Back on the Gibb

Back on the Gibb River Rd, we stopped first for lunch at Home Valley Station. It would be hard to ever tire of the view of the Cockburn Ranges. The road isn't too bad a few patches of corrugations  but otherwise ok. As we didn't get away till later we decided to make camp at Ellenbrae Station. The creek crossing as we turned in was rocky and deep and made for a bit of fun. These stations are little oasis in the bush. With plenty of water they keep  the homestead gardens green with lovely bush gardens and plenty of big old shady trees. It is lovely watching the sunset behind the Boabs. The campground at the station has a lovely bush bathroom made of local bush rock, a big donkey for heating the water and even an enormous bath tub. Ellenbrae is famous for its scones so we had scones jam and cream for breakfast. They didn't disappoint.

Cockburn Ranges

Crossing the Pentacoste River 

Ellenbrae Station - bush bathroom

On the road again...

The car is fixed (cost less than the fridge to fix) and we are on our way again. Making our way to Mitchell Falls.

Gary does another MacGuyver.....

We had a great night besides the River, Gary had a fish - no swimming as big Salties in this part of the river. After dinner and a bit of stargazing we all walked down to the river with torches to spot the crocs. I was petrified - too many sets of red eyes for my liking, At one stage a bug made Alison move and she knocked a rock - I wouldn't be surprised if you heard my scream in Sydney! Gary started the day with a fish - caught a small Barramundi then lost a big one. We had a leisurely Sunday brekky then Gary discovered we had done a rear spring hanger - which had torn the spring hanger and partially torn the chassis. He was able to cut down a wedge of wood from a tree, wedge it between the diff and the chassis, secure it with a rope and some cable ties. This has given us a sporting chance to make it back into Kununurra for a repair. We used the Sat phone to call a friend ( Chuckie) who rang around to find us an engineering place in Kununurra. We couldn't continue on the Gibb without a repair as they will have to plate and weld the chassis. Fortunately it is only about a 100 kms back to town, we are halfway there as I write. If you are reading this we made it as - as I will he back in internet and phone range and will be able to upload the last couple of posts for the blog.

                                                   Letting down tyres at beginning of Gibb River Rd

                        Gary fishing on Pentacost  - photography Greg and his Olympus birthday present    
                                           camera!

The magnificent Kimberley..

A short hour drive beside the Cockburn ranges saw us in El Questro. We drove to Chamberlain Gorge and then up to Brankos lookout. The view was amazing across the Cockburn ranges and the Pentecost River. We had a private campsite -'magic. Right on the river and we were able to swim in this section - so we spent the afternoon in the river. Zebedee Springs was our first stop in the morning. Crystal clear thermal springs, cascading down a series of rocks with beautiful pools for soaking. This place is paradise, we soaked in them for an hour under the shade of the palm tree canopy. After dragging ourselves away we made on to Emma Gorge. A one hour climb and rock scramble rewarded us with another lovely swim under the waterfall in an enormous pool at the base of the gorge. Breathtaking. Greg spotted a tree snake and we saw its mate gliding through the branches. Back at the base we treated ourselves to a beer and lunch at the resort. Our destination tonight is a camp along the Pentecost River so Gaz can have a fish.

                                                          Branko's Lookout - El Questro

       

El Questro  campsite

El Questro camp 

                                                   Zebedee Springs

                                                         Emma Gorge

We see a snake ..

A Dutch family were  packing up their tent beside us in the campground this morning, To their surprise they found a baby Brown snake under their tent between the tent and their ground tarp. Greg's shovel and a bucket quickly had it captured and the park people took it away. I don't think the Dutch family will sleep easy for the next few days!

Into WA and a fridge issue...

Left Keep River and drove across border into WA. First stop Lake Argyle. We had forgotten how lovely it is and we were glad we went in for Greg and Alison. After a look at the Durack family homestead museum we went back into Kununurra to see if they were able to repair the fridge. Luckily they had the part and fixed it - Gary made the crow call when they told him how much. But it's done and we can be on our way again tomorrow. It is the Ord Valley muster this week so it is busy in Kununurra. Manu is in town and he is cooking a dinner tonight at the Durack homestead - it's sold out at $275/ head. There is a big music festival on Saturday night, ' The Kimberley Moon'. Unfortunately we don't have he time to stay on for it. We are off to Start the Gibb River Rd tomorrow, first stop El Questro Station.

