tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71837757599791404102024-02-20T01:40:17.191+10:00Go Go Kerrs in OzA commentory on our journey around Australia. Why should we keep it all to ourselves!Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-88518537382234793032011-09-26T22:09:00.000+10:002011-09-26T22:09:12.594+10:0018th – 22nd Sept. Eyre Peninsula<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After coming off the Nullarbor we started to travel down the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our intention was not to spend a great deal of time here but to catch a glimpse to ascertain whether this would be worth a more detailed visit sometime in the future.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our first stop was at Smokey Bay where e thought it would be a great place to spend a night however the park was full due to a country & western weekend gathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On we moved to Haslam where we found a great little free camp right next to the beach and the jetty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haslam was no more than a small fishing village with about six houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These mostly housed oyster farmers whose beds were located a few hundred metres off shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaKlViU14QKXpxfMdNVYrW2Tufr_Esw7yp9UQK20S46mE8uYhuUTDcAxDhC9JC8i_NareBEJWFs266QX76UrgBsl-xc12DROyOaAtLIUHSp0tSnVScj2sTbWM7MV7VbRtHP16_Swngo9h/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaKlViU14QKXpxfMdNVYrW2Tufr_Esw7yp9UQK20S46mE8uYhuUTDcAxDhC9JC8i_NareBEJWFs266QX76UrgBsl-xc12DROyOaAtLIUHSp0tSnVScj2sTbWM7MV7VbRtHP16_Swngo9h/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy fishing village of Haslem</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The camp area had been set aside by the township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were toilets nearby and a water tank across the road for drinking water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In return they had an honesty box with a five dollar charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love these places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp population almost outnumbered the locals.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next day we moved on further south visiting a number of small beaches along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had thought that Coffin Bay would be a great destination but as the day went on we learned that a cold weather front with strong westerly winds was about to hit the peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we chose to set sail for Port Lincoln which we thought would be a bit more sheltered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to be more sheltered but it was still a strong blow even there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcfpN5pAwiVp3N3VW8y3dnwu-4h9tLlT9FD5yf1AkoR5EtaEGm7PADaT7leCBAiDPYmnCIeNm1z-9II11DIOIiMqZinac70WMoLxLGseTILvsd_ek3Bp3RaqdAdtnlbd_8NPEbRe7jM04/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcfpN5pAwiVp3N3VW8y3dnwu-4h9tLlT9FD5yf1AkoR5EtaEGm7PADaT7leCBAiDPYmnCIeNm1z-9II11DIOIiMqZinac70WMoLxLGseTILvsd_ek3Bp3RaqdAdtnlbd_8NPEbRe7jM04/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+194.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery neat Streaky Bay township</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GgiymnDEBS6-3yODwHyVOTVwrUqe6GvT85xKmSGIDQdAn7LiztILgfNNaLBcJb87aqfW7WDrtRs8Sax2AM9oJeKIBJdf6avJyI8wGaj-NwSQfGMaXVXKFPie2uPJiqS7Rcqj61RynRwx/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GgiymnDEBS6-3yODwHyVOTVwrUqe6GvT85xKmSGIDQdAn7LiztILgfNNaLBcJb87aqfW7WDrtRs8Sax2AM9oJeKIBJdf6avJyI8wGaj-NwSQfGMaXVXKFPie2uPJiqS7Rcqj61RynRwx/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streaky Bay itself</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvwwa98I5BR3TUsFv4Kze04VVtPYO9Eo7uua2p2aOx7Jtp4JDQvNPrmrQYInxEizBpUKC4qjz_vEfaPTzltvCjzynhQFhsaF9vurG6mn8KOhrYYUppXnCS30BbRkyNorrsjyaJ5vXwgWc/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvwwa98I5BR3TUsFv4Kze04VVtPYO9Eo7uua2p2aOx7Jtp4JDQvNPrmrQYInxEizBpUKC4qjz_vEfaPTzltvCjzynhQFhsaF9vurG6mn8KOhrYYUppXnCS30BbRkyNorrsjyaJ5vXwgWc/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every beach has a jetty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kppJ-czeZj1jMPrE1Wj9bGjDKQkUTYWh9Ne0_RZCXhl6NlckUmPNwcLSqqJnnoBKl-iDx079rzEogpaouLXEaRis08mE46dp2O_WDnvKszw8iR3Cew4UfkZ_ChH50WiUAe2gkoVsoBFW/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kppJ-czeZj1jMPrE1Wj9bGjDKQkUTYWh9Ne0_RZCXhl6NlckUmPNwcLSqqJnnoBKl-iDx079rzEogpaouLXEaRis08mE46dp2O_WDnvKszw8iR3Cew4UfkZ_ChH50WiUAe2gkoVsoBFW/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heads at Venus Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjTgNh7M28b4JqxDKqQ8wH9SjYYSNWwq-4m0qhggQmQSEhFb19fl0b50V3mi-aLGrPfRBIYVkJ4qhfkDQ5CSSX9icebQKpoYam-_OBUj7gZLyWa8AdXhyphenhyphen-oVGZOjog85l_eGLL56no2Bb/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjTgNh7M28b4JqxDKqQ8wH9SjYYSNWwq-4m0qhggQmQSEhFb19fl0b50V3mi-aLGrPfRBIYVkJ4qhfkDQ5CSSX9icebQKpoYam-_OBUj7gZLyWa8AdXhyphenhyphen-oVGZOjog85l_eGLL56no2Bb/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What sails out the heads at Venus Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyHfDeJcfJewb4HU0rOqNeDoroLlgNyFSFDRijwZHmx8PA2Rsj6h_JQEQN0U9v8Dc5Mx5p8yxStCIwZJp9UncZs5VbMBbTpf1U326GxCOZD4TOP2AtrMCnB3lc-m2RbDyP9czn1BtYH_B/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyHfDeJcfJewb4HU0rOqNeDoroLlgNyFSFDRijwZHmx8PA2Rsj6h_JQEQN0U9v8Dc5Mx5p8yxStCIwZJp9UncZs5VbMBbTpf1U326GxCOZD4TOP2AtrMCnB3lc-m2RbDyP9czn1BtYH_B/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical grazing farms on west coast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZv_Ll57O1r7HjmkxYV2MnQlvCMHCBvEB7C2Bjy9xmvP9qm3y3Yq7KT1VN3tjUJklqOPtoIhil2Ocghwm0b_doL2Mt1-XgY9TASIhjadcjcZZIlyZVf8T9f7joKO7cKtCJ3nV-waC97wm/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZv_Ll57O1r7HjmkxYV2MnQlvCMHCBvEB7C2Bjy9xmvP9qm3y3Yq7KT1VN3tjUJklqOPtoIhil2Ocghwm0b_doL2Mt1-XgY9TASIhjadcjcZZIlyZVf8T9f7joKO7cKtCJ3nV-waC97wm/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And surrounding countryside</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Port Lincoln was quite a large town as compared to the country towns we have visited in this holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a port for grain amongst other things but also houses a big fishing industry with fish farming and oyster beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town had a real fresh appearance to it and seemed quite prosperous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather being wet we did not get to see much of it except through wet car windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did however take an opportunity to drive back to Coffin Bay to see what we had missed when we had rushed by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It again is a fishing village but with a much more holiday atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This whole area is quite pretty and the surrounding agricultural area was very green and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyAJAIj8ufW2bkNBzyiNBl3F44ufL-0DSFjkDgsLe9sGKwOrh0coDZWy6iZRgvMdiweTyj7y-4ZOXgX2yQRmxQToGJY_Nek7C58ZGNXXNM7l7gd0f03E00D4ff64UUc5XzI5xDA5HK3rD/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyAJAIj8ufW2bkNBzyiNBl3F44ufL-0DSFjkDgsLe9sGKwOrh0coDZWy6iZRgvMdiweTyj7y-4ZOXgX2yQRmxQToGJY_Nek7C58ZGNXXNM7l7gd0f03E00D4ff64UUc5XzI5xDA5HK3rD/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffin Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hTHBAW4-hBuonbJT2HsoXRsk6v2BB5cED91U47_NBmFf9LUU6JMDdS2zNTV8ROWGMrV272iP00FzTcaL3_j9rxDTh2l-7p6dpCCU1PRgLtFHVTZl2dukS8nbCrQWiLGqRuSsIII5tFCM/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hTHBAW4-hBuonbJT2HsoXRsk6v2BB5cED91U47_NBmFf9LUU6JMDdS2zNTV8ROWGMrV272iP00FzTcaL3_j9rxDTh2l-7p6dpCCU1PRgLtFHVTZl2dukS8nbCrQWiLGqRuSsIII5tFCM/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffin Bay harbour.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepP-B8q07zLxojSFMnsm3EbYa9phgdwaYtvBeD0KREKpIGR2ZsXl-A_ApkxZERHJmG39oa9Xqn2evL-GPfKgknlrUqACoqi2uvYAaZAkJGjP7OBTaZUNX2dOM9JRS5E7LvwS-8P66DPEu/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepP-B8q07zLxojSFMnsm3EbYa9phgdwaYtvBeD0KREKpIGR2ZsXl-A_ApkxZERHJmG39oa9Xqn2evL-GPfKgknlrUqACoqi2uvYAaZAkJGjP7OBTaZUNX2dOM9JRS5E7LvwS-8P66DPEu/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, can I have a fishing boat please?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzWisEwr-aabdfXSQ2pxv4xbn8hpzRnX_ZSMQYPwBw7DCJBIibqGeTMV9fNLfKckmxNMe6ppxSeI-C880n6rM2ryORRljht_Y6umpJc2yp8NkubcuQA3pLKee7nn7o8IXGNGR5H8Shcjw/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzWisEwr-aabdfXSQ2pxv4xbn8hpzRnX_ZSMQYPwBw7DCJBIibqGeTMV9fNLfKckmxNMe6ppxSeI-C880n6rM2ryORRljht_Y6umpJc2yp8NkubcuQA3pLKee7nn7o8IXGNGR5H8Shcjw/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Lincoln</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When we left Port Lincoln and travelled north up the east coast we found a very flat country, mostly grazing land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road runs close to the coast but just far enough away to restrict sea views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First stop was Tumby Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a really great little spot with a real retirement appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a great beach front park and lots of facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently there were lots of caravans camped out enjoying a holiday there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us it was a short morning tea stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8MWoi1Ai6ewK557aoybU8KVyva88f21ZJfI2j_6vT-E0Dz8nATPydC6OYWTx3m0RTyb08EJRETgZvt_p0kg-w-bsKnHqMW8dyk-TXAc2RDZQcfd6s1AO62eXWHMB0MpkHcPlgiAXhFxM/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8MWoi1Ai6ewK557aoybU8KVyva88f21ZJfI2j_6vT-E0Dz8nATPydC6OYWTx3m0RTyb08EJRETgZvt_p0kg-w-bsKnHqMW8dyk-TXAc2RDZQcfd6s1AO62eXWHMB0MpkHcPlgiAXhFxM/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tumby Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nvtKXIR9L_iFcgJAu1nrpsUW5ZVJaHD_LRvahDThkcZWMnSLaW4Z0tUvzMYdqFUqMZ1mwlrvlgMdVCclFWyXdBiG9PdTlgJKv3HjLthXj1S75aFVNgwczMv09mh0ygfpsqfBxkPEjrXJ/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nvtKXIR9L_iFcgJAu1nrpsUW5ZVJaHD_LRvahDThkcZWMnSLaW4Z0tUvzMYdqFUqMZ1mwlrvlgMdVCclFWyXdBiG9PdTlgJKv3HjLthXj1S75aFVNgwczMv09mh0ygfpsqfBxkPEjrXJ/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tumby Bay from north end</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next was Arno Bay, very much smaller but the local council is obviously setting out to achieve the same environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arno has a small population of only a few hundred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is surrounded by low water flats and they have built some boardwalks to enjoy these.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu01GsBFkgAFkOjMV7WFhHth7upuS6N_28nUz7LS3yE0Y74USS8IU71JS9swsjejOASLUlmW4t9vDHUYUHgOlZ-SY0kfAl8pkZIm-DLSSbwGJRxG5COwECjQWuDUYWbAs38LWmf7jfhqx/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu01GsBFkgAFkOjMV7WFhHth7upuS6N_28nUz7LS3yE0Y74USS8IU71JS9swsjejOASLUlmW4t9vDHUYUHgOlZ-SY0kfAl8pkZIm-DLSSbwGJRxG5COwECjQWuDUYWbAs38LWmf7jfhqx/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for full tide, a high one at that</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGEHI6dbSkbaGoy8623qq_VoVQmUNCpaXZL2ZS_4asiSSZB5NjL_dZsceUA1VtEx8-ldUOoNMUPO21kCsxQDrJhoL1LZ7XBtsCj7l4mpx0BP9x3c3nGVElYxp7tGAcUDWKaxU6xRCD7vF/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGEHI6dbSkbaGoy8623qq_VoVQmUNCpaXZL2ZS_4asiSSZB5NjL_dZsceUA1VtEx8-ldUOoNMUPO21kCsxQDrJhoL1LZ7XBtsCj7l4mpx0BP9x3c3nGVElYxp7tGAcUDWKaxU6xRCD7vF/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arno Bay - a family place</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then onto Cowell and again we found a prospering fish and oyster farming industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here again there were a lot of caravans set up for the long term and a very busy shopping / business area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really enjoyed lunch here and the oyster boats passed us being towed up the main street behind tractors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fascinating to see as the tractors back down the ramp, the boats are loaded on crew and all and they immediately drive off to deliver their catch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYA6rgErI6DkwgmSPYNzB9pJdTBuI7dx8fcJq-nfC6G08oMPsrEN6FzkjuyFY296i8dsIY6JDPCtvRdIZD6ggM-i2cZRMOB_6i02eIwW8QdTK4jFybHNdV7s-V4uosLw7HYODvcseM7KP/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYA6rgErI6DkwgmSPYNzB9pJdTBuI7dx8fcJq-nfC6G08oMPsrEN6FzkjuyFY296i8dsIY6JDPCtvRdIZD6ggM-i2cZRMOB_6i02eIwW8QdTK4jFybHNdV7s-V4uosLw7HYODvcseM7KP/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowell - a busy little town.