Week 9 and 10.....maybe 11.....is anyone counting still???

What a few weeks we've had!  The Gibb River Road lived up to it's legend and although the Caravan itself appears bullet proof with nary a drama...the kitchen items we put in it are certainly not!  The fridge cracked a weld and dropped it's amonia and really cleaned the sinus'!  Then the micro wave decided to pack it in working and telling time and appearing to be working but 'magnatron' say nooo!  Hot water system cracked a weld where the water goes in and flooded the van so there were some fun times to be had but over and all the rattle of the road is still in our heads but we are safe and sound in Broome and all is being fixed and re-fitted (thanks warranty!)   We'll tell the tale with the following photo's and comments to keep you up to date!

First stop on the GRR was Emma Gorge, a great walk up into the coldest water Kerriann has ever in my knowledge consciously swam.  The water was freezing!  

Emma Gorge - The girls swimming back from the water droplets in the background that come off the cliffs that are bathed in sunlight and as such warmer than the arctic waters below!  They were swimming under the drips with mouths wide open trying to get a reprieve from the bitterly cold water...Jessica's laughter when she's in cold water is so great to hear...that kind of nervous hysterical ha ha ha ha ha ha I can't stop laughing or I'll die kind of laugh....!  

Zebedee Springs - El Questro Station.  The water although classed as a Hot Spring was only about 32 degrees and it was a cold day so keeping warm was an issue!  Nice spot except for the moron tour guide resplendent in his crocodile dundee teeth and all acubra hat who's every second sentence was "I'm the tour guide so this and that"... etc....while his back packer brain dead hanger on's insisted on swearing vulgarity totally unnecessarily in the presence of many children and elderly.....!  Needless to say I had a quite word and the morons moved on to the cooler water and were quietly spoken it seems!  Deep breaths.....deeeeep breaths we're on holiday.

Pentecost River Crossing, we had to drive across, drop Kerriann and Kacie with the camera's and return and do it again! The back drop was magnificent and photo's do nothing of the colour in the cliff faces as the sun was setting in the west!  We were so tempted to free camp by the river but kept on to Home Valley Station where we set up for a few days as a base camp before driving/camping up at Mitchell Falls NP.  The road to Kalumburru was closed.

We met some fantastic friends this last week or so with Paul, Sil and their 3 kids and Mike and Robin fresh out of PNG with there van named "Haus belong Raun" and Toyota "Mipela Raun"!  What a great time we had!
We left the van at Drysdale Station on the Kalumbaru Road and borrowed some kit from Paul and Sil and camped at Mitchell Falls National Park.  The 180km drive took about 5 hours (not including stops) to get into the camp and we felt very sorry for the people that day tripped it from a camp 60km south of Drysdale and from Drysdale also!
The walk from the camp to the falls including the swim across the river to get to the viewing cliffs is about 1 hour in and a fantastic set of falls in a beautiful part of the Kimberley!

That's us on the right at Mertens Falls that lead a magnificent gorge!  Only a few hundred metres from Mitchell Falls below:

Mitchell Falls!  Nice spot!  Had to actually swim across the river above these falls/photo to walk to this vantage spot.  The crossing was not actually open when we were here and it was a get wet or go home affair all round!

Never missing the opportunity to be a tosser, we came across a very recent burnt out m/c from a group of 20+ riders from Perth that were doing a run to Kalumbarru.  They had to carry spare fuel in coke bottles etc... and this chaps milk bottle of fuel in his back pack leaked and caught fire on the exhaust.  He was lucky to escape un-scathed.  So enter Mick I'manidiot Jones trying to kick start the dead beast for Paul and his crew coming from behind and after the 'yeah good one you knuckle head' I lift my left leg off and slice open my left calf about 4 stitches worth into the subcutaneous fat/tissue on a razor sharp pin melted on the frame (see hair still left on the tip second photo!)  Anyway, scrub out with betadine, a razor to shave the hair and a week or so of steri strips and wound is healing o.k.  Leg modelling career is in tatters!

