Wednesday 29 August 2012
Hi everyone, as most of u have gathered by now, we have finally returned from our amazing journey travelling all over the countryside & have landed safe & well back in Brisbane. It has been the best fun, such a challenge, crossed so many hurdles, achieved so much, couldnt have experienced all of this without the fantastic Darren, dragging me thru everything. Just wanted to say thanku to everyone for ur support, friendships, keeping track of our antics on our blog/FB/emails/mobiles. To all the Latino Rock Dance group, what a warm, welcoming, wonderful reception we got when we turned up surprising everyone, then another fantastic night of catching up at Marilens sat night party, just the best fun. Unfortunately back to reality on Sunday as it took us 10hrs to clean the car & gear of all the red dust that had accumulated in everything. Now back to the real world, putting into place the next steps of our lives & ponder on our 6mths journey that we have just left behind, but will relish in the magical memories that we have had the privilage to endure. Will try to catch up with everyone & ur worlds as the days unfold. Meanwhile as i always say Keep Smiling
We now close this chapter, journal, to only say go & enjoy ur life, dreams, goals, zest for life. A massive thankyou to Darren for making this trip a whole Barrel of Monkeys, the good, bad, ugly, sad, fear, fun, laughter, excitment, chats, women r from mars, men r from venus, maybe pluto would be a compromising planet, the moments, the memories will last till my dying days, when granny will be in her rocking chair, telling the stories. It has been a life changing experience, that i will cherish. On with life now & go forward.
Cheers Everyone
Saturday 25 August 2012
15th August Moorinya national park and the old sheep station buildings with shearers quarters wool press and shearing yards . We take the back road to Muttaburra dodging cattle sheep and bustard birds that’s what they call them when you run them over too .
16th August Muttaburra hospital and general store museums and Josie is reminiscing with all the old cooking and washing items im actually feeling young today all before my time Yippee . On our way to Longreach and a movie is advertised on the radio so we buy tickets at the RSL . We are eating and drinking all included in the ticket price and Josie says to me to look at the crowd and its all women suddenly it hits me it’s a chick flick CRAP . Now I understand why the woman at the information centre said have fun its about male strippers things go from bad to embarrassing now my face is red and Josie is loving every bit of this .
17th August Longreach caravan park and the owner is a real character we are both making jokes about his grandchildren . He tells us of his operation on his brain where the doctors drilled a hole in his skull about an inch and a half in diameter gruesome stuff . Ilfracombe for machinery mile ,bottle and gun collection war memorabilia and old kitchen wares .12 mile and it’s a stone pitched overshot dam wall . Longreach rodeo and the first bull was a wild one and it took about 15 minutes to get him back in the pen he just wanted to charge everyone . The antics of the bulls after they had thrown their riders was more entertaining than the ride .
18th August Stonehenge rodeo yep another one we want to be country bumpkins some wild rides here and they have got it together in getting the bulls back in the pens .Some bruised bodies egos and some serious injuries I didnt feel any pain . Bronco riding and the rider has to crack a whip whilst trying to hang on at the same time not many riders succeeded at this one . Music on after the sun went down and it was dancing in the dust .
19th August Paint branding of the calves womens barrell race and the comical commentary with the locals having digs at each other . Josie is drooling over the locals and telling me which ones are her favorites she really needs girl time or more icecream .
20th August Fuelled up at longreach BP and they still have driveway service all the way around Australia and this is the only one we came across so we got our windscreen cleaned as well and got the washer bottle filled that was weird . Idahlia national park and a look over the ruins and at the wave rock .
21st August Idahlia national park rainbow gorge for its coloured sandstone bullock gorge and we see four yellow footed rock wallabies Emmet lookout for lunch and the escarpment walk . On our way to Carnarvon national park we take a walk around blackall with its old buildings .
22nd August Long drive from Tambo to Carnarvon gorge via Springsure and Rolleston here we stopped at the Rolleston pub and watched as a charity drive came through town with classic old cars and drivers .
23rd August Carnarvon gorge and we are up at 5 30 am to get an early start on the walk we have the moss gorge amphitheatre and wards canyon all to ourselves . The art gallery and Cathedral cave with some interesting art work . Booinda gorge with moss covered rock walls and the breeze is cool like air conditioning compared to the heat in the main gorge .We covered about 20 km and then of to Mickey creek and Josie has had enough so I go off on my own and explore mickey creek and woorambah gorge
24th August Long drive from Carnarvon gorge to Brisbane and we are in a traffic jam or so it feels with road works and we are in a long line of traffic from injune to Brisbane .The last few days my thoughts have been mixed with wanting to be back at work and with friends to continuing on travelling .The thought of doing my tax return ,paying bills, finding a job the rush and speed of city life is enough to make me want to go back into the bush .We both receive a fantastic reception from our friends and I feel like im walking and every one else is running im finding it hard to keep up with the pace of driving and conversation it all seems a bit surreal but im sure ill get up to speed in a week ..The best thing is Josie and I are still great friends after 6 months of living out the back of a car and tenting all the way around Australia we had our moments but nothing to serious and still kept up the humour and smiles and the sharing of the work load . Looking forward to telling tales of our journey and sharing the laughs with friends .
16th August Muttaburra hospital and general store museums and Josie is reminiscing with all the old cooking and washing items im actually feeling young today all before my time Yippee . On our way to Longreach and a movie is advertised on the radio so we buy tickets at the RSL . We are eating and drinking all included in the ticket price and Josie says to me to look at the crowd and its all women suddenly it hits me it’s a chick flick CRAP . Now I understand why the woman at the information centre said have fun its about male strippers things go from bad to embarrassing now my face is red and Josie is loving every bit of this .
