A sweep of Broome

Up earliest (not too easy for 6 people) and then off to the local Historical Museum where we gleaned an appreciation of the history of the town (which is very unique compared to any other place in Australia). We also gained an appreciation of all the junk thrown out over the years would now be valuable museum pieces….
We then had lunch overlooking the Bay, a wander down the Jetty and back (which is a marvel of modern engineering), yet more food and drink shopping and then of to ?… Yep the beach again.
Even Alan went in today.
Due to Dad worrying about the leaking differential – the car is now booked in for it’s service tomorrow, and it’s Rosemary’s birthday, and we are going for camel rides, in the morning, hiring alternative transport, going to the Mango farm, going to the beach, going out for dinner, picking up cars, dropping off transport……
The blog update may be a bit late due to the huge day looming.

Our Second Guest Arrives

Allan (known as FIL to those acronym minded blog viewers) arrived at midday today. This meant that Mum and Dad had to leave their luxurious surroundings and face the real world of Broome, the kids, the airport, the leaking rear diff’s etc etc.
The stress of this was easily overcome with the happy banter and yet another afternoon on the beach. Dad was partictulary happy about carving up the waves with and without the boggie board (having flippers helped enormously) – he was even getting expressions of admiration from other (admittedly non flippered) participants.
Mum was particularly happy that she spent some time surfing with an “in form” Gary Sweet (yes - the actor). She almost needed to be “rescued” by Police Rescue she was that excited.
After a quick wash we all headed back to Cable Beach to watch the sunset (over drinks at the bar) and then home to enjoy a fabulous BBQ – centered around the Mackerel fillets that Michelle and Andrew gave us in Darwin – does it get any better than this ?

Our First Guest arrives

Aunty Gabby arrived late last night and it was a joyous welcome (even with only two of us being able to make it to the airport at 12:00 midnight). The Girls then spent the morning perusing the markets whilst Dad did some serious shopping (caravan related stuff) and then another splash in the ocean. Boggie boards and body surfing were the order of the day. The locals claim this is the best beach in the world – so far it is hard to find a reason to argue against it.
Mum and Dad then left the kids with Gabby and went off to the nearby resort where they experienced a “we thought we’d died and gone to heaven” experience (until the phone rang…, which was a wrong number….) where they took advantage of Gabby’s combined birthday present and had their “time out” and was a highlight of the trip for them.
To wake up the next morning and think – “oh no - we have to leave this” and then realize that we had to return to another 6 weeks of holiday …….. Life is just way to stressful (heh heh).

An historical event !

It’s not every day you can say you saw an ocean for the first time. Today Louisa and Isabel first set their eyes on the brilliant turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean.
And what a beautiful sight it is up here at this time of the year!
The beach is clean, white sand, the water is warm, not a crocodile in sight (at least that’s what the locals tell the tourists) and the beautiful bodies adorning the area make one realize that this is fast becoming a focus for many people to relax in.
We went shopping (food and stuff) in the morning and then a tour of the area to get our bearings – after looking at Cable Beach we could not resist the temptation and went back after lunch with our traveling companions for a swim (and a drink).
It’s a tough gig…..
Aunty Gabby arrives tonight so we are all staying up late to meet her at the airport.

And so to Broome!

Another day of “pack ‘em up and move ‘em out” as we left the luxurious surrounds of the Fitzroy Crossing Caravan park (a stark contrast to the town !) and headed off to sunny Broome. Actually – it’s all sunny up here – the only clouds are generated by the dry season burns.
So we arrived in Broome to find oil leaking from the rear differential (not earth shattering but will need attention) and the joy of setting up the annex (needed to cater for guests – the first one which is with us tonight – Carley whom we met at Mataranka – sleepovers even when we're away!). Much to deal with but we got it all done. And so we will stay for the next 11 days – this is where we aim to really relax…….

