule to get us to the boat trip on time, however someone does love to talk, and when another camper walked past our site and asked where in Tassie we were from, I knew the schedule would be out the window. As it turned out, it ended up being an old work colleague's husband, so by the time we caught up, the time had escaped so it was a last minute scramble to get organized and out to the gate.
The bus picked us up pretty much on time, and then we headed out to the end of the beach to the boat. We started to consider removing our shoes to hop in the boat that would ferry us to the bigger boat, but in the meantime, the little boat grew wheels and dropped onto the sand and drove straight up to where we were standing. It looked like we wouldn't be getting our feet wet after all!
The cruise was great - no whales, but we saw dolphins and fish jumping from the water, and enjoyed nibbles and drinks and some great company with the people who were also on the boat. Then we watched the sunset on Cable Beach as we motored back into the bay. It was a great end to another good day in Broome.
Downtown, and there was a great need to head to our favorite cafe and have a mango muffin and cappuccino. We then headed to book a tour to Cape Leveque. We ran into a snag at the booking office, as all the big tours were booked. We headed off to the Information Centre to check out what else we could do. The info Centre was great and after 20 minutes holding up the line of people waiting to speak to a consultant, we left the centre with a sunset cruise booked, and a Cape Leveque tour pending confirmation - not bad for 20 minutes work.
We then headed off to do groceries, and headed back to the caravan park. We were meeting up with one of Kevin's old work mates for dinner, so needed to get ready for that. We started off with heaps of time to spare, but Kevin does love to talk, and when our neighbor at the caravan park came over for a chat, we ended up 40 minutes behind schedule!!
The 40 minutes ended up being an hour, as even though the address we were looking for was only 2 minutes away, we had a few navigation issues. The GPS was absolutely no help whatsoever and actually headed us in completely the wrong direction. If it wasn't for the iPad, we'd still be wandering in the wilds of Broome completely lost. We found the target address, but not before one small disagreement and the threat of 'never navigating again'!!
It was a great night, and after more food we headed off and took the direct route home rather than the scenic version earlier.
Day four in Broome, and we planned for an easy morning and then a Whale Watching Sunset Cruise to end off the afternoon. So we ran around in the morning, doing our stuff including, car washing, gas bottle changing, re-stocking supplies and of course we managed to fit in a coffee and muffin too.
Back at the caravan park all was running to schedule to get us to the boat trip on time, however someone does love to talk, and when another camper walked past our site and asked where in Tassie we were from, I knew the schedule would be out the window. As it turned out, it ended up being an old work colleague's husband, so by the time we caught up, the time had escaped so it was a last minute scramble to get organized and out to the gate.
The bus picked us up pretty much on time, and then we headed out to the end of the beach to the boat. We started to consider removing our shoes to hop in the boat that would ferry us to the bigger boat, but in the meantime, the little boat grew wheels and dropped onto the sand and drove straight up to where we were standing. It looked like we wouldn't be getting our feet wet after all!
The cruise was great - no whales, but we saw dolphins and fish jumping from the water, and enjoyed nibbles and drinks and some great company with the people who were also on the boat. Then we watched the sunset on Cable Beach as we motored back into the bay. It was a great end to another good day in Broome.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Beautiful Broome
Our first day in Broome was a balmy day 27 degrees, it was also my 54th birthday, and what a place to spend it!
The day proved to be a pretty special birthday. It started off with a trip into Broome town centre starting with a coffee and muffin to provide sustenance for shopping. Then it was time to hit the shops and look for a birthday present. I think I made a pretty good effort, although Kevin reckoned that browsing through two shops in half an hour was not what he called real 'power shopping', and that he could get through way more shops than that in the allotted time. He doesn't really get the idea of 'browsing'.
We took a break for lunch and then shipped the boys off to the museum while Beth and I did some more 'browsing'. The boys decided to take the vehicle to their destination, and we decided to walk to the shopping centre just up the road. We did however mis-judge the distance of 'just up the road' and as we walked and walked and walked, we were concerned we might expire on the way, or at least suffer severe heat exhaustion, dehydration, or multiple blisters! We hoped the boys were comfortable in the air conditioned car - actually we hoped they had at least got lost. As it turned out they did get lost, however they spent several hours laughing at our expense before they finally admitted that they had in fact hit 6 dead-ends before Kevin finally asked directions.
Dinner was at a restaurant on Cable Beach with friends from home. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the company, the meal, and the sunset over the beach. It was a good 54th birthday!
Day two in Broome and Kevin felt the need for a big breakfast as it was the weekend and he hadn't had a cooked brekkie for a whole week! We then headed off to check out the Courthouse Market that is a regular Saturday morning event in Broome. It proved to be a mix of jewelry, clothing, the Kimberley inspired art work and trinkets, food, drink, tourism operators etc etc. It was a real mix of different cultures and was a pretty good way to spend a Saturday morning.
After the market, we headed off to check out Cable Beach. I was almost inspired to take a swim! The weather was brilliant and the water was extremely inviting. I got in up to my knees, but then I got cold feet and chickened out on the swim - it might have been the 'beware of stingers' sign as we came onto the beach that made me have second thoughts about a dip!!
We wandered over to check out the camels, and Kevin met up with an old work colleague who now owns the Red Sun Camels. Next thing I knew, we were joining the sunset camel tour along Cable Beach! Our camel was very cute in a furry, smelly, camel sort of way. We spent the next hour riding along Cable Beach on top of Wun (our camels name) taking heaps of photos and generally having a great time.
After our camel ride, we headed off to get some dinner. Dinner ended up being Fish and Chips from Blueys (had been recommended as the best fish and chips in Broome). We had not been warned however about portion sizes, so our modest order ended up being way too many fish and chips for two people to make their way through! Needless to say we gave it a very good attempt anyway. It was a great way to end our second day in Broome.
We've decided to stay on for a week here, so plans are underway for a few tours and some more fun stuff to come.
The day proved to be a pretty special birthday. It started off with a trip into Broome town centre starting with a coffee and muffin to provide sustenance for shopping. Then it was time to hit the shops and look for a birthday present. I think I made a pretty good effort, although Kevin reckoned that browsing through two shops in half an hour was not what he called real 'power shopping', and that he could get through way more shops than that in the allotted time. He doesn't really get the idea of 'browsing'.
We took a break for lunch and then shipped the boys off to the museum while Beth and I did some more 'browsing'. The boys decided to take the vehicle to their destination, and we decided to walk to the shopping centre just up the road. We did however mis-judge the distance of 'just up the road' and as we walked and walked and walked, we were concerned we might expire on the way, or at least suffer severe heat exhaustion, dehydration, or multiple blisters! We hoped the boys were comfortable in the air conditioned car - actually we hoped they had at least got lost. As it turned out they did get lost, however they spent several hours laughing at our expense before they finally admitted that they had in fact hit 6 dead-ends before Kevin finally asked directions.
Dinner was at a restaurant on Cable Beach with friends from home. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the company, the meal, and the sunset over the beach. It was a good 54th birthday!
Day two in Broome and Kevin felt the need for a big breakfast as it was the weekend and he hadn't had a cooked brekkie for a whole week! We then headed off to check out the Courthouse Market that is a regular Saturday morning event in Broome. It proved to be a mix of jewelry, clothing, the Kimberley inspired art work and trinkets, food, drink, tourism operators etc etc. It was a real mix of different cultures and was a pretty good way to spend a Saturday morning.
After the market, we headed off to check out Cable Beach. I was almost inspired to take a swim! The weather was brilliant and the water was extremely inviting. I got in up to my knees, but then I got cold feet and chickened out on the swim - it might have been the 'beware of stingers' sign as we came onto the beach that made me have second thoughts about a dip!!
We wandered over to check out the camels, and Kevin met up with an old work colleague who now owns the Red Sun Camels. Next thing I knew, we were joining the sunset camel tour along Cable Beach! Our camel was very cute in a furry, smelly, camel sort of way. We spent the next hour riding along Cable Beach on top of Wun (our camels name) taking heaps of photos and generally having a great time.
After our camel ride, we headed off to get some dinner. Dinner ended up being Fish and Chips from Blueys (had been recommended as the best fish and chips in Broome). We had not been warned however about portion sizes, so our modest order ended up being way too many fish and chips for two people to make their way through! Needless to say we gave it a very good attempt anyway. It was a great way to end our second day in Broome.