17th August Longreach caravan park and the owner is a real character we are both making jokes about his grandchildren . He tells us of his operation on his brain where the doctors drilled a hole in his skull about an inch and a half in diameter gruesome stuff . Ilfracombe for machinery mile ,bottle and gun collection war memorabilia and old kitchen wares .12 mile and it’s a stone pitched overshot dam wall . Longreach rodeo and the first bull was a wild one and it took about 15 minutes to get him back in the pen he just wanted to charge everyone . The antics of the bulls after they had thrown their riders was more entertaining than the ride .
18th August Stonehenge rodeo yep another one we want to be country bumpkins some wild rides here and they have got it together in getting the bulls back in the pens .Some bruised bodies egos and some serious injuries I didnt feel any pain . Bronco riding and the rider has to crack a whip whilst trying to hang on at the same time not many riders succeeded at this one . Music on after the sun went down and it was dancing in the dust .
19th August Paint branding of the calves womens barrell race and the comical commentary with the locals having digs at each other . Josie is drooling over the locals and telling me which ones are her favorites she really needs girl time or more icecream .
20th August Fuelled up at longreach BP and they still have driveway service all the way around Australia and this is the only one we came across so we got our windscreen cleaned as well and got the washer bottle filled that was weird . Idahlia national park and a look over the ruins and at the wave rock .
21st August Idahlia national park rainbow gorge for its coloured sandstone bullock gorge and we see four yellow footed rock wallabies Emmet lookout for lunch and the escarpment walk . On our way to Carnarvon national park we take a walk around blackall with its old buildings .
22nd August Long drive from Tambo to Carnarvon gorge via Springsure and Rolleston here we stopped at the Rolleston pub and watched as a charity drive came through town with classic old cars and drivers .
23rd August Carnarvon gorge and we are up at 5 30 am to get an early start on the walk we have the moss gorge amphitheatre and wards canyon all to ourselves . The art gallery and Cathedral cave with some interesting art work . Booinda gorge with moss covered rock walls and the breeze is cool like air conditioning compared to the heat in the main gorge .We covered about 20 km and then of to Mickey creek and Josie has had enough so I go off on my own and explore mickey creek and woorambah gorge
24th August Long drive from Carnarvon gorge to Brisbane and we are in a traffic jam or so it feels with road works and we are in a long line of traffic from injune to Brisbane .The last few days my thoughts have been mixed with wanting to be back at work and with friends to continuing on travelling .The thought of doing my tax return ,paying bills, finding a job the rush and speed of city life is enough to make me want to go back into the bush .We both receive a fantastic reception from our friends and I feel like im walking and every one else is running im finding it hard to keep up with the pace of driving and conversation it all seems a bit surreal but im sure ill get up to speed in a week ..The best thing is Josie and I are still great friends after 6 months of living out the back of a car and tenting all the way around Australia we had our moments but nothing to serious and still kept up the humour and smiles and the sharing of the work load . Looking forward to telling tales of our journey and sharing the laughs with friends .
Wednesday 22 August 2012
1st August Camped at the Bark hut hotel and campground very touristy and expensive .Into Kakadu national park Couzens lookout and this is one of those gems you stumble across the river has crocodiles gliding past and birdlife every where . A jabiru walked past us only 3 m away these birds are big about I metre in height . Brians creek monsoon forest its like an oasis and has an old fig tree that has weathered storms and floods with the scars to prove it . Obirr rock and some very detailed aboriginal art work and we catch the sunset .Some of the views look familiar as scenes from Crocodile Dundee were shot here .
2nd August Obirr rock again for the ranger talks explaining paintings and tribal law .Cahills crossing and as the tide comes up over the causeway so do the crocodiles and barramundi . There are about ten of them but you never know as they can stay under water for a couple of hours . People fish here because the best barramundi fishing is where the crocs are . Crocs have averaged one human per year for the last fifteen years in the whole of Australia so there a lot safer than cars . Nourlangie rock for some more interesting artwork and a ranger talk . Nourlangie lookout and billabong for some great photos .
3rd August Muirella camp we walked the billabong track there was lots of birds early morning and a feral pigly wigly that I chased for a bit of fun . Sandy billabong for lunch and a fellow traveller tells us that 50m away is a croc so we wander over for a look . At first I cant find it in the long grass so I head for a tree stump only to find he was on the other side he let out a growl and then shot into the water and I shot up the stump. Jim Jim falls 40km of dirt road and then 10km of rough track . The walk to the water fall was a rock scramble and Josie fell over four times I found out later as I was already at the falls .Gumlom falls and plunge pool and another rock scramble to the top of the escarpment to the plunge pool . Lots of back packers here i swam up the small gorge to where the water fell into the gorge and it was very scenic with deep holes scoured into the rock .
5th August Adelaide river country music festival at the ARSS club Adelaide river show society some great singers and some not so great but all up a great day . Left music festival for Katherine and all accommodation along the way is fully booked so we arrive in Katherine at 11 30 pm and end up sleeping in the car
6th August Morning swim at katherine springs and im feeling less like a homeless person .Enjoying my swim and this woman with a dog stops to chat that’s good . Until I notice she is holding a bag of doggy poo she is completely unaware of the weapon that she is holding I try not to panic so I move close to the steps and put my hand on the rail . Without taking my eyes of it the whole time she could drop it in the water at any time . Eventually she leaves and I immediately start to relax she walks past a wheelie bin and doesn’t throw it in disgusting why would anyone carry doggy poo any longer than you have to Im feeling sick . Breakfast at Mcdonalds and we get swamped by some aboriginal kids on a school trip and there such a happy and well behaved group . Cutta cutta caves with Ethan our guide this cave is not as impressive as others we have seen but our guide makes it interesting with his style of story telling and jokes . Bitter springs for a swim these ones are crystal clear and lined with pandanus palms a very tropical look .Talking to Josie until 1 30 am and she wants to go to bed and asks me to stop talking I deserve a gold medal for that I must be the first person to out talk Josie . I would like some recognition for such an achievement .
