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.