We've decided to stay on for a week here, so plans are underway for a few tours and some more fun stuff to come.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Comments problem
Hi everyone just letting you know there's a problem with the comments not showing up on the blog. It might be easier to comment on Facebook instead or email me, then I'm sure to get them!!
And so to Broome
We did an overnight stop at Eighty Mile Beach as a stop over before we reached Broome. The road in was an experience and we did an egg on the way (we smashed an egg in the fridge getting in there). The beach was beautiful, it went on for miles - I'm guessing around eighty, but could be wrong! The tide was a fair way out, so we walked out (Kevin went the whole way and I chose the shorter version as the crabs running at my feet put me off a bit)!
We've been having battery problems, and have realized that the battery is not charging as we're driving as we suspected it wasn't. Luckily we parked alongside an electrician at Eighty Mile Beach and he charged the battery for us. I'll be ringing our battery man in Hobart once we get to Broome to discuss the problem!
Kevin's services were required last night as a young guy opposite us cut his leg open. He was a 'bit of a girl' about it apparently (Kevin's terminology) but it was a pretty nasty gash in my 'non-paramedic' opinion. Anyway, Kevin patched him up and made him feel better with a few reassuring words and a little white bandage!
This morning we headed off for Broome along the very dusty, very bumpy road. A few spots on the road were really bad and I was guessing we'd do another egg along the way (like the egg we smashed in the fridge getting in here).
We stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse to re-fuel and did a quick check in the van. I discovered that we had in fact done three more eggs on the road out from Eighty Mile Beach and in the shaking process after the eggs had smashed, they had whisked themselves into a frenzy in the fridge, covering the ham, milk, tomatoes and cheese in a lovely frothy egg mix. I'm sure if I'd left the mess in there and turned the fridge off, the heat of the van would have cooked us a lovely omelete for lunch!! So after soaking up the egg with several metres of paper towel, half a bucket of water and a sponge, we headed off once again in the direction of Broome.
We arrived in Broome to some beautiful weather. We missed the turn to the Caravan Park (and no Kevin it was not my fault). So after a few quick GPS calculations, we started in the right direction and doubled back around the corner. The park is huge, but our little spot was waiting for us and after a few manouvres (the man opposite moved his car out!!) we got it backed in and sorted.
We headed in to Town Beach -across the other side of town- and watched the Stairway to the Moon, which happens on a full moon when the light of the moon on the mudflats, creates a stairway effect. How lucky that we were here for it, it was pretty special.
So today we head into the town to check it out. Kevin has some retail therapy planned for my birthday, so I'll update on my success (or otherwise) in my next blog.
We've been having battery problems, and have realized that the battery is not charging as we're driving as we suspected it wasn't. Luckily we parked alongside an electrician at Eighty Mile Beach and he charged the battery for us. I'll be ringing our battery man in Hobart once we get to Broome to discuss the problem!
Kevin's services were required last night as a young guy opposite us cut his leg open. He was a 'bit of a girl' about it apparently (Kevin's terminology) but it was a pretty nasty gash in my 'non-paramedic' opinion. Anyway, Kevin patched him up and made him feel better with a few reassuring words and a little white bandage!
This morning we headed off for Broome along the very dusty, very bumpy road. A few spots on the road were really bad and I was guessing we'd do another egg along the way (like the egg we smashed in the fridge getting in here).
We stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse to re-fuel and did a quick check in the van. I discovered that we had in fact done three more eggs on the road out from Eighty Mile Beach and in the shaking process after the eggs had smashed, they had whisked themselves into a frenzy in the fridge, covering the ham, milk, tomatoes and cheese in a lovely frothy egg mix. I'm sure if I'd left the mess in there and turned the fridge off, the heat of the van would have cooked us a lovely omelete for lunch!! So after soaking up the egg with several metres of paper towel, half a bucket of water and a sponge, we headed off once again in the direction of Broome.
We arrived in Broome to some beautiful weather. We missed the turn to the Caravan Park (and no Kevin it was not my fault). So after a few quick GPS calculations, we started in the right direction and doubled back around the corner. The park is huge, but our little spot was waiting for us and after a few manouvres (the man opposite moved his car out!!) we got it backed in and sorted.
We headed in to Town Beach -across the other side of town- and watched the Stairway to the Moon, which happens on a full moon when the light of the moon on the mudflats, creates a stairway effect. How lucky that we were here for it, it was pretty special.
So today we head into the town to check it out. Kevin has some retail therapy planned for my birthday, so I'll update on my success (or otherwise) in my next blog.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
BumbleF country
So I have now officially discovered my new favorite food. Chocolate-coated frozen bananas are right up there on my list! In fact they are so nice, we still have one in the teeny freezer of our fridge, and although it is legally Kevin's, I feel it may become mine!
So Carnarvon is behind us and we are now moving further north, with Karratha the next big stop along the way.
We had a few hairy moments on the road to Karratha. A mis-calculation of fuel meant we needed to top up on the road out of our spare 20 litres, just to get us to the next roadhouse. However, a small disaster when we arrived at the roadhouse to an 'out of diesel sorry for the inconvenience' sign on the bowser started a brief moment of panic! 'Sorry for the inconvenience' didn't quite cover it really! Kevin was able to sort it out, and after filling up from the high-flow truckies bowser, we headed off again. Just get me to civilisation!!
Karratha proved to be a large town, with a shopping centre, lots of well maintained houses, and a large amount of 'fly in fly out' residents. There appeared to be way more males around than females, as I'm guessing it's not easy to get your partner to live out here, and many would do their shifts and fly back out again. So for any single girls out there who don't mind 'roughing it' I can recommend Karratha! Apparently the airport is one of the busiest in Australia because of the mining personnel who move around, so there is an escape clause if you need it!
Because of the long distances we drove to get here, we decided to spend time around Karratha. We even managed a sort of sleep in and then headed out to find the Nissan dealer to get some assistance with an oil leak that Kevin had noticed. We drove up and down the street it was in, until after a phone call, we found it at the beginning of the street!! Turns out the leak was OK and so after chatting with the guy there (well Kevin was chatting and I was waiting in the car) we headed to Karratha Centro Shopping Centre to do some re-stocking and for me to get just a few hours pretending I was near some sort of civilisation.
We took a late drive out to Roebourne and then around Wickham. I could not possibly live out here. The shuttered buildings, grating over the house windows, wrecked buildings are just so depressing, there is obviously some sort of social problem happening out here! Makes me pretty happy to live where I live.
Tomorrow we head further north.
So Carnarvon is behind us and we are now moving further north, with Karratha the next big stop along the way.
We had a few hairy moments on the road to Karratha. A mis-calculation of fuel meant we needed to top up on the road out of our spare 20 litres, just to get us to the next roadhouse. However, a small disaster when we arrived at the roadhouse to an 'out of diesel sorry for the inconvenience' sign on the bowser started a brief moment of panic! 'Sorry for the inconvenience' didn't quite cover it really! Kevin was able to sort it out, and after filling up from the high-flow truckies bowser, we headed off again. Just get me to civilisation!!
Karratha proved to be a large town, with a shopping centre, lots of well maintained houses, and a large amount of 'fly in fly out' residents. There appeared to be way more males around than females, as I'm guessing it's not easy to get your partner to live out here, and many would do their shifts and fly back out again. So for any single girls out there who don't mind 'roughing it' I can recommend Karratha! Apparently the airport is one of the busiest in Australia because of the mining personnel who move around, so there is an escape clause if you need it!
Because of the long distances we drove to get here, we decided to spend time around Karratha. We even managed a sort of sleep in and then headed out to find the Nissan dealer to get some assistance with an oil leak that Kevin had noticed. We drove up and down the street it was in, until after a phone call, we found it at the beginning of the street!! Turns out the leak was OK and so after chatting with the guy there (well Kevin was chatting and I was waiting in the car) we headed to Karratha Centro Shopping Centre to do some re-stocking and for me to get just a few hours pretending I was near some sort of civilisation.
We took a late drive out to Roebourne and then around Wickham. I could not possibly live out here. The shuttered buildings, grating over the house windows, wrecked buildings are just so depressing, there is obviously some sort of social problem happening out here! Makes me pretty happy to live where I live.