A non travelling day

A relaxing day in Fitzroy Crossing saw Dad resolving 2 more flat tire issues (yes the saga continues…) and more washing for Mum. Playing and school work(including piano) for the kids – followed by swimming in the freezing pool (even Mum went in with lots of encouragement from everyone in the area – very funny – but she did do it!). Drinks at the Happy Hour in the Bistro followed by an easy meal of bacon and eggs cooked beside the caravan.
A lesson for anyone involved in outside cooking – don’t put your hot saucepan on a plastic mat – or you could end up serving lovely hot plastic mash for tea and suffer the ongoing derision of your family members!

Exploring the Southern Kimberlies

Many hours spent “off roading” today. Our first experience in 4wd was closely watched by a local heffer (wonder what she was thinking?). A big trip to Tunnel creek – which involved a walk through a large, very dark tunnel. Carved out by years (and more) of wet season flood waters, it provides an eerie and exhilarating trek underground. Afterwards we had to wash out our shoes as they got filled with gravel as we waded though the 50 cm deep water. Torches were a necessity as was a keen sense of adventure.
And then onto Windjana George which was very picturesque and full of freshwater crocodiles. The one in the picture surprised the bageebees out of Louisa who was about to dip her toe in the water just near it (luckily Isabel spotted it just in time).
And then a long trip home over more corrugations you could care to count and then just before we hit the sealed road – another flat ! (even after deflating the tires for the rough roads).

Comfortably at Fitzroy Crossing

After burning the Midnight Oil, with Brave faces we headed back across the river t0 leave the Place Without a Postcard and off to Fitzroy Crossing.
An easy trip of 3 hours has found us in a fabulous “resort” type park with lots of facilities which make up for the ones left behind in the middle of nowhere.
The pool water would have to be the coldest in Australia. Luckily it’s still 30 degrees so the kids don’t mind (sorry Melbournians for the unsubtle reminder!)
Yet more clothes washing by Mum – hit of Tennis for the rest of us and we are planning a big off road day tomorrow into the Tunnel Creek area.
(10 points for anyone who can solve the ambiguity in the 1st sentence)

On the Road Again

7 hours on the road saw us pass through some interesting escarpments of the south east Kimberly region, past the Argyle diamond mine – where we stopped down stream to see if we could catch any strays (unfortunately all the ones we picked up were undersize – less than ten carats – so we threw them back).
And then onto Mary Pool (A place without a postcard – but big enough to house over 60 caravans, trailers and every other combination you could think of).
After dinner we sat around the camp fire under the brilliant stars of the moonless outback and roasted marshmallows.
Afterwards we found Supergirl in the caravan… well it must’ve been Supergirl as she was flying around and had her underpants on the outside !
For all those freezing in Melbourne – it got down to 10 over night here so don’t feel too bad.
(of course it was 30 in middle of the afternoon – but you probably didn’t want to know that)

Relaxing in Kununarra

We have just spent 2 days catching our breath and preparing for the next phase of the journey. The Kids have spent many hours playing in the pool and spending time with friends they met in Mataranka. Lots of shopping (mostly boring food stuff) but today was interesting market and unique to the region stones type shopping.
We had drinks whilst watching the sunset over the Ord valley and after dinner cooked beside the caravan, we are getting ready for bed and the next adventure into the unknown.
Bloggless for 2 days until we reach Fitzroy Crossing (maybe) ....

Farewell to NT - Hello WA

An early morning walk from our camp site was much more pleasant than the previous day and it was also more spectacular! All of us well and truly ready for a return to civilization and a hot shower!.
So it was an another pack up and a return to the sealed road over more over of those corrugations!
A stop at the border to re-inflate tires (intentional this time) a search of the rig by the Quarantine folks and then it’s goodbye to the NT and hello to WA – land of Sandgropers and more Boab trees.
So now we are safely ensconced in Kununurra – washed, refreshed, resturanted and blogging away.
What’s next ? We are yet to figure that out – oh the pressure and stress of it all ……….

Further into the unkown !

