Sept 26

Alan was up before the sun this morning and had made my cup of coffee before I reluctantly surfaced at about 6am.  Last night had started off very still and hot, even with all the flaps open in the tent.  However, somewhere around 3am it got quite cool and I was all comfy, snuggled up in the sleeping bag.  Yawn, stretch, coffee, OK, time to get up.

Today we went for a walk.  Don't laugh, I am not winding you up again, we really did go for a walk.  Not a long expedition just a couple of kilometers and it was thoroughly enjoyable.  I have no desire to walk on roads, walkways, pavements or golf courses, this is quite different and much more entertaining.  We set out on the pre-planned route to the Echidna Chasm, beautiful.  I think the three words I have used most since coming to OZ are awesome, stunning and beautiful, this is truly a beautiful country with it's variety of habitats and space.

 OK back to the Echidna Chasm, a walk described as moderate with a challenging climb at the end (I had no idea what that meant but I was up for a challenge).  No big camera with the zoom lens, that is pretty heavy to carry and I may need two hands lol.  We were told to be there between 11:00am and 11:30am to get the best effect and what an effect it was. 

The pictures will take you from the car park, up the stony path (looks like a river bed <g>), into the entrance area and finally through the narrow gaps to the chasm proper.  What an awesome place, nature is magnificent is so many ways.  I was thinking about Lake Argyle, yep a clever piece of engineering but it is not a patch on something like this which nature has created without our interference.

The rocky path

More of the rocky path

Entering the gorge area, beautifully lines with palms, the green against the red backdrop took your breath away.

I love this picture

The entrance into the Echidna Chasm

And the sun came into position

Red red rock

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh <g>

Always remember to look up

And this is what I was taking a pic of.  How on earth does a palm tree grow in a location like this :)

Bye bye chasm

Time to walk back to the car and have a beer

One last look

 This afternoon we have taken it easy, a couple of beers while we try once again to sort out the car into some semblance of organization.  Why is it that the item you need is always the one at the back of the drawer or rear area and everything had to be removed to get to it I wonder?  I cooked up another 16 sausages (we like cold sausages and it means we don't have to keep cooking a couple here and a couple there), then in case the mince (ground beef lol) goes off I tackled that too with a onion and lots of garlic.  When we decide what to eat the mince with we can then add the tomato, or curry, or chilli, or Italian seasoning etc.  The basic will do for now.  After having lost the cheese when we first arrived we invested in a pot of Parmesan, now I have lost the packet of Italian seasoning, I have the Italian seasoning sprinkled neatly all over the bottom of the drawer but the packet it came in has mysteriously grown legs and walked.

A shower is on the cards tonight, Alan has once again rigged up the solar shower and it has been heating water all day.  I plan to wash my hair, condition my hair then have a shower, we will probably have to fill the bag up again <g>.  The water is all pretty warm so Alan won't have to have a 'cold shower' <g>.

Tomorrow we plan another walk but we will head off early in the morning before it gets too hot, I think it is going to be another magical place we visit but I will let you know once we have been there and returned.  We did plan to leave tomorrow afternoon for Halls Creek but I think we are staying another night (so the washing we soak tonight has time to dry while we are walking).

Two sunsets today, well two pics of sunsets that is :)

Well, what to do, I have something else to add after having written the blog for today we had an interesting night <g>.  We did our usual of getting everything organized so we don't have to fumble around too much in the dark, find a good spot to star or moon gaze, get a cup of tea or other liquid refreshment and spend an hour or so reveling in the wonders of the night sky with no light pollution.  We have a great light, full fluorescent if we wish or turn it to an orange glow, our favourite, just enough to see where we put our feet but not bright enough to attract too many bugs or interfere with the night show ahead of us.