A Mertens Monitor and a White-quilled Rock-Pigeon!  How cool.....that bloody bird had me ducking and weaving through the rocks for about 20 minutes to try and get a photo.......another tick in the Simpson and Day...!  Bird 326 to those in the game.

When we came back from Mithchell Falls NP - Mike and Robin in front left of photo had stayed back and looked after our van and kit.  Mike also had the satellite set up for the first state of origin game!  I was so upset I didn't have phone coverage to call Brucey Wildcard and Dibsy Withers and stir up the muck.....it was enough though that Qld destroyed the blues again......sigh!!! 

The swim across Manning Falls National Park / Creek.  There were poly styrene boxes to float your boots and gear across to the other side to then walk in the 45 minutes to Manning Falls which were well worth the effort even though the water was frigidly cold!

Cheryl bringing up the rear for the last swim crossing at Manning Falls!  Get busy living hey!?

View over the creek from one of the free camps on the GRR.   There were barra scales of a small fish on the bank and I set the Cherubin Pots and caught/released 2!  Very cold water however. This was about the time Broome had a 7 degree's night the coldest May Day in such and such years.  Nice for rugging up and sleeping!

We had a camp over damper cook off with Mike and Robin.  Kerriann nailed it with this fantastic 'Date Damper' that was devoured by all with slathers of butter, jam and syrup!  The third camp over in left photo has a beautiful Beef stew al-la-cheryl again a sensation with a second damper for dinner  (the Date damper was afternoon tea of course!).

WE had to go to Windjana Gorge of course...just have to try and convince Andrew from Winjana RV that he needs to correct his spelling????

We ran into Patricia whose travel partner had broken his elbow and flown to Broome and then Perth for surgery.  Is the only child of her mum and dad whom each have no family left.....there are only 3 of them on this planet!  No cousins, uncles etc....We thought how much her mum and dad must be stressing about Patty backpacking the world (as she's done) and she had her 23rd birthday with us.  Kerriann put up lovely Happy Birthday banner in her car and we sang Happy Birthday at a quarry in a bush camp. This photo is taken in tunnel creek which was an amazing walk through a cave that was a creek about 400 metres long and torch required.  Very cool and yes again the water was cold!

Prison tree at Derby.  The Boab's are incredible! All individually different and ancient not only in there scars from human blazing but also appearance next to 100 year old tree's that are blazed and less than a quarter the size of this one?

Bran Nue Dae!!! Broome YEH!!!  And as suspected although ringing through the exact model, serial number, part number and full description of the fridge that needs fixing a full week prior they sent the wrong part from Perth and we are stuck in Broome for at least 2 weeks I reckon!  Honestly....how hard is it to provide a service??????  I wonder what the service would be like if the accountability for actions was anything like the police?

Broome this afternoon at Cable Beach.

Cable Beach sunset

Thats a very short glimpse of the last few weeks.  The boat is set up and ready and tomorrow we'll be trying to get our money worth for the WA fishing license.  We even spent $40 on some dilly's as you get caught with munyanah crab pots here and you're gone!  So with some luck and a bit of cunning we hope to have fresh crab for tea tomorrow?  WE just had the second last fillet of barra for tea!

More to come, it's late..........good night! X

Week 8  Kununurra and preparations for beyond!

From Timber creek we have moved across to Kununurra and between a bit of tourist stuff have prepared for the 'off the tar' section of the Kimberley's.  We are hoping to get up to spot opposite the Kimberley Coastal Camp but will first drive Gibb River Road up to the closer areas of El Questro (base out of Home Valley) and on toward Drysdale.  The roads are still closed to Kulumburu so it's touch and go as to where we will end up.  We have submitted the aboriginal land applications for the areas we are heading in case the roads open and we decide to give it a go!  Who knows, we may be sick of corrugation by Drysdale and just base it from there.  Hope everyone is well and will update when we get some signal again down the track!  Fishing license in WA cost $63 to allow me to fish from a boat and to use a cast net.  Each endorsement such as 'line fish from boat' $40, 'throw net'  $30, Lobsters '$40' and you tick the boxes you want and get a 10% discount for 2 or more!  Hope I don't snorkel onto any lobsters.....!