After the success of our first night camping we headed off to the Keep River National Park for another night under the best stars we will ever see.
Keep River has similar rock formations to the Bungle Bungle’s and after 21km’s of shaking dirt roads we found our destination – set up camp and went exploring. A very long (and hot) walk through faquarewe grass and a decent climb we reached a lookout to view spectacular scenery.
Then a dinner cooked over the camp fire (to use up all the vegies prior to the Quarantine station the next day).

Into the Dry,Blogless,Boab laden land

Turning right from Katherine we headed into previously unseen (by Dad) territory. A long drive though slowly changing scenery eventually got us to Timber Creek (back to red dust !), where spent our first night without power in a roadside camp – next to Victoria River.
The girls discovered they couldn’t swim there! Dad discovered a Bower Bird nest and we all realized it’s very hard to hug a Boab tree !

Cruisin' around Katherine

Started the day by booking car servicing etc. and going shopping for the adventures ahead.
We then rushed up the gorge to go on our 2 (not 3) hour cruise up the 1st 2 gorges. It was very picturesque.
Post Freshwater crocodile spotting, Dad went and got tires balanced and the girls went for a swim.
Tomorow we head west - for those who check our blog every day - our applogies, as we are heading into the blogless land where we may not be able to update regularly.

Monuments in the desert

The King and the Queen termites are in there somewhere ! The landscape in certain parts of the Top End seem to be dominated by these monoliths. (remind me not to build a house made of wood if I ever live here!)
We spent today driving from Batchelor to Katherine and hope to have a cruise up the gorge tomorrow combined with yet more shopping and tire issue resolution.

Waterfalls galore!

Words by Louisa...
Today we went exploring for waterfalls. With a little help from the map we found three different places! Too bad they were all packed with peopleL! Any way they were still good! Everyone agrees that the last place was the best! It had lots of levels with a little waterfall at each end! It had places in there that you could jump in! We got some photos of that. At the first place it had lots of things like rock pools, but we are not at the beach.
And then Dad had more fun swapping tires around (arrgghh!)

Farewell to Darwin

A sad farewell to the Johnson’s - whose hospitality and good humour were a terrific highlight of the trip. Oh - to lead their lifestyle!
In the picture are Bob, Glenda, Michelle, Andrew, Jamie, Louisa, Isabel and the dog lizzy.

An easy drive (less than 1 hour as it turned out) to Bachelor (another tire repair – the last one had a slow leak so we replaced the tube) and we are ready to start the assault on Litchfield park tomorrow.....

Isabel the Brave

Another late start due to copious amounts of washing and then into the heart of Darwin for lunch and then some time at the Museum prior to dinner at Mindel Beach Markets. The markets need to bee seen to be believed! An endless variety of food, associated smells, happy faces and tens of thousands of people. Lots of which take chairs and drinks and generally have a great time.
Afterwards Andrew gave his pet snake some handling time and Isabel was the only one brave enough to have a hold!

A fun time south of Darwin

The morning was spent washing and watching the Ghan go past (kids swimming in the Johnson’s wonderful pool – even Ro had a dip!) and then we went off to the Windows on the Wetlands Park followed by a cruise to watch the jumping crocs on the Adelaide River! And then another late night catching up on all the gossip from Michelle.

For those wondering where the lost blogs are...

For those who are new to our blog and are wondering where the early days are - have a look under the "archives" section and refer to the previous month (ie June).

A day shopping in Darwin

Retail Therapy for the girls. Macho stuff like fixing flat tyres for Dad.

That's now a flat on the bike, the van and the car - nothing left so we should not get any more !!! (wishful thinking I'm guessing).

Internet Access is pretty poor at Humpty Doo - this photo highlights the trouble we go to get this updated !!!

Maybe a day or so before the next series.
Thanks for the comments !

And we finally make it to Humpty Doo !

And this is what Michelle and Andrew's Driveway did to our car !

(well maybe not - but it's nice to be able to blame someone!)

They have created paradise from the desert - photos will follow when we take some.

A day in the Never Never

We spent Sunday watching the film "we of the Never Never" and then went and had a look at the graves of the characters.

A pleasant and educational day for all of us followed by a relaxing swim in the thermal pool !