The amount of light we have at night

 Last night we gained a couple of neighbours, one was brilliant, he put his tent up in virtual darkness but the other couple grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Some time ago we had a neighbour back in the UK who really was the neighbour from Hell and funnily enough we passed over a creek just before entering the Pernululu National Park which had the same name as them - it began with McP…  These neighbours were catching up to those neighbours, they didn't have any kids or make much noise but the light coming from their area was like being at Time Square (slight exaggeration but it felt like that).  They had a florescent strip attached to their vehicle and a torch/lantern which was equally bright.  Every time there was a noise out they would come with their torch/lantern and sweep the surrounding area for about 10 minutes.  They were bad enough when I was having my shower with nature but when Alan had his the torch was backwards and forwards on him, he reckons they were preving (I had not complaints at the point).  Alas the light show kept going on and off for about two hours.  In the end we went to bed, they had managed to ruin a beautiful time.  The stars were so bright and the old nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.  Up above the sky so high like a diamond in the sky - summed up the moment to a T.

Sept 25

Now here I am being such a good girl, sitting at our new campsite overlooking a dry riverbed (a very small one), the sun is shining on my back and had been for the past hour or so and it is only 8:30am.  We will be heading off for a walk soon but saying as I have a few free moments this is a good time to keep up to date with the blog.

We left Kununurra yesterday bright and early, on the road by 7:15am.  A couple of hours later I asked Alan if he knew where he was going, no was the response I was meant to be telling him.  By now we had passed Lake Argyle so forget that as a stopping place for the night.  Our original plan was to try and find somewhere to camp by the lake and get a different view of it than the one from the other day which did not impress us much.  It is a great piece of engineering I agree but alas man-made and we want nature.

Onward and further along the Great Northern Highway (heading South) to Pernululu National Park, home of the Bungle Bungle range.  Pernululu by the way is the Aboriginal word for sandstone.

Registered the vehicle at the visitors center, got the map and a quick overview of the area and booked ourselves in for two nights.  Next, find a camp spot, we are wondering what we are going to find with visions of the Mitchell Fall campsite running through our heads.  This place has made a tremendous effort to provide an excellent layout, we have a tap and dunny near by and although we are not alone there is plenty of tree coverage to give the impression of solitude.  Well done to the groups who have provided this facility, and I would recommend it to anyone.  Time to eat our belated lunch and have a few cups of tea before heading off to one of the viewing points, Kungkalahayi Lookout, a short walk and an excellent place to watch the sun set over the Bungle Bungles.

The car park for the Kangkalahayi Lookout.  Our car is the one parked under the tree at the right.

I just love this picture of one of the many cockatoos we have seen.  He/she was part of a group of about 30 just to the right of the car park and I had to go get some pics.  I am sure this guy is a reincarnation of Charlie Chaplin and should be on the stage, just needs a top hat and cane :)

 

To the right of the Bungle Bungle Range and while we were waiting for the beautiful red of the sunset this rock off to my right caught my eye, what a great face <g>.

This next picture could be anywhere, but look at the colours - magnificent.  We are still waiting for the sun to set and enjoying a beer sitting on one of the benches.  This was the view to the left of us and shows the tufty grass bundles that provide one explanation as to how the Bungle Bungle Range gets it's name.

I can't remember what type of bird this is and the pamphlet is in the car but what a fine specimen.

The sun is going down now and time to turn the cameras onto the Bungle Bungle Range.

And to finish for today as sunset <g>

Sept 24

Waking up this morning we were wondering if Britz would really manage to get a fridge to us so we can be on our way tomorrow morning.  We were kept in suspense for the whole day.  What to do to pass the time.  I think Alan's wallet need emptying a bit <g>.  We went back to the Sandalwood Factory, their hair conditioner is rather nice so I have bought some more and some other bits and bobs.  Unfortunately we only have 20 kilos of luggage allowance on the internal flight (I have 52 kilos for the flight back to KSA so craft shops beware in Brisbane <g>) so the spending is being curbed dramatically.  Today, what the heck, post the stuff directly, don't look at the bill :) 

Next, ummmmmmm, only 9:30am, OK fishing, so back to Ivanhoe Crossing.  Nice one Alan, he caught a Baramundi.  To keep your 1 fish allowance it must be 88cm or over.  The one Alan caught had a mouth bigger than it's stomach (the spinner was almost as big as it was) needless to say it was dehooked and allowed to live another day.  We will still be having fish for dinner as that is the special back where we are staying so winners all round I would say.