7th August Mataranka springs about 5km upstream from Bitter springs and an early morning swim with the oldies , we watch the movie We of the never never a story based on the lives of a family living at Mataranka . An afternoon swim and chat with oldies again Josie not feeling well has a sore throat I think sore loser .Went to bed and after about half an hour two agile wallabies slept up against the tent one at my feet and one at my head I patted them both through the tent . Josie was very jealous of my new furry friends and beat one up .
8th August Morning swim at mataranka again and then down the road to Frans famous pies at Larramah what a character I think Fran is more famous than her cooking we stayed for a couple of hours and had a great time and ate way to much .Daly waters pub no locals here only tourists not really my scene .
9th August on our way to Borroloola we camp on the side of the Carpentaria highway at the site of a gas drill hole which is not capped so naturally I drop a rock down the well and wait for the sound of it hitting the bottom great fun .And then I have to put as large a rock as possible down and listen to the rush of air more fun and then I throw down six rocks and I hear a small explosion it just gets better . Borroloola and on to King ash bay I give fishing a try and as I cast I hear a horrible crack and the rod doesn’t feel right and as I watch my line I see the tip of the rod go out with it POO . So I reel it in and make my way to the bin no barra today .
10th August Doomagee for fuel and a look around town and then the drive to Adels grove at lawn hill a swim on arrival after bouncing through the dust and rough tracks . Cant find my car key I think this is the onset of stupid old fart syndrome I make sure Josie has hers before we lock up .
11 August Lawn hill Upper gorge walk and a swim at Undarri falls we feed the fish whilst laying in the sun . 50 kms down the road to Riversleigh fossil site D and we see some skeletons embedded in the limestone .
12th August and it’s the Mt Isa rodeo the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere this is great I love watching people willingly hurt themselves . Watching the crowd and the police grab a bloke sitting in the back row four cops that look like the swat team he had no chance . Back to the rodeo action and they have an over fifty five section you would think they would know better they make them tough in the country . Fred Brophys boxing troupe and its more like a slug fest freds boxers make up for a lack of talent by throwing some big hit’s a very exciting show and the crowd is going wild .
13th August Driving into Julia creek and its road kill number four and this one im proud of a feral cat crossing the road and I didn’t have to alter course or speed up it was too easy . If you say flat cat really fast that’s the same noise kitty makes when you hit him at 110 go on do it it will make you laugh .
14th August As we leave Julia creek we see half a dozen feral cats but there all running of the road word must have got out over night . One particular cat was eating a dead roo and was as big as a cattle dog . Porcupine gorge and we go for a walk and swim there lots of fish and a tortoise in the creek .
2nd August Obirr rock again for the ranger talks explaining paintings and tribal law .Cahills crossing and as the tide comes up over the causeway so do the crocodiles and barramundi . There are about ten of them but you never know as they can stay under water for a couple of hours . People fish here because the best barramundi fishing is where the crocs are . Crocs have averaged one human per year for the last fifteen years in the whole of Australia so there a lot safer than cars . Nourlangie rock for some more interesting artwork and a ranger talk . Nourlangie lookout and billabong for some great photos .
3rd August Muirella camp we walked the billabong track there was lots of birds early morning and a feral pigly wigly that I chased for a bit of fun . Sandy billabong for lunch and a fellow traveller tells us that 50m away is a croc so we wander over for a look . At first I cant find it in the long grass so I head for a tree stump only to find he was on the other side he let out a growl and then shot into the water and I shot up the stump. Jim Jim falls 40km of dirt road and then 10km of rough track . The walk to the water fall was a rock scramble and Josie fell over four times I found out later as I was already at the falls .Gumlom falls and plunge pool and another rock scramble to the top of the escarpment to the plunge pool . Lots of back packers here i swam up the small gorge to where the water fell into the gorge and it was very scenic with deep holes scoured into the rock .
5th August Adelaide river country music festival at the ARSS club Adelaide river show society some great singers and some not so great but all up a great day . Left music festival for Katherine and all accommodation along the way is fully booked so we arrive in Katherine at 11 30 pm and end up sleeping in the car
6th August Morning swim at katherine springs and im feeling less like a homeless person .Enjoying my swim and this woman with a dog stops to chat that’s good . Until I notice she is holding a bag of doggy poo she is completely unaware of the weapon that she is holding I try not to panic so I move close to the steps and put my hand on the rail . Without taking my eyes of it the whole time she could drop it in the water at any time . Eventually she leaves and I immediately start to relax she walks past a wheelie bin and doesn’t throw it in disgusting why would anyone carry doggy poo any longer than you have to Im feeling sick . Breakfast at Mcdonalds and we get swamped by some aboriginal kids on a school trip and there such a happy and well behaved group . Cutta cutta caves with Ethan our guide this cave is not as impressive as others we have seen but our guide makes it interesting with his style of story telling and jokes . Bitter springs for a swim these ones are crystal clear and lined with pandanus palms a very tropical look .Talking to Josie until 1 30 am and she wants to go to bed and asks me to stop talking I deserve a gold medal for that I must be the first person to out talk Josie . I would like some recognition for such an achievement .
7th August Mataranka springs about 5km upstream from Bitter springs and an early morning swim with the oldies , we watch the movie We of the never never a story based on the lives of a family living at Mataranka . An afternoon swim and chat with oldies again Josie not feeling well has a sore throat I think sore loser .Went to bed and after about half an hour two agile wallabies slept up against the tent one at my feet and one at my head I patted them both through the tent . Josie was very jealous of my new furry friends and beat one up .
8th August Morning swim at mataranka again and then down the road to Frans famous pies at Larramah what a character I think Fran is more famous than her cooking we stayed for a couple of hours and had a great time and ate way to much .Daly waters pub no locals here only tourists not really my scene .