Tomorrow we head further north.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Carnarvon beckons..
Today we headed off from Denham on the road to Carnavon. Kevin told me that we could listen to my music today. This may have something to do with the fact that i shared his taste in music with our traveling buddies yesterday while they were in our car - I'm not sure if their hysterical laughter was due to the genre of the music or the fact that I was bopping wildly in the front seat in time to the 'yeehaa' beat.
Another beautiful day in paradise with blue sky, red earth, and the road stretching out in front of us - very poetic I know, but that's exactly what this is like!
Kevin is starting to have some serious issues about his expanding waistline. Not serious enough to kerb his eating, but serious enough for him to make me set up a shot to send home of him sucking in his stomach prior to the photo being taken. So on the picturesque banks of Shell Beach, I took a magnificent photo of a very trim looking Kevin. Of course he wasn't aware that I was also going to take a follow-up shot when he let his breath out! So on the picturesque banks of Shell Beach I also have a magnificent (unofficial) shot of a little pot tummy! Silly Kevin, fancy trusting me with a camera - what fun can I have with those shots .. The Internet awaits!!
So after the photo shoot, we were back on the road and heading North!
By the time we got to 160 ks along the road, we had seen lots of bitumen, shrubs of varying sizes, several million hectares of red dirt (informal estimation of course), and a couple of roadhouses which had provided us with rest rooms of varying quality and the usual refreshments to sustain us on our journey. At this point in the journey however, there was still no sign of Carnarvon, and I had resorted to Kenny Rogers and 'The Gambler' to relieve the boredom of this part of the journey!
We arrived in town around 1.30 and did the usual book in and set up routine. We then headed off to see what the town of Carnarvon had to offer. Apparently not much on a Saturday afternoon, and I have a sneaking suspicion that on Sunday there will be even less to do. It looks like a very lazy day in the caravan park for tomorrow and then an early start the next day to get to Karratha.
Another beautiful day in paradise with blue sky, red earth, and the road stretching out in front of us - very poetic I know, but that's exactly what this is like!
Kevin is starting to have some serious issues about his expanding waistline. Not serious enough to kerb his eating, but serious enough for him to make me set up a shot to send home of him sucking in his stomach prior to the photo being taken. So on the picturesque banks of Shell Beach, I took a magnificent photo of a very trim looking Kevin. Of course he wasn't aware that I was also going to take a follow-up shot when he let his breath out! So on the picturesque banks of Shell Beach I also have a magnificent (unofficial) shot of a little pot tummy! Silly Kevin, fancy trusting me with a camera - what fun can I have with those shots .. The Internet awaits!!
So after the photo shoot, we were back on the road and heading North!
By the time we got to 160 ks along the road, we had seen lots of bitumen, shrubs of varying sizes, several million hectares of red dirt (informal estimation of course), and a couple of roadhouses which had provided us with rest rooms of varying quality and the usual refreshments to sustain us on our journey. At this point in the journey however, there was still no sign of Carnarvon, and I had resorted to Kenny Rogers and 'The Gambler' to relieve the boredom of this part of the journey!
We arrived in town around 1.30 and did the usual book in and set up routine. We then headed off to see what the town of Carnarvon had to offer. Apparently not much on a Saturday afternoon, and I have a sneaking suspicion that on Sunday there will be even less to do. It looks like a very lazy day in the caravan park for tomorrow and then an early start the next day to get to Karratha.
Friday, 10 June 2011
The dolphins
Next stop was Denham and the dolphins of Monkey Mia. The wind was up, and the early morning was pretty fresh, but it was set to be a beautiful day with very few clouds and a possible 24 degrees. The road to Denham was fairly long, I had to endure quite a few renditions of Banjo Patterson along the way.
We made a stop at Billabong Roadhouse and then on the road again, but only after Kevin held us up talking to random travelers at the fuel pumps!! I'm sure he's intent on talking his way round the country!
After taking the turnoff to Denham, it was my very first turn at driving the van. I'm sure Kevin has been putting off letting me behind the wheel! It was a bit scary and the cross-wind swayed the van a bit, but all in all I think I did a pretty good job for the whole 30 kilometers I drove!!
We arrived in the township of Denham, found our caravan park, set up, did the washing (well I did the washing) and then set off on foot to explore what the town had to offer. Steven and Kevin spent the next two hours checking out the Marine Interpretation Centre (I'm not sure what you can do for two hours in a Marine Interpretation Centre), while Beth and I wandered around the town.
We spent the night doing some serious map studying, and tried to put a timeframe on Broome, so that I can start to ring the Caravan Parks and see if we can get in anywhere. Then it was off for an early night with a very early start for the dolphins the next day.
Friday, and it was up and out early for the trip to Monkey Mia, and what a day we had!
Up early and on the road to Monkey Mia at 7AM, we stopped on the road to get a shot of the sunrise which was magnificent, but left dots in front of my eyes for the next half an hour! Probably shouldn't have looked straight at the sun in my attempt to get a professional sunrise shot.
We reached Monkey Mia and then made our way down to the beach where we waited ankle deep in chilly water for the dolphins to turn up. And turn up they did!! They splashed around in the shallow water and checked us all out. The wait in cold water was well worth it, when I was invited into the water to feed one very cute dolphin a fish.
After my close encounter with the dolphin and our even closer encounter with hypothermia, we then headed up the beach and into the nearest coffee shop to get some warmth in the form of comfort food. Kevin was very disappointed that he had already had cereal and was therefore ineligible to have the big breakfast that was on offer on the coffee shop menu.
A quick change in the carpark (actually it was a struggle out of wet pants while hiding between the open back and front car doors) and then we headed off from Monkey Mia back to Denham. Once back, we decided to visit the Shark Bay Aquarium, which was great - and the young guys who ran the tour were great also!
The afternoon was spent soaking up the sun, walking along the beach, and generally relaxing under the awning watching the comings and goings in the caravan park - actually to be more accurate, the boys were doing all the people watching while Beth and I dealt with the washing and ironing.
We leave Denham tomorrow and head to Carnarvon.
We made a stop at Billabong Roadhouse and then on the road again, but only after Kevin held us up talking to random travelers at the fuel pumps!! I'm sure he's intent on talking his way round the country!
After taking the turnoff to Denham, it was my very first turn at driving the van. I'm sure Kevin has been putting off letting me behind the wheel! It was a bit scary and the cross-wind swayed the van a bit, but all in all I think I did a pretty good job for the whole 30 kilometers I drove!!
We arrived in the township of Denham, found our caravan park, set up, did the washing (well I did the washing) and then set off on foot to explore what the town had to offer. Steven and Kevin spent the next two hours checking out the Marine Interpretation Centre (I'm not sure what you can do for two hours in a Marine Interpretation Centre), while Beth and I wandered around the town.
We spent the night doing some serious map studying, and tried to put a timeframe on Broome, so that I can start to ring the Caravan Parks and see if we can get in anywhere. Then it was off for an early night with a very early start for the dolphins the next day.
Friday, and it was up and out early for the trip to Monkey Mia, and what a day we had!
Up early and on the road to Monkey Mia at 7AM, we stopped on the road to get a shot of the sunrise which was magnificent, but left dots in front of my eyes for the next half an hour! Probably shouldn't have looked straight at the sun in my attempt to get a professional sunrise shot.
We reached Monkey Mia and then made our way down to the beach where we waited ankle deep in chilly water for the dolphins to turn up. And turn up they did!! They splashed around in the shallow water and checked us all out. The wait in cold water was well worth it, when I was invited into the water to feed one very cute dolphin a fish.
After my close encounter with the dolphin and our even closer encounter with hypothermia, we then headed up the beach and into the nearest coffee shop to get some warmth in the form of comfort food. Kevin was very disappointed that he had already had cereal and was therefore ineligible to have the big breakfast that was on offer on the coffee shop menu.
A quick change in the carpark (actually it was a struggle out of wet pants while hiding between the open back and front car doors) and then we headed off from Monkey Mia back to Denham. Once back, we decided to visit the Shark Bay Aquarium, which was great - and the young guys who ran the tour were great also!
The afternoon was spent soaking up the sun, walking along the beach, and generally relaxing under the awning watching the comings and goings in the caravan park - actually to be more accurate, the boys were doing all the people watching while Beth and I dealt with the washing and ironing.