The afternoon was spent back at the motel waiting for the mobile to ring, which it didn't.  I was starting to chomp at the bit and ready to give Britz a mouthful.  Consolation in a book, yep, I have read a book in three days, not the one I have been carrying round with me for the past 18 months and has been to the UK twice and is now with me in OZ but one Dianne left behind - thanks Dianne.

We went back to the refrigeration guy at about 3, I had everything crossed.  If the fridge was not there we would be in a bit of a pickle, it is now the start of a long weekend, something to do with the Queen's birthday which would mean we would be stuck here until at last Tuesday.  All is well that ends well, a fridge was waiting for us, our chicken is safe and the beer is now getting cold.  Last night tonight in the motel and we will head out early tomorrow morning, only got to give the car a drink.

Right folks that is you all up to date again.  Not sure when next on line but keep checking back. 

Sept 23

What to do, being a great believer in fate we are obviously not meant to be on the roads today for some reason on another.  We were all packed and ready for the off this morning, just had to go get some more food supplies when Alan discovered the fridge in the vehicle was not working.  A quick call to Britz who told us to go a particular garage to get it checked out.  Fair enough, the fridge must be working or we are in a pickle, hopefully it is the second battery in the vehicle which the fridge used that needs replacing.  An hour later and no it was not the battery, that was working fine, maybe it needs more gas.  Another call to Britz and off to the Refrigeration specialist. Another hour later, yes he could fix it but was waiting for authorization to go ahead. He suggested we leave our food in his freezer and he would give us a ring when it was ready - good plan.

Now back to the Lakeside View Motel (this place is becoming a second home to us) and check in for another night.  Good stuff, with only having checked out this morning they did not bother with all our details again.  They were going to give us our room back, No.15 but it was not quite ready so we are next door in room 16, as they said a change of scenery lol.  The only difference is the room is reversed :)

Still no phone call from the refrigeration guy so time to go see what is happening.  Crap, refusal to fix it by company and they are sending another unit which won't be here till tomorrow afternoon. Alan is chomping at the bit, time to get on the phone and complain.

So there you have it, been nowhere, done nothing so no photos of todays antics. All being well things will be sorted by tomorrow and if luck is on our side in the morning and not the afternoon.  Off now to get another case of stubbies 'cans of beer' to put in the car.

Night night folks.

Sept 22

We were up early this morning and ready to head out and potter round by 7am - we must be keen <g>.  No idea what we are going to see, just a 'drive about' heading in the direction of Middle Springs and Black Rock Falls which we picked out from the map.  It was a good choice of road to trek down, the first thing we saw was a cafe selling fresh fruit and veg locally grown along with mango smoothies, mango ice cream etc; we bookmarked that for later in the day.

A little further down the road we came to Ivanhoe Crossing (sorry can't find a decent link for Ivanhoe Crossing), time to stop and get the cameras out yet again.

Black Rock Falls on our left so a quick look, not much to see with it being the dry season but with a bit of imagination one can get the full impact, water falling down over a black rock background, surrounded by red rocks and blue sky - have you got the picture? <g>. There were loads of butterflies at the bottom of the fall too.

Use your imagination here and visualise the picture below attached to this one to get a better effect of the height and colour.

We seemed to have missed Middle Springs so will check them out on the way back.  Off on another track, choices to be made, left or right where the track has given way, what fun.  We did not bother to drive all the way down thinking it was about time we got some exercise so we parked the car up and headed on by foot.  Don't freak, you know I don't walk far <g> and sure enough it was not far.  What a shame another car there and 'humans' but I had to forgive, it was a couple with three very young Aboriginal children complete with their armbands, cute stuff.  I did not ask but I suspect they must be fostering the wee ones.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Time for a coffee so back across Ivanhoe Crossing and this time as Alan was driving across I was sure I saw a 'croc on a rock', quick snap with the wee digi camera and yes it was a croc.  Only a wee one but at least we have seen one, he was a fresh water guy so not a viscous as the salties we never found.  Nobody else had seen the croc so, being the friendly soul that I am I let them all know.