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally for that day we drove on to Whyalla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a contrast as we entered this very industrial city based on steel manufacture, ship building, and mineral processing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really being a tourist town we chose to spend the night just north of here at Point Lowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Point Lowly was also not what we expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Situated at the top of Spencer Gulf its lighthouse warns of the rocky coast ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santos have a bulk oil & gas loading facility with a long pier jutting well out into the bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ships up to 110,000 tonnes load crude oil here and approx 50 ships per year visit here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view at night over the oil plant and it’s lights, the lighthouse, and the distant street lights of Whyalla was a very special sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq54GP8vqMDj1E9bNxi38fnY3oI8uLHkvc_GfoSB3lM1r5_F3HkaEWFp-grI7WedVbOdMLcv_FkhXzMEW5Pwg9daW9BHgXl6fFkZ_TkYtVkISXAgonm4UvYkUIVM31HTTlbPrKSllvehA/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq54GP8vqMDj1E9bNxi38fnY3oI8uLHkvc_GfoSB3lM1r5_F3HkaEWFp-grI7WedVbOdMLcv_FkhXzMEW5Pwg9daW9BHgXl6fFkZ_TkYtVkISXAgonm4UvYkUIVM31HTTlbPrKSllvehA/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Lowly Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArR1zpBxkqVC4k4Iv74YN7gZI2UQUUEVEUZjTMahqUxQunXNPGnWyfTY6IqSzsgaBy4fKPgEZPc-Oz7WgDodCFi_Gcsve2Uw-3EZxXryHLrWabu1p7DYlbNLflax7zwLQDN_er7HChWgL/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArR1zpBxkqVC4k4Iv74YN7gZI2UQUUEVEUZjTMahqUxQunXNPGnWyfTY6IqSzsgaBy4fKPgEZPc-Oz7WgDodCFi_Gcsve2Uw-3EZxXryHLrWabu1p7DYlbNLflax7zwLQDN_er7HChWgL/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighthouse keepers cottages - now holiday accom for Uniting Church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz0vXAL-LZsC-3xBaibqWbViwP9apCvdxfPPQJE2wfCb1s54gtEkfRUvA2z9Yvk4KIc4UpuVPF7FQ9Vr1U3JYjvCv88CzIUgNfnv49ysgXIXeDjOKX9f-ozXN9Au-ShRMPn0_utmJgezj/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz0vXAL-LZsC-3xBaibqWbViwP9apCvdxfPPQJE2wfCb1s54gtEkfRUvA2z9Yvk4KIc4UpuVPF7FQ9Vr1U3JYjvCv88CzIUgNfnv49ysgXIXeDjOKX9f-ozXN9Au-ShRMPn0_utmJgezj/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kerr accomodation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZcVjqyXlBS2PWiIiGeFtmQ2v14RHO27tTJaYX9VTSOwm9c-3T43lpMsyfGZZPVw9zE-vFwZRE3BIybZzicEm6zRLx6218boNWDJ56kyXFfsLtB5S2MfJpmRTlK6QC_0GvteQgUZ4qat/s1600/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZcVjqyXlBS2PWiIiGeFtmQ2v14RHO27tTJaYX9VTSOwm9c-3T43lpMsyfGZZPVw9zE-vFwZRE3BIybZzicEm6zRLx6218boNWDJ56kyXFfsLtB5S2MfJpmRTlK6QC_0GvteQgUZ4qat/s320/Eyre+Peninsula+%252B+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view by night from our back window</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The area of Spencer Gulf above Point Lowly is known as the Cuttlefish capital of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to be enlightened that cuttlefish are actually a squid / octopus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the shape of the top of Spencer Gulf and the fact that no streams enter the waters of this area do not replenish themselves with fresh sea water over the short term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This results in high salinity levels which hinder the life of most fish but aids the breeding activities of the cuttlefish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Overnight a strong northerly wind started up and buffeted our van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still blowing in the morning but we decided to move on anyhow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant a drive into these fierce winds as far as Port Augusta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much fun but we did it anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our visit to Eyre Peninsula had been brief but interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gave us a good picture for planning our next visit to South Australia but it also showed us that any planned visit needed to consider the seasonal influences that so often buffet this beautiful coastline.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well we are heading home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will still take us a couple of weeks but our adventure is all but over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the last entry in our Blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly hope you have enjoyed the story of our travels and the pictures that represent it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for us we are just so looking forward to getting home to see family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our love to all of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-30091447919007040702011-09-19T12:46:00.001+10:002011-09-19T12:55:27.958+10:0014th – 17th Sept. Crossing the Nullarbor:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7uDDpul0j6ZlSLcpVCWjifnB4OMXBQEjk3pYqBNmQTdz-aNi1L0F_B0Z4kV83bCPV1yoZgTLnws5j61zphhecbx9-0uF1ZgeN6NptI0Ts8ukMjLhM1z1DRXPLqiWwkCTL6DkKLpUeFq/s1600/Map+of+Australia_110917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7uDDpul0j6ZlSLcpVCWjifnB4OMXBQEjk3pYqBNmQTdz-aNi1L0F_B0Z4kV83bCPV1yoZgTLnws5j61zphhecbx9-0uF1ZgeN6NptI0Ts8ukMjLhM1z1DRXPLqiWwkCTL6DkKLpUeFq/s320/Map+of+Australia_110917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When we turned the car eastward we thought this was the beginning of the long trip home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are heading across the Nullarbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Alice’s words, “We are taking this road because we must to get home”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distance from Norseman in WA to Ceduna in SA is over 1400 klms through mostly barren flats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we travel along roads where there is no civilisation except the handful of roadhouses dotted broadly about 100 klms apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxRyHjSkBkTJh6wz0h4g5lBsHqjITOY3GIV0t6kCHIMDm00VMWlaYk2B-UNIjMZ719V1uAOXjW0S5IHpgowyD1loFkou17Tb40I1eA8EgZRAgbV_MINM41d9l4LArxncmJEkSZw_SOcji/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxRyHjSkBkTJh6wz0h4g5lBsHqjITOY3GIV0t6kCHIMDm00VMWlaYk2B-UNIjMZ719V1uAOXjW0S5IHpgowyD1loFkou17Tb40I1eA8EgZRAgbV_MINM41d9l4LArxncmJEkSZw_SOcji/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unexpected visitor before we left Esperence.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The vista is similar to what we have seen in many other parts of WA & NT – broad flats covered in saltbush and other shrubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In patches there is grass and there is some grain crops growing along road verges as if seed has fallen from passing trucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference we have seen in recent days has been some sprawling gum trees and Salmon Gums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These appear to grow best in high salt country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKn4SgduxfNCvR-HciZkmbCEYeh09lHHn69lz56uyh7DVELpSkv1jSk4HankYYkZmNSsSkGDAMKXqD3GKz0N3idDKQ5dGaq4ZlMAsDKnO1VofiqDw_Hqw8WjzB791eGO4u4ZXG_9IYgcH/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKn4SgduxfNCvR-HciZkmbCEYeh09lHHn69lz56uyh7DVELpSkv1jSk4HankYYkZmNSsSkGDAMKXqD3GKz0N3idDKQ5dGaq4ZlMAsDKnO1VofiqDw_Hqw8WjzB791eGO4u4ZXG_9IYgcH/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A diffent type of gum tree for salt areas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgMLuorA0JOIl2vMTgxqf2c6UXf0Lw2lPMKXgXPKir-_bQBWDp-lCaXRWihgoOlj_66urY1rVwppAss45fizq6DKGsQeayKqO7465IKKv6-1POAuBASChiNYsb8eANzNB8QQypLWiHzKr/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgMLuorA0JOIl2vMTgxqf2c6UXf0Lw2lPMKXgXPKir-_bQBWDp-lCaXRWihgoOlj_66urY1rVwppAss45fizq6DKGsQeayKqO7465IKKv6-1POAuBASChiNYsb8eANzNB8QQypLWiHzKr/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Nullarbor country with a little more than usual grass.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is absolutely no water here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the full distance of the Nullarbor we did not cross one creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signs tell us we have to carry all of our own water for the total distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not even any place where one can purchase bulk water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two sites where rain water is collected from tin roof shelters and made available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The taps are manufactured to allow only small quantities through unless one is prepared to wait hours as a manner of managing a limited resource.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Night 1 we stopped at a road side rest area called Woorlba Homestead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the company of about 8 or 9 other vans / tents etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Night 2 we made it to Eucla on the WA side of the border with SA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we were able to book into a reasonably priced caravan park where we could access showers and toilets, no water for the van though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park was packed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Eucla we climbed up from the low plains to the top of the plateau which continues almost to Ceduna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about 150 metres high and flat as a billiard table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view from the top was quite extensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Day 3 was the best of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a short distance of Eucla we crossed through the border and almost immediately came back in contact with the coastline of the Great Australian Bight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few parking spots where we were able to view the coast from the top of the plateau.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmffwJzSeVdj5QxE_aOY0b7rzGCDLoZNGO0kDR2payUnCdlfXblwo69PhSR9focFUb9JKJU-qNR17RAPNoZfexFEQWpXk-4Ggel3IvU3Wf6bM1mTvXwwwJ05XlqjCd3VWxZLAaYOeqKSuX/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmffwJzSeVdj5QxE_aOY0b7rzGCDLoZNGO0kDR2payUnCdlfXblwo69PhSR9focFUb9JKJU-qNR17RAPNoZfexFEQWpXk-4Ggel3IvU3Wf6bM1mTvXwwwJ05XlqjCd3VWxZLAaYOeqKSuX/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steep cliffs of Nullarbor Plain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfpyi03p3ah8Ov_Ik1WkXHX3QLYiFJVv2gTYaJ88BDid81zrAQAg1ypWcIOu5jODdlnA0o-rrg5In-Qm-e2-O1otW2jRJuryIWYWz194_eLcOQJfwu_H5LSM3D5WN_v4I0ZLM08MGATAL/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfpyi03p3ah8Ov_Ik1WkXHX3QLYiFJVv2gTYaJ88BDid81zrAQAg1ypWcIOu5jODdlnA0o-rrg5In-Qm-e2-O1otW2jRJuryIWYWz194_eLcOQJfwu_H5LSM3D5WN_v4I0ZLM08MGATAL/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whale & calf at this same stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZLjSlxb6b4ZQRLj6BmHfW98gF1NsFHnrxFAxBrvl2iendxrmJwSnZq6uu1_fWu2dsi6vBWe3-zbP0OEsCUjBRNyckbb2RmP6AjOD8pvpyOv-YATQguV0qoWPMPyqKXEjk9oWW7OftWL/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZLjSlxb6b4ZQRLj6BmHfW98gF1NsFHnrxFAxBrvl2iendxrmJwSnZq6uu1_fWu2dsi6vBWe3-zbP0OEsCUjBRNyckbb2RmP6AjOD8pvpyOv-YATQguV0qoWPMPyqKXEjk9oWW7OftWL/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close & personal. A tale we can tell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRcGVYZ-sDWbZt7oB6f3bHqVISxzch8FXmwLiQijtvjQd8zxQloGWYO8YG-Gbt5Wtl8EhGJM0tIcgLnyfr4Q4u3LqSR5-x1N1SWWAsL7iVAGbyLRGacHT5r51FAlOZkTf1fwotEq11cRh/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRcGVYZ-sDWbZt7oB6f3bHqVISxzch8FXmwLiQijtvjQd8zxQloGWYO8YG-Gbt5Wtl8EhGJM0tIcgLnyfr4Q4u3LqSR5-x1N1SWWAsL7iVAGbyLRGacHT5r51FAlOZkTf1fwotEq11cRh/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now take heed & don't give us any backchat. There is<strong> two</strong> of us!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At about the third of these we saw our first whale with her calf frolicking quite close to the cliff edge.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another couple of hundred klms and we turned off to the “Head of the Bight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a tourist venue established to view the whales from July through to the end of September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we really did get a fantastic view of 5 whales as well as their calves only about 50 metres from shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vantage point was approx 50 metres high so we were able to easily see them playing in the beautiful blue water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b18pkhMKL0JjyjXzdmYXLuvS80pu63EDMBqDRrlC2Njy-nbIHwoRwk1_jc77oYfiCqfbXfYrMRSCgER-pHyQbod4qFe52NzXgp38m4amM71bwHXd6lsH2I6rjMp34Lf2rJSYxcjdokFC/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b18pkhMKL0JjyjXzdmYXLuvS80pu63EDMBqDRrlC2Njy-nbIHwoRwk1_jc77oYfiCqfbXfYrMRSCgER-pHyQbod4qFe52NzXgp38m4amM71bwHXd6lsH2I6rjMp34Lf2rJSYxcjdokFC/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catwalks at Head Of Bight - Highest point in Australian Bight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0uUrF-W0eCmEb-qsYsjN1DkEwSO1we5GjYbRCUwyRnJKyP0xlOuIA6qiZfuLiudL4J_sRag2XUkk2BfoFSmFKclfwlpSK8tLm0oUdeAyHF_tX41luxYJxlxtPq2O7YHcQtmRxt54i5o/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0uUrF-W0eCmEb-qsYsjN1DkEwSO1we5GjYbRCUwyRnJKyP0xlOuIA6qiZfuLiudL4J_sRag2XUkk2BfoFSmFKclfwlpSK8tLm0oUdeAyHF_tX41luxYJxlxtPq2O7YHcQtmRxt54i5o/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+129.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOB - very special place</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8az0nbuDwbtWletdwc_cb2neBoMm_Ft7-loFVmz1GKn_saZGibG9oIiKZfHspZT8aXXRdDYjYKNMLcAKxfOuT1ErY2C2yVe9JMtZ-u2UGJg6v8jeJ5kP3MN9JQPAaMW7ybhAlvY59aEB/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8az0nbuDwbtWletdwc_cb2neBoMm_Ft7-loFVmz1GKn_saZGibG9oIiKZfHspZT8aXXRdDYjYKNMLcAKxfOuT1ErY2C2yVe9JMtZ-u2UGJg6v8jeJ5kP3MN9JQPAaMW7ybhAlvY59aEB/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the reason we went there was ......Southern White Whales</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOR1Qv1jdUmdydm3fzb9A4mYz_F-Fo9sYWgzLiJESmv9RIUvI1nnghIShfzz5ZqM3gmrdKcXI_1umzfy0y8nPMAASE79jnE6iGaTR1GPOL4H36eD3rEe3pm2mFncEr6m_5F-xJSGW31P5/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOR1Qv1jdUmdydm3fzb9A4mYz_F-Fo9sYWgzLiJESmv9RIUvI1nnghIShfzz5ZqM3gmrdKcXI_1umzfy0y8nPMAASE79jnE6iGaTR1GPOL4H36eD3rEe3pm2mFncEr6m_5F-xJSGW31P5/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Mumma & Little Bubba</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dCSwGWjuID-Y1qxjFZycpyeQ2oytAc7DJ97UKSoCUjtf2OKrvGi2odXtZWTmLPRPgm5aQZdXfGf5lTYqXddekD0m5CeyerddWX8B813hTCwJe0RtRgbibacTUetzq-1kKS05a_MFu0ty/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dCSwGWjuID-Y1qxjFZycpyeQ2oytAc7DJ97UKSoCUjtf2OKrvGi2odXtZWTmLPRPgm5aQZdXfGf5lTYqXddekD0m5CeyerddWX8B813hTCwJe0RtRgbibacTUetzq-1kKS05a_MFu0ty/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And their surroundings are great too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That night we again stopped in a roadside parking area. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YbmofJQPRCSz5Zphr9xG2b5aFi8ZzB2KvRZ8M1f8G7OadNbfSG_gUHoiRHIzTzbMXbqsDvJS5fyhXjYoaOcDWRePeOGrMcx_vO-ly1Sw1_0L_KoiWCngWsf4syWSRFryYByxn9a2r4To/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YbmofJQPRCSz5Zphr9xG2b5aFi8ZzB2KvRZ8M1f8G7OadNbfSG_gUHoiRHIzTzbMXbqsDvJS5fyhXjYoaOcDWRePeOGrMcx_vO-ly1Sw1_0L_KoiWCngWsf4syWSRFryYByxn9a2r4To/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And God chose to end our day with His spectacular light show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAM7w2G5zkMUytb0Xfh15VOUXHg_6SgneP8SWPvEfPbQs6NWRoOoOlC5AK2QiKoVHO0zSpsU60OVi0JuQMM-AecvDbu6303Szqc8oFWMbYnViv95Zf-eEkQHgoWcQmY_fQBiZHdgGErcC/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAM7w2G5zkMUytb0Xfh15VOUXHg_6SgneP8SWPvEfPbQs6NWRoOoOlC5AK2QiKoVHO0zSpsU60OVi0JuQMM-AecvDbu6303Szqc8oFWMbYnViv95Zf-eEkQHgoWcQmY_fQBiZHdgGErcC/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It only happens like this on the plains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL5cKdtBnvHUOkY4Wk6IaKs-lazSwlMrN6tS_-rnLYUkZDMXZ5DLQaHUXH4tpjBe2C9t98hGXoq6g9hvNzNinO3Rx4kkzZQKyWXxKkMu015Nx_mu7eVb7n3OF8ZQsHk7pZUWXTKBtRk4V/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL5cKdtBnvHUOkY4Wk6IaKs-lazSwlMrN6tS_-rnLYUkZDMXZ5DLQaHUXH4tpjBe2C9t98hGXoq6g9hvNzNinO3Rx4kkzZQKyWXxKkMu015Nx_mu7eVb7n3OF8ZQsHk7pZUWXTKBtRk4V/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a dove watched over us that night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUsNcuE-AwuQ3ORMnXgmHuZ2dPTU1gaBWMGcSqsQTNZVYGM-8-SLJfvE26XQQbUPy5r8QlpSEFeprfiab5ZhGLa6rFey18gXA0gssgOylV_VW4zBqP1rhIRJIdrhKLOY68YJmX3006gcQ/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUsNcuE-AwuQ3ORMnXgmHuZ2dPTU1gaBWMGcSqsQTNZVYGM-8-SLJfvE26XQQbUPy5r8QlpSEFeprfiab5ZhGLa6rFey18gXA0gssgOylV_VW4zBqP1rhIRJIdrhKLOY68YJmX3006gcQ/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What can you read in this?