A Wonderful Place

Now we’re in the tropics we don’t want to move !

The nights are warm and the temperature today is 28 – perfect !

For those that don’t know this place - the springs rush out of the ground at a huge rate (always clean) and are a warm 34 degrees. The water has a slight sulfur smell to it and as such almost feels therapeutic. If we had this in Melbourne it would be worth a fortune !

So now we are going to stay here 3 nights and attempt to get Humpty Doo by Monday evening.

One day to Mataranka

We were up before the dawn and on the road to capture the sunrise at the Devils Marbles and enjoy our breakfast there. It was an awesome effort by everyone to do it. We then had morning tea in Tennant Creek, Lunch at Rennir Springs and then a huge push to get Mataranka Springs by sunset. Would have been earlier but for the blown tyre on the van! (slowed us down for 1/2 hour).
So we spent sunrise to sunset on the road (about 800 km's) and do not intend to do that again as we are all exhausted.
We are in the Tropics though! (Whoo Hoo - warm nights at last!)

A Long drive to Wycliffe Wells - The UFO Capital of Aus !

Spot the Alien !

Words by Isabel :-

Today we went to Wycliffe Wells caravan park.
We felt the pool. It was the warmest pool ever. NOT - it was the coldest pool ever.
We went on a train ride. It was so fastest ever. NOT- it was the slowest ever.
We looked in the games room. There were so many games.
NOT - there’s only two games and they're both broken.
Otherwise it was pretty good.

Here's the picture of the Mystical place

The water fall (well just a trickle really) is behind the girls.

A trip to the west Macdonnell Ranges

A short trip today saw us experiencing Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. Both well worth the look.

Both had water in them (which is unusual in this climate, however – unlike 30 years ago when Dad was here last we could go further through the Chasm which revealed a myriad of connecting chasms and eventually we ended up at a natural freshwater fountain which seemed to be a mystical place (so we took a photo).

Tomorrow we head off northwards again – in the ever increasing hope of getting some warm nights (so far every night has been at or below zero degrees which is has been quite hard to cope with in a cold caravan !)

It may be a couple of days before our next update as we may be out of range of the Bigpond network. – keep blogging though – you'll Never Never Know unless you have a Go !

(Apologies to Daryl !)

Excursion to the Desert Park

We spent today on an excursion to the Desert Park just out of Alice Springs.

The focus of the day was the environment and how a creature (of the kids choice) interacts with it’s environment. It seemed to go pretty well. The girls are getting used to the idea that whilst they are not at school - their formal education still continues !

The Desert Park was fascinating and will serve as good basis of information whilst we continue our travels through it.

For those wondering what jumping pillows are

Now you know ! - They are VERY popular with the kids of all ages

A quiet day at Alice Springs

Not much to report today.

Dad got up early and went for a hike to the top of the MacDonnell Ranges (which define the Alice Springs township) to watch the sunrise. Fixed a bike tyre (3 years riding to work and back – no flat. 5 minutes around Yulara and he gets a puncture !)

The kids spent the day jumping on the jumping pillows and starting a school routine (maths, homework and spelling) and a touch of piano lessons.

Shopping in the afternoon and an evening of doing diaries and trying to convince parents to get a pet turtle! (I expect they’ll loose that battle).

Tomorrow we start to do the “touristy” things again.

Yes - we found water at the Olga's !

Here's the artistic shot mentioned on the previous blog!

Sunset at Uluru

Here’s a snap of us watching the sunset at the rock.
We spent yesterday doing a guided tour of the base of the rock and then the afternoon at the Olga’s – going for a couple of walks in the only areas we were allowed into. No really good happy snaps so maybe you’ll get an artistic one instead (if the Blogger and time allows).

Quote of the Day :-
Dad to Mum "that tour was really good"
Mum to Dad " yes is was really interesting"
Louisa to both "no - it's because it was free !"

We spent today driving to Alice Springs and arrived quite late, so we are now settled in and spend tomorrow exploring the town and chilling out (the girls in the pool no doubt).