Kerriann a happy camper to finally land a decent barra this trip!  Broken the duck now so should be happy sailing from now on?  A very respectable 75cm.

Kacie's Victoria River barra!  Good fun and for a little fish put up a great fight!

Found this tree snake crossing the Vic, very determined to get there.  Was amazed that the hawks and eagles didn't take him?

We camped beside the carport at the rear. Very nice place and the best of the Queens men and families at Timber Creek!

Sunset at Timber Creek.  Vic river to the right and the bridge is very near the snag that Jessica caught her big fish on!  

New State, new adventure!  Bloody crossing guards took my favourite old potato sack!  Stupid me saw one lying on the ground brand new and thought you beauty a new sack!  The lady saw me and said it was hers and did I have any like it....I replied yeah I love me potato sack!  DOH!!! Hand it over knuckle head!  On the trawl now for new potato sack!

Lake Argyle and Infinity Pool at the top. Very nice. Kacie wanted to stay here very badly!

Flicking at Ivanhoe Crossing. Heaps of rat barra's in the back eddy's as you walk down stream.  I bloody left a tub of Gulps down the creek about 300 metres....not happy!  Lost two decent fish and landed 5 between 30cm and 50cm.

Lilly pond at our caravan park in Kununurra.  Very nice afternoon beer and relax by the water and watch the tourists watching the crocs.

WEEK  7

DAY  1 -    SUNDAY  06/05/12

Koolpinyah Station

Fishing with Kristy & John in there boat going to catch a big one.  Got to the Adelaide River too early to get live bait not a good day no fish and lost 2 crab pots.

Canadian Film crew doing show called 'Nile McCann's Biggest and Baddest' in Australia arrived at Koolpinyah.  Filmed Lawrence, John, Chris and I with Nile setting croc traps etc... Great team and Nile the presenter a top bloke and very intelligent learned man.  Can't wait to see the show, ours was the last of 7 episodes they shot in Australia that will be aired on Animal Planet and National Geographic Channel!  Can't wait!!!!

John, Mick and Nile in the buffalo catcher on our way to find a buffalo for filming.

The film crew baiting the croc trap at main lake.  Had all the gear, numerous camera's soundy etc...

We were standing near the spot I shot the Micky Bull earlier in the week and this huge Bull came from the tree line to see who the hell was on his turf.  We were down wind so the big bull kept walking towards us smelling the air.  Had very big horns and was a sitting duck if we wanted to shoot a trophy bull but both John and I agreed what a waste of such a huge Buffalo Bull and just filmed the big brute!  The sound guy filming the buffalo got worried when I followed them to the fence line with Johns rifle thinking I was going to shoot the Buff. I explained it was just in case the bull charged them for safety.  His concern was he had earphones on and sound up full to get the birds and sound of the buffalo sloshing through the mud. A gun shot would have blown his eardrums out the back of his skull.

DAY 2 -   MONDAY  07/05/12 May weekend Public Holiday

Koolpinyah Station 

Jess driving the Yellow Quad back from checking the croc trap.

Kacie, flying down the airstrip on the Quad.

Spent all morning packing up. Had a lovely coffee & biscuits with Kristy & John and on our way to Telstra at Palmerston Centre in Darwin to get 4g to be fixes 3 hours later got box to work but not our computers. Michael fixing the caravan & car brakes in the car park. Had enough and set off to The Bark Hut Inn $45.00 overnight just outside Kakadu National Park.

TOTAL KM -  130KM 

DAY 3 -  TUESDAY  08/05/12  

The Bark Hut Inn

Set off to Kakadu National Park.  Stopped of at the Bowali Visitor Centre and got some good info and maps.  Not much open as still to wet headed to Jabiru to have a look & fuelled up $1.689 and headed to Cahill Crossing. Walked the Bardedjilidii walk 2.5km about 2 hours but because of the wet, parts were closed and it only took 25mins to do. Set up camp at Merl $30 mozzie heaven. Set off to Ubirr 1km circular track passing aboriginal rock art sites & views over the Nadab floodplains  Tried catching a barra on the East Alligator River the boundary between Kakadu and Arnhem Land just a bit too late but good try. 