9th August on our way to Borroloola we camp on the side of the Carpentaria highway at the site of a gas drill hole which is not capped so naturally I drop a rock down the well and wait for the sound of it hitting the bottom great fun .And then I have to put as large a rock as possible down and listen to the rush of air more fun and then I throw down six rocks and I hear a small explosion it just gets better . Borroloola and on to King ash bay I give fishing a try and as I cast I hear a horrible crack and the rod doesn’t feel right and as I watch my line I see the tip of the rod go out with it POO . So I reel it in and make my way to the bin no barra today .
10th August Doomagee for fuel and a look around town and then the drive to Adels grove at lawn hill a swim on arrival after bouncing through the dust and rough tracks . Cant find my car key I think this is the onset of stupid old fart syndrome I make sure Josie has hers before we lock up .
11 August Lawn hill Upper gorge walk and a swim at Undarri falls we feed the fish whilst laying in the sun . 50 kms down the road to Riversleigh fossil site D and we see some skeletons embedded in the limestone .
12th August and it’s the Mt Isa rodeo the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere this is great I love watching people willingly hurt themselves . Watching the crowd and the police grab a bloke sitting in the back row four cops that look like the swat team he had no chance . Back to the rodeo action and they have an over fifty five section you would think they would know better they make them tough in the country . Fred Brophys boxing troupe and its more like a slug fest freds boxers make up for a lack of talent by throwing some big hit’s a very exciting show and the crowd is going wild .
13th August Driving into Julia creek and its road kill number four and this one im proud of a feral cat crossing the road and I didn’t have to alter course or speed up it was too easy . If you say flat cat really fast that’s the same noise kitty makes when you hit him at 110 go on do it it will make you laugh .
14th August As we leave Julia creek we see half a dozen feral cats but there all running of the road word must have got out over night . One particular cat was eating a dead roo and was as big as a cattle dog . Porcupine gorge and we go for a walk and swim there lots of fish and a tortoise in the creek .
Thursday 16 August 2012
14th July Derby at the wharf and there are two mining dump trucks having wheel changes so we get the opportunity to have a close look at how big these machines are .Josie makes them look even bigger as the top of her head is at axle height or maybe they make Josie look tiny ?
15th July Windjana gorge we are up at 5.30 to get up the gorge early to see the wildlife only to find out all the freshwater crocs lay on the banks about 10 am we saw about 14 in our walk .We watched two fighting about a position on the bank one roared and it sounded like a lions roar .Down the road to Tunnel creek and we walk through water as we go .We see stalactites and flowstone in this cave that are stained with sediment .
16th July Fitzroy crossing and it has a great caravan park with a free movie theatre . We scored free food from a couple who had done the Gibb river road and were on their way back to broome airport . Geikie gorge boat tour $30 we see a couple of freshwater crocs and some great scenery . Wolf creek crater we walk around the rim I head down into the crater and loose Josie hoping she meets up with some crazed killer but no some how she beats me back to the car again . I think she makes out she cant walk far but she sure can run .
17th July Long boring drive to Bungle Bungles
18th July Picanniny gorge walk and Josie is struggling in the heat she doesn’t look happy . Sometimes I think im travelling with the seven dwarfs grumpy happy sneezy sleepy dopey bashful and doc all in one have experienced every one of them . Cathedral gorge and its cool in here its like a big amphitheatre I would love to hear a concert in here .
19th July Echidna chasm and Minnie palms gorge we are up early and have the gorges to ourselves for a while .Camped in a paddock off old halls creek road outside of Wyndham had some cows for company we parked in the open away from any trees
20th July Conservation park in between Wyndham and Kununurra and where at Mulga lagoon bird watching the feathered type and im feeling like an old man it used to be bird watching on the Gold coast beaches not so long ago or at least it seemed not that long ago . Up at the five rivers lookout wyndham and it’s a fantastic view looking out over the rivers salt pans and mangroves .
21st July Camped at middle spring in the conservation park had a look at diversion dam and Kununarra markets where I lost Josie for about half an hour so hard to find a midget in a crowd . Lake Argyle and theres fires burning all around the land is dry and sparsely vegetated right up to the waters edge .
22nd July Keep river national park and were bird watching again I feel like I have one foot in the grave now . We do a great little bush walk up to a lookout and then through some dry eucalypt forest into remnant monsoon forest with a spring ,livistonia palms and aboriginal art work .Victoria river roadhouse and we do the escarpment walk for a great sunset view over the river and gorge .
23rd July The Joe creek walk for some more aboriginal artwork and further up the road we visit the Nackeroo war memorial and I cant help but get the feeling that my manhood is threatened .
24th July Katherine and we walk to the first lookout and that’s as far as we can go because all further walks are closed due to wildfires much to Josies delight . So we see it from a helicopter way better we get a young Kiwi pilot who does some enthusiastic flying all the better I say and its cheaper than doing the boat cruise money well spent . Katherine springs for a backpacker style bath just great right in the middle of town . I always swim upstream with backpackers in the water so I don’t have to go for a pregnancy STD or drug test its like a soup after those grubs . Edith falls and another swim and a walk down to a sandy pool no shower needed tonight .
25th July Umbrawarra gorge not on the tourist map so theres only three campers and we have fantastic scenery and the rock pools all to ourselves for a swim .Douglas river hot springs and we go to butterfly gorge we see three butterflys the forest walk is great and the gorge is really nice but the water looks like pea soup no swimming here .
26th July Morning bath in the hot springs talking to a family and then this old nudist guy stands up why do wrinkly saggy old people feel the need to burn such visual horror on to the minds of younger people and then to cap it of his idea of clothing in the campground is a womans bikini that ties up at the sides that’s all he wears . I want sun glasses that can block out images like that . Douglas river esplanade 20km down the road more pools rapids some rock overhangs and an arch carved out of the limestone by the water .Robins falls and I climbed to the top and nearly stepped on a golden tree snake back down for a swim in the creek.