</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Day 4 saw us travelling out of the Nullarbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we drew closer to Ceduna the country again turned back into grain growing with occasional silo and storage facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towns changed from Roadhouse size to small country villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the fruit fly inspection stations and we were into Ceduna.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiOgBaNlVv-0yAeO33NrocZvJtzgikGgVUBFNFWNuGhssP_2TUINUjTj4HOO71QR0azabGO_eTIHzERq376riEOOX0whc7jnmkRYbY1MujJoMhHO6XgbmrNv2lbtBjhtTSUvvfL1tjL2X/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiOgBaNlVv-0yAeO33NrocZvJtzgikGgVUBFNFWNuGhssP_2TUINUjTj4HOO71QR0azabGO_eTIHzERq376riEOOX0whc7jnmkRYbY1MujJoMhHO6XgbmrNv2lbtBjhtTSUvvfL1tjL2X/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceduna in centre of the grain belt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1txnRMCxPjyMc-rG_2Wu4OrQioq1MEWMSN_wUcCtCVaOWPXwLug1WIh9KMDVsatLh6oC_1T2xistZQf-DSvEHjM0Zg-TFvX7SlvytH6bJ7gYaYu1MlTwOvZS3M1nOQ-VPp9iIaCwEbxg/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1txnRMCxPjyMc-rG_2Wu4OrQioq1MEWMSN_wUcCtCVaOWPXwLug1WIh9KMDVsatLh6oC_1T2xistZQf-DSvEHjM0Zg-TFvX7SlvytH6bJ7gYaYu1MlTwOvZS3M1nOQ-VPp9iIaCwEbxg/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a harbour city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCN28eB25_z9azUfN_vj-2HvOQwkNtKEiIXC9YGoJsgNrs3AOX-B9KMxUAQh5rjMWjoPf6eQP9UWjrPDyrcBEmyXY1gILvl7-J1uAJAl7Ln3zKTMRKseH_mtHckNzWVdg_7polGWdZXCe/s1600/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCN28eB25_z9azUfN_vj-2HvOQwkNtKEiIXC9YGoJsgNrs3AOX-B9KMxUAQh5rjMWjoPf6eQP9UWjrPDyrcBEmyXY1gILvl7-J1uAJAl7Ln3zKTMRKseH_mtHckNzWVdg_7polGWdZXCe/s320/2011-09-18+Nullarbor+-+Elliston+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanners can choose their view each lunchtime.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ceduna is a town of about 2000 people at the cross roads of Eyre Peninsula and the Nullabor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a coastal town and a port for the grain growing area surrounding as well as fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ceduna we planned to restock our provisions, especially fruit & vegetables which we had eliminated for the border crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really surprised at the price of food here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our purchases therefore were minimal and we chose to move on down the peninsula for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We had crossed the Nullarbor, a very interesting experience and another chance for us to see how people live in this vast and often desolate country we call Australia.</span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-12774849561128276732011-09-14T00:03:00.000+10:002011-09-14T00:03:55.246+10:0011th – 13th Sept. Esperance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The journey from Bunbury to Esperance is over 700 klms and traverses varying terrain types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first stage to Bridgetown we saw sheep grazing, lobster farms, stone fruit orchards, cattle fattening and vineyards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bridgetown itself is a folksy type village with an accent in crafts and filled with historic buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then the route continued to change:<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bridgetown - Manjimup - Mt Barker: We passed through mostly grazing country mixed with timber plantations ending up in environmental reserves and marshlands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Frankland – Gnowangerup – Jerramungup:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commencing with some vineyards the country quickly changed to grazing, then wheat & canola crops.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9njRgc9oHOHf6l9PzlfLrip0zUWuYFlebtPkIOs1Ur4GRNkazBRwLmMU2AGFycPwTizjwEuWSnd8BysAPEYeENnipB4kJi4_cBTPgIjrKX8VvC9H_joOxaXvnu5VAib9LrNqTVvjDWxW/s1600/Esperance+2+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9njRgc9oHOHf6l9PzlfLrip0zUWuYFlebtPkIOs1Ur4GRNkazBRwLmMU2AGFycPwTizjwEuWSnd8BysAPEYeENnipB4kJi4_cBTPgIjrKX8VvC9H_joOxaXvnu5VAib9LrNqTVvjDWxW/s320/Esperance+2+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canola fields n full colour</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ravensthorpe – Esperance:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The canola & wheat crops continued but then some mining appeared from sand to nickel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farming also took a twist in that the farmers here had to deal with a massive salt issue in the soils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Land in this area has been inundated with salt over centuries to the extent that in some places there is 250 kg of salt below every square metre of top soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To deal with this, special trees have been introduced and planted around borders and road sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some places trenches have been dug along the borders of fields to release salt affected groundwater. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The colour of the sandy soil compared to the yellow colour of the canola flower and the green wheat draws amazing comparisons.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had heard so much about Esperance and we had made it a priority in our trip planner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The promotional signs on the road entering town talked about having the best beaches in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living on the Sunshine Coast we must confess that we were sceptical but we were in for a surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the photos will show why.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2ZCSPDOlERTEeiBT9XNQxadwtOwrDNHkMd8eawxvxXUXsWpTNDueg_Jq3vuIVID0GCF7T_LAEwQHVmk9_iN9opOe0iVy3IyE1maq6f77muxq3vIsXFQOb91B-mnnVumKUdZP-reOrNf3/s1600/Esperance+2+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2ZCSPDOlERTEeiBT9XNQxadwtOwrDNHkMd8eawxvxXUXsWpTNDueg_Jq3vuIVID0GCF7T_LAEwQHVmk9_iN9opOe0iVy3IyE1maq6f77muxq3vIsXFQOb91B-mnnVumKUdZP-reOrNf3/s320/Esperance+2+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Esperance from the lookout.</td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoq7uBzSe6CY5vwbE3X7drxcun-soqBiA_WC63TpiXZYHAPciIrITHozRu45qJyI-sxEFL_Sr-96HQqb5GAF-NQ1_xaNQklTRHXBAy_IOUDDSjElL4-Q5XkwQFiOHIrrNNUSrl87p-wjo/s1600/Esperance+2+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoq7uBzSe6CY5vwbE3X7drxcun-soqBiA_WC63TpiXZYHAPciIrITHozRu45qJyI-sxEFL_Sr-96HQqb5GAF-NQ1_xaNQklTRHXBAy_IOUDDSjElL4-Q5XkwQFiOHIrrNNUSrl87p-wjo/s320/Esperance+2+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wharf / port area is out from the beachfront.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUF66HgQUnHSXH-zR5cQmhhJA4WCqC_ekTyCQ1nj5oV28YmMgGnShPL7FJC7cHN7_uso004JNFChNTZC3D1qoeH4KA59goARRzLyVUApmMbC0HRwcBDvONK7KOK70Frd4yfPyxkOENpS_/s1600/Esperance+2+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUF66HgQUnHSXH-zR5cQmhhJA4WCqC_ekTyCQ1nj5oV28YmMgGnShPL7FJC7cHN7_uso004JNFChNTZC3D1qoeH4KA59goARRzLyVUApmMbC0HRwcBDvONK7KOK70Frd4yfPyxkOENpS_/s320/Esperance+2+136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the back verandah. This moving around is fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCxFtpdmNsWMPChC1S9XWpZLiaMb0AIWncAPwiD2MZyZ1PJURSLDoY8ln5wvsrJkPAahyphenhyphentTH1jKFd49FPofwoc6Nr9F-X6_olrd2i_YzeYIcXTkJMzlcxcINXnU5SXVnva1BKAWc6Bx94/s1600/Esperance+2+268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCxFtpdmNsWMPChC1S9XWpZLiaMb0AIWncAPwiD2MZyZ1PJURSLDoY8ln5wvsrJkPAahyphenhyphentTH1jKFd49FPofwoc6Nr9F-X6_olrd2i_YzeYIcXTkJMzlcxcINXnU5SXVnva1BKAWc6Bx94/s320/Esperance+2+268.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase to the moon - Esperance style</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The weather during our drive and on arrival in Esperance had been marvellous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had spent a night on the road side enroute and arrived in town just before lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That allowed us time to enjoy a quick orientation of the area. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sYCrG0KWg0DwR0qtjmc4mhFURprNUvOGnCWs1NffTrsUvooWHQGeeUusvgihPldbajPpi6Tf6JJowpyabwGCHUBHJtXpmY6HoUCUEdizq55DrlCRr7ZMHL4FP4mrQatPcMtM3IYM0zbS/s1600/Esperance+2+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sYCrG0KWg0DwR0qtjmc4mhFURprNUvOGnCWs1NffTrsUvooWHQGeeUusvgihPldbajPpi6Tf6JJowpyabwGCHUBHJtXpmY6HoUCUEdizq55DrlCRr7ZMHL4FP4mrQatPcMtM3IYM0zbS/s320/Esperance+2+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stop at a road side camp and there is a garden outside the window.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5xSl8vHuf72cxkz7lKjZnL60Y-uqs270XVUMcEAhf3W2WDkfZxYeGkdoh-LVti8ei7I6gcDJ4FwpE8Ug8wD-EjKODg39uMDKz-SDSGYhOJtUz8qHqqcQdF7jXYs1AufabNCwr2PQjoQ/s1600/Esperance+2+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5xSl8vHuf72cxkz7lKjZnL60Y-uqs270XVUMcEAhf3W2WDkfZxYeGkdoh-LVti8ei7I6gcDJ4FwpE8Ug8wD-EjKODg39uMDKz-SDSGYhOJtUz8qHqqcQdF7jXYs1AufabNCwr2PQjoQ/s320/Esperance+2+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very unique Grass Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14bwBnPk4OoezgogvqsrNGGWnOmiDncXjbARjUElo6vBLWrjV4SbOL_8wgIvX4phJAbtzmUt8ht-klWcM21-schI2MOh_-fUTaY4iCy52vD0Iq8KACPyuCQSVc5-XX_hMN4Kaoii0dxm_/s1600/DSCF9948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14bwBnPk4OoezgogvqsrNGGWnOmiDncXjbARjUElo6vBLWrjV4SbOL_8wgIvX4phJAbtzmUt8ht-klWcM21-schI2MOh_-fUTaY4iCy52vD0Iq8KACPyuCQSVc5-XX_hMN4Kaoii0dxm_/s320/DSCF9948.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A unique tea tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Starting in the city and heading west is a tourist circuit named "The Great Ocean Drive". It is a real eye opener.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gLuObXUQejq0s_58DCa_fmkv5fy6rlKJ8Kxsc8aTF0B4cJdvKUKFTu1ol6AqL119YeaWE-EEvCYtbKiIe8bjXfBqy23posGuEr1rddfTdUovgSjFmu_W19pJrdR9z4i2o7nGri27zWri/s1600/Esperance+2+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gLuObXUQejq0s_58DCa_fmkv5fy6rlKJ8Kxsc8aTF0B4cJdvKUKFTu1ol6AqL119YeaWE-EEvCYtbKiIe8bjXfBqy23posGuEr1rddfTdUovgSjFmu_W19pJrdR9z4i2o7nGri27zWri/s320/Esperance+2+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the coves along the Great Ocean Drive close to the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH2MroDPVCpUuz0jsYUmuTvjnWYh_vi1on0N8N77ULxxHURVDLFvcWSa8-4gF9kLzpT-eB8-qerV4p0I3_CPIXJ311d9yUlH6TB-nkUtHO9627LFIlziM_qybiXjBjjCUGSVHJu6tKM4Q/s1600/Esperance+2+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH2MroDPVCpUuz0jsYUmuTvjnWYh_vi1on0N8N77ULxxHURVDLFvcWSa8-4gF9kLzpT-eB8-qerV4p0I3_CPIXJ311d9yUlH6TB-nkUtHO9627LFIlziM_qybiXjBjjCUGSVHJu6tKM4Q/s320/Esperance+2+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then around the next bend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVWEX7KFsw0i1iakaDjGNcJwi4QdboIyw7p-0gFbHywjjRJXTjEqFEl9r-dDjV9UPrQrGaUwDJZHIQsRJYJ1JnhEDLfZHgQR2etnWfk8Zz0wxgYcpB2SN1A9w5Baxbd0Ge4zxL3sctTX5/s1600/Esperance+2+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVWEX7KFsw0i1iakaDjGNcJwi4QdboIyw7p-0gFbHywjjRJXTjEqFEl9r-dDjV9UPrQrGaUwDJZHIQsRJYJ1JnhEDLfZHgQR2etnWfk8Zz0wxgYcpB2SN1A9w5Baxbd0Ge4zxL3sctTX5/s320/Esperance+2+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A secluded beach around every corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5l-RRs0-ED5uX4DW5jH8aSkRJK7BFOoxN8e7FOsT899jdf2znuoc9y3udqCMr3kD9MeUMAXGQ8m1fbcmIWhNXyk1WU7WDT_GYf2ExO_0I7TRT3uF9oU39XrGe9aC8p0T1XZCcIwxZDsk/s1600/Esperance+2+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5l-RRs0-ED5uX4DW5jH8aSkRJK7BFOoxN8e7FOsT899jdf2znuoc9y3udqCMr3kD9MeUMAXGQ8m1fbcmIWhNXyk1WU7WDT_GYf2ExO_0I7TRT3uF9oU39XrGe9aC8p0T1XZCcIwxZDsk/s320/Esperance+2+107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of islands here too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sSrsRammAtVufhIBSEm4ZMWSfDIf0E0EaN8PM5EDU1G609cAOfVs3u6j5G_IjjGQrfKRmykpW2wAy15_nTHbjmOitkbO-6_5ZPcdzHW2uGhTU2YwiwHVQTSAGn5EaJORHowbNZ1FPb1/s1600/Esperance+2+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sSrsRammAtVufhIBSEm4ZMWSfDIf0E0EaN8PM5EDU1G609cAOfVs3u6j5G_IjjGQrfKRmykpW2wAy15_nTHbjmOitkbO-6_5ZPcdzHW2uGhTU2YwiwHVQTSAGn5EaJORHowbNZ1FPb1/s320/Esperance+2+123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water really is this blue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next day we headed off to Cape Le Grand National Park 60 klms to the east of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a very special place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place where one could lose themselves for quite some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several small cove type beaches, cross country walks, beautiful views over a bay of islands and amazing blue water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also some dolphins and a whale or two.