The Gibb River Road.

Gibb River Road

Well, the road started as 'black top' but it quickly disappeared and it became a very corrugated and very dusty track.  Things started to happen to the Scorpion.  The bathroom door fell off, the toilet roll holder fell off, the dust got inside and that was very disappointing.  Then the fridge decided to jump around and got jammed. 'Not happy Jan!'

There are lots of river crossings on the Gibb River Road but that's not a problem for the Scorpion!

Unfortunately we didn't get to see Emma Gorge because there was a fire burning up the side of the range and Emma Gorge was closed.  So our first night was in El Questro.  We had a lovely camp under the trees.  The next morning we headed back to Zedabee Thermal Springs. That was wonderful!  Pam and George had a rock pool all to themselves.  Me, I sat on the bank and watched the birds  - meow!

Jane and Shelley headed off to drive to the Mitchell Plateau.  Pam and George headed to Home Valley Station where we celebrated Pam's birthday at the Dusty Bar.

Next stop Ellenbrea Station for the world famous scones with jam and cream.  Yum!  We sat at a table on a shaded verandah and watched the bush finches come in and enjoy the bird feeder placed in the trees. I just watched!  Meow. Meow!

Finally we made the Kalumburu Road intersection and headed for a campsite on the Durack River to wait for the girls.  They arrived hot and dusty from their adventure so we all headed down to the river and sat on the river crossing (there was no traffic) and enjoyed the cooling waters - ever mindful of the crocs.  Not this little pussy cat - I sat in the shade and kept on eye on everyone. We had an extra meal to prepare that night because a friend decided to join us for dinner!

The next day we made tracks to Barnett Station for some water for our showers.  After brief stop, it was on to Silent Grove for the nights camp.  Another beautiful spot.

Up early (before breakfast) for the walk to Bells Gorge.  It was an easy walk for me, I've got four paws but some in the party grumbled.  I did a bit of rock climbing and I also got caught climbing a tree!  I wasn't really after the bird!  Meow!
George told me if I caught a bird in a National Park the ranger would throw me to the crocs!!

Windjana Gorge.  How beautiful!  We arrived late in the afternoon without the girls because they decided to hike Leonard Gorge.  Pam grabbed her camera and said the light was perfect for some shots.  Little did she know that the best shot of the day would be taken by strangers, as she was in shock.  George decided to pat a croc!!

There were so many freshwater crocs in this one Gorge!  On one bank Pam counted fifty crocs catching the last of the suns rays.  The freshwater croc is not as dangerous as he saltwater croc but it can still I inflict a nasty bit that could turn septic out in the bush. No swimming for me!!

Tunnel creek was out next adventure.  Wow! What a place.  When we got there is was 36 degrees - hot! I was so glad to get inside the tunnel where it was cool.  I had to hitch a ride on George's back because we had to wade through knee deep water.  That's a human knee by the way!
There are many stories about the aborigines and the white settlers fighting in this area  and the story of Pigeon was probably the saddest of all.  Maybe you can find out more about Pigeon on the Internet.

Last night we stayed in Fitzroy Crossing for an early cruise down the river to see Geikie Gorge.  Another fantastic sight!  It is hard to believe that this area was all under a vast inland sea and that Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek and most of the Gorges on the Gibb River Road belonged to this one huge Devonian Reef that stretches for a thousand kilometres.

Today we're heading for Broome.

Kununurra to Gibb River

Kununurra to Gibb River

Kununurra was fantastic!  What a wonderful time I had exploring around the town.  First we visited Hidden Valley where we climbed the red rocks and enjoyed the view from above. Then we went to Ivanhoe Crossing where Pam and George wouldn't let me swim.  Crocodile country!

We then took a drive to Kelly's Knob which gave a view of the whole of Kununurra.  Pam made me stand in a very scary location for a photo and I wouldn't let go of the tree.

Jane and Shelley took pity on me and decided to take me out in a small plane to see he Bungle Bungles from the air.  It was a wonderful!  Jane made me go to the toilet before I got on board the plane.

As I was feeling a little nervous about flying, the crew allowed me to help out with pre-check.  I was asked to check that the tail flaps were working.

Then they let me do some wing walking!  That was fun!

The flight itself was wonderful.  I saw the Argyle Diamond Mine and the Bungle Bungles.  Tim, our pilot, turned the plane from left to right so that everyone could see.  Unfortunately it made me feel a little sick!

The next day we were picked up for a river cruise on the Ord River.  It was a lovely day.  We saw lots of gorges and lots of wildlife.  The River passes through some very beautiful country.  We pulled into a lovely shady spot and had afternoon tea.  I was feeling just a little hungry!

We stayed on the river to see the sun set and we were very privileged to see the Moon rise at he same time - magic!

Wednesday 17th

Wow, it's hot up here!  Thirty six degrees.  You should try that when you carry a fur coat around!  We got to  Willare Bridge for a lunch stop on the way to Fitzroy Crossing and they had a swimming pool but they wouldn't let me use it!  I can't imagine why.

This is cattle county.  I have seen lots of cattle on the side of the road. We have to sharp eyes to make sure we miss them. Sometimes they wander into the most unlikely places!