TOTAL  KM - 202km

DAY 4 - WEDNESDAY 09/05/12

Merl (mossie heaven)

Light drizzle overnight but didn't scare the mozzie away.  Nourlangie walk is a 1.5km circular walk that takes you pass ancient aboriginal shelter & several art sites. Up to the lookout to views of Kakadu's escarpment and Nourlangie. Now on our way to Pine creek for lunch and then on to Katherine.

TOTAL KM -

DAY 5 -  THURSDAY  10/05/12

Overnight Riverview Lodge at Katherine. Worked on car and van trying to isolate brakes issues.  Finally figured out rear left brakes not working at all and probably broken inside. Removed and located/replaced broken rear left brake magnet on caravan and fixed at last!  Packed up and ready to head to Timber Creek on Friday!

After both Val and Del agreed we should not miss doing the Katherine Gorge cruise we relented and all went. It was nyeah?

Katherine Gorge River cruise.  

Road out from Ubirr. Just love the water crossings...most of the whizz bangs don't go across water so not as many tourists!

Kacie at Ubirr Lookout.

TOTAL KM  - 280km

DAY 6 -  FRIDAY   11/05/12

Timber Creek!  Stayed at the police station with the NT boys.  Great blokes Dean and Rob and there lovely wife's and kids!  Big camp set up and hope to stay a few days at least.

3 Guesses what this is!

TOTAL  KM  - 

DAY 7 -  SATURDAY  12/05/12

Fished Kerriann and Mick!  Explore the Victoria River. Caught two rat barra's and checked out the country for tomorrow.  Set cherubin pots in Timber Creek behind the police station for live bait. BBQ with the NT boys and family. Barra, steak, snags and our last 15 crumbed bugs! 

Barge wreck in Victoria River.  Timber Creek and Victoria River a magnificent place.  The cliffs and scenery is amazing.  Timber Creek is a Limestone crystal clear spring creek very much the same as Gregory River / Lawn Hill in Qld.  

 Jessica caught this 85cm beauty all by herself after loosing one same size 2 minutes prior. She was back on within a heartbeat and played this under and around the boat. It even jumped on the other side of the boat while she held her rod down in the water like a true champion and lead the fish to the net. She was so happy to finally get a decent big barra without any help.!

This is about a 14 15- monster and is the same croc on u-tube that takes a barra at the side of the boat that was claimed by some news channel to be in Qld.  It's name is Lord something or rather and known to all the locals at Timber creek.

So who actually caught this little fella Kerriann??

Fishing at Koolpinyah Station

Rather than put the boat in, we drove into a spot on the Adelaide River (Koolpinyah) for a fish off the banks with live baits for barra.  Surprisingly we didn't see a barra but I caught the following huge queenie on light thread-line gear that put up an incredible jumping show!

Queenie caught off the rocks on light gear.

Dropped in to check the croc trap (empty) and had to have a flick. Here's John landing another rat from the flat.  A beautiful Gold colour as opposed to the black colour some get from the dirt fresh!

Beautiful Gold barra....John dropped an 80cm before this fish that kept smacking his lure all in sight....very frustrating!!!

Beautful fish in crystal clear plains run-off.

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In centre picture is a caterpillar that Greg somehow noticed when he was riding in the back of the ute back to the station. He saw movement and then realised that the little grub was completely camouflaged with adaptations or stuck on bits of stick, leaf and to the naked eye completely invisible!  Even it movement was jolted and sporadic to indicate a piece of stick/leaf blowing in the wind......any Entomologist's out there reckon we've found an new species?  

Nice King caught by Greg on Thursday barra fishing up number 4 creek in the Adelaide River.  Greg was the King fisherman this day and got 2 barra (to the boat and a number blown or jumped off) a a few Kingy's.   We all caught huge Golden Cobblers also that fought as good as any fish!

Greg's best barra for the day....nice fish mate...!

                                                   My best for the day, spot on 90cm

Girls are back from Bali safe and sound and no doubt some photo's and stories to post soon!  Love to all and see you soon.   xx