We leave Denham tomorrow and head to Carnarvon.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Amazing Kalbarri
Today we headed to Kalbarri. We got an early start and were booked out at 8AM. A quick check of the iPad and we plotted our direction, then headed up the North West Coastal Highway towards Northampton. Beautiful sunny day, but at this hour of the morning, still a bit chilly around the ears! Steve and Beth were still coming, but we headed off first as we have the big van so we go slower, plus Steven was on the phone to Qantas, which was proving to be a marathon effort.
We arrived at Kalbarri around 11:30 and positioned ourselves on our sites. Kevin had assistance from some of our friendly neighbors who were quite impressed that he managed to back the van into such a tricky spot, actually I was fairly impressed too.
All set up, and a quick study of the maps of the area, and we headed off to find the inland gorge. We were entertained on the way with some fairly dodgy bush poetry from Steven, who still has not recovered from being fleeced of $10 by our friendly bush poet at Geraldton. I did suggest that Steven shouldn't bother trying to market his poetry, as I'm sure I remember some of those ditties from the schoolyard.
The gorges proved to be absolutely sensational. I've never seen scenery quite like it. We walked to lookouts, took heaps of snaps, and simply sat and soaked in the views. It was a brilliant afternoon. Then after taking in the inland gorges, we headed back to Kilbarri township and were amazed by more sights from the coastal gorges too.
Dinner was at the Black Rock Cafe, next door to the caravan park. A great end to a fantastic day. Tomorrow we head to the town of Denim, and the Dolphins of Monkey Mia.
We arrived at Kalbarri around 11:30 and positioned ourselves on our sites. Kevin had assistance from some of our friendly neighbors who were quite impressed that he managed to back the van into such a tricky spot, actually I was fairly impressed too.
All set up, and a quick study of the maps of the area, and we headed off to find the inland gorge. We were entertained on the way with some fairly dodgy bush poetry from Steven, who still has not recovered from being fleeced of $10 by our friendly bush poet at Geraldton. I did suggest that Steven shouldn't bother trying to market his poetry, as I'm sure I remember some of those ditties from the schoolyard.
The gorges proved to be absolutely sensational. I've never seen scenery quite like it. We walked to lookouts, took heaps of snaps, and simply sat and soaked in the views. It was a brilliant afternoon. Then after taking in the inland gorges, we headed back to Kilbarri township and were amazed by more sights from the coastal gorges too.
Dinner was at the Black Rock Cafe, next door to the caravan park. A great end to a fantastic day. Tomorrow we head to the town of Denim, and the Dolphins of Monkey Mia.
Fun in Geraldton
We left Cervantes headed to Geraldton. I must say the Cervantes caravan park wasn't absolutely sensational, so I'm not sad to say goodbye. The shower this morning was like showering in a shoebox under a dripping tap, so I'm hopeful that Geraldton will provide more space and significantly increased water pressure. And hopefully as this was the last day of the long weekend, the Caravan Parks from now on, should be a little less busy!
Along the road the first available place for cappuccino that didn't come out of a push button machine or rather dodgy urn, was a place called Dongara. So of course we stopped there for coffee and the usual accompanying refreshments. Sun was shining, coffee was great! So brief stop and then off to next stop, Geraldton.
Once there we did the usual unpacking and general stuff then headed off for a sight see round the town. There was some slight disagreement on directions and which way was left or right, however once I took over the driving, we managed to negotiate our way round with very little argument!!
The monument to the sailors who perished on the HMAS Sydney, sunk off the Western Australia coast was absolutely amazing, probably the most tasteful and thoughtful memorial I've ever seen. And the sunset on the beach was also up there with amazing too.
Another highlight was the guy we met on the beach who insisted on entertaining us with poetry he'd written and then required $10 for the privilege. I'm not sure why i doubted his authenticity, it was probably the alcohol smell that came with the poetry. He did leave with $10 of our money, and Kevin and Steven are now proud owners of a photocopied leaflet of 'authentic' bush poetry.
Dinner was in the van with Steven and Beth, where we spent time looking at maps and deciding where we head next. Tomorrow we do a big breakfast (Kevin's request) and then various jobs in Geraldton before we set off for further up the Coral Coast.
Tuesday, and as predicted, the first stop is a big breakfast! Two medium breakfasts and two 'don't bother with lunch' breakfasts down, and Steven and Kevin went to the museum, and Beth and i took off for retail therapy. Therapy successful, we met up again with the boys around lunchtime. There was a slight discrepancy as to the directions I'd given Kevin as to our whereabouts, however we met up again with the boys taking the 'scenic route' to get there.
We did our various jobs we needed to do: haircut for Kevin, tyre checked off caravan, groceries re-stocked, fuel in car and headed off to find Bunnings. After driving in completely the wrong direction, we gave up the search and returned to the caravan park minus the hooks we were searching for -Geraldton Bunnings has missed out on a sale!
Early night, as we leave early tomorrow for Kalbarri National Park.
Along the road the first available place for cappuccino that didn't come out of a push button machine or rather dodgy urn, was a place called Dongara. So of course we stopped there for coffee and the usual accompanying refreshments. Sun was shining, coffee was great! So brief stop and then off to next stop, Geraldton.
Once there we did the usual unpacking and general stuff then headed off for a sight see round the town. There was some slight disagreement on directions and which way was left or right, however once I took over the driving, we managed to negotiate our way round with very little argument!!
The monument to the sailors who perished on the HMAS Sydney, sunk off the Western Australia coast was absolutely amazing, probably the most tasteful and thoughtful memorial I've ever seen. And the sunset on the beach was also up there with amazing too.
Another highlight was the guy we met on the beach who insisted on entertaining us with poetry he'd written and then required $10 for the privilege. I'm not sure why i doubted his authenticity, it was probably the alcohol smell that came with the poetry. He did leave with $10 of our money, and Kevin and Steven are now proud owners of a photocopied leaflet of 'authentic' bush poetry.
Dinner was in the van with Steven and Beth, where we spent time looking at maps and deciding where we head next. Tomorrow we do a big breakfast (Kevin's request) and then various jobs in Geraldton before we set off for further up the Coral Coast.
Tuesday, and as predicted, the first stop is a big breakfast! Two medium breakfasts and two 'don't bother with lunch' breakfasts down, and Steven and Kevin went to the museum, and Beth and i took off for retail therapy. Therapy successful, we met up again with the boys around lunchtime. There was a slight discrepancy as to the directions I'd given Kevin as to our whereabouts, however we met up again with the boys taking the 'scenic route' to get there.
We did our various jobs we needed to do: haircut for Kevin, tyre checked off caravan, groceries re-stocked, fuel in car and headed off to find Bunnings. After driving in completely the wrong direction, we gave up the search and returned to the caravan park minus the hooks we were searching for -Geraldton Bunnings has missed out on a sale!
Early night, as we leave early tomorrow for Kalbarri National Park.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Heading North ...
so the first stop up the coast was a little place called Ledge Point. A bit sad to say goodbye to Trevor and Margaret, we'd had a fun week with them, but the time had come to move north to the heat. We phaffed around a bit in the morning - Kevin phaffed more than me of course - but we managed to head off about 11.45AM. The GPS and iPad took us round Perth City and we headed up Indian Ocean Drive until we came to Ledge Point.
Huge coincidence, our friends we met in Perth were also booked into the same caravan park so we spent a great afternoon and evening enjoying some great company and some very very nice food!! We had our first experience of a South African dish, a Bunnychow, which is like a curry in a hollowed out bread. It was absolutely amazing and the smell alone was to die for. I've never enjoyed a curry like this before. in fact it smelled so good that random campers kept coming over just to check out the cooking pot. Of course I made sure Kevin studied the cooking process so he knew how to attempt a similar dish at a later date! The company and hospitality was fantastic and we and a great night. I laughed so much my cheeks were aching. Great company.
The next day, we said goodbye to Ledge Point and headed to Cervantes.
The scenery has definitely changed. The sand dunes appear from nowhere and rise out of the grassy side of the road as well as the ocean side. Funny little black trunked trees and grasses sit amongst the white sand. Well that certainly sounded like something out of a travel guide, but I must say I'm very impressed!!