Yes, a croc, just a wee one but it is a croc

Time for a coffee, or fruit juice or smoothie or ice cream or even one of each <g>.  Yummy, the mango cheeks were just as I remember from long ago, juicy, sweet with that occasional tang you get from fresh mangoes and the mango ice-cream which accompanied it was terrific too.

Another signpost, a sandalwood factory, got to check that out, ooooooooooooooooooooooh the smells, glorious and yes the walled had to be removed from Alan's pocket.  Some conditioner for my hear and a couple of other bits and bobs.

On the same sign as the sandalwood factory but pointing the other was a distillery, OK here we go, got to do the 'tasting'.  The oldest legal distillery, yep a bottle was bought and tomorrow we will get some cokes to go with it.  Now this was a nice touch, if you bought their postcard for a buck they would pay the postage <g>, another card on its way to Mum lol.  She will love this one with not being a drinker, maybe by the time I get back to the UK Mum won't be talking to me, a 'lazy letter' and now a boozy postcard lol.

Next stop Lake Argyle, right seen that now.   I am sure we will get better pics of Lake Argyle tomorrow when we explore the place better and find some unmarked tracks, this view point really does not do it justice I think and we don't have much time left today.

Another amazing rock structure, look how it has been pushed out the ground.  Really shows a violent past many moons ago.

On the way to the Lake we saw a sign for a sanctuary where they were caring for Koalas, got to go there. Several km up the road to the main entry gate, shoot, closed to tourists, wish they had said that on the road sign but a neat view of the river anyway.

Very strange rock composition, it looks like all types of pebbles have been put in a mixing bowl with something to hold them together.  You could see where large chunks had fallen off into the river. Fascinating.

Right another sign we saw was for a tropical garden, that could be a goodie, flowers, insects and birds, yep time to check it out.  Hahahahahahah, in England we would call this place a tropical plant nursery, it was selling tropical plants.  The chappy working there had a laugh and asked us if it was Friday.  Now that threw me, I have no idea what day it is but thought it was early in the week than that.  He then added he just wished it was Friday and in fact it was Wednesday.

Time to head home, have a cuppa then a beer.  We were told it was steak night tonight so guess what I am having for dinner, tummy is rumbling already.

Not sure once again when I will get another blog up, probably not for about 10 days or so but I will keep writing in the meantime and upload everything ASAP.

Sept 21

Today has been a day of getting things sorted.  Phone calls to Britz so a replacement tyre can be organised.  Alan went off to the garage to get that while I plowed on with uploading the blog updates and photos (a mammoth task, taken about 12 hours to do <g>).  My camera is fixed, I dropped it on the rocks while Alan was fishing and knocked the catch to release the battery and memory card out of place and the SatNav is fixed too, for some strange reason it had stopped charging in the car, we don't know why but it seems fine now.  This afternoon we went shopping for vital supplies, and tomorrow we will do the rest of the shopping, tea, milk, gas for the cooker etc before heading out to Lake Argyle the next day.  I have bought my boomerang, one of the few items on my shopping list.  In all my ignorance I had hoped to find an Aborigine walking about with an original boomerang, not a chance.  Today I went into an art gallery in town on the off chance they had some, great, yes, but a closer looked showed them to be new and machine tooled.  No, I am not buying one of those, I want the real thing.  When I mentioned these were not what I was looking for I was shown round the corner to a table with three boomerangs on and a few other original artifacts.  I was so afraid to look at the price, what should I do, walk away or buy?  Apparently the real boomerangs are very hard to find, and traditionally carved ones are not being made as it takes too long, hence all the machined ones.  To find the hand carved ones means hunting E-Bay or buying from collectors.  OK, so I bought one, made in 1940 probably during the time the railway was being constructed.  It is beautiful, not perfect, it has a broken bit which has been glued back in with gum from the gum tree (not superglue <g>), it feels old, it looks old and I believe it is old.

The only pictures we have of today are of birds taken around the lake at the Lakeview Motel, maybe tomorrow we will have something else to show you when we go investigate this area a bit.

While the shredded tyre was being replaced Alan saw a big cut on another tyre, it was replaced too so now we are roadworthy again and the vehicle is set for the next leg of the journey, Lake Arglye, Bungle Bungle then onto Alice, Uluru and Kings Canyon.