Perth via Darwin Part 6

Day 22 August 9th

Dianne’s birthday, we phoned and wished her. Before leaving Katherine we went and bought my camera. As happy as Larry now I can once again take photos. We left at 9.19 for Timber Creek. We arrived in one piece and set up camp and booked for a 38km river cruise along the Victoria River which is named after Queen Victoria around 1832 when she was inaugurated.

 

We all boarded a bus which was built in 1971 We were driven to the river which was about 8k down the road being told interesting stories of Timber creek and its heritage and pioneers, one which was Gregory Bradshaw. 

This river and its beauty carry danger at all times because of crocodiles on all shores. Its spectacular sights

with bird life in abundance. The raptors spreading their wings overhead swarming their prey and black necked swans in all their glory. The sounds of the water lapping the boat as it cruised down the river with the skipper telling wonderful stories of the life on the river. He went from side to side to spot the various species of crocks and kangaroos sighting an enormous crock about 15ft long. 

We finally arrived at our destination for a hot and cold finger dinner with sundowners to quench the thirst. A fishing rod placed in order to catch fish to feed the fish eagles which are quite use to the visitors arriving for their show of how they swoop down to pick up their food. 

It was an experience once in a life time to witness. The sun started to set and it was time to return back to shore, it was a nonstop ride to the banks arriving in the dark.

 Climbing on the bus feeling quite ecstatic of a cruise that was outstanding with wonderful company and a skipper who was one in a million.

Day 23 August 10th

Today we leave the Northern Territory and cross over into Western Australia. We had to get rid of all of fresh produce which I managed to give to another camper. The drive was pretty much the same terrain crossing creeks and admiring the rock formation of mountains. The one thing I must admit to that I do not like is the corrugated tar roads, my goodness me they are shocking. We finally got to the border. The inspector asked to look at our caravan and darn I forgot the jolly lemons in the draw of the caravan and then of cause everything changed, our whole caravan got checked. We were then wavered on thank goodness and our next stop was Kununurra. The start of the day driving to the petrol station to discover there is no diesel there and thank goodness at the Hotel they had petrol pumps and we were able to fill up with diesel.

Arrived at camp which is on the river very pretty place and have quite a large population and various shops etc. All settled in and off we went to sight see and found the Ivanhoe crossing. This crossing road had a big boulder in the middle to stop traffic crossing the water. Here again are signs no swimming as crocs live there. We then drove around places of interest which one of them was the Sandalwood factory which we stopped at. Very interesting products and history of what they do with sandalwood and how they grow it in this area. ! Hectare with 480 trees which take 20 years to mature. Back to camp and early night.

Closest moon will ever get to the earth

Day 24 August 11th

Up bright and early and left for Wyndham, the drive there was about 109+k’s which I read another 2 chapters of the 4 blood moons written by Pastor John Hagee. We arrived into the town greeted by a gigantic Crocodile in the middle of the traffic Island and surrounding this were benches and tables and seated on nearly all of them were the Aboriginal crowd from this town a true greeting of the outback. We carried along this road and eventually came to our caravan sight. What a delightful place with trees that kept the caravans comfortably cool and all the amenities in the right place for good access in the middle of the night run. We set up camp right next to the swimming pool which I might add looks quite inviting which we did go into later on in the afternoon a true wake up call for this young body of ours, getting out feeling rather refreshed. I am getting ahead of myself here as you know Dennis with his itchy feet we had to go exploring this town

which is next to the Cambridge Gulf. What a quaint town. Houses built with metal sheeting and very old. We walked around and ended up at the fisherman’s jetty. The tide was out and fisherman at the bottom there sitting and waiting patiently for their catch. The sun was beating down and very hot. I left Dennis on the jetty trying to get a panoramic take with his camera as I found the heat rather stressful on the body and walked back to the car where I found shelter sitting on the steps of an old battered down shop. I got a visitor sitting there a very old foxie who was extremely over weight. Eventually Dennis arrived and we sat there and ate our lunch on these steps. We got back in the car then Dennis wanted to take a video of a road train coming through to load up whatever they load up there. Waiting paid off as one came through which obliged us with hooting his horn with a friendly wave. Along the way back to the camp we stopped off at the Pioneers grave. Sad reading headstones of how young the pioneers were who had gone on to be with the Lord. We got back to camp and had a cuppa then at 4.30 we went up to the 5 River Look out. Now this was an experience very hard to describe to paper. The sight here of the Cambridge Gulf with its 5 rivers entering and boats coming in from sea to drop off cargo was breath takingly beautiful. The jetty we were on earlier in the afternoon the gulf was low tide but this afternoon it was high tide with the water almost up to the place where we were standing. Spectators were in abundance and all there with their cameras as well as us waiting for the sun to set.

What a peaceful beautiful moment in one’s life to watch the sun go down on top of a mountain with its rays glistening over the waters. The surrounding colours changing every second from this bright orange to mauve's and blues and then the sun was gone and one could hear a pin drop with everybody in awe of what they had just witnessed. We had a glass of wine up there while waiting, precious memories made.

 Boab tree at our caravan site. Suppose to be the largest in captivity and over 2000 yrs. old.

Day 25 August 12th

Today is a tour around Wyndham day. First the chores then off to see the Prison Tree which is on a dirt road or so we thought! It ended up being a corrugated stony road that shook the car that our teeth even rattled. Dennis eventually stopped and let the tyre pressure down which made the saddle more smooth riding. We were graced with the presence of an eagle right by our car, they such graceful creatures of the air.