The sun has been shining and the weather is on the improve. We arrived at Cervantes and set up, taking a few swings at the caravan before we managed to get it centered on the block in the very first spot Kevin attempted. Then it was off to the laundry to work on the washing that had a mange to grow in the few days since I last did it.
Friends from home have now caught up to us. Steve and Beth arrived and we headed off to try and locate a good coffee and some lunch. We did a lap of the town (not a very big lap - it's not a very big town) and then ended up back at the caravan park. We took off to see the Pinnacles (rock formations) but left it a bit late, so were content to take some pictures of the little ones we could see from the car.
We headed back and took a walk on the beach where we got some brilliant shots of the sunset on the water. We got a Skype call from Barry and Julie in England, so were able to show them the sunset first hand from the phone!
We hosted our first 'dinner party' in the van with Beth and Steven, which was great fun.
Next stop on the road north will be Geraldton.
Huge coincidence, our friends we met in Perth were also booked into the same caravan park so we spent a great afternoon and evening enjoying some great company and some very very nice food!! We had our first experience of a South African dish, a Bunnychow, which is like a curry in a hollowed out bread. It was absolutely amazing and the smell alone was to die for. I've never enjoyed a curry like this before. in fact it smelled so good that random campers kept coming over just to check out the cooking pot. Of course I made sure Kevin studied the cooking process so he knew how to attempt a similar dish at a later date! The company and hospitality was fantastic and we and a great night. I laughed so much my cheeks were aching. Great company.
The next day, we said goodbye to Ledge Point and headed to Cervantes.
The scenery has definitely changed. The sand dunes appear from nowhere and rise out of the grassy side of the road as well as the ocean side. Funny little black trunked trees and grasses sit amongst the white sand. Well that certainly sounded like something out of a travel guide, but I must say I'm very impressed!!
The sun has been shining and the weather is on the improve. We arrived at Cervantes and set up, taking a few swings at the caravan before we managed to get it centered on the block in the very first spot Kevin attempted. Then it was off to the laundry to work on the washing that had a mange to grow in the few days since I last did it.
Friends from home have now caught up to us. Steve and Beth arrived and we headed off to try and locate a good coffee and some lunch. We did a lap of the town (not a very big lap - it's not a very big town) and then ended up back at the caravan park. We took off to see the Pinnacles (rock formations) but left it a bit late, so were content to take some pictures of the little ones we could see from the car.
We headed back and took a walk on the beach where we got some brilliant shots of the sunset on the water. We got a Skype call from Barry and Julie in England, so were able to show them the sunset first hand from the phone!
We hosted our first 'dinner party' in the van with Beth and Steven, which was great fun.
Next stop on the road north will be Geraldton.
Out and about in Perth
Out and about in Perth and beyond.
We had a great time in the big city of Perth. I shopped, we ate, we laughed, we met up with some of our wonderful friends, we saw the sights, I shopped (oh did I say that already?) and Kevin carried the bags!!
We did have a little trouble with navigation around the city. GPS says go one way, and true to form, the IPad says go the other way, so with not enough time to navigate left, we went right and ended up off the freeway and into the city. I felt that Kevin's reaction to the incident was a little excessive in relation to the event, although he now insists he didn't actually swear AT me, my recollection of the event is entirely different. Needless to say, we did arrive home safely, just a little later and a little more stressed than planned.
I am amazed at the opulence of some of the areas of the city. The size of some of the houses,I figure a husband and wife would hardly have to see one another in a house that size, not like the compact inside of our snug little van!! Still there would be times that the option of an escape clause from a husband might be slightly attractive!
The weather in Perth was not that kind to us. We had various weather warnings for rough nights, thunderstorms, mini tornados, strong winds and extreme weather conditions We slept through some pretty wild weather and torrential rain but no major damage to our van or us, which was a relief.
In an effort to avoid a GPS mishap a second time, we took a trip on the public transport and caught a train to Perth City. It was an experience .........and we did have to stand all the way, but it was OK. The problem came when we got off the train and as true tourists, we stood at the station and debated which way was going to get us out of the building. With a bit of help from the railway staff, we exited and walked into a huge Myer - what a bonus!
We were sad to say goodbye to Perth, and to Trevor and Margaret who had looked after us so well, but if we are to get to Darwin in time, we need to head off. So its off to Ledge Point and head to the Coral Coast.
That story is on its way in my next installment.......
We had a great time in the big city of Perth. I shopped, we ate, we laughed, we met up with some of our wonderful friends, we saw the sights, I shopped (oh did I say that already?) and Kevin carried the bags!!
We did have a little trouble with navigation around the city. GPS says go one way, and true to form, the IPad says go the other way, so with not enough time to navigate left, we went right and ended up off the freeway and into the city. I felt that Kevin's reaction to the incident was a little excessive in relation to the event, although he now insists he didn't actually swear AT me, my recollection of the event is entirely different. Needless to say, we did arrive home safely, just a little later and a little more stressed than planned.
I am amazed at the opulence of some of the areas of the city. The size of some of the houses,I figure a husband and wife would hardly have to see one another in a house that size, not like the compact inside of our snug little van!! Still there would be times that the option of an escape clause from a husband might be slightly attractive!
The weather in Perth was not that kind to us. We had various weather warnings for rough nights, thunderstorms, mini tornados, strong winds and extreme weather conditions We slept through some pretty wild weather and torrential rain but no major damage to our van or us, which was a relief.
In an effort to avoid a GPS mishap a second time, we took a trip on the public transport and caught a train to Perth City. It was an experience .........and we did have to stand all the way, but it was OK. The problem came when we got off the train and as true tourists, we stood at the station and debated which way was going to get us out of the building. With a bit of help from the railway staff, we exited and walked into a huge Myer - what a bonus!
We were sad to say goodbye to Perth, and to Trevor and Margaret who had looked after us so well, but if we are to get to Darwin in time, we need to head off. So its off to Ledge Point and head to the Coral Coast.
That story is on its way in my next installment.......
Friday, 27 May 2011
Goodbye Bunbury, hello Perth
Bussleton and the wine region of Margaret River were another magic experience. First stop was the coastal town of Bussleton, where we walked the town, checked out the longest jetty and then after the obligatory coffee, headed off to Margaret River.
Margaret River is a smorgasbord of wineries which are great if you are into cheese platters, wine tastings, wood fired pizza, antipasto, cellar door sales etc etc etc. There are heaps of shops selling Eco-friendly produce and hemp-based products, as well as beads, dried foliage and various culture-inspired home decorator items!! But even considering all this culture, it really was a pretty place.
After lazy days exploring beautiful coasts, quaint little townships, and wineries oozing culture, it was time to say goodbye to Bunbury in our usual fashion with a nice 'Big Breakfast' for Kevin in our favorite Bunbury Coffee Shop-Cafe Bean. After final packing and checks, with our first experience of raising and lowering the annexe turning out to be incident free, (I'm now quite hopeful that we are beginning to look like seasoned caravaners to onlookers!!) we headed to Perth to catch up with Kev's Uncle Trevor and Auntie Margaret, where we planned to stay for around a week doing caravan jobs, getting haircuts, seeing the sights, and preparing for the big trip north to Broome.
The weather was promising and showing definite signs of improvement with 24s and 25s forecast for over the weekend, It seemed we were at last starting to see some holiday-appropriate weather.
We arrived at Trevor and Margaret's after safely negotiating our way through the suburbs with caravan in tow. We were feeling like seasoned travellers, confident that we were definitely getting better at this. After spending a great afternoon and night catching up with news from home and chatting about the last time we were in WA 29 years ago, we thought an early night might be in order ready for our big trip to Rockingham planned for the next day.
The trip to Rockingham proved a success, we headed down with Uncle Trevor at the wheel, happy to leave the driving and navigating to the locals. It was a beautiful sunny day, and i could have killed for a cappuccino, but settled for a cup of tea that had been thermosed. The scenery was sensational and i got some great photos, even though Kevin has been seriously incapacitated as he has done some sort of damage to his hip, and is hobbling around like an old man. This is one day where I was able to walk faster than he could! I have been offering to hire a wheelchair or borrow a supermarket trolley to push him around - but he can't quite see the funny side of that!!