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoGhPt5fp7dJI9Z_lNMxP0faEnbRYoOZa9hkl6Xa1s4YIXVQcFu1tfb5iOdrSWtUG8JJS5gkLVCsvwLjoTWn1k9r0a2EPYUvTXWOTr63MEjs7SUJSyOMRODOihgZgo-1_gqCJtITYSxs8/s1600/Esperance+2+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoGhPt5fp7dJI9Z_lNMxP0faEnbRYoOZa9hkl6Xa1s4YIXVQcFu1tfb5iOdrSWtUG8JJS5gkLVCsvwLjoTWn1k9r0a2EPYUvTXWOTr63MEjs7SUJSyOMRODOihgZgo-1_gqCJtITYSxs8/s320/Esperance+2+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztWa1Idk7UHdJElQ3mKUwivufZGitOEG0GnwsihOCbRs5XNpzuB-eQIlS_aBYNEG0H3G5B5xgBKgZO8UTLIYmteWbWRSjl5KvwqJTsX607dKraJ4h1f3jODP2FJTTQvaF35GAzo5SnFsN/s1600/Esperance+2+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztWa1Idk7UHdJElQ3mKUwivufZGitOEG0GnwsihOCbRs5XNpzuB-eQIlS_aBYNEG0H3G5B5xgBKgZO8UTLIYmteWbWRSjl5KvwqJTsX607dKraJ4h1f3jODP2FJTTQvaF35GAzo5SnFsN/s320/Esperance+2+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Le Grand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVJYmbyvXTc9VN7349sdWuI1PR_2FglIhVPhOJ9ZIGbUsxs4gK46hDNHFUhuoakwGlZGL2HwZQomWVrL9678-ffBmt6mUySm5yoYDGU51iuWRSshDfZFMF0l0jeUQm9FCGknr630wVVB1/s1600/Esperance+2+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVJYmbyvXTc9VN7349sdWuI1PR_2FglIhVPhOJ9ZIGbUsxs4gK46hDNHFUhuoakwGlZGL2HwZQomWVrL9678-ffBmt6mUySm5yoYDGU51iuWRSshDfZFMF0l0jeUQm9FCGknr630wVVB1/s320/Esperance+2+169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hows this for a cave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPhbX5hEmspY5A-U3244OtXOQY06WsvzCWyTjTMIqy3knnJ1K5vlMwIkSKGwZspMKmBN-YYLtOdbo48K-4E0Hn085-p0MaOeIVEfC_kPqXD4wDsuMW0zmXoSue-GAOZNJsWqZAJ-eXwem/s1600/Esperance+2+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPhbX5hEmspY5A-U3244OtXOQY06WsvzCWyTjTMIqy3knnJ1K5vlMwIkSKGwZspMKmBN-YYLtOdbo48K-4E0Hn085-p0MaOeIVEfC_kPqXD4wDsuMW0zmXoSue-GAOZNJsWqZAJ-eXwem/s320/Esperance+2+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellfire Bay, true to the picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsNXmJlLE9aHbwqLV4yZ9ZWbwnkpFsbUmePlo31pBxrDr7Mai6mO60iFFoTxwtMwROoCngoNnv4ElwfOR5dp08f9DLaLPSznvjTUOCQIwj8-x-Ccuznb1vG_UOgzrUrKTQNXwnxwVEIl-/s1600/Esperance+2+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsNXmJlLE9aHbwqLV4yZ9ZWbwnkpFsbUmePlo31pBxrDr7Mai6mO60iFFoTxwtMwROoCngoNnv4ElwfOR5dp08f9DLaLPSznvjTUOCQIwj8-x-Ccuznb1vG_UOgzrUrKTQNXwnxwVEIl-/s320/Esperance+2+172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Bay - what a view. There is a great campground in the corner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1Jx7zFHNkJNAMVjj9jGL5OUkY3jQBqzkZ_-JXXUQNLTHXLrqWNkr-zOhJXQd_Gmq4s-RigA9_pZPIim3VH-Jah1UHenFdyknWLM9aJUrCdZuftgwImJnA76GGjhRzRGS25AQiwMqKbPT/s1600/Esperance+2+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1Jx7zFHNkJNAMVjj9jGL5OUkY3jQBqzkZ_-JXXUQNLTHXLrqWNkr-zOhJXQd_Gmq4s-RigA9_pZPIim3VH-Jah1UHenFdyknWLM9aJUrCdZuftgwImJnA76GGjhRzRGS25AQiwMqKbPT/s320/Esperance+2+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How secluded does one wish for?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJlD_ul85tJhtCzRmxD5CTozLYdHbMDL-cpFIb-9Ky9jrvOWId9aw6l69gevxLxU5WqkYfV1eokMQg_Q5Pz9sKOhj0igceaYX4b6p_sKanaxobu3zPAHZyLFdcLNlwnexmaIdv1WKV1KT/s1600/Esperance+2+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJlD_ul85tJhtCzRmxD5CTozLYdHbMDL-cpFIb-9Ky9jrvOWId9aw6l69gevxLxU5WqkYfV1eokMQg_Q5Pz9sKOhj0igceaYX4b6p_sKanaxobu3zPAHZyLFdcLNlwnexmaIdv1WKV1KT/s320/Esperance+2+213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whistling Rock - the wind whistles through the crack in the rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNvVJdTs0MK86W50EHdzarOvDVkg9kfVuimUvt6RG0ErHXXHaAE8Za_w4qFq5KrRwAdhhtKXCQPPW-dk_Gk4jnYI-VQepxKne1V-2TvR0xfGSphpKQqDORnrdkhR8OAHkGXrZknueRzGy/s1600/Esperance+2+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNvVJdTs0MK86W50EHdzarOvDVkg9kfVuimUvt6RG0ErHXXHaAE8Za_w4qFq5KrRwAdhhtKXCQPPW-dk_Gk4jnYI-VQepxKne1V-2TvR0xfGSphpKQqDORnrdkhR8OAHkGXrZknueRzGy/s320/Esperance+2+256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whartons Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ePt5nmRB6-uYESghL6qMuIj2emzedy3vQF7YmI7z-4qDcWRc29LIDP01rrumvfqgN9J8G6p5yCOtlp7UnUA2Gb4U5ls0hYQQa6xdC_MGpWU-5LBHFn06i8qtJ2gkOipI5oRlAw-IQHGI/s1600/Esperance+2+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ePt5nmRB6-uYESghL6qMuIj2emzedy3vQF7YmI7z-4qDcWRc29LIDP01rrumvfqgN9J8G6p5yCOtlp7UnUA2Gb4U5ls0hYQQa6xdC_MGpWU-5LBHFn06i8qtJ2gkOipI5oRlAw-IQHGI/s320/Esperance+2+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How fast can an emu run?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Day three and the rain moved in bringing some cooler temperatures with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The change cut the viewing short but we had certainly enjoyed a great taste of the best beaches in Australia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-91726197381586345722011-09-09T23:14:00.000+10:002011-09-09T23:14:41.379+10:001st – 9th Sept. - Perth & the South West<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having left Shark Bay our journey has been a mix of different experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our aim was to see as much of the wild flowers as possible while heading for Perth & Bunbury where we looked forward to seeing members of Alice’s family.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our first stop was to have been Northampton – a small historic village north of Geraldton but when we arrived there was no vacancy in the camp ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed off 22 klms to Horrocks Beach and found a small recreational fishing village that we did not know existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWFa7zOAeZfs2uGEDJgVxZgllBNoAKCGxiKvMzLn1w-7J-_otXnCoRDW-BQ4FBoilwr1WvDmdysyTDK2PXEJn5VNimaIGRM0YH33JPuNyBpzyDKOoEiC_sJH5Vf-LoMtIWJulbDXCwWs4/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWFa7zOAeZfs2uGEDJgVxZgllBNoAKCGxiKvMzLn1w-7J-_otXnCoRDW-BQ4FBoilwr1WvDmdysyTDK2PXEJn5VNimaIGRM0YH33JPuNyBpzyDKOoEiC_sJH5Vf-LoMtIWJulbDXCwWs4/s320/Perth+southwest+area+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horrocks Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We had only just set up camp when we were hit by a strong weather front with strong rain and gusty winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been our intention of this being an overnight stop only so that we could travel inland to see the wild flowers but after the heavy rain we chose to stay over another night<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With roads sides wet & soft we set out to check the nearby country in the car and while we had some success we were cut off from the best publicised area but roads closed by the rain damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our wild flower photos are included in this session below.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S90R2egfB7FMHb5RMbQNww-7ObASWVBmA89bVXBdwjtsrRBC6pJ6-8ARa1KdmKo3nVEH9uh3sEchj6BdyTLTrQ5r8AnKZCTArkjxYT3C2E-yiL0mXLPU8hhnnJxPiRqJAOJLwlP6qnPf/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S90R2egfB7FMHb5RMbQNww-7ObASWVBmA89bVXBdwjtsrRBC6pJ6-8ARa1KdmKo3nVEH9uh3sEchj6BdyTLTrQ5r8AnKZCTArkjxYT3C2E-yiL0mXLPU8hhnnJxPiRqJAOJLwlP6qnPf/s320/Perth+southwest+area+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farming has a history here too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj6DvphYEcHeQjoja45RgfbRR0AO9DqUq4MHY-GoSzYFfvFeb5Hr3RnMnDfveWOwS0P0XLIcGN4cvlvN6b2Q2k05HX5qLauiy0xnfss7EfNqL8y4_u5e4B_NLDIf44VcYtUGwDw4rvrYK/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj6DvphYEcHeQjoja45RgfbRR0AO9DqUq4MHY-GoSzYFfvFeb5Hr3RnMnDfveWOwS0P0XLIcGN4cvlvN6b2Q2k05HX5qLauiy0xnfss7EfNqL8y4_u5e4B_NLDIf44VcYtUGwDw4rvrYK/s320/Perth+southwest+area+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadside near Northampton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1OQW8yKSxwqnLgbaOPEubcnvOI6_HW3ikj8xCai07khMQfswMzm2QX0CTi3lZPQLbEyQNQrkRul7CCLBdPgDlFLO8P9-759tVDNQ6cSnGURjWQDSzALJ8a7R7q8qJvcrS7pLmaLnFdXh/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1OQW8yKSxwqnLgbaOPEubcnvOI6_HW3ikj8xCai07khMQfswMzm2QX0CTi3lZPQLbEyQNQrkRul7CCLBdPgDlFLO8P9-759tVDNQ6cSnGURjWQDSzALJ8a7R7q8qJvcrS7pLmaLnFdXh/s320/Perth+southwest+area+107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And nearby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHucWYU7qaAxRvabmKbbi40eL28JLE7wURxtgBqXtvPnZJBYPIm7nADFRD4fwKKJT0OzB1Liipa_3CeiqAF2E3ld6Noi645Y_t3fhHEWctQFuReXJa4rZ50AcffJ57ukb015kpJQ2pqib/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHucWYU7qaAxRvabmKbbi40eL28JLE7wURxtgBqXtvPnZJBYPIm7nADFRD4fwKKJT0OzB1Liipa_3CeiqAF2E3ld6Noi645Y_t3fhHEWctQFuReXJa4rZ50AcffJ57ukb015kpJQ2pqib/s320/Perth+southwest+area+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center"><span style="color: #4c1130;">They were everywhere.</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B9KY2oMxyjPT1zh1N3CnrMhTDkKoXzFe5dzXds_0EKA38F3FPE49OAamEbNP6JhI4LAMvf532rP9XrFSJ6KkhsfUcaXj0BKLKEJnNwrg5TkmFoZuEa1GGdkLF_QlB4DlKoSM2X2D0nOP/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B9KY2oMxyjPT1zh1N3CnrMhTDkKoXzFe5dzXds_0EKA38F3FPE49OAamEbNP6JhI4LAMvf532rP9XrFSJ6KkhsfUcaXj0BKLKEJnNwrg5TkmFoZuEa1GGdkLF_QlB4DlKoSM2X2D0nOP/s320/Perth+southwest+area+213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice in Wonderland!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"> <strong>We have loaded more wild flower photos at the end of this entry.</strong></span> </div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From Horrocks we headed towards Perth stopping overnight at Guilderton, a beach at the mouth of the Moore River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guilderton is located about 100klms north of Perth and is a favourite weekend away stay for Perthites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very pleasant stop.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnmNPZzG970z8YQqC1SmNn1N8P3A2cVfA_dtwIayoytNvQex2MHvEw0WQNOUf_P6qyaRaK5MNnrPqCXjUJljmEAhYRlDzR8LCYa-NewEQsYqmN5ULhhrb_qBKct_F0f9eNsdeJCBS4tU/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBnmNPZzG970z8YQqC1SmNn1N8P3A2cVfA_dtwIayoytNvQex2MHvEw0WQNOUf_P6qyaRaK5MNnrPqCXjUJljmEAhYRlDzR8LCYa-NewEQsYqmN5ULhhrb_qBKct_F0f9eNsdeJCBS4tU/s320/Perth+southwest+area+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guilderton on the Moore River.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then off to Perth where we set up camp at Munster just south of Freemantle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we were able to catch up with a niece of Alice and also her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a great time for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there was some shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comprehensive shopping had not been available to us since we left Darwin so there were a few things that were overdue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Perth has a wonderful central park (Kings Park) overlooking the Swan River and the city centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the park there are wonderful displays of Western Australian wild flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed a short visit to see these displays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ihby_P0s2nKJYjKPhG35gn7guF5UKkvlGmgVnJ-nS5a064pNquFBatAceFMIT21oOcuhJrFtiDUbtV1TqNnECvhx-f-0ngQ_mR0iU205eyyGvbeZhuWKAFZKOW-G5EMGq82CH7Fz3peJ/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ihby_P0s2nKJYjKPhG35gn7guF5UKkvlGmgVnJ-nS5a064pNquFBatAceFMIT21oOcuhJrFtiDUbtV1TqNnECvhx-f-0ngQ_mR0iU205eyyGvbeZhuWKAFZKOW-G5EMGq82CH7Fz3peJ/s320/Perth+southwest+area+323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the gardens in Kings Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nFRRHXxNUVp7No2x0mA0I0TvEHxaHL7WMu1uvrT2alxKI1ZY27FUhPSMVH7Fp7LiFy0xEqh90gKVZFxJ6yFbVJCBbFTBKXKWFUV0zIQR1lP5s_-br3-DXKupFpnmHDyAFcs45DPTcVi/s1600/perth+%2526+surrounds+%2526+flowers+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nFRRHXxNUVp7No2x0mA0I0TvEHxaHL7WMu1uvrT2alxKI1ZY27FUhPSMVH7Fp7LiFy0xEqh90gKVZFxJ6yFbVJCBbFTBKXKWFUV0zIQR1lP5s_-br3-DXKupFpnmHDyAFcs45DPTcVi/s320/perth+%2526+surrounds+%2526+flowers+317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Centre viewed from Kings Park</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From Perth we drove to Bunbury where Alice’s older brother lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed a few days of chatting and drinking much tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great reunion and an enjoyable visit. We spent a good day visiting Margaret River and Dunsborough with Barry too.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcBEtVvAUG34Y8WLmpFwxVHEHWZdbna4R9DJNa8UjoyOxzL1qOAw-ZsaqvtQlUL7PaEUZZK21bzX5bGEKtXdfGPc9bkVtt1PWVNyJvFi2jwgRX165n3Hzt2AhmtrfqzKQgA6UmAhNwGlx/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcBEtVvAUG34Y8WLmpFwxVHEHWZdbna4R9DJNa8UjoyOxzL1qOAw-ZsaqvtQlUL7PaEUZZK21bzX5bGEKtXdfGPc9bkVtt1PWVNyJvFi2jwgRX165n3Hzt2AhmtrfqzKQgA6UmAhNwGlx/s320/Perth+southwest+area+403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach at Gracetown near Margaret River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxDTJxPtF3u7l9E3606UmmxgjZhXqsftITEbjJbQJ9GSrsp4GzIk3RwnBDwi94jram_IWyNCjjzRFOFrOXKzeO4k9_cn2iQvfguL-x8dnZVaWfVPLLB7yVkDFFA4X9vqARrrhD5RV9QmO/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxDTJxPtF3u7l9E3606UmmxgjZhXqsftITEbjJbQJ9GSrsp4GzIk3RwnBDwi94jram_IWyNCjjzRFOFrOXKzeO4k9_cn2iQvfguL-x8dnZVaWfVPLLB7yVkDFFA4X9vqARrrhD5RV9QmO/s320/Perth+southwest+area+451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed lunch at Yallingup near Margaret River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbYYJhLet-G0yQio4NEEs8ptFJLsRhUyPfsU1MWzto6wzw-5d8tOo0LqHQkQJq-7MWSky4X75UrbvlCZH33pjTCPwC0wS41Kc00MdIKzFY7f3YNNLdsbiLXFya27pT3St2yFH1milsvJ_/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbYYJhLet-G0yQio4NEEs8ptFJLsRhUyPfsU1MWzto6wzw-5d8tOo0LqHQkQJq-7MWSky4X75UrbvlCZH33pjTCPwC0wS41Kc00MdIKzFY7f3YNNLdsbiLXFya27pT3St2yFH1milsvJ_/s320/Perth+southwest+area+476.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Bay near Dunsborough.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFEhvZhVDSR5NKkQDi0OYWVIQ1LsBB5bBWXTI5RbJ2dqSN9eZfYoVDJYRGO2L86zkjBGNlpzhjQg7fJb3IAijd9fRUSmIa_vhEUSQVh4WBe3jMMAkIjHymwXpGuPvGL6zCYfp5j_RYmDq/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFEhvZhVDSR5NKkQDi0OYWVIQ1LsBB5bBWXTI5RbJ2dqSN9eZfYoVDJYRGO2L86zkjBGNlpzhjQg7fJb3IAijd9fRUSmIa_vhEUSQVh4WBe3jMMAkIjHymwXpGuPvGL6zCYfp5j_RYmDq/s320/Perth+southwest+area+490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the lillies go wild here at Margaret River area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From Bunbury we turn eastward towards home and while there is still a while to go it really does feel good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Please enjoy some of the wildflowers we have seen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCHeCd-D6sEkxNYIoJxArTQOuYEktu7tur6v5BU0FqeX2aFd3IJrThdHnSCoW9-wPOnneFUs5bB2zRskz2ZKWscbFroHuVYRGOSish0KbihBjGRkrqjho0XFfMErGPLexiGOFEfGTAzo/s1600/Perth+southwest+area+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCHeCd-D6sEkxNYIoJxArTQOuYEktu7tur6v5BU0FqeX2aFd3IJrThdHnSCoW9-wPOnneFUs5bB2zRskz2ZKWscbFroHuVYRGOSish0KbihBjGRkrqjho0XFfMErGPLexiGOFEfGTAzo/s320/Perth+southwest+area+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-17472654910666394432011-09-04T00:29:00.000+10:002011-09-04T00:29:12.903+10:0029th – 31st Aug. - Shark Bay <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we have travelled around Oz we have heard and asked so many people of their experiences about the places that they have visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost invariably the opinions have varied so we have learnt to sift through the information gleaned and make decisions for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the places that have drawn the most conflicting opinions has been Shark Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shark Bay has been best known for Monkey Mia and the feeding of the dolphins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose to check out this peninsula for ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had left Exmouth and driven south choosing to stop overnight at Carnarvon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This town promotes itself as the place where the desert meets the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the south of the town the same flat shrubby country bordered the highway but to the north for a distance of about 6 – 8 klms the country was made up of banana plantations, fruit orchards and vegetable growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a total contrast within a few klms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gascoyne River which flows through the city was the first river we had crossed that was still flowing in several hundred klms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very interesting area.