Across the Territory.....

Spent 2 days camped at Gregory River National Park. Had a great camp at Buliita- right beside the East Baines River. No one else around as most of the tracks in the park are still closed from the wet. No swimming here as there are crocs. Gary wet a line though last night, caught a catfish but nothing else. We walked to the old homestead and looked through the old stockyards and house. Life would have been tough here in the old days - especially through the wet. Not to tough for us though as we played bocce with a drink in hand and watched the sunset. Alison is drinking again after our first night together, when apparently we nearly killed her with wine and port!
Made our way across. Victoria River and Timber Creek to Keep River National Park.  It was still closed up until Monday but we were fortunate that it reopened yesterday so we were able to camp at Gurrandalng. The walk up the escarpment is beautiful , Greg and Alison did it in the afternoon with the sunset and we did it in the morning at Sunrise. ( we had a minor fridge issue but more of that later) The rest of the park is still closed so we will just have to come back!

Greg and Gary at Bullita Stockyards 

Deb and Gary at Bullita -Gregory NP

Greg and Alison - Bullita

                                                    Gary at Bullita Homestead

Boab Tree

                                                        Campsite at Keep River NP

Alison Keep River NP

                                                               Keep River NP

We meet the Croc Granny...

We have spent the last 3 days relaxing at Katherine Gorge. Last night we struck up a conversation with an older couple- turns out she was the Croc granny. If you remember in 2004, they were camping with friends and family in Bathurst Bay in the Cape. During the night a 4.2 metre croc came up to the tent of their friends and took the man. It had him by the arm and then the leg ( breaking both). The croc was trying to pull him down to the water while his wife was trying to hold his arm and their baby in her other arm. Alicia and her husband were woken by their screams and Alicia ( who was 60 at the time) ran out and jumped on the crocs back. It reared up and broke her nose and took her by the arm. Her son then rushed out with a gun and shot the croc. Gary and I remember thinking at the time she was pretty small but in real life she is even tinier. She is a very gutsy lady, now 70 and still very active., currently travelling around the Top End with her husband Bill. 

( if you can't remember the incident this is a you tube interview of the incident)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVc5HkBW-JA 
Meanwhile, except for a 2 hour walk this morning to the gorge lookout we are pretty much just lazing by the pool . Looking forward to meeting up with Alison and Greg today, they should be here from Darwin  early this evening. 

Katherine Gorge

Doing it tough by the pool

Only in Outback Oz..

Only in outback Oz could you have a dip in the thermal springs , followed by a schnitzel chips & salad , a cold beer and a live show! Well, let us tell you ,Mataranka Springs has it all. To our surprise on stage comes a lady in a boa , fishnets and corset. She sang everything from Country to Rock , for about 2 hours with 3 costume changes. She told us all she teaches the local aboriginal kids by day. She had a great voice and we had a fun night.

Mataranka Homestead Show

Bitter Springs

Mataranka Spring

Elliot

This one is for our nephew Elliot .. we found your town 'Elliott' . Can you find it on the map , 
( a clue , it's in the NT) 

Gary does a McGuyver

We were only 60 kms out of Camooweal when we were flagged by a couple broken down. They were going in the opposite direction to us, back into Camooweal. They had picked up dirty fuel and despite running repairs at a roadhouse they had broken down. They had been hoping to limp into town. They had a spare fuel filter , but the wrong type for their vehicle and in any case they didn't know how to fix it. Gary spent about 45 minutes draining the filters and managed to get them going, they were very grateful. Hopefully they made it in to town. 

The Brolgas give us a breakfast show

By the Georgina  River

The brolgas danced for breakfast

Outback Qld and beyond

Just when you think it is a long way to the top end driving - we saw a bloke walking with his swag. You don't see that much these days. 

The weather has warmed up to a very pleasant 30 degrees so we have abandoned our jeans for summer gear. We spent yesterday afternoon looking at the Qantas museum in Longreach. We have passed through there a few times but never stopped. It was worth the visit- I'll never complain about economy again after seeing the first passenger flights. No loo, and hats and googles for all! 

Alison and Greg are now in the  NT -they sent us a pic  of a nice camping spot by the river at Camooweal so we will probably head there tonight.