Tomorrow we'll potter around here and then make our way across the city with GPS guidance to catch up with old friends from Tas, PJ and Asha Maharaj, for dinner. Am fairly confident that the iPad and GPS will be working hard to get us there
Margaret River is a smorgasbord of wineries which are great if you are into cheese platters, wine tastings, wood fired pizza, antipasto, cellar door sales etc etc etc. There are heaps of shops selling Eco-friendly produce and hemp-based products, as well as beads, dried foliage and various culture-inspired home decorator items!! But even considering all this culture, it really was a pretty place.
After lazy days exploring beautiful coasts, quaint little townships, and wineries oozing culture, it was time to say goodbye to Bunbury in our usual fashion with a nice 'Big Breakfast' for Kevin in our favorite Bunbury Coffee Shop-Cafe Bean. After final packing and checks, with our first experience of raising and lowering the annexe turning out to be incident free, (I'm now quite hopeful that we are beginning to look like seasoned caravaners to onlookers!!) we headed to Perth to catch up with Kev's Uncle Trevor and Auntie Margaret, where we planned to stay for around a week doing caravan jobs, getting haircuts, seeing the sights, and preparing for the big trip north to Broome.
The weather was promising and showing definite signs of improvement with 24s and 25s forecast for over the weekend, It seemed we were at last starting to see some holiday-appropriate weather.
We arrived at Trevor and Margaret's after safely negotiating our way through the suburbs with caravan in tow. We were feeling like seasoned travellers, confident that we were definitely getting better at this. After spending a great afternoon and night catching up with news from home and chatting about the last time we were in WA 29 years ago, we thought an early night might be in order ready for our big trip to Rockingham planned for the next day.
The trip to Rockingham proved a success, we headed down with Uncle Trevor at the wheel, happy to leave the driving and navigating to the locals. It was a beautiful sunny day, and i could have killed for a cappuccino, but settled for a cup of tea that had been thermosed. The scenery was sensational and i got some great photos, even though Kevin has been seriously incapacitated as he has done some sort of damage to his hip, and is hobbling around like an old man. This is one day where I was able to walk faster than he could! I have been offering to hire a wheelchair or borrow a supermarket trolley to push him around - but he can't quite see the funny side of that!!
Tomorrow we'll potter around here and then make our way across the city with GPS guidance to catch up with old friends from Tas, PJ and Asha Maharaj, for dinner. Am fairly confident that the iPad and GPS will be working hard to get us there
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Bunbury stuff
Today was spent round Bunbury. We fell in love with the place.
True to his word, Kevin got me out walking. We walked across the bridge and into the main street, and yes, straight to a coffee shop for our early morning cappuccino. Then we wandered around the town, checking out the shops and generally browsing what the retailers of Bunbury had to offer.
We walked across to the waterfront and forced ourselves to try out the ice creams available on the pier. Then with the extra sustenance on board, we headed to the lookout and used all that energy to negotiate the steps up to the lookout. I made it up half the steps until they became way too narrow and way to high and then I had to retreat while Kevin took the camera and continued on to take the shots.
The remainder of the day was filled with Bunbury stuff, no earth-shattering activity, but pretty relaxing. Today I feel like I'm on holiday. The weather is warming up and the short sleeves are out -as are our very white legs!!
Tomorrow we head to Margaret River to check out the wineries and do a bit of sightseeing, and dare I say more eating!!
Kevin is concerned that the water in WA is shrinking his trousers as the waistbands are getting very snug -I don't have the heart to mention it may in fact be the WA food that's doing it!!
True to his word, Kevin got me out walking. We walked across the bridge and into the main street, and yes, straight to a coffee shop for our early morning cappuccino. Then we wandered around the town, checking out the shops and generally browsing what the retailers of Bunbury had to offer.
We walked across to the waterfront and forced ourselves to try out the ice creams available on the pier. Then with the extra sustenance on board, we headed to the lookout and used all that energy to negotiate the steps up to the lookout. I made it up half the steps until they became way too narrow and way to high and then I had to retreat while Kevin took the camera and continued on to take the shots.
The remainder of the day was filled with Bunbury stuff, no earth-shattering activity, but pretty relaxing. Today I feel like I'm on holiday. The weather is warming up and the short sleeves are out -as are our very white legs!!
Tomorrow we head to Margaret River to check out the wineries and do a bit of sightseeing, and dare I say more eating!!
Kevin is concerned that the water in WA is shrinking his trousers as the waistbands are getting very snug -I don't have the heart to mention it may in fact be the WA food that's doing it!!
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Esperance and Albany
The last few days have been a breath of fresh air in the form of civilization, decent coffee, smiling faces behind shop counters and not a single note of Banjo Patterson from the iPod.
The first few days were spent at Esperance where we drank coffee, chatted with locals, dodged the bad weather and generally caught our breath after the long road across the Nullabor. The weather was so wild, I did wonder if we might be blown away during the night.
The trip to Albany was also pretty interesting due to the wind hitting the side of the van. I was quite impressed with my driver, who managed to get me, the van, my possessions and himself all the way to Albany without mishap!
Two days in Albany catching the sights, eating the food, drinking the coffee and catching up on caravan chores. Of course one of us ate more than the other, and the size of the Sunday morning big breakfast at Emu Point Cafe was a testament to his stamina!!
So tomorrow it's on to Bunbury and a few days catching the sights, exploring the Margaret River region and hopefully the possibility of some better weather.
The first few days were spent at Esperance where we drank coffee, chatted with locals, dodged the bad weather and generally caught our breath after the long road across the Nullabor. The weather was so wild, I did wonder if we might be blown away during the night.
The trip to Albany was also pretty interesting due to the wind hitting the side of the van. I was quite impressed with my driver, who managed to get me, the van, my possessions and himself all the way to Albany without mishap!
Two days in Albany catching the sights, eating the food, drinking the coffee and catching up on caravan chores. Of course one of us ate more than the other, and the size of the Sunday morning big breakfast at Emu Point Cafe was a testament to his stamina!!
So tomorrow it's on to Bunbury and a few days catching the sights, exploring the Margaret River region and hopefully the possibility of some better weather.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Across the Nullabor
Yesterday we headed towards Eucla . This is the first stop in the trek across the Nullabor.
We stopped off at Nundroo Roadhouse to get petrol, use the loos and we were able to get a cappuccino as well. I must admit when I asked for 'decaf' the guy behind the counter did roll his eyes ever so slightly! He was a Scottish guy, and had a joke with me about the person who had been in earlier and asked for a 'skinny, soy, decaf, latte' and how he had to pick himself up off the floor from laughing. I didn't tell him that was Kimberley's drink of choice!!
A photo opportunity under the Nullabor Plain sign with Kevin frantically searching for a camel to take a photo but no luck so far. We had a car throw up rocks from his trailer that got into the gravel and chipped our windscreen - I won't mention what Kevin said!
We stopped on the Great Australian Bight viewing point and armed with camera set out to photograph the whales. Apparently they knew we were coming and stayed away. Still it was a good opportunity to have a lunch break and get rid of all our fruit and veggie items into the bin, because Border Village was coming up and we would lose all those things there. Quarantine is pretty strict going into WA.
Well the quarantine stop proved to be an experience! What a cow she was! No wonder they have the reputation they have. The woman was a sour-faced, rude cow, and that's being polite! After she went through our van, car and storage boots, grunted at us a few times, and made various sarcastic comments, we were on our way.
We kept moving and continued on from Eucla as we were making good time and thought we'd make tomorrow easier if we kept going. Past through another town and decided to head to Madura. There wasn't much wildlife about, so when we met the emu on the road, we got quite excited and I had to take a photo or two. So far to that took our tally of wildlife to one emu, several hundred birds of varying species, two lizards, and one inch-man!!!
We pulled into the Madura Roadhouse. It was pretty average and really just a place to camp with power. $25 was pretty steep for the privilege, but it was this or camp on the side of the road, and I wasn't feeling that brave just yet! Kevin is pretty keen to experience it, but I'm not so sure. Maybe he can do that while I find a nice 5-star accommodation somewhere. It was an early night with no phone, no TV.
Today we headed for Norseman. We woke to a very wet day today with the rain belting down on the roof of the van. I decided to make a break for the showers between the rain. I figured we'd paid such a high rate for the site i was going to get my money's worth even though it was a token in the slot to have a shower. Still I'd paid for it, so ever the Scrooge, I decided to use it! I must say I was a little concerned when I came out of the shower to see an old guy having a shave in the LADIES shower block!!