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfC1tIxPUaEvOudHrrA_7E9oPLpnWL3EKhxhr41f1dHnTb-qfKQPPj9aI4l2RLbtBvF8uz27YljL4peBTS-JMesDavWiFBdUdmR-2dkWw5F5YwB4urXQmbYrl8EEcOFL5KnHXmO3wCFWH/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfC1tIxPUaEvOudHrrA_7E9oPLpnWL3EKhxhr41f1dHnTb-qfKQPPj9aI4l2RLbtBvF8uz27YljL4peBTS-JMesDavWiFBdUdmR-2dkWw5F5YwB4urXQmbYrl8EEcOFL5KnHXmO3wCFWH/s320/denham+monkey+mia+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A basin of the Gascoyne River at Carnarvon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWSEj2txYMdL_6nLQKI7oq1HxxX6ieu01IaDZJQEMl-tg1x6GzA5ew7jiTUeb2qdMGAKeLBoMKTOaanEqYOo91b03K_joQIM_0djAwFbd8-3X8rWXXLU6hAdBUhVwK-xyiOCzBiQXfpqa/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWSEj2txYMdL_6nLQKI7oq1HxxX6ieu01IaDZJQEMl-tg1x6GzA5ew7jiTUeb2qdMGAKeLBoMKTOaanEqYOo91b03K_joQIM_0djAwFbd8-3X8rWXXLU6hAdBUhVwK-xyiOCzBiQXfpqa/s320/denham+monkey+mia+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very prosperous town, also very windy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then next day we moved into Shark Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This involved a couple of hours travel south and then a turn north up the peninsula for 120 klms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not have much real information about this area but were soon to learn that the area has been the focus of much work in restoration of the environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feral goats, sheep, dogs, rabbits, cats and other wild animals have wreaked enormous damage resulting in many species of flora and fauna being threatened with extinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Project<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eden was established to set about correcting this major issue and it is doing an amazing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 7000 feral goats and sheep have been relocated off the peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An electric fence has been erected across the peninsula to keep out dingos, dogs, rabbits and other animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baiting programs are reducing unwanted populations of animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Results are seeing animals like the Bilby and many unique Australian mammals growing in number and many species of plants recovering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-ReBPuRZYvteHpDZX_0oqTnyYwwZDFI0yAue6AvHyIIOFCg51Vzrba2jDM6qPU3CPXGZVImHSPegw0WWM29aHmkPzBwIw25jMR0POYCPZ2praUy14zhrxpg-Ml8QbYYeD9nN2nWSrXJd/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-ReBPuRZYvteHpDZX_0oqTnyYwwZDFI0yAue6AvHyIIOFCg51Vzrba2jDM6qPU3CPXGZVImHSPegw0WWM29aHmkPzBwIw25jMR0POYCPZ2praUy14zhrxpg-Ml8QbYYeD9nN2nWSrXJd/s320/denham+monkey+mia+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wildflowers started along the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VGAblKvXXsM8-o7b_ma_xdRMzVA4qkoekh8rDX6HHAKWD8Dw_lsqxYGWG3wly7zrJEuRx2tvpj9jRJE8SyUvzccTRy8UH46MPAwqGCPYEs5EMLLlsvynlm4lE3BIpHsoVvf-Xv0bdnEB/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VGAblKvXXsM8-o7b_ma_xdRMzVA4qkoekh8rDX6HHAKWD8Dw_lsqxYGWG3wly7zrJEuRx2tvpj9jRJE8SyUvzccTRy8UH46MPAwqGCPYEs5EMLLlsvynlm4lE3BIpHsoVvf-Xv0bdnEB/s320/denham+monkey+mia+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p-j_LZYYVOZtRmRxBwT06WgGyo_IALLUVMY0Y_C-3WT3prFsvA04EMKPNLiZyL4Fx2sazoJ9eDOid71bRATGXN52oXB1rO-4aWexGhlxzpAPSdoQfZGhn7DuN1WA7jns0lDWhQ0lHAH0/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p-j_LZYYVOZtRmRxBwT06WgGyo_IALLUVMY0Y_C-3WT3prFsvA04EMKPNLiZyL4Fx2sazoJ9eDOid71bRATGXN52oXB1rO-4aWexGhlxzpAPSdoQfZGhn7DuN1WA7jns0lDWhQ0lHAH0/s320/denham+monkey+mia+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sad story - an emu grieves over her chick who has been hit by a car.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The whole area has been declared a World Heritage Area because of its unique combination of geography, flora & fauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waters and reefs surrounding the peninsula are home to dolphins, turtles, dugongs, several breeds of shark and a myriad of reef fish species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for all of the west coast whales visit the area annually during their migration trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned previously the Dept of Environment & Conservation feed dolphins each morning at Monkey Mia on the northern side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pearls are farmed in several areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-K8Aj7HUfdTfZ4-yykat51oyNoEx-AN9qABAOkmOTzJdzn_JiS4V6URIgoF5tcuL8Bv-tgYajfUac0pfXLiWt1UOfmyNBcZOkFwcagUgQ-P5uzI4jTOl8YCiI36fZXgnyMRUS8Hhd82i/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-K8Aj7HUfdTfZ4-yykat51oyNoEx-AN9qABAOkmOTzJdzn_JiS4V6URIgoF5tcuL8Bv-tgYajfUac0pfXLiWt1UOfmyNBcZOkFwcagUgQ-P5uzI4jTOl8YCiI36fZXgnyMRUS8Hhd82i/s320/denham+monkey+mia+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell Beach - 2 klms of beach totally shells M deep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwdqMziirNSgbaBwwJIue8L3nQAullr4gvESG-RoAr6PnoJ9vxMt13dHDc6o7s6ZLySwG0kWvMd3DlZ4lP0JmVMQu4OQ4U2nhwv6lkaHdFthBaDHAuWLauWerwFM2jQTTel29as60bnLu/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwdqMziirNSgbaBwwJIue8L3nQAullr4gvESG-RoAr6PnoJ9vxMt13dHDc6o7s6ZLySwG0kWvMd3DlZ4lP0JmVMQu4OQ4U2nhwv6lkaHdFthBaDHAuWLauWerwFM2jQTTel29as60bnLu/s200/denham+monkey+mia+065.JPG" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R8a6UZNsi80L-Qw4FV_xs_YgsHanFoVfaBX7mjvBbdU362FIA8IGfBcaH0N5ZqrwRN_ooBwUsyqEdD1o8L8YiIPGz5qDGQS0ffa49SNuWmI1bprSOnEw4oTuT-hNXhwN6F7CoVLiuPNK/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R8a6UZNsi80L-Qw4FV_xs_YgsHanFoVfaBX7mjvBbdU362FIA8IGfBcaH0N5ZqrwRN_ooBwUsyqEdD1o8L8YiIPGz5qDGQS0ffa49SNuWmI1bprSOnEw4oTuT-hNXhwN6F7CoVLiuPNK/s320/denham+monkey+mia+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell Beach - note the electric fence in background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuh6MlgddRjPWI9kmZdU8SxLYwn6p863AXlhDE9nfbdbDJfH7FmlObSYmfvVbsF_RUPO8istdEkXihowiQWiJEzhYlxVwRzzVGje-gv67oHx_UUNcPD-rksbxKB3gm56fjq3Ngb11AdEV/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuh6MlgddRjPWI9kmZdU8SxLYwn6p863AXlhDE9nfbdbDJfH7FmlObSYmfvVbsF_RUPO8istdEkXihowiQWiJEzhYlxVwRzzVGje-gv67oHx_UUNcPD-rksbxKB3gm56fjq3Ngb11AdEV/s320/denham+monkey+mia+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice up to her armpits in shells.<br />
"There must be some fish in this aquarium".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYewlDKGl5gjNl16oLbY0RPpcl2Ep0rJDZpR7cWqJB1_YYWc0mzXXxw59VbcEag1uEERHPy_6uiW0OfTzfUmdQHzkbZNAgANY3JkNg88lH7BcBAvkzDU62paeo-oaFkoZnTgyVKpsyrvlr/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYewlDKGl5gjNl16oLbY0RPpcl2Ep0rJDZpR7cWqJB1_YYWc0mzXXxw59VbcEag1uEERHPy_6uiW0OfTzfUmdQHzkbZNAgANY3JkNg88lH7BcBAvkzDU62paeo-oaFkoZnTgyVKpsyrvlr/s320/denham+monkey+mia+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian is pondering, "Hm, how am I going to get Alice out of here? <br />
It is nearly lunch time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NCGeGkHYbg7qUR91h6uqE0ABhSNe0iF1q9fQPNVVSu7Lrpf1-XSrQogZhhkz3Jr0BN3K92gyjAyG_wzJDvqKS6g0iJdUmo8umsdqF7lvFpxrcqdg37X3JGKWlF_fZCn3Tz6m8W8XSOnO/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NCGeGkHYbg7qUR91h6uqE0ABhSNe0iF1q9fQPNVVSu7Lrpf1-XSrQogZhhkz3Jr0BN3K92gyjAyG_wzJDvqKS6g0iJdUmo8umsdqF7lvFpxrcqdg37X3JGKWlF_fZCn3Tz6m8W8XSOnO/s320/denham+monkey+mia+160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the dolphins at Monkey Mia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRvBK4scC040hvl644Ii0YfQiBvDLlasG6r7svi7qxLVL81sRMn1J3RLruWDwwhre_2B7Wt0Y4vqKwX8TtnQVQiuRtPJA7WQT145vCkm3CbHTpbk4JfrMs2dLbs1yHoZLPrxAl2XeqYVH/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRvBK4scC040hvl644Ii0YfQiBvDLlasG6r7svi7qxLVL81sRMn1J3RLruWDwwhre_2B7Wt0Y4vqKwX8TtnQVQiuRtPJA7WQT145vCkm3CbHTpbk4JfrMs2dLbs1yHoZLPrxAl2XeqYVH/s320/denham+monkey+mia+177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a hole in the bucket Dear Liza, Dear Liza.<br />
At least I am working on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The northern half of the peninsula is gazetted as Francois Peron National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It covers an area originally established as a sheep station but purchased back quite some years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There are several beaches along this coast only accessable by 4WD.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We established camp at a park in Denham which is the only town on Peron Peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the base for almost all of the activities in the area from service industries, hospitality, local government, professional and charter fishing and other tourist support activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The esplanade looked over beautiful blue Denham Sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwsHeMrlJvVOQ0MCecICd_SDP5-5EjoR5fdijyJrNH7ycPJvFC_lUGmqambkPiG0yV9jCCgvB3JzxZUPysffJOlB6xl4L1CEYyuZqDzRwQs1LTcwmj5pezh4PQ1uSLqLBazOCI3h7nVSj/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwsHeMrlJvVOQ0MCecICd_SDP5-5EjoR5fdijyJrNH7ycPJvFC_lUGmqambkPiG0yV9jCCgvB3JzxZUPysffJOlB6xl4L1CEYyuZqDzRwQs1LTcwmj5pezh4PQ1uSLqLBazOCI3h7nVSj/s320/denham+monkey+mia+222.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denham Esplanade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMWfF7ZVgcn2WSKRleZ2L3xTrAXy6ub7WhUT1FmYabB-t4QgYtRszfCUGGcT-dYo3vsiyo9iRfEpMw4sHPhXQ5DnCPtqNXlX9zYSNaYYzzYMX0d2x0uN8nSsJu8L_lbxIkhM1ksR8uts7/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMWfF7ZVgcn2WSKRleZ2L3xTrAXy6ub7WhUT1FmYabB-t4QgYtRszfCUGGcT-dYo3vsiyo9iRfEpMw4sHPhXQ5DnCPtqNXlX9zYSNaYYzzYMX0d2x0uN8nSsJu8L_lbxIkhM1ksR8uts7/s320/denham+monkey+mia+239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real resort feel to the place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvRamvhB15WAJkUHQF2fDYaG2oNCFTA8n4yAElgaD31k8gxrWOL0lvH0dBCqkNDeDoG7a2gOsmNYNLzAuq9GQbvunrW_zHSUqMRX1E5sJflh4QKdpu7oydhrXjubj8viJXPvsSGzs7FJp/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvRamvhB15WAJkUHQF2fDYaG2oNCFTA8n4yAElgaD31k8gxrWOL0lvH0dBCqkNDeDoG7a2gOsmNYNLzAuq9GQbvunrW_zHSUqMRX1E5sJflh4QKdpu7oydhrXjubj8viJXPvsSGzs7FJp/s320/denham+monkey+mia+243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a big hook to catch this beauty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are glorious views from a few lookouts overlooking Denham Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One in particular, “Eagles Bluff” had a long boardwalk allowing several views over seagrass beds and birdnesting islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photos cannot capture the beauty of this scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking from a couple of hundred metres above we saw sharks scanning the beds looking for their lunch too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGB3pHFN2AdOiUatU9-wAIzPUYIr0_Ekp5sgE0uMv2V5DR7zF2Lmu6BakJpcHezM2fgBTuKBVfpPYS-mgsFkYX67I1kiTQSlBTvPARY3-VaeruIXMSpY4tf46j4f-R2T_S931FCCM94C/s1600/marine+visit+denham+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqGB3pHFN2AdOiUatU9-wAIzPUYIr0_Ekp5sgE0uMv2V5DR7zF2Lmu6BakJpcHezM2fgBTuKBVfpPYS-mgsFkYX67I1kiTQSlBTvPARY3-VaeruIXMSpY4tf46j4f-R2T_S931FCCM94C/s320/marine+visit+denham+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Eagles Bluff</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj7sakNbUVcLT0n87MQS51GGsgGr2cRBNYhT2HoQ-Fse1eaor8tIZeNcnZ1JAo49FYxMR2o0uU0emwE9_CEMz2zjq0a6DgSkyMEIaxipm3PkYLwsThpgCyNTRQad-nL5zKsoo8wGyHaQd/s1600/marine+visit+denham+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj7sakNbUVcLT0n87MQS51GGsgGr2cRBNYhT2HoQ-Fse1eaor8tIZeNcnZ1JAo49FYxMR2o0uU0emwE9_CEMz2zjq0a6DgSkyMEIaxipm3PkYLwsThpgCyNTRQad-nL5zKsoo8wGyHaQd/s320/marine+visit+denham+134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharks grazing the sea grass beds.<br />
<br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We also visited an aquarium where all the inhabitants had been collected in local waters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdsR00MgWIRzA7EwIdLfHwKvceC5g6uVj8ddMD4OaBelDbdo_LwPzEyvKRqfyEd3gGcIATAnDr3dD-tu7XAYK1DjkSs2dj-c-ESAZo5zi9z-4qd2VVg8wsb-dmI_cYCwrzLGG1-ze4g83/s1600/marine+visit+denham+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdsR00MgWIRzA7EwIdLfHwKvceC5g6uVj8ddMD4OaBelDbdo_LwPzEyvKRqfyEd3gGcIATAnDr3dD-tu7XAYK1DjkSs2dj-c-ESAZo5zi9z-4qd2VVg8wsb-dmI_cYCwrzLGG1-ze4g83/s320/marine+visit+denham+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An octopus - very friendly</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigftQRiqYbZ_SSb1-ur_hr5sYbVs-ooqZ-lsuiFZbu9PVJbhZmEVlDQOzi74-ShBUIcd8eWK7yfgEN474bX7CV8DMEZ1bl45HdB2BKPiMS5CuG_bCAFGcNXYmvxW-meIJ5fDzx7DYQL9Dr/s1600/marine+visit+denham+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigftQRiqYbZ_SSb1-ur_hr5sYbVs-ooqZ-lsuiFZbu9PVJbhZmEVlDQOzi74-ShBUIcd8eWK7yfgEN474bX7CV8DMEZ1bl45HdB2BKPiMS5CuG_bCAFGcNXYmvxW-meIJ5fDzx7DYQL9Dr/s320/marine+visit+denham+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tTJrXzPXX8YAlOPsAPlsnWrLQuxWkUHfpD6V5dMQ5o-9tjs4Y1dEnpIWM63AUWMU_raIu4J5XEdiaZqhoVimpDnhHGVZXatWdVE64iJDV7E9OX7UhBy9z-OQPmtPvUnNrT9-o1DSI_WV/s1600/marine+visit+denham+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tTJrXzPXX8YAlOPsAPlsnWrLQuxWkUHfpD6V5dMQ5o-9tjs4Y1dEnpIWM63AUWMU_raIu4J5XEdiaZqhoVimpDnhHGVZXatWdVE64iJDV7E9OX7UhBy9z-OQPmtPvUnNrT9-o1DSI_WV/s320/marine+visit+denham+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruler of the pond.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtjPJGxlnBrwYRBX9vOpx2X0oWFhRjM6FnqGlYlChjZGWfZhmUfmH1t7MKjPxK3F_a2oqAe8q1B_5h-BEC7yeZVINMSBQDoZRvzz2DkdSAGZIP_LKOe4rgRKsnzz37UkMWCU6h9b3MFQ/s1600/marine+visit+denham+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtjPJGxlnBrwYRBX9vOpx2X0oWFhRjM6FnqGlYlChjZGWfZhmUfmH1t7MKjPxK3F_a2oqAe8q1B_5h-BEC7yeZVINMSBQDoZRvzz2DkdSAGZIP_LKOe4rgRKsnzz37UkMWCU6h9b3MFQ/s320/marine+visit+denham+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful but dangerous - <br />