27th July Litchfield national park Florence falls beaut spot Josie goes for a morning swim too cold for me ill wait until midday . Buley rock holes now this looks great deep clear water in round pools formed in the rock and lots of backpacker girls in bikinis . Lost city rock formations in the middle of the day its hot and all I can think about is getting back in the water . Quick visit to tabletop swamp and then Tolmer falls for a swim and some great scenery the water falls through two round holes in the rock and further down stream is a natural rock arch linking both sides of the gorge .Tjeataba falls with a monsoon forest walk and I nearly stepped on another golden tree snake and watched rocket frogs as we swam in the plunge pool above the waterfall .Wangi falls and we have done enough swimming for the day and have been spoilt with the nicest of swimming spots so we do the forest walk and see an emerald dove that really makes me question my age after typing that .
28th July Camped at Litchfield safari camp and the strong septic tank smell is every where . Cascades walk Josie goes for a swim while I am eating nectar from golden grevilleas it tastes great I realise im getting a little feral drinking warm beer eating nectar not having hair cuts washing myself and clothes in creeks but im really enjoying it and don’t want to change . Some one may have to scrub me with a broom and dettol and get the shears to me when I get back so I can be accepted back in to main stream society .Berry springs for a swim and I recognise the little water fall from 24 years ago when I was here last and you can still go behind the water fall and look out through the curtain of water .After that we drive into Darwin
29th July No accommodation in Darwin so we stay at Noonamah about 40 kms south . We walked the esplanade some nice sights around the pool Josie insists on telling me what she would like to do with the young backpacker blokes and I have to remind her to save it for the girls I don’t want to know . We visit the oil tunnels underneath the city $6 .Mindil beach markets and we listen to a band playing didgeridoo and drums the music draws in a lot of people and the aboriginals dance to it in a very primitive way and I feel as though I am seeing something special .
30th July Crap day flat battery in car and then after we put a new battery in the key I had cut wouldn’t start the car . Got that sorted and then we went to Nightcliff foreshore .Went for a walk around the point and looked at the military ruins .
31st July Fogg dam for some bird watching didn’t see any snakes which its known for. It did have heaps of mosquitoes which encouraged brisk walking .
15th July Windjana gorge we are up at 5.30 to get up the gorge early to see the wildlife only to find out all the freshwater crocs lay on the banks about 10 am we saw about 14 in our walk .We watched two fighting about a position on the bank one roared and it sounded like a lions roar .Down the road to Tunnel creek and we walk through water as we go .We see stalactites and flowstone in this cave that are stained with sediment .
16th July Fitzroy crossing and it has a great caravan park with a free movie theatre . We scored free food from a couple who had done the Gibb river road and were on their way back to broome airport . Geikie gorge boat tour $30 we see a couple of freshwater crocs and some great scenery . Wolf creek crater we walk around the rim I head down into the crater and loose Josie hoping she meets up with some crazed killer but no some how she beats me back to the car again . I think she makes out she cant walk far but she sure can run .
17th July Long boring drive to Bungle Bungles
18th July Picanniny gorge walk and Josie is struggling in the heat she doesn’t look happy . Sometimes I think im travelling with the seven dwarfs grumpy happy sneezy sleepy dopey bashful and doc all in one have experienced every one of them . Cathedral gorge and its cool in here its like a big amphitheatre I would love to hear a concert in here .
19th July Echidna chasm and Minnie palms gorge we are up early and have the gorges to ourselves for a while .Camped in a paddock off old halls creek road outside of Wyndham had some cows for company we parked in the open away from any trees
20th July Conservation park in between Wyndham and Kununurra and where at Mulga lagoon bird watching the feathered type and im feeling like an old man it used to be bird watching on the Gold coast beaches not so long ago or at least it seemed not that long ago . Up at the five rivers lookout wyndham and it’s a fantastic view looking out over the rivers salt pans and mangroves .
21st July Camped at middle spring in the conservation park had a look at diversion dam and Kununarra markets where I lost Josie for about half an hour so hard to find a midget in a crowd . Lake Argyle and theres fires burning all around the land is dry and sparsely vegetated right up to the waters edge .
22nd July Keep river national park and were bird watching again I feel like I have one foot in the grave now . We do a great little bush walk up to a lookout and then through some dry eucalypt forest into remnant monsoon forest with a spring ,livistonia palms and aboriginal art work .Victoria river roadhouse and we do the escarpment walk for a great sunset view over the river and gorge .
23rd July The Joe creek walk for some more aboriginal artwork and further up the road we visit the Nackeroo war memorial and I cant help but get the feeling that my manhood is threatened .
24th July Katherine and we walk to the first lookout and that’s as far as we can go because all further walks are closed due to wildfires much to Josies delight . So we see it from a helicopter way better we get a young Kiwi pilot who does some enthusiastic flying all the better I say and its cheaper than doing the boat cruise money well spent . Katherine springs for a backpacker style bath just great right in the middle of town . I always swim upstream with backpackers in the water so I don’t have to go for a pregnancy STD or drug test its like a soup after those grubs . Edith falls and another swim and a walk down to a sandy pool no shower needed tonight .
25th July Umbrawarra gorge not on the tourist map so theres only three campers and we have fantastic scenery and the rock pools all to ourselves for a swim .Douglas river hot springs and we go to butterfly gorge we see three butterflys the forest walk is great and the gorge is really nice but the water looks like pea soup no swimming here .
26th July Morning bath in the hot springs talking to a family and then this old nudist guy stands up why do wrinkly saggy old people feel the need to burn such visual horror on to the minds of younger people and then to cap it of his idea of clothing in the campground is a womans bikini that ties up at the sides that’s all he wears . I want sun glasses that can block out images like that . Douglas river esplanade 20km down the road more pools rapids some rock overhangs and an arch carved out of the limestone by the water .Robins falls and I climbed to the top and nearly stepped on a golden tree snake back down for a swim in the creek.