Fuel was expensive but we didn't have a choice we had to get it, unfortunately it seems out here you are a captive audience and they can charge what they like and not be particularly pleasant when they take your money either. Customer service is alive and kicking at Madura (not)!!
Stopped at Caiguna to fill up before we head out across the longest, straightest piece of road in Australia. The only coffee available was out of a machine and the only personality we got was also pretty ordinary. I don't know what it is about Australian outback roadhouses and customer service, but obviously they seem to leave their personalities in the city. In two days, we've had little more than a grunt from the people that have either served or searched us! Great for tourism in fact the nicest, funniest guy was the Scottish guy who served us yesterday at Nundroo - and I suspect he is a backpacker visiting Australia.
So much straight road. So much nothing. Eating Bullseye lollies to break up the nothing.
OMG 30Ks out from Balladonia and we have two corners!! Kevin now tells me we have done 3,305Ks since we left home 11 days ago. These stats are killing me, especially when he tells me that by the time we get to Darwin we will have done many more than that!!
We stopped at Balladonia. At last some smiling faces behind the counter, it made us feel heaps better. Even got a hot chocolate which was yummy. A museum at the roadhouse was good reading and gave us a bit of history on the place - of course Kevin studied it much deeper than me.
We discovered that the van had been taking in water, all Kev's pillows were wet. After a temporary fix with a towel and re-locating the mattress and pillows, we hoped this would stop any further soaking till we could fix it at Norseman, which was our next stop.
We passed a truck which had gone bush and was very very lucky to still be on it's wheels. Fair bit of damage to the front of it, but I'm guessing it could have been way worse!! We're guessing he fell asleep at the wheel. After another long day, we booked into Norseman Caravan Park. Not quite civilized but certainly one step up from last night. After checking out the amenities, i have decided that i will be showering in the van in the morning.
We stopped off at Nundroo Roadhouse to get petrol, use the loos and we were able to get a cappuccino as well. I must admit when I asked for 'decaf' the guy behind the counter did roll his eyes ever so slightly! He was a Scottish guy, and had a joke with me about the person who had been in earlier and asked for a 'skinny, soy, decaf, latte' and how he had to pick himself up off the floor from laughing. I didn't tell him that was Kimberley's drink of choice!!
A photo opportunity under the Nullabor Plain sign with Kevin frantically searching for a camel to take a photo but no luck so far. We had a car throw up rocks from his trailer that got into the gravel and chipped our windscreen - I won't mention what Kevin said!
We stopped on the Great Australian Bight viewing point and armed with camera set out to photograph the whales. Apparently they knew we were coming and stayed away. Still it was a good opportunity to have a lunch break and get rid of all our fruit and veggie items into the bin, because Border Village was coming up and we would lose all those things there. Quarantine is pretty strict going into WA.
Well the quarantine stop proved to be an experience! What a cow she was! No wonder they have the reputation they have. The woman was a sour-faced, rude cow, and that's being polite! After she went through our van, car and storage boots, grunted at us a few times, and made various sarcastic comments, we were on our way.
We kept moving and continued on from Eucla as we were making good time and thought we'd make tomorrow easier if we kept going. Past through another town and decided to head to Madura. There wasn't much wildlife about, so when we met the emu on the road, we got quite excited and I had to take a photo or two. So far to that took our tally of wildlife to one emu, several hundred birds of varying species, two lizards, and one inch-man!!!
We pulled into the Madura Roadhouse. It was pretty average and really just a place to camp with power. $25 was pretty steep for the privilege, but it was this or camp on the side of the road, and I wasn't feeling that brave just yet! Kevin is pretty keen to experience it, but I'm not so sure. Maybe he can do that while I find a nice 5-star accommodation somewhere. It was an early night with no phone, no TV.
Today we headed for Norseman. We woke to a very wet day today with the rain belting down on the roof of the van. I decided to make a break for the showers between the rain. I figured we'd paid such a high rate for the site i was going to get my money's worth even though it was a token in the slot to have a shower. Still I'd paid for it, so ever the Scrooge, I decided to use it! I must say I was a little concerned when I came out of the shower to see an old guy having a shave in the LADIES shower block!!
Fuel was expensive but we didn't have a choice we had to get it, unfortunately it seems out here you are a captive audience and they can charge what they like and not be particularly pleasant when they take your money either. Customer service is alive and kicking at Madura (not)!!
Stopped at Caiguna to fill up before we head out across the longest, straightest piece of road in Australia. The only coffee available was out of a machine and the only personality we got was also pretty ordinary. I don't know what it is about Australian outback roadhouses and customer service, but obviously they seem to leave their personalities in the city. In two days, we've had little more than a grunt from the people that have either served or searched us! Great for tourism in fact the nicest, funniest guy was the Scottish guy who served us yesterday at Nundroo - and I suspect he is a backpacker visiting Australia.
So much straight road. So much nothing. Eating Bullseye lollies to break up the nothing.
OMG 30Ks out from Balladonia and we have two corners!! Kevin now tells me we have done 3,305Ks since we left home 11 days ago. These stats are killing me, especially when he tells me that by the time we get to Darwin we will have done many more than that!!
We stopped at Balladonia. At last some smiling faces behind the counter, it made us feel heaps better. Even got a hot chocolate which was yummy. A museum at the roadhouse was good reading and gave us a bit of history on the place - of course Kevin studied it much deeper than me.
We discovered that the van had been taking in water, all Kev's pillows were wet. After a temporary fix with a towel and re-locating the mattress and pillows, we hoped this would stop any further soaking till we could fix it at Norseman, which was our next stop.
We passed a truck which had gone bush and was very very lucky to still be on it's wheels. Fair bit of damage to the front of it, but I'm guessing it could have been way worse!! We're guessing he fell asleep at the wheel. After another long day, we booked into Norseman Caravan Park. Not quite civilized but certainly one step up from last night. After checking out the amenities, i have decided that i will be showering in the van in the morning.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Heading towards the Nullabor
First it was goodbye to Adelaide. Headed off early to get a good run through to Port Augusta. With the iPad and GPS for support and road signage for back-up I was feeling pretty confident that we could negotiate our way out of Adelaide without too many issues. Well the iPad sent us one way, the GPS was insisting that we went another and then the road work detour (got to love it) sent us in another direction. With all the odds against us, we still managed to escape Adelaide with the caravan still attached and no arguments!!
The wind and weather was an issue but Kev did a great job of holding us on the road.
Missed our coffee stop - the town was so small we went past the only coffee shop and then couldn't turn us around to get back. We had to make do with no coffee and an emergency supply cookie that Ben and Steph at the Waterfront Cafe had packed me (we are already into our week 2 cookie supply)
Diverted through Snow Town. We were a bit concerned that we may have ended up in a barrel in the back of the bank. Visited some pretty dodgy dunnies and then headed off again.
Stopped at Point Pirie for a photo opportunity and lunch. Blew the milk out of my cappuccino but it was the best warm chicken salad ever. Kevin tried to take a flattering shot of me in front of the jetty, but the wind blowing my hair at right angles to my head made sure the shot was definitely not super model material!!
Just played eye spy and kev had trouble guessing it - I don't understand why. My letter was 'N' and the clue was, 'it is everywhere'. I don't understand why he couldn't guess because the answer was 'NOTHING'! Plenty of that on this road. See the occasional train, lots of little bushes, a pipeline, trucks, caravans and that's it!
We Camped at Port Augusta and were entertained by music from the van next door. Guitar and old time ballads, I hate to admit it, but the old lady was pretty good
So we've now made our way down the Eyre Peninsula finishing with two great days at Port Lincoln.. Well worth the visit and would have been even better if I wasn't wearing a polar fleece and scarf! We've both come to the conclusion that SA has the best coffee so far, a conclusion that has been reached over much taste testing at coffee shops along the way. I can't make a judgement on the accompanying scones, but Kevin seems to think they are pretty good!
Met some great people camped alongside us at Port Lincoln who we'll email along the way. The caravan park was right on the water with a resident family of pelicans who were happy to have their photos taken- I'm sure one of them turned around so I could get his best side!
So it's off to Ceduna which is our last stop before we head out across the Nullabor and leave civilization behind us. No phone, no 3G, no iPad, how will I cope. So for the next blog it will be see you on the other side!!