The Lion Fish - member of the stonefish family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6dfS-JAyzB1c1wS5uxNK6oDslIaiV7WWIEyTgHzgr0tTwi2OkGVivCTLoLw4VOlBzz7r0Mi-4CpwiNRUUnq9XMB80-SGyIYhmeRW5LGFDQT9ctvdlovmHCjaMHQavF6bhCSIM_ZxjUw6/s1600/marine+visit+denham+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6dfS-JAyzB1c1wS5uxNK6oDslIaiV7WWIEyTgHzgr0tTwi2OkGVivCTLoLw4VOlBzz7r0Mi-4CpwiNRUUnq9XMB80-SGyIYhmeRW5LGFDQT9ctvdlovmHCjaMHQavF6bhCSIM_ZxjUw6/s320/marine+visit+denham+013.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about this one Benny?</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The landscape is very special however for Queenslanders it is also unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for so much of the country that we have crossed there are almost no trees that we would call shade trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fields are covered in shrubs and desert grasses with nothing above two metres in height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding shade for lunch is almost impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloaACgh4p1-MUfPMWUGhQBamR_gIjihkUU8pY3KLRYRDd7BUX9fO1NxhhzgownkMH_5BPjgcLJY_NovulRT2yTEmgewtRm9LnIw4n8MFWrLUpdAA3UMWZcntdOImYj9P9sxKURCMEFNct/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloaACgh4p1-MUfPMWUGhQBamR_gIjihkUU8pY3KLRYRDd7BUX9fO1NxhhzgownkMH_5BPjgcLJY_NovulRT2yTEmgewtRm9LnIw4n8MFWrLUpdAA3UMWZcntdOImYj9P9sxKURCMEFNct/s320/denham+monkey+mia+178.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl farming off Monkey Mia</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJpH1UD4zDV0rgYIyuIB0qmypEMIJE2TTYttdBeQzF3kXgGG9AvvJnOUXW0T20cJb4VJpCTn1N96AyuoSJc8XKv-_9xdvwcMXMqxPp8flKUXGR6DA3FOIcDOoTsO_9nmcyT9KTBem2_CX/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJpH1UD4zDV0rgYIyuIB0qmypEMIJE2TTYttdBeQzF3kXgGG9AvvJnOUXW0T20cJb4VJpCTn1N96AyuoSJc8XKv-_9xdvwcMXMqxPp8flKUXGR6DA3FOIcDOoTsO_9nmcyT9KTBem2_CX/s320/denham+monkey+mia+256.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys are well satisfied with their days work.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the tourists that come here there is coral viewing, Pearl farm viewing, diving / snorkleing, reef fishing, quad bike trail riding, camel rides on the beach, 4WD trail drives and beach driving, and of course, bird watching as well as taking in the sunsets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kodak really hit the jackpot when they invented sunsets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us it was mostly sightseeing and resting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great place to do it too.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-wxI91D1Bu6oKQwYR3JsyIGXyDSN3VWVkiWczIXBMjJDNQPH3cp3t6-I2rdg2nqXqvEmrlEKfysTk-BKiWBVx3T7I14Y1ZI_MmcyiJfm4BRNLVgitIY9JIvYxCmOFmfMTC2G0G1dwcv_/s1600/denham+monkey+mia+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-wxI91D1Bu6oKQwYR3JsyIGXyDSN3VWVkiWczIXBMjJDNQPH3cp3t6-I2rdg2nqXqvEmrlEKfysTk-BKiWBVx3T7I14Y1ZI_MmcyiJfm4BRNLVgitIY9JIvYxCmOFmfMTC2G0G1dwcv_/s320/denham+monkey+mia+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic at the beach WA style.</td></tr>
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</div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-58675077847357169772011-08-31T23:12:00.001+10:002011-08-31T23:15:42.872+10:0027th – 28th Aug - Exmouth<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived in Exmouth late morning after a really good run from Barradale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park we moved into was full so they placed us in an overflow area which was quite comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are finding almost everywhere we go at the moment the parks are full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from tourists such as we are there are still southern residents who are staying long term in the warmer weather and those who had moved as far as Broome for the winter are now on their way back home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Exmouth is an extremely interesting town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Originally established as a Australian / USA Naval radio tracking base in grazing country it later developed as a fishing industry support town and now its major attraction is tourism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supporting the Naval Radio Base is a RAAF base which appears mostly to be a sleeper although there were two Orion submarine tracker aircraft sitting on the tarmac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The peninsula on which Exmouth is placed is bordered on the west by Ningaloo Reef and on the east by Exmouth Gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both have crystal clear waters and white sands / coral grit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The western side of the peninsula is home to the Cape Range National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLkW41TjCpy-Fh53G13l_d4UlZfF5KBM7K5ImjyV-PavmzTY3ve93niOOl6fNseUlJEtjgdLZ9dZmpBdUdeQyHF4_a5HagrfKECwoQgyHdgSPv6wUXkG-TQ08FT31KFrOT_gToPFWAsSl/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLkW41TjCpy-Fh53G13l_d4UlZfF5KBM7K5ImjyV-PavmzTY3ve93niOOl6fNseUlJEtjgdLZ9dZmpBdUdeQyHF4_a5HagrfKECwoQgyHdgSPv6wUXkG-TQ08FT31KFrOT_gToPFWAsSl/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small section of radio antennas making up the Naval Radio Base.<br />
Photo is taken from adjoining beach in Exmouth Gulf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The coast around the cape is almost totally accessible to the public apart from one short stretch around the Naval Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beaches are a mixture of white sand and light coloured pebbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are short lengths of beach at the point where surfers had opportunity to pick up a wave but most of the ocean front coast is protected by Ningaloo Reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reef offers divers & snorkelers many opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reef viewing boats operate from several points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In May to July the famous Whale Sharks swim through these waters and attract many diver tourists but while we were here we saw whales, turtles and dolphins swimming quite close to shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioODWh93O-Y3NaJ2sVIHDxTgGbIH9zpHvN0X5EY21u0AziQtYK8Ec9PgnGRoAKVq3-DJHBIX4Po84d9yuYJcmn_E0TyRwapFwBbdIHLeto58o00j7vGyvLpgbHvhWtuleCFXhkWHYO7DYl/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioODWh93O-Y3NaJ2sVIHDxTgGbIH9zpHvN0X5EY21u0AziQtYK8Ec9PgnGRoAKVq3-DJHBIX4Po84d9yuYJcmn_E0TyRwapFwBbdIHLeto58o00j7vGyvLpgbHvhWtuleCFXhkWHYO7DYl/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surf beach at the point from the lighthouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJZSL94bdWgaMiUxfRnmqi_j43XFIsrglybLGu3Mf7Kw_-8BxZFDqXGfIX1N3ZJTouEDNdy-FDJkmPTxTmRLNqp1p6hBjR1TdiALbrcO_4kYfUkiDFQD0LfF6YcJ6I0NXNlZtr1OYoMAM/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJZSL94bdWgaMiUxfRnmqi_j43XFIsrglybLGu3Mf7Kw_-8BxZFDqXGfIX1N3ZJTouEDNdy-FDJkmPTxTmRLNqp1p6hBjR1TdiALbrcO_4kYfUkiDFQD0LfF6YcJ6I0NXNlZtr1OYoMAM/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EN4PuJ-6m_gHvR-ITWE3rXz7D94lbFeocN5ZupPAxkzeEWxsgdHQ9kuci6U-qMV-t0jmswRQz9003Bdh5aKq0hrLfSeKcK6VkoZYt8tJf_B6ty_pjN1AJGQPUHbxdiLq__BpI37Gf_jG/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EN4PuJ-6m_gHvR-ITWE3rXz7D94lbFeocN5ZupPAxkzeEWxsgdHQ9kuci6U-qMV-t0jmswRQz9003Bdh5aKq0hrLfSeKcK6VkoZYt8tJf_B6ty_pjN1AJGQPUHbxdiLq__BpI37Gf_jG/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner beach near town looking toward the point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent a great day exploring Cape Range National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a coastal park bordered by a range of hills approximately 200 metres high, (high for this area).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some great views over beaches bordering clear blue seas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water in every case was calm due to the bordering reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One could see the surf hitting the reef about 300 metres from shore but this resulted in some beautiful peaceful lagoons inside the reef.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiYs6lwWwFUdxB4hHottYHf8CAWAhBbpqEiRW7A8s6CdyjF9eyAIZgcWnOAKcRSbdqH2WL0i0JjYNR1vln2iiHKSzDoj9oaRmRtDGwPa5B9pkgbHcRlQQQt3VLKC0EfrKCi8GXOvVsEr6/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiYs6lwWwFUdxB4hHottYHf8CAWAhBbpqEiRW7A8s6CdyjF9eyAIZgcWnOAKcRSbdqH2WL0i0JjYNR1vln2iiHKSzDoj9oaRmRtDGwPa5B9pkgbHcRlQQQt3VLKC0EfrKCi8GXOvVsEr6/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many such beaches. The water colour is accurate. <br />
Note the surf on the outer reef in background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV82wJ16P_vkxIc-6IBG6atzOcY8qcRL2u5JLNG4dRBECAO9qcQSrRGNkxECs6WUajI-ygvuOnSdflLTeuHwYzc3-kkm5nPIWtnITgrO9sUrKliN2tx6yaBKBp-RXVgNYVieygzjf1otwX/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV82wJ16P_vkxIc-6IBG6atzOcY8qcRL2u5JLNG4dRBECAO9qcQSrRGNkxECs6WUajI-ygvuOnSdflLTeuHwYzc3-kkm5nPIWtnITgrO9sUrKliN2tx6yaBKBp-RXVgNYVieygzjf1otwX/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were looking for a shady tree but they were all taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There was also a bird hide looking through mangroves over a small lagoon viewing migratory shore birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us we did not visit this site at a suitable time for the best viewing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A few klms along the road and we came to Turquoise Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two small coral cays about 500 metres wide greeted us and scores of people were enjoying swimming and snorkelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water really was turquoise and the beach glary white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly was a popular place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvq0yTnVnSPW6VLPdKRT76Ip4yBM8NH1-gp1eTKjEJfFivqDKUPvOcJBR93ZVcNLDO9EeMeHvXX9RxZUq6sfS3t79YqXolJPSbEn7m7w7n7EOBPLwgjIltw7GLEKH5a-uVN7P9Jlq8fl_/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvq0yTnVnSPW6VLPdKRT76Ip4yBM8NH1-gp1eTKjEJfFivqDKUPvOcJBR93ZVcNLDO9EeMeHvXX9RxZUq6sfS3t79YqXolJPSbEn7m7w7n7EOBPLwgjIltw7GLEKH5a-uVN7P9Jlq8fl_/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side of Turquoise Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8Fg_5ZnyVXM_5Bk4288lflnfgT-dt0bHV73foNQPcYZBxmhoEr1wqmkhrO1rz1bNFK5LTRG6stZ33XNzMC299_FEzJM-cPHsDD_FIa-ItQU3QOn5KRw1DGXqUmZ_Sc1BbuFjjmXK9Fn-/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8Fg_5ZnyVXM_5Bk4288lflnfgT-dt0bHV73foNQPcYZBxmhoEr1wqmkhrO1rz1bNFK5LTRG6stZ33XNzMC299_FEzJM-cPHsDD_FIa-ItQU3QOn5KRw1DGXqUmZ_Sc1BbuFjjmXK9Fn-/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side 2 of TB. Scores of people were snorkeling here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwkMl2t5uIFVE-ks8FkMJhZ8FMqrTlFwjmGdDnX8hyphenhyphenqRu4Rc0Ifdau4vYMUpJ8EHbF_E3KAKOg5M06LapGmU1CyxVXdmOUKbxhh5B5mNMMJnv2OyiuZAD_OZEGo-yzY4WVFrMArli51xZ/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwkMl2t5uIFVE-ks8FkMJhZ8FMqrTlFwjmGdDnX8hyphenhyphenqRu4Rc0Ifdau4vYMUpJ8EHbF_E3KAKOg5M06LapGmU1CyxVXdmOUKbxhh5B5mNMMJnv2OyiuZAD_OZEGo-yzY4WVFrMArli51xZ/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the nearby carpark the neighbours were partying. <br />
Theres always a galah somewhere.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then in contrast we reached Yardie Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was a small narrow gorge through which Yardie Creek ran down to a lagoon closed off from the sea by a sand bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not a long gorge but it was in total contrast to the surrounding landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A boat trip was available however we chose the walk which took us up one side of the valley where we could look back toward the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls of the gorge were a deep red ochre colour with areas of white stain through the seams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The colour of the walls together with the green of the shrubs with the white sand and blue sea in the background certainly was a picture to remember.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0hBq3x9R2I-1H82_zSC-wha751tm_mapH8kJc_A2drVR_ViTcHnEU-j1q8s5EW12ilHVOcqvWuGDtJk5n9xXC0MUukCebrk6DZeMRViqrq8m8QLaTxnTOfEJBvLpzNjNYUkqdFOiZ5Z/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0hBq3x9R2I-1H82_zSC-wha751tm_mapH8kJc_A2drVR_ViTcHnEU-j1q8s5EW12ilHVOcqvWuGDtJk5n9xXC0MUukCebrk6DZeMRViqrq8m8QLaTxnTOfEJBvLpzNjNYUkqdFOiZ5Z/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yardie Creek Gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eCHxKTpseHqd9IPm4IWhzxIoOpYbL19juTO2A49IgE3kv0m6WkCC0kfSvWUxzlC371nz4Ygkhubald_b1lrXmisG4j3O1-vQ4YBygQVnEUmSM3-NMmnm7xsR4P3Ahd0abj2JeEFXQDwL/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eCHxKTpseHqd9IPm4IWhzxIoOpYbL19juTO2A49IgE3kv0m6WkCC0kfSvWUxzlC371nz4Ygkhubald_b1lrXmisG4j3O1-vQ4YBygQVnEUmSM3-NMmnm7xsR4P3Ahd0abj2JeEFXQDwL/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx7lWNqp0Y8CrprxbStWwUOXpWNiyfFa93qhHzLlcp5DzwUBpIncwkNJ_RoBzC-9jPydjARwVXvodZqtfko8mIdDj0g1YE-AwxBQT302hbX1929Kqnb5jh5zWBWZIX9hx3q3Dywr36JDo/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx7lWNqp0Y8CrprxbStWwUOXpWNiyfFa93qhHzLlcp5DzwUBpIncwkNJ_RoBzC-9jPydjARwVXvodZqtfko8mIdDj0g1YE-AwxBQT302hbX1929Kqnb5jh5zWBWZIX9hx3q3Dywr36JDo/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south down the gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZkthS_n-5uv3XfFT7MA07q5xvxMSegU3LTMmHl021D57XMZQ1o2Jf_hbbszlvTG7aexpWncztoQ0q9eEzc7ThKGqkS4cYPq8XqFy-utHjyEOXe5Fb0WTwGFDXFPP8lRuyTG11RxePBjk/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZkthS_n-5uv3XfFT7MA07q5xvxMSegU3LTMmHl021D57XMZQ1o2Jf_hbbszlvTG7aexpWncztoQ0q9eEzc7ThKGqkS4cYPq8XqFy-utHjyEOXe5Fb0WTwGFDXFPP8lRuyTG11RxePBjk/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moth of Yardie Creek sanded over.