27th July Litchfield national park Florence falls beaut spot Josie goes for a morning swim too cold for me ill wait until midday . Buley rock holes now this looks great deep clear water in round pools formed in the rock and lots of backpacker girls in bikinis . Lost city rock formations in the middle of the day its hot and all I can think about is getting back in the water . Quick visit to tabletop swamp and then Tolmer falls for a swim and some great scenery the water falls through two round holes in the rock and further down stream is a natural rock arch linking both sides of the gorge .Tjeataba falls with a monsoon forest walk and I nearly stepped on another golden tree snake and watched rocket frogs as we swam in the plunge pool above the waterfall .Wangi falls and we have done enough swimming for the day and have been spoilt with the nicest of swimming spots so we do the forest walk and see an emerald dove that really makes me question my age after typing that .
28th July Camped at Litchfield safari camp and the strong septic tank smell is every where . Cascades walk Josie goes for a swim while I am eating nectar from golden grevilleas it tastes great I realise im getting a little feral drinking warm beer eating nectar not having hair cuts washing myself and clothes in creeks but im really enjoying it and don’t want to change . Some one may have to scrub me with a broom and dettol and get the shears to me when I get back so I can be accepted back in to main stream society .Berry springs for a swim and I recognise the little water fall from 24 years ago when I was here last and you can still go behind the water fall and look out through the curtain of water .After that we drive into Darwin
29th July No accommodation in Darwin so we stay at Noonamah about 40 kms south . We walked the esplanade some nice sights around the pool Josie insists on telling me what she would like to do with the young backpacker blokes and I have to remind her to save it for the girls I don’t want to know . We visit the oil tunnels underneath the city $6 .Mindil beach markets and we listen to a band playing didgeridoo and drums the music draws in a lot of people and the aboriginals dance to it in a very primitive way and I feel as though I am seeing something special .
30th July Crap day flat battery in car and then after we put a new battery in the key I had cut wouldn’t start the car . Got that sorted and then we went to Nightcliff foreshore .Went for a walk around the point and looked at the military ruins .
31st July Fogg dam for some bird watching didn’t see any snakes which its known for. It did have heaps of mosquitoes which encouraged brisk walking .
Wednesday 15 August 2012
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| Yellow Waters river cruise, the morning sun brings out the saltwater crocodiles to bask in the sun |
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| These salties r very well camoflauged in the grasses of the wetlands if not for being in a boat u would not see them |
Monday 13 August 2012
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| Hiking up the top of the Gorges always results in the most amazing views & keeps us smiling |
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| ring tailed lizard that found Darrens finger interesting |
Josie’s
Update road trip around Australia, 11 August 2012
The final
chapter has begun, last leg of our journey is drawing near, a month will pass
very quickly, our weary bodies slowing down, its time to re adjust our body
clocks, 6 months of our lives is blowing thru the thermal winds as just a
memory in our minds now & we will sit around the camp fires wanting to have
a yarn about the tails that we have travelled.
We will take
this final part of our journey, familiarising ourselves with reality once
again, becoming civilised & becoming human again. No more cave/bush people,
hanging the undies/bras round ur tent area, listening, being care free to the musical snoring,
burbing, bottom burps (as Darren calls them & not to be down wind from him),
wild looking hair doo’s (mmmm Darrens Einstein hair look has a lot to be desired),
hairy arm pits, legs, unshaven, daggy hiking clothes, red dust from ear to ear
(not sure what color skin we have), Darren’s hang up on people calling us
husband & wife (as i am an old woman, Oh the embarrassment for him, cause
he is a young stud LOL), Darren’s lack of interest in sunsets, sunrises,
markets, girly things,(Soooo need girl time, does ur head in doin all this
bloke stuff LOL) me needing to be a tom boy to survive Darren dragging me thru
every conceivable terrain, bags under the eyes, body constantly covered in
bites, scratching, itching, sores, bruises, (there goes the Elle look, was good
while it lasted LOL) physically exhausted from living out of the car for so
long, travelled over 35,000 Km’s so far, with still another month to go, car is
moaning, groaning, rattling, wearing out, adjusting to a travelling housemate
has been a challenge in itself, understanding the good, the bad, the crazy, the
compromising, the differences of opinions, the strengths, the weakness. Gosh
how much it will hurt us to slip back into the real world, routine, work, time
schedules, new place to live, new housemates. Ouch. We are having
the time of our lives, wouldn’t change it for anything.
The
experience of the Kimberley/Pilbara region, has blown us away, with Kalbarri,
Karajini, Port Headland, the mining, the isolation of these towns, the
characters that work/live there, the long dusty dry dirt roads, the amount of
people travelling into these areas, the heat that feels more like summer to us,
yet the locals think it is cold at 27-32degrees, the most stunning views, the
deepest of gorges, the ice cold water holes, creeks, when swimming would sting
ur skin, yet refresh u so much, the wind blowing dust storms whirling thru the
arid land, up on the hikes at sunrise to try to beat the heat of the day, we
have conversed with the most interesting back packers & g8 aussie
travellers, just amazing.
Into the
Northern Territory Top End, our journey found us wanting more of this relaxed
lifestyle, still the heat was hard to bare, but the locals & travellers far
out waded the harsh conditions in allowing a fun time. From the Douglas hot
springs, to which we met some g8 families, thoroughly enjoyed the
conversations, the mix of 2 rivers
meetin the hot springs, meant u could swim in hot water, or go further
downstream to cool water, just heaven. Lytchfield Nat Park was our pick of the
bunch, breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls, stunning gorges, plunge pools
of all sorts allowed u to swim with the best views, all while cooling down from
the heat of the day, hidden oasis at every spot, yet surprisingly eerie as all
around u they were doing their winter burning of the bush, they just allow the
bush to burn itself out, with not a person in sight controlling it, the night
sky would give u a spooky, smokey glow.