The wind and weather was an issue but Kev did a great job of holding us on the road.
Missed our coffee stop - the town was so small we went past the only coffee shop and then couldn't turn us around to get back. We had to make do with no coffee and an emergency supply cookie that Ben and Steph at the Waterfront Cafe had packed me (we are already into our week 2 cookie supply)
Diverted through Snow Town. We were a bit concerned that we may have ended up in a barrel in the back of the bank. Visited some pretty dodgy dunnies and then headed off again.
Stopped at Point Pirie for a photo opportunity and lunch. Blew the milk out of my cappuccino but it was the best warm chicken salad ever. Kevin tried to take a flattering shot of me in front of the jetty, but the wind blowing my hair at right angles to my head made sure the shot was definitely not super model material!!
Just played eye spy and kev had trouble guessing it - I don't understand why. My letter was 'N' and the clue was, 'it is everywhere'. I don't understand why he couldn't guess because the answer was 'NOTHING'! Plenty of that on this road. See the occasional train, lots of little bushes, a pipeline, trucks, caravans and that's it!
We Camped at Port Augusta and were entertained by music from the van next door. Guitar and old time ballads, I hate to admit it, but the old lady was pretty good
So we've now made our way down the Eyre Peninsula finishing with two great days at Port Lincoln.. Well worth the visit and would have been even better if I wasn't wearing a polar fleece and scarf! We've both come to the conclusion that SA has the best coffee so far, a conclusion that has been reached over much taste testing at coffee shops along the way. I can't make a judgement on the accompanying scones, but Kevin seems to think they are pretty good!
Met some great people camped alongside us at Port Lincoln who we'll email along the way. The caravan park was right on the water with a resident family of pelicans who were happy to have their photos taken- I'm sure one of them turned around so I could get his best side!
So it's off to Ceduna which is our last stop before we head out across the Nullabor and leave civilization behind us. No phone, no 3G, no iPad, how will I cope. So for the next blog it will be see you on the other side!!
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Last night in Adelaide
OK so it's time to hit the road and head away from this weather. If it blows any harder I'll be doing a 'dorothy' and be heading to OZ. So much for the holiday in shorts!!
We've fixed the van issues and are starting to feel like we know what we are doing - for now anyway.
Kev cooked a roast in his new toy tonight - was very impressed to say the least!! So roast lamb and veggies, in my jammies, tucked up with a doona in front of the TV. Even though the weather is pretty ordinary outside, it's kind of cosy in here.
Well off to Port Augusta tomorrow, so leaving Adelaide behind and starting on the trip slowly towards the Nullabor via the Eyre Peninsula.
We've fixed the van issues and are starting to feel like we know what we are doing - for now anyway.
Kev cooked a roast in his new toy tonight - was very impressed to say the least!! So roast lamb and veggies, in my jammies, tucked up with a doona in front of the TV. Even though the weather is pretty ordinary outside, it's kind of cosy in here.
Well off to Port Augusta tomorrow, so leaving Adelaide behind and starting on the trip slowly towards the Nullabor via the Eyre Peninsula.
Monday, 9 May 2011
On the road to Adelaide
9:30 AM
Heading towards Adelaide. GPS set, iPad Google maps and my impeccable navigation skills we can't possibly go wrong? And on The upside, I have just discovered on the map that we are coming in to Adelaide through Handorf, the home of the best caramel tart and the best bee sting cake in the whole world.. And bugger weight watchers!
Survived the first night in the caravan with only a few glitches..
• it was freezing
• the grey water came back up through the drain into the shower - hose issue
• we had issues with the battery charger
All solvable issues I think!
I'm wondering if it's obvious to the naked eye and the people in the caravan park that we are new to this caravan game!
11:07 AM
Yum the best coffee at Bordertown Bakery. And apparently the vanilla squares are pretty good too, but Kevin's the one to confirm that!
And so it's started! I am now listening to a 'Clancy of the Overflow' Banjo Patterson Collection of bush poetry set to music (sigh)
Two questions.. How long to Adelaide and why didn't I destroy that CD when I saw him put it in the car?
8:22 PM
Missed out on the tart. Way too many cars in Hahndorf and nowhere to pull up with a big van on the back. So weight watchers won after all.
Major plumbing drama with the caravan when we got to Adelaide. The grey water found it's way back up the pipe again and and into the shower again. Emergency trip to find a place to buy pipes,
Adelaide Shores Caravan Park tonight- pretty nice, staying three nights now, probably four.. We need some time to catch breath!!
Heading towards Adelaide. GPS set, iPad Google maps and my impeccable navigation skills we can't possibly go wrong? And on The upside, I have just discovered on the map that we are coming in to Adelaide through Handorf, the home of the best caramel tart and the best bee sting cake in the whole world.. And bugger weight watchers!
Survived the first night in the caravan with only a few glitches..
• it was freezing
• the grey water came back up through the drain into the shower - hose issue
• we had issues with the battery charger
All solvable issues I think!
I'm wondering if it's obvious to the naked eye and the people in the caravan park that we are new to this caravan game!
11:07 AM
Yum the best coffee at Bordertown Bakery. And apparently the vanilla squares are pretty good too, but Kevin's the one to confirm that!
And so it's started! I am now listening to a 'Clancy of the Overflow' Banjo Patterson Collection of bush poetry set to music (sigh)
Two questions.. How long to Adelaide and why didn't I destroy that CD when I saw him put it in the car?
8:22 PM
Missed out on the tart. Way too many cars in Hahndorf and nowhere to pull up with a big van on the back. So weight watchers won after all.
Major plumbing drama with the caravan when we got to Adelaide. The grey water found it's way back up the pipe again and and into the shower again. Emergency trip to find a place to buy pipes,
Adelaide Shores Caravan Park tonight- pretty nice, staying three nights now, probably four.. We need some time to catch breath!!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Day one on the big Island
Well we've arrived. The boat trip was fun even though the cabin was a bit squeezie.
Well we managed to get off the boat pretty stress-free and have headed out towards Ballarat. Stopped at a roadhouse on the way and had eggs and bacon. Decided we won't be able to keep doing that because we'll get done for excess package on the way back if we do.
First stop on the road was at Beaufort. We stopped for supplies and toilet. Photo opportunity outside the Beaufort Fire Station for Kevin of course! Next stop was at Stawell. Up to the lookout then back on track and heading to Horsham
Unscheduled stop at the giant Koala. Kev couldn't resist the picture opportunity with the giant koala. Got to love him!
First successful backing job at the Horsham Caravan Park. Only three attempts to get it straight!!
Kevin has managed to organize dinner tonight for Mother's Day in lieu of me being at home with the girls. As per his normal form, his chatting with the sales assistant he discovered her parents own the local pub. So we managed to buy my mothers day present and make a dinner booking in the one transaction!
Well we managed to get off the boat pretty stress-free and have headed out towards Ballarat. Stopped at a roadhouse on the way and had eggs and bacon. Decided we won't be able to keep doing that because we'll get done for excess package on the way back if we do.
First stop on the road was at Beaufort. We stopped for supplies and toilet. Photo opportunity outside the Beaufort Fire Station for Kevin of course! Next stop was at Stawell. Up to the lookout then back on track and heading to Horsham
Unscheduled stop at the giant Koala. Kev couldn't resist the picture opportunity with the giant koala. Got to love him!
First successful backing job at the Horsham Caravan Park. Only three attempts to get it straight!!
Kevin has managed to organize dinner tonight for Mother's Day in lieu of me being at home with the girls. As per his normal form, his chatting with the sales assistant he discovered her parents own the local pub. So we managed to buy my mothers day present and make a dinner booking in the one transaction!
Saturday, 7 May 2011
The ferry
Well we finally made it. For those that bet on Ross, and/or Campbell Town, you have done your money.
We're sitting in the queue waiting to board. Passed the security checks although I'm sure they looked at us funny , Kevin must look dodgy!
In 12 hours we should be on the big island .. Just hope the sea sickness doesn't kick in
We're sitting in the queue waiting to board. Passed the security checks although I'm sure they looked at us funny , Kevin must look dodgy!
In 12 hours we should be on the big island .. Just hope the sea sickness doesn't kick in
Location:Young St,East Devonport,Australia
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