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The actual range ran parallel to the coast at about 200 metres high. It was more a range of hills than a mountain range. The rock formation was unique in that it often appeared like a man made retaining wall in structure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZ-BCgwDHh7bBas6IhHZYL4TVO0tcZCjpOPnJ5Wjt2Q0T_Wcuc7zR6O7w4Q07EBxhjVEcVrvhxg_UB72RNYhB6sebtgT1bSkdBMA829RGrSz1yK6ZVTcnsDQRFCxHpSY8zU4lXRY6eMW/s1600/Exmouth+Cape+Range+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZ-BCgwDHh7bBas6IhHZYL4TVO0tcZCjpOPnJ5Wjt2Q0T_Wcuc7zR6O7w4Q07EBxhjVEcVrvhxg_UB72RNYhB6sebtgT1bSkdBMA829RGrSz1yK6ZVTcnsDQRFCxHpSY8zU4lXRY6eMW/s320/Exmouth+Cape+Range+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Range.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cape Range is a really special place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from the birds mentioned previously we saw kangaroos and emus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our stay in Exmouth was short but wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is really a place that everyone should see.</span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-67513506790437868122011-08-28T23:02:00.000+10:002011-08-28T23:02:29.547+10:0025th – 27th Aug Coral Coast North <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having left Point Samson it was almost immediately that we re-entered the mining world of the Pilbara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving east to Roebourne on the North West Coastal Highway and then turning south there was this continuous passing of utes & 4WDs decked out in the mining safety colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were heading to Karratha which is one of the major towns in this mining area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian’s work over the last ten years of employment had kept him constantly in contact with the company’s operations in the Pilbara and other WA industrial areas and here he wanted to compare the actual picture of the area to the mental picture he had built up over many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was only about 45 klms from Point Samson to Karratha and there were many mine sites visible as we travelled this short distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had not realised how close to the coast actual mining took place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Karratha there was quite a large industrial area which supports industry but even bigger was the industrial estate being developed by the government group Landcorp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town itself was very much of the style of a mining township with the local govt offices, the mining company offices and the shopping Centre taking up the centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in some of the other businesses including preschools and schools, medical centres etc formed the next radius followed by accommodation and community buildings in the next circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mining companies really do seem to cover all necessities when the design and build a supporting township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said that they still seem to be a sterile environment with only limited ownership by the residents.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Not far out of this small central area however was a very large housing estate in several stages of completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here again we heard that houses were being rented out for thousands of dollars per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To construct these builders were being employed on a fly in fly out basis as there were insufficient tradespeople available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This growth needs to be seen to be believed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We moved on to Dampier on the coast just 20 klms away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a most beautiful area with the Dampier Archipelego surrounding the port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was that turquoise colour again and there was a special little boat harbour filled with both commercial boats and pleasure craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the point wharfs again loaded very large bulk ore tankers while many more lay waiting offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extremely long ore trains freight the ore almost to the pier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSvyWCyt5IVA9PRbW6cMLJI5uhE0zqiCl4j9wgxMixC4W6EAt_BtdIyKOzeBF85JWj1cT3uuB3rY1NSc9QPT_QDRf7xQ00wjAUhJRgQEPBVYT8ZmbYTkhsSw8F2aZMHIuz1JwjVU6Hg0u/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSvyWCyt5IVA9PRbW6cMLJI5uhE0zqiCl4j9wgxMixC4W6EAt_BtdIyKOzeBF85JWj1cT3uuB3rY1NSc9QPT_QDRf7xQ00wjAUhJRgQEPBVYT8ZmbYTkhsSw8F2aZMHIuz1JwjVU6Hg0u/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt pans in foreground - part of very long ore train in background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eYsFOcanSvDmzloEj6I7OWAn2yOIk4lajbS9FrFcvHZfXLMhbny2q7wpbQ8H1HtxCcoiGhja48apn_qWG1jLR7dtGvYpH4YxBDOevVDgCiEv2nMwb94HGwQ5EztUnMEZvwbdFV7JA7pb/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eYsFOcanSvDmzloEj6I7OWAn2yOIk4lajbS9FrFcvHZfXLMhbny2q7wpbQ8H1HtxCcoiGhja48apn_qWG1jLR7dtGvYpH4YxBDOevVDgCiEv2nMwb94HGwQ5EztUnMEZvwbdFV7JA7pb/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of contrasts - pleasure& work boats, <br />
salt piles and mining plant fronted by God's garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T0mAY702DYBROilNAb4xk_mWJfh3usI-KGfax7j2IDMkra1wnOyEtx-JvniwUwVSc6WUTcJwSKjEDo76U_MjUtvYdM0KQKaXVpAqrXuArBK11YgBuPn8Lc-jb5w94Qc-fA8_qDIqLLke/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T0mAY702DYBROilNAb4xk_mWJfh3usI-KGfax7j2IDMkra1wnOyEtx-JvniwUwVSc6WUTcJwSKjEDo76U_MjUtvYdM0KQKaXVpAqrXuArBK11YgBuPn8Lc-jb5w94Qc-fA8_qDIqLLke/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's Island - an original inhabitant of Dampier.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRw-Pug0HsLtDD99LG1QAn0jSRClwPDU_dbKLl5hnicMTD3KkEloGFPRhbX8Mc0Mo3VV-RHer84Gk8_YapEeaEiB6TXPbJyms3vIL4Utd4XnZ6jMnuy9aWSbVsdh7-D7aZTtuAUzfVlAV/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRw-Pug0HsLtDD99LG1QAn0jSRClwPDU_dbKLl5hnicMTD3KkEloGFPRhbX8Mc0Mo3VV-RHer84Gk8_YapEeaEiB6TXPbJyms3vIL4Utd4XnZ6jMnuy9aWSbVsdh7-D7aZTtuAUzfVlAV/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contrasts in shipping - Dampier.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>There were a few houses as well as hotels, bowls clubs, sailing clubs etc and this appeared to be the recreation area as well as the port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the next point adjacent but inaccessible to visitors was the bulk gas facility where LNG is shipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only there a short time but it was an eye opener for us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqeh9E8boJOTR83dUuOi60BRh_Pw7DkLIWdBsITJw8HtcXd7cK26sxy24ymq5ri7WbuJw3cU1dY5zpqUelEwyMsAUtXVIdUvB0kOxyieovXNMbmyTh3BvW2SINuYS6u8sR8Lfd7A8c7pY/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqeh9E8boJOTR83dUuOi60BRh_Pw7DkLIWdBsITJw8HtcXd7cK26sxy24ymq5ri7WbuJw3cU1dY5zpqUelEwyMsAUtXVIdUvB0kOxyieovXNMbmyTh3BvW2SINuYS6u8sR8Lfd7A8c7pY/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small gas facility along highway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back on the road and heading south we travelled most of the day and stopped to camp up about 3:00pm at a roadside reststop called Barradale on the Yannarie River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is real bush camping but with reasonable environmental facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some 40 plus vans and motorhomes parked up for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely not a lonely site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mix of van parks, camping grounds and roadside stops certainly gives us an all round taste of vanning life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Zjo4uhl9gAbeYbTg-Q-wthaYJDYDERQzcOVGjHNNANDO7y4cRv4AVPlJeKe2LVKQkw4W5iXub1Q6q47yqStH60mmLMT4qmaHNuVzCHxZ3pArNvVWoIugwClhEZDopJD9IY1KvdoBvP2/s1600/dampier-exmouth+day1+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Zjo4uhl9gAbeYbTg-Q-wthaYJDYDERQzcOVGjHNNANDO7y4cRv4AVPlJeKe2LVKQkw4W5iXub1Q6q47yqStH60mmLMT4qmaHNuVzCHxZ3pArNvVWoIugwClhEZDopJD9IY1KvdoBvP2/s320/dampier-exmouth+day1+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild flowers abound along the highway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Next stop - Exmouth!</span></span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-2603988590690498302011-08-28T22:19:00.000+10:002011-08-28T22:19:00.719+10:0022nd – 24th Aug. Port Hedland – Point Samson <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well south we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a short look around Port Hedland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian had many business communications with the mining areas of Central West Australia and he really wanted to absorb a mind picture of many of these towns. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Port Hedland is a real boom mining town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets were full of white utes with yellow safety stripes indicating vehicles fitted out for use in mining sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the growth of this town has certainly exploded the local council certainly has set out to ensure that the town still looks attractive with many parks and playgrounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnikDGDAl7en57Ky2dTHA0DcPTo_RZd0rYrwT5eMkSHzSXIU8pJpxVwx5NHYz0YKXqgsw2BFaZwvDrT2y_JoEZAx_HD6UX8yoNErpOY4-pmfdMP927t_IPY75y8W91TA9hUrtN60oM_rS/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnikDGDAl7en57Ky2dTHA0DcPTo_RZd0rYrwT5eMkSHzSXIU8pJpxVwx5NHYz0YKXqgsw2BFaZwvDrT2y_JoEZAx_HD6UX8yoNErpOY4-pmfdMP927t_IPY75y8W91TA9hUrtN60oM_rS/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many accomodation blocks for mining staff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrfEk0n6va1urVaCBlg-9KeFORaXQyG_w6pEVkXY4NnQ16XH2-LxUBVckmaBFUHhkyjqSaJbqDcsUA55K82nKWpB42Y4k1kv1QSHTkQuxRvyHS8Djh9dgSg_WJU_Zo2-zzAVLRhCgFBGW/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrfEk0n6va1urVaCBlg-9KeFORaXQyG_w6pEVkXY4NnQ16XH2-LxUBVckmaBFUHhkyjqSaJbqDcsUA55K82nKWpB42Y4k1kv1QSHTkQuxRvyHS8Djh9dgSg_WJU_Zo2-zzAVLRhCgFBGW/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stockpile reclaimer which loads ore onto the conveyors onto ships.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2Xz-MzrYG-ol4UujM7dwaA866NCiyof2if9OVjxctdGe2UFihfDKon16ZPknLkSSI0OfNyqTwv6jSTnAuzY2w3_sbA8kMCGio6WToyPVd2qdmCvYx1JWhmssqpslWBSr_vzotxp19L2e/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2Xz-MzrYG-ol4UujM7dwaA866NCiyof2if9OVjxctdGe2UFihfDKon16ZPknLkSSI0OfNyqTwv6jSTnAuzY2w3_sbA8kMCGio6WToyPVd2qdmCvYx1JWhmssqpslWBSr_vzotxp19L2e/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ore tanker waiting to be loaded. There were many more anchored offshore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0tivjsZAG7iFmjcBnjbxtoOHaPyt873wGuNEkEOlyoKq3LNXivADL5CX2WRceP6qHVzLQjrvuw5RQeVM822RLlZ0SMarOB_jDQv-Ci4A3Unyz5ot7WKCtt2xjK4KeHflxHnGEf0nnB0C/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0tivjsZAG7iFmjcBnjbxtoOHaPyt873wGuNEkEOlyoKq3LNXivADL5CX2WRceP6qHVzLQjrvuw5RQeVM822RLlZ0SMarOB_jDQv-Ci4A3Unyz5ot7WKCtt2xjK4KeHflxHnGEf0nnB0C/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many examples oflocal council attempts to beautify a mining town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZUCwHihXz3e0AumO6m-l_CwwGnY1WUsOCPmlKKKVVCFE3BBP9l5udCQTpCydMGVFdenIfE4y6XO66UsK8IFBiG0L6Z6JF-rSRn9zlNgoe1IxMYJPedaiWFrMvOW0CywqG9vCp2H3kGDJ/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZUCwHihXz3e0AumO6m-l_CwwGnY1WUsOCPmlKKKVVCFE3BBP9l5udCQTpCydMGVFdenIfE4y6XO66UsK8IFBiG0L6Z6JF-rSRn9zlNgoe1IxMYJPedaiWFrMvOW0CywqG9vCp2H3kGDJ/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a busy industrial town there are some quiet gardens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then having a short look around and then refuelling we continued our journey south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially we continued to see many mining vehicles including large road trains but slowly we moved out of the close mining area to find lesser heavy vehicle movements.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6D-TRdU5FiEq-zbzV_tgdRrg5AFC0ZzwAShXG7rh2BBw4a01tp09xZXcnICwKR_Sn8IG6_k_zQMcNa6sG5KAjrgFC1hSw4xv-YpgKwGPo0WAMcBfaY5Rp080sa_yF4qU-T7j7Fzy5Aav/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6D-TRdU5FiEq-zbzV_tgdRrg5AFC0ZzwAShXG7rh2BBw4a01tp09xZXcnICwKR_Sn8IG6_k_zQMcNa6sG5KAjrgFC1hSw4xv-YpgKwGPo0WAMcBfaY5Rp080sa_yF4qU-T7j7Fzy5Aav/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another mining road train delivering from one of many mines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That night we stopped by the roadside in a camp at West Peawah River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about ten other vans / tents here by nightfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amazing thing about this stop was that when we went to speak to people in the van next to ours we found that they came from the very next street to ours at home in Bli Bli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have common friends in one of our neighbours Bob & Barbara Poole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How small a world this is, that we should meet our neighbours when we were directly across the other side of this great nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And then we moved on to Point Samson, a small holiday village in the midst of mining activity mid way between Port Hedland and Karratha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at one of the best equipped van parks we have ever visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small town of about 350 people is an attractive fishing village which has a history as a port going back to the late eighteen hundreds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked around the town and had change left out of one hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6_54PsXAaxxDfVD7jp9MGCaPm5v6erelKIDaQn9gdTcgrygSZx6PZVFTVp9VyLU07VmfVDsu6lCh54eaqBIKJJel4qRPW3fCVK9TEe-FKUnVWl46pk905Xp88AO0oxb5ig_2gEhluumW/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6_54PsXAaxxDfVD7jp9MGCaPm5v6erelKIDaQn9gdTcgrygSZx6PZVFTVp9VyLU07VmfVDsu6lCh54eaqBIKJJel4qRPW3fCVK9TEe-FKUnVWl46pk905Xp88AO0oxb5ig_2gEhluumW/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeymoon Bay, Point Samson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQoW0ggHihpkbJVirjkD-XiukDULbpT8A3tW1N0UVqZMsHWexTfS0Pp1a-bu-irj87Gzp7mceyxXA2lC8XB13_6I10jvqA7YhAfaBubm3qY55cwY3-qaVUe389ssNFmqn8k05v-RcTVXm/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQoW0ggHihpkbJVirjkD-XiukDULbpT8A3tW1N0UVqZMsHWexTfS0Pp1a-bu-irj87Gzp7mceyxXA2lC8XB13_6I10jvqA7YhAfaBubm3qY55cwY3-qaVUe389ssNFmqn8k05v-RcTVXm/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Min Beach Gardens Point Samson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRFwl8VrhGmOBsshBPthDbvClPiMGByfS5clBYn-XEe7g-Lw_dloyHaoHjSNhfciOS2bygCJcVq5UIEuNNh6Lw_mhh525CRMtQTKofYWBDXPop0MIC6sKfD4_hyw61eBwQXb7eeHRn8HK/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRFwl8VrhGmOBsshBPthDbvClPiMGByfS5clBYn-XEe7g-Lw_dloyHaoHjSNhfciOS2bygCJcVq5UIEuNNh6Lw_mhh525CRMtQTKofYWBDXPop0MIC6sKfD4_hyw61eBwQXb7eeHRn8HK/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape Gardens - memorial to historic wharf, Point Samson.