Darwin, so multi cultural, fantastic locals, g8 Mindil sunset markets, with
night entertainment, food, all with a stunning sunset thrown in for the viewing
(another magical experience for me, but hohumm for Darren). Then with true
diversity came Kakadu Nat Park, so
scenic, the best wetlands u will ever see, an array of birdlife that keeps u
captivated for hours, the huge saltwater crocodiles, that r so well camouflaged
u almost step on them or they look like floating logs, before u realise that
they r alive & there. A better appreciation & understanding of the
aboriginal people, culture, dreamtime stories, rock artwork, lots of fun
conversations with the kids, who r full of life, plus the adult conversations
were just as interesting, sharing the enjoyment of their land was fascinating
& so very grateful. Going back, bringing the country girl out in me was the
Adelaide River Country Music Festival Muster, such fun relaxed country folks,
hospitality, made for a complete change of scenery to our travels. We also met
a true fair dinkum Aussie lady of the outback , called Fran, that had a foul
mouth of the south, told it as it was, but with the most lovable personality,
hard working 68yr old, with an infectious spirit, warmth, had us rolling over
in stitchers of laughter, who served us her homemade Buffalo pie, with mash
potatoes & peas (delicious), in her corrugated tin outback shed tourist
stop over. She gave me a soft teddy bear
gift as she thought i was a nice lady, with a g8 character, took my name &
number & offered me a job to work with her in the dry season & to keep
in touch with her. We spent a few hours there, also chatting to other
travellers dropping in to eat her yummy homemade food. She just made our day
& Darren & I chatted & laughed about her energy for while on the road
for quite a while. A country rodeo toped off my zest for country cowboys
(fantastic eye candy with men in jeans, boots, cowboy hats, strutting there
stuff), was a g8 Sunday arvo, with good old country music & dancing to finish
the night. Yeh ha, so much fun.
So many
moments will be forever imbedded in our memories. Heres to many more travelling
experiences, meeting lots of travellers & the forming of many more
friendships.
Keep checking
out blog for pictures & journal, on internet go to:- josie-darren.blogspot.com click on josie & Darren adventures
Keep Smiling
Everyone
Huggss &
Kissess
Josie
Thursday 9 August 2012
Sunday 5 August 2012
wa
1 July 2012 My birthday and Josie made me pancakes but no birthday cake where is the love Yardie creek gorge walk takes you along the top of the gorge looking down on the water . We snorkelled yardie creek beach lots of small colourful fish not a great variety of corals here as its quite shallow . Bungara beach and where back in the water and theres some cute looking fish in bikinis not bad .
2nd July We snorkel the oyster stacks at high tide some good sized spangled emperor amongst all the small fish Turquoise bay for the drift snorkel and I find a groper about 1m long under a rock ledge and some more stunning fish in bikinis . Stayed at Yardie creek caravan park whilst cooking dinner in the camp kitchen Josie starts talking to three german backpackers poor buggers didn’t know what was coming there so young .First the eyes get that glaze like the lights are on but nobodys home . Then the tricle of blood from their ears 11pm and they go unconscious I have to stop her talking now before they slip into a coma and were asked to leave .
3rd July Drove Exmouth to Karajini national park did some night driving as we left Exmouth about 7pm dodging roos sheep and cattle for a couple of hours we had plenty of room between the road and scrub . We came across a dip to a creek and the trees were a lot closer to the road . And I say to Josie I don’t like this and 5 seconds later a wallaby jumps in front of us jumped on the brakes but we didn’t loose much speed . Wallaby went under and we heard the thumping and cracking of bones all the way down the car . Turned back and dragged the wallaby of the road and found a joey alive and unharmed with no fur and undeveloped eyes so I laid it on mums fur and it settled down I left it there to let the cold night air or foxes dingoes to take care of it . That’s road kill 2 and 3 . We stopped not far up the road and camped for the night .
4 th July Karajini Where up at 5am to do the corrugated and dusty drive to Hancock gorge walked to amphitheatre ,kermits pool and the chute , From here I watched as a guide set up ropes so a group of high school kids could climb the rest of the way down to the bottom of the gorge in wetsuits as the water is freezing . Josie stayed at the amphitheatre as she thought it was to difficult to go further . On our return Josie has trouble stepping down a two foot drop after some encouraging words from me like just do it sook I attempt to lift her down . This came with a loud refusal I think she needs some ice cream or some girl to girl time any way she got herself down minutes before the high school kids came by saving us much embarrassment .Weano gorge and we get to the bottom and Josie doesn’t want to climb any further so I go into handrail pool and theres no one there so I have a little skinny dip and im out and dressed before a young couple arrive . Joffre gorge and I take the track to the gorge floor and then scale the rocks beside the waterfall this gorge has a fantastic amphitheatre .
5th July Karajini Fortescue falls and circular pool we swam in circular pool and its ice cold I have to keep swimming for it to be enjoyable and when I got out my skin was stinging my manhood has suffered another setback . Walked back to fortescue falls and swam in the fern pool this one was warmer as it’s fed by a thermal spring . Hammersley gorge for the twisted rock formations and hidden on the east side of the gorge is a great little fern lined gorge with a deep pool of clear water .
6th July and we camped at Mt Florence station some great conversation around the campfire and the station manager explained life on the station and gave us an insight to the cattle industry . Millstream national park and we walked to the homestead from the crossing pool a distance of 6km return . We met mr Mooey in the creek had a great set of horns and was reasonably friendly could get as close as 3m before he would move but he would never go far .
7th July Chichester national park and we walked to Mackenzie spring and Python pool along the camelers way 10km return barren country around here mostly Spinifex and rocks .
8th July Camped at Cleaverville beach outside of port headland this campsite is the land of a thousand generators difficult to hold a conversation here . Port headland and Karatha had nice parks and beach a busy port and the rest was dirt and industry .
9th July big driving day boring stopped at Eighty mile beach Wallai downs shoulder to shoulder fishing saw 3 threadfin salmon landed all about 1m long I caught nothing so I said were going now .