.We drove alongside the King River which is a breeding habitat for crocodiles.

On arrival at the prison tree there were other visitors there all admiring this beautiful tree with I am sure many a sad story to tell of prisoners brought to this tree on their way to the police station in Wyndham. It’s a magnificent tree with the center piece removed and the tree has made its mark growing in a cylindrical way with even a hole on top to let the light in.


We had a cuppa and left to go and see the Moochalalbra dam which supplies the Wyndham area with fresh water. It must be a spectacular sight to see in the rainy season with the water overflowing the dam wall causing waterfalls along the stream further down.

Before arriving at the dam we saw a salt water crocodile baking in the sun along the King River.

Back on the sand corrugated road and finally coming to the main road, Dennis could not help himself and the challenge to go on more 4x4 roads so we ended up going to the Marigu Billabong.

It’s a worthwhile site to see as the bird life is in abundance and we were told there is about 500 various species but once again no swimming due to crocodiles inhabiting the waters. Dennis actually saw one lazing on the sand bank enjoying the heat of the day. We had lunch here and then went back to camp. A very enjoyable day it was and very tired from all the shaking about and the dust was everywhere.

Day 26 August 13th

It’s time to leave for Halls Creek so it was up with the fowls and leaving by 7.45 with the temp at 18.8 A decision was made the night before to get the blanket out and put on our bed. Gosh what a climate change from the stifling heat to chilly evenings and mornings. Anyway we had a very pleasant trip arriving at Halls creek to a very dry red sandy town with houses all having their own character made of metal sheeting but very attractively done with no down pipes or guttering, a very interesting concept.

The Bogan villas are a show in this area one finds them climbing to heights higher than homes gracing archways and trees with vibrant colour of crimson, white and red. The town was busy with shoppers and the shop entrances with their quirky greetings and adverts making this town center and attraction for tourists. We drove straight to the camp site set up camp and decided to go and look at the town center. We decided to walk in and out of the shops experiencing the lives of those who actually made this place their home, I take my hat to these people as it’s very remote with not much to do and yet it does seem busy all the time.

There was one shop that sells all from clothing, furniture electrical, white good, kitchen ware, baby ware, ornaments you name and its there, very interesting browsing through. Then of cause the butcher the sign in the front is for those who have a great sense of humour, Dennis and I had a great laugh so do take a read at the photo placed here. I loved the grocery store , the outside was decorated on the roof with cows in different colours made from what it looks like Milk cans. Making it most attractive to the stores entrance. We went back to camp and rested and time for bed.

Day 27 August 14th.

My sister Thelma’s birthday she turned 79 today, How time has flown and hard to believe. We left Halls creek for Fitzroy Crossing at 7.56 with the temp 10,4. Rather chilly for us as we are so use to the high temperatures and having the air con and all of a sudden it feels like winter again which of cause it is. The road was long and the scenery changing all the time from plains of just nothing to Rocky Mountains and boulders all over the place then shrubbery and lots of Boab trees varying in sizes. 

We stopped for lunch at one of the large oneswhich was photographed in one of the visitors guide books a magnificent tree. We arrived at Fitzroy Crossing and a decision was made to dry through to Derby. This we did arriving at our caravan site at about 3.30 a great run through from Fitzroy Crossing. At places the road was just straight and on this route we discovered a lot of controlled burning of bush which we found odd as the fires were still burning and yet at the same time contained. I’m glad we decided to drive through as we so enjoyed the tidal experience of the King sound. .

We took photos of the tide which water levels were up to the jetty trusses and were able to take photos of the water levels which were right up to shore. We retired rather early due to eyes feeling gritty and the eyelids rather heavy. It was a great day in the outback; we enjoyed the scenery of vast changes of terrain and the bird life in abundance.

                                                                                                                                  



Day 28 August 15th

We decided it is a day to rest and catch up with all the chores around the caravan and car. Spending most of the morning cleaning and doing the washing of clothes and then of cause there was an odd sound in the car causing concern. Dennis checked but all seemed OK so we trundled into the town to see what and how the locals live.
It’s a pretty town but not quite sure what goes on here as the town centre is spread all over the place. One thing I did find is the signs on most shops were “No school No shop” this was for the kids if you not at school don’t come into the shop. The knock in the car became more pronounced and finally back at the camp Dennis decided to have a look and not finding anything. We also found on expecting that the right hand light had come out of its place so the repair to the light fitting took place. In the mean time I did some baking and then started the leg of lamb roast which we had for dinner and sorted out the washing and cleaned up the cupboard. It just felt like I was in the kitchen all day but in the end the end results of the baking and cooking it all tasted good in the end. We also went to the whalf to look at the tide that had gone out and this is the result of that. We decided again to go and have a look at the tide coming in and found a ferry in dock. Not sure where it was heading off to but they have only a certain time frame to do what they have to do as it is tidal is this area. A wee clip from the visitors guide says…The tides are Australia’s highest, with tidal variations being as much as 11 metres. The weather has a tropical climate which is pleasant for most of the year. With warm winters and hot humid summers. Derby is located between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator. It has two main seams offering very different experiences for visitors. It’s time to pack our bags for our adventure of a life time. To go and see the horizontal water falls being picked up at 8.15 tomorrow morning for a prop jet seaplane flight over the waterfalls and a boat trip through the horizontal waterfalls. So I will say good night.

Until next time...............Accept what you receive