George showed me a 'bull catcher'.  The station owners spot the cattle using a helicopter then the bull catcher rounds the cattle up for mustering. They don't use horses up here because the scrub is too thick. 

I decided to cool off in a boab tree.  Boy, they are so hard to climb.  The bark is shiny and very hard - the claws wouldn't go in! George had to help me.

Here's a little quiz.  The first person to email the answer to: pamgeosh@bigpond.com
will earn a Fredo Frog (be grateful it's not a cane toad - because  there's plenty of them up here!)
Just remember we don't alway have Internet connection every day so don't think I've ignored you if I don't answer straight away!


Q1.  Why is the boab tree called the upside down tree?

Thursday 18th

We had a great camp last night at the Fitzroy River Lodge.  Pam & George spend part of their honeymoon at the lodge just two days after it originally opened.  It's much, much bigger now with a huge area for campers and last night it was packed.  We sat outside and watched the land turn pink under the sunset. The fruit bats arrived with lots of noise - squabbling over roosts in the trees.

Today we head for a bush camp beyond Halls Creek.
On the way we made a side trip to see the China Wall.  Wow!  It was amazing.  You would think it was made by human hands.

We can see heaps of these funny looking hills.



For another Fredo Frog:  first one to email the answer (pamgeosh@bigpond.com)  wins:

Q2 What am I sitting on in the above photo and who/what made them?


Travelling on the bitumen on the open road, one truck from nowhere sends two stones. One hit the windscreen and left a chip and the other dented the stone guard on the scorpion.  Oh dear, and we haven't even hit the Gibb River Road yet!




Friday 19th

After a roadside camp in Leycester Camp, a lovely little bush camp with lots of birds, we headed to Kununurra.  

Last nights camp had a sad story.  It was named after a thirteen year old Hale School Student who lived in Halls Creek.  He died in a one vehicle accident.  The family was given permission to dedicate the overnight stop in his honour.  Apparently Leycester used to collect five cent coins and when his school case was return from the boarding school, it was filled with five cent coins.  Under his dedication sign, many travellers have placed five cent pieces.  Pam placed four, one for me, Ginger, one for Cloudie, Stormie and her other cat, Snuffles.

Finally we made it to Kununurra!

Again the day was hot but we have a lovely shady spot under a big tree, lakeside in Kununurra. I hope we'll be ok here because this is crocodile country!

Wednesday 17 July

Pam is not happy at the way bloodspot is messing up my blog.  Unfortunately thats what happens when you do thing on the cheap!

Yesterday we made the decision to leave our travelling companions and head into Broome to get our fridge repaired.  Jane and Shelly will continue onto the Bungle Bungles and we will skip that section of the trip and head to Kununurra where we will meet up with them.

Today was a lovely 36 degrees and so after the repair job we all headed to Cable Beach for a cooling swim.

We saw a lovely sunset on Cable Beach  last night and although I didn't want to ride a camel I did enjoy it when they left the beach.

After a nice chill out, we'll pack up and head for Kununarra via Fitzroy Crossing.  I don't expect to have much internet now until Friday. Meow!

Today we are heading to eighty mile beach at a camp called Wallal Downs.  On the way we
found a lovely lunch spot on the De Grey River, which is usually dry,and today after all the rain

of the last few weeks, was very wet. While we were there, I met a friend who was called Leo. 

He became a little bit smitten with me!

I managed a quiet cat nap in a tree, after escaping Leo, while the group cooled off in the
river - not for this pussy cat!   Meow! Meow!

Well,we didn't make Wallal Downs because we were delayed at the De Grey.  Out travelling
companions Jane and Shelley had a battery not charging in their camper so a kind man staying at a
campsite by the river fixed it for them. It was just on sunset as we pulled into Cape Kerauden. 

We had a lovely spot over looking the ocean and then discovered that the scorpions fridge was
not working on gas.  Now we have to rethink our trip plan.

Post Three - Newman to Hedland

Yesterday was another big day of travel.  We left Newman from Camp Kalgan and made for
Port Hedland.  We went through some very pretty country around the Hamersley Ranges.
Pam wanted to stop for some photo opportunities but the road trains and wide loads
travelling the same road made it too dangerous.

We were going to stay the night on Indee Station however, there was a motor bike race going
on and there was no safe accommodation.  George was worried the lads might take a pot shot
at me so I wasn't allowed out of the car!

We decided to return back over the river crossing - which the new caravan, called the
Scorpion - handled really well.  Making a bee line for Hedland, I spotted a track that
lead to a lovely camp by the river.  George was really proud of me and my sharp eyes!
Meow! 

Day One

Finally we managed to get away!
It was so hard to leave Perth.  George tried and tried to pack my food bowls and basket and every where that he put them, they rattled and annoyed Pam!

I have found myself a lovely spot in the car.  I can curl up on the dashboard  where I can see everything and I also can enjoy the warm of the sun.  A lovely spot!

Last nigh we had a bush camp just below Paynes Fine.  It was wet and so cold!  It was such a big day, we had tea and headed to bed early.  I was able to snuggle in beside Pam where it was nice and toastie!

Tomorrow we head for Newman.