10th July Another big boring driving day camped roadside stop 170 km south of Broome . Lunch at Port Smith large estuary with huge tides Into Broome and a walk around town . Broome has the smallest jetty of any town in our travels . Gauntheame point for a broome sunset .
11th July camped at pcyc Broome had a great chat with campers beside us drove dirt road to middle lagoon corrugated dusty and abandoned cars and trailers left in the middle of the road make it an exciting drive ..
12 July Drove to chile creek one arm point where we watched the tidal flow between the islands . Here we also saw turtles and fish . Found evidence of a romantic interlude a box of cheezels an empty wine cask and some condom packets .Now I know where im going wrong with the ladies ive been buying beer and chips . Had a look at the Trochus shell farm at one arm point and then round to the boat ramp to watch the thresher sharks feeding on the remains of a turtle .I found its head in the rocks and threw it in the water to get them feeding again and one swam around with it in its mouth .
13th July Said our farewells to our friends at middle lagoon and did the long drive to Willare roadhouse on the Fitztoy river $15 for a tent site hot showers and free washing machines and dryer that’s a bargain we normally pay $36 for a tent site which I think is a rip off for asleep a poo and a shower .
14th july Derby much less touristy than Broome here and a great lookout muddy rives and big tides
2nd July We snorkel the oyster stacks at high tide some good sized spangled emperor amongst all the small fish Turquoise bay for the drift snorkel and I find a groper about 1m long under a rock ledge and some more stunning fish in bikinis . Stayed at Yardie creek caravan park whilst cooking dinner in the camp kitchen Josie starts talking to three german backpackers poor buggers didn’t know what was coming there so young .First the eyes get that glaze like the lights are on but nobodys home . Then the tricle of blood from their ears 11pm and they go unconscious I have to stop her talking now before they slip into a coma and were asked to leave .
3rd July Drove Exmouth to Karajini national park did some night driving as we left Exmouth about 7pm dodging roos sheep and cattle for a couple of hours we had plenty of room between the road and scrub . We came across a dip to a creek and the trees were a lot closer to the road . And I say to Josie I don’t like this and 5 seconds later a wallaby jumps in front of us jumped on the brakes but we didn’t loose much speed . Wallaby went under and we heard the thumping and cracking of bones all the way down the car . Turned back and dragged the wallaby of the road and found a joey alive and unharmed with no fur and undeveloped eyes so I laid it on mums fur and it settled down I left it there to let the cold night air or foxes dingoes to take care of it . That’s road kill 2 and 3 . We stopped not far up the road and camped for the night .
4 th July Karajini Where up at 5am to do the corrugated and dusty drive to Hancock gorge walked to amphitheatre ,kermits pool and the chute , From here I watched as a guide set up ropes so a group of high school kids could climb the rest of the way down to the bottom of the gorge in wetsuits as the water is freezing . Josie stayed at the amphitheatre as she thought it was to difficult to go further . On our return Josie has trouble stepping down a two foot drop after some encouraging words from me like just do it sook I attempt to lift her down . This came with a loud refusal I think she needs some ice cream or some girl to girl time any way she got herself down minutes before the high school kids came by saving us much embarrassment .Weano gorge and we get to the bottom and Josie doesn’t want to climb any further so I go into handrail pool and theres no one there so I have a little skinny dip and im out and dressed before a young couple arrive . Joffre gorge and I take the track to the gorge floor and then scale the rocks beside the waterfall this gorge has a fantastic amphitheatre .
5th July Karajini Fortescue falls and circular pool we swam in circular pool and its ice cold I have to keep swimming for it to be enjoyable and when I got out my skin was stinging my manhood has suffered another setback . Walked back to fortescue falls and swam in the fern pool this one was warmer as it’s fed by a thermal spring . Hammersley gorge for the twisted rock formations and hidden on the east side of the gorge is a great little fern lined gorge with a deep pool of clear water .
6th July and we camped at Mt Florence station some great conversation around the campfire and the station manager explained life on the station and gave us an insight to the cattle industry . Millstream national park and we walked to the homestead from the crossing pool a distance of 6km return . We met mr Mooey in the creek had a great set of horns and was reasonably friendly could get as close as 3m before he would move but he would never go far .
7th July Chichester national park and we walked to Mackenzie spring and Python pool along the camelers way 10km return barren country around here mostly Spinifex and rocks .
8th July Camped at Cleaverville beach outside of port headland this campsite is the land of a thousand generators difficult to hold a conversation here . Port headland and Karatha had nice parks and beach a busy port and the rest was dirt and industry .
9th July big driving day boring stopped at Eighty mile beach Wallai downs shoulder to shoulder fishing saw 3 threadfin salmon landed all about 1m long I caught nothing so I said were going now .
10th July Another big boring driving day camped roadside stop 170 km south of Broome . Lunch at Port Smith large estuary with huge tides Into Broome and a walk around town . Broome has the smallest jetty of any town in our travels . Gauntheame point for a broome sunset .
11th July camped at pcyc Broome had a great chat with campers beside us drove dirt road to middle lagoon corrugated dusty and abandoned cars and trailers left in the middle of the road make it an exciting drive ..
12 July Drove to chile creek one arm point where we watched the tidal flow between the islands . Here we also saw turtles and fish . Found evidence of a romantic interlude a box of cheezels an empty wine cask and some condom packets .Now I know where im going wrong with the ladies ive been buying beer and chips . Had a look at the Trochus shell farm at one arm point and then round to the boat ramp to watch the thresher sharks feeding on the remains of a turtle .I found its head in the rocks and threw it in the water to get them feeding again and one swam around with it in its mouth .
13th July Said our farewells to our friends at middle lagoon and did the long drive to Willare roadhouse on the Fitztoy river $15 for a tent site hot showers and free washing machines and dryer that’s a bargain we normally pay $36 for a tent site which I think is a rip off for asleep a poo and a shower .
14th july Derby much less touristy than Broome here and a great lookout muddy rives and big tides
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