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!!
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