Here we are back in Wyndham after a fabulous week. We all left on Friday and headed for the Gibb River Road with much anticipation after being held up because of the unseasonal rain. The Pentecost River was still quite high but we all traversed it easily. The road was in very condition considering. We stopped for lunch at Durak River a very pretty spot. There are a lot of roadworks going on fixing and widening, the road and from the Kalumburu turn off the road worsened however we got to Drysdale Station about 3pm and paid our fee to spend the night at Miners Pools 3klm north. It was a very cold night made worse by our bedding which for some reason was damp, could have been from when we were at El Questro and packed the camper up wet. Next morning we decided to go back to Drysdale and see if we could borrow some blankets which luckily we could.
We travelled on to the Mitchell Plateau turnoff and over the King Edward river, had a lunch stop and continued on to Mitchell camp area , very nice spot . The road in was very rough as it doesnt get maintained like the Gibb River road. We all got set up and fortunately we had a much warmer night thanks to the extra dry blankets.
Next morning after brekky we set off for our walk to the Mitchell Falls. It is a beautiful walk through rocks, grassy flat areas and over creeks, crossing Little Merton and Big Merton falls. When we got to the Mitchell falls because of the rain the river crossing was too deep so we had to do another 500 metres over more rocks, we felt like mountain goats. We stripped off our clothes and into our togs packed our gear over our shoulders and walked across the river very gingerly as the rocks were slippery and a fall would see us taken fairly quickly down into the falls. We walked around to the far side and were lucky that all 4 falls were running, spectacular to see. The only thing that spoils it is the helicopters that go all the time taking people for flights, sort of spoils the serenity and isolation of a magnificent place. After a swim in the river we made our way back to a shower and dinner before falling into bed, a great day
Monday morning saw us packed and gone by 7.45am as we were going to have a look at Surveyors Pools, not visited by many but an awesome place, a large pool surrounded by incredible pink coloured rocks not unlike that of Litchfield park. We spent some time there before heading back for smoko and back to King Edward River, along the way going through a 200metre mud hole, I wanted Tony to go back through it again so I could take a photo of it, needless to say he declined. We camped at the river for 2 nights, beautiful right by the edge, had a swim in the waterhole, the water was very cold and the rocks slippery so we have got in the habit of wearing our aqua shoes.
Wednesday (I keep a written log so that I know what day it is) we were up early to get to Kalumburu knowing that the road would probably be rough, luckily it was in very good condition and took us 2 hours to do the 100 or so klms, our friends in Darwin did it 2 years ago and it took them 6 hours. We paid for our permit ($40) bought a few supplies and kept going to check out McGowans camp area, but went onto Honeymoon Bay, a supposed 7 star resort, well I think someone was dreaming because it certainly wasnt that. We decided to camp on the beachfront which was pretty good, amenities very basic but you are a long way from anywhere. After setting up camp we had happy hour, dinner and bed.
Thursday we awoke to a glorious sunrise behind the huge boab tree, Tony and Grahame took the boat and went over to the rocks and picked a small esky of mouth watering oysters. Tony and I went out later and got 2 bluebone, a cod and a number of small yellow stripey fish. That night he cooked them in foil, yum delish. The following night we had oysters with cocktail sauce, Tony made a batter and did some oysters in batter, also did a big fish fry for the 6 of us, Lorraine and Wendy cooked a pasta dish and we had a feast. Friday we didnt catch a lot of fish but enough to freeze a couple of meals.
Saturday saw Lorraine, Danny, Graham and Wendy leave, we stayed an extra day as it takes a bit of extra time to clean and sort the boat, they wanted to see the mission and Museum in Kalumburu and its only open Saturday morning. Evening saw us sitting round the campfire with Wolf, Pam, Maurice and Danni, Wolf regaled with stories of his travels and pig hunts, he had us in stitches laughing, so many great times had sitting round camp fires telling stories. Pam we cant wait to see your new camper with its periscope!!!!!!!!
Next morning we were up early , had the camper packed and got the boat on with the help of Wolf and Maurice, Tony's back has been a bit crook for a couple of days so the guys helped out, thanks guys. We had a good run back and were coming up a lovely stretch of brilliantly coloured red road when I saw something on the road ahead, it was a family of roos, a huge male, mama and 2 little baby roos, they sat there for a minute then mama and babys went one way and papa went the other, we stopped for a bit and papa arched himself up to full height, he was huge but was obviously making sure we didnt get to close to his family. How lucky were we to see a complete family. We had lunch at Drysdale Station and they were so busy, it was like peak hour in the city, school holidays are on here in W.A. I think we made a good decision to go when we did. I drove most of the way back along the Gibb River road, did my first river crossing, the Durak, then the Pentecost which was still knee deep. Was rather pleased with myself untill we got a little further and Phoooooooooooosh, a flat tyre, bugger. Out with the hilift jack, 30 minutes later we were on our way, but didnt get back to Wyndham till dark. Before my flat tyre we had stopped at a lookout and were gobsmacked at the view of the ranges with the afternoon sun on them, it was the perfect end to a a great week.
This morning Tony went to the BP to fill up and get the tyre when he saw a familar face, it was Darren Connor formerly from Brisbane, Tony went on many 4wdriving trips with him. He is one of the Policeman here , has been here for over 3 years. We are going to have coffee in the morning before heading out to Tunnel Creek and the Bungle Bungles. Dont know when we will have reception again so will keep doing my written logs and update again when I can