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we explored a closeby village of Cossack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cossack was the original port for the gold mining area or Roebourne before the tidal problems caused the port to be moved to Point Samson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently the local people with some funding from two governments have restored a lot of old buildings in Cossack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the original buildings were destroyed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>after a cyclone hit in 1898 but a few buildings remained and now have been restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can walk around the town and small placards advise where buildings originally stood even if they no longer remain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some photos here will give a sense of the work that has been completed by such a small community.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcSQ2Y1jZgFBv7jhr3FY2oqldOEh25RGjqyXVFJ0KYU8mxYs08ADMktfD2wBgWq37NLHv31XjP9cb7moK4Mld-02A4_QJVRAdumLiLSy-g3DLvxH672nkYxu7uUehEP_D29T9cuIItviI/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcSQ2Y1jZgFBv7jhr3FY2oqldOEh25RGjqyXVFJ0KYU8mxYs08ADMktfD2wBgWq37NLHv31XjP9cb7moK4Mld-02A4_QJVRAdumLiLSy-g3DLvxH672nkYxu7uUehEP_D29T9cuIItviI/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Cossack Court House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOkV4ZeXDpZ8MIe9MDgOyvh-dYhK_sjFPrsvVIkLbZmzpcnQuq6FQnGm921yjrzcq33Io9hb7vMp6uhf4ntV-CqjVFQQlcX4XvqabbKOxAzS8RcUT-ghW5S949O7Ldf7_kiXc179cFPbi/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOkV4ZeXDpZ8MIe9MDgOyvh-dYhK_sjFPrsvVIkLbZmzpcnQuq6FQnGm921yjrzcq33Io9hb7vMp6uhf4ntV-CqjVFQQlcX4XvqabbKOxAzS8RcUT-ghW5S949O7Ldf7_kiXc179cFPbi/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic General Store. Only building to withstand cyclone in 1998.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVQ2M3cXYd5teCF3oK2AYmYCjUGJYxnPKS0lmkFcEmhSZydk5-B7pFC1cRxb085yzt00Af59xnUw2tPhvbekDn8E-u_l9rBeaKJgGXzbWzKOrhTvuu6wS37iYf6-EObGBWvpvR3thrvq/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVQ2M3cXYd5teCF3oK2AYmYCjUGJYxnPKS0lmkFcEmhSZydk5-B7pFC1cRxb085yzt00Af59xnUw2tPhvbekDn8E-u_l9rBeaKJgGXzbWzKOrhTvuu6wS37iYf6-EObGBWvpvR3thrvq/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restored historic Customs & Bond Store - Cossack</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just to the south of Point Samson is the iron ore ship loading facility of Camp Lambert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the point we could see four ships loading ore while six others waited out to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giant ore reclaimers worked picking up the ore from stockpiles and loading it on to conveyors which took the ore out along the pier to the ship loader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is only one of many ship loading facilities along this coast.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mgyHMu19Xl0_JqEZLgfftERh4-Mn4E3jaf5AJQPCM5oJVFuMLO4Fr4bgMQVR9yMZ2cM2QgF67pBK1g7ogWbnqbEylVXXNYXCxqqPMxoqAd0vRAwvHs9KKmS_uIZ1DP8qVmjxAxGVaG1O/s1600/Kerdaun+-+Samson+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mgyHMu19Xl0_JqEZLgfftERh4-Mn4E3jaf5AJQPCM5oJVFuMLO4Fr4bgMQVR9yMZ2cM2QgF67pBK1g7ogWbnqbEylVXXNYXCxqqPMxoqAd0vRAwvHs9KKmS_uIZ1DP8qVmjxAxGVaG1O/s320/Kerdaun+-+Samson+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ships loading at nearby Cape Lambert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a large population of mining employees working here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A neighbour in the park told me that renting a four bedroom home here in Point Samson costs between $1500 and $2500 per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any takers?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have used this top as a bit of a rest stop and a catch up on cleaning etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we head off again through more mining areas as we head south.</span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-79468739202540652842011-08-24T22:49:00.000+10:002011-08-24T22:49:42.179+10:0019th – 21st Aug. - South from Broome. <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Kimberley’s were always our planned destination in this long awaited journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Originally we had planned just to come here and then to return home by the same path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many plans have changed since then and even now we only look a couple of days ahead now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving Broome we counted this as the start of our journey home. It may take a couple of months but a start it is.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The country continually changes as we move around this great nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we head south the great flat plains continue but for a while the trees disappear to reveal vast grasslands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cattle stations make up most of the pastoral and farming activities in this corner of Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Traffic is not heavy and we meet oncoming vehicles about every four to five minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are surprised s to how few trucks we meet considering that there are no rail lines to the Kimberleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we set out we had not finally decided on our destination .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the turnoff for the first option (Barnhill Station) before 9:30am so decided this was far too early to be making a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travelled on another 200 klms to Sandfire Roadhouse (first fuel stop after Broome) where we stopped for fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two distillate bowsers here but one was taken up by a drilling contractor who was filling up a large tank so he could refuel his rigs on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line up of caravans at the other bowser was as long as the fleet of trucks demonstrating on the streets or Canberra this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a sight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we headed off toward the coast and set up camp at Eighty Mile Beach, a beautiful white sand beach in as remote a spot as any in Oz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here a Caravan Park had been established on cattle station property and thousands of vans pass through this place every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This stop for us (two nights) was a most relaxing time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short 40 metre walk and we were on the beach and for Alice this meant collecting hundreds of seashells of all different varieties and sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AU2DQiYBRqY9DobjSIJvkSN8KivZbIeepnIpeIRl9JDicviSNGmOKgfCjB123-AaajhNAeTFAYAACums2wLM55gPdb3rWXFfkSrfjUvahAkDSR2oHk2gSDruBUAK_ccFN38-VMzpjOpS/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AU2DQiYBRqY9DobjSIJvkSN8KivZbIeepnIpeIRl9JDicviSNGmOKgfCjB123-AaajhNAeTFAYAACums2wLM55gPdb3rWXFfkSrfjUvahAkDSR2oHk2gSDruBUAK_ccFN38-VMzpjOpS/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different meaning to "drive down to the beach".</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUWzuq2f8RwiVyTbDpj_f2Hz3nmB_KL7Ux2u32ZkxjHDV9hJGUM_QRX98RIMXBTdaACrZYxGOpbqsrWESbBeftQmp2tXvPMYL5C7siVelB3l7og5qBWuExvM7nkzSu9GeDPz83dTx4yH6/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUWzuq2f8RwiVyTbDpj_f2Hz3nmB_KL7Ux2u32ZkxjHDV9hJGUM_QRX98RIMXBTdaACrZYxGOpbqsrWESbBeftQmp2tXvPMYL5C7siVelB3l7og5qBWuExvM7nkzSu9GeDPz83dTx4yH6/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ_lbk1MiEJ9rI6vM3i_guSdJTobHKQaYdhQMRjxUBlCm0Uyadg9uEqW8ziSkK5HKb_uA8-Qi-0wJCdXhiEPICK8DGRusXD4JezxLspQS9q8J49fB9rRTbLEjDW-OfvraTrntAzobO35O/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ_lbk1MiEJ9rI6vM3i_guSdJTobHKQaYdhQMRjxUBlCm0Uyadg9uEqW8ziSkK5HKb_uA8-Qi-0wJCdXhiEPICK8DGRusXD4JezxLspQS9q8J49fB9rRTbLEjDW-OfvraTrntAzobO35O/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of klms from town but 260 camp sites full.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we have found so often in this journey these remote places often cut us off in communications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the tv and phone only just came into range and only at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great rest here and have some pleasant memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wgyR0CtOKM0p08xWvVLpDux5TijpHEfaao8229GZ9lFY0Z9SCL2k5ahoHwb8vh2xRS8eNQqTX7dUJjB8JShzf9R_RjGgUxytM8ZQ51sA1cWKsu4pR303Gtzt7Ogz9su6pVKNRv4UfhKv/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wgyR0CtOKM0p08xWvVLpDux5TijpHEfaao8229GZ9lFY0Z9SCL2k5ahoHwb8vh2xRS8eNQqTX7dUJjB8JShzf9R_RjGgUxytM8ZQ51sA1cWKsu4pR303Gtzt7Ogz9su6pVKNRv4UfhKv/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the main activities at this camp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrA0iDXcU4nuwiBTzoDrIoMRE9l2rdgUZc55FG6QmnMrm_C1hH3cogGO0LPvpW-oJU0ZB-fCgdieXg_HVQ2Ua6eIEIfOxOgfkId6WeBwC2Uf2yUYczygfH8UqzOL-8BcRW9svO_xjIiaD/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrA0iDXcU4nuwiBTzoDrIoMRE9l2rdgUZc55FG6QmnMrm_C1hH3cogGO0LPvpW-oJU0ZB-fCgdieXg_HVQ2Ua6eIEIfOxOgfkId6WeBwC2Uf2yUYczygfH8UqzOL-8BcRW9svO_xjIiaD/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outgoing tide forms its own sculpture in the fine sand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPFTMmikNYXp1RNKuyhgDimzgGhtOcQ5Q_q3JEeIsT6BIvHPYGpWihRujuzjJT7rOKO6ujZ1AeAleyL-Xf0NAOHTpmBA-ZubjkrjUPXhCrB9kpLYVecxruYWjJj4_bRwa7BELZ4bZmOxB/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPFTMmikNYXp1RNKuyhgDimzgGhtOcQ5Q_q3JEeIsT6BIvHPYGpWihRujuzjJT7rOKO6ujZ1AeAleyL-Xf0NAOHTpmBA-ZubjkrjUPXhCrB9kpLYVecxruYWjJj4_bRwa7BELZ4bZmOxB/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And as always the day ends.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From Eighty Mile Beach we moved to Cape Keraudren, a shire council reserve about 130 klms further south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Ian)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alice picks up the story here:-<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Every now and then we find ourselves in a breathtakingly beautiful place. Here the winds sing a song to join the choir of seagulls. The turquoise or coral blue water is just stunning as it makes its way into <strong>Cape Keraudren</strong> to echo full tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tiny birds flutter among the small green shrubs which line the red rugged cliffs. These form a green border along with the white flowers, on the pretty blue bay. This bay is quickly changing as waves are now gently starting to bounce of the red rocks. It is gentle place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ33FZs5GiKmFVIYOrHSMdLVPIST6bKcuYnIAcUflUZMCt17HAKNDJSMpoe4HDpoKhbi7FWkxGPzJ2Zi_TEo9gIAfZekZFPsBTLec1Vcy934fOZeXUN1v-LV8lawHSUmzu5E_X4Td9IeF/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ33FZs5GiKmFVIYOrHSMdLVPIST6bKcuYnIAcUflUZMCt17HAKNDJSMpoe4HDpoKhbi7FWkxGPzJ2Zi_TEo9gIAfZekZFPsBTLec1Vcy934fOZeXUN1v-LV8lawHSUmzu5E_X4Td9IeF/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Keraudren - view from our camp site.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A call from nature and off the visit the pit loo was really quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached the little white building a large thick tail was half way out of loo2. It was a mummy roo having a drink from the flush bucket. Returning with my camera she stood up and I caught a peek of a tiny Joey popping his nose out to look at this somewhat surprised visitor to her toilet. My next dilemma was how to get into the toilet…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking for a moment (urged on by nature) I decided to speak to the roo and told her to come off the ramp<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which she did. Good roo. ! Whew.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYsAijD_CR3tOfF31afMla4QVOeaBQqfwpKPt4mRUTrq2cmbAbDm5Dj2WKVpGyjBBU40_BX5vsH99sq5O6LDrFMpm1UNLNLLOSZyn3XVhbsoTY-5NJXJihwip71kEwC_0q8duMgN74tMk/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYsAijD_CR3tOfF31afMla4QVOeaBQqfwpKPt4mRUTrq2cmbAbDm5Dj2WKVpGyjBBU40_BX5vsH99sq5O6LDrFMpm1UNLNLLOSZyn3XVhbsoTY-5NJXJihwip71kEwC_0q8duMgN74tMk/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now is this the mens or the womens?</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Once back to the van I needed a coffee I turned to the sink and discovered Mummy roo was very clever. She followed me into the van. Ian awoke in a sudden start half asleep he was trying to figure out how to assist mummy roo out. Alice however wanted a photo first. After all such bush visitors are on the list of a little unusual. But since she had a baby in her pouch I’m sure our van looked wonderful retreat from the hot sun and maybe she would get a free lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8d2fh21eHpwnH5nVtxwn-KSAXHQ1psIz1omOy4EhtXnVjkSqQfjEK18Ssl4f28n-W6fMlA1eEL83uL2EeGPB6rCXwhiLDbjGngAjT3Z0mSX_sfmGjfCpHc8-Bi-4CzpzNotWHmydr-RG/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8d2fh21eHpwnH5nVtxwn-KSAXHQ1psIz1omOy4EhtXnVjkSqQfjEK18Ssl4f28n-W6fMlA1eEL83uL2EeGPB6rCXwhiLDbjGngAjT3Z0mSX_sfmGjfCpHc8-Bi-4CzpzNotWHmydr-RG/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uninvited visitor.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Feeling totally relaxed I know to get great photos I will need to leave my comfy chair. Neighbors told us whales were frolicking in the bay earlier this morning. I wonder what we will see on our walk.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Packing a small backpack and water, we headed for the beautiful horizon. A beautiful cliff scene lay before us. We suddenly felt the urge to get adventurous. And decided to follow a obvious roo trail towards the cliffs A dead end but lovely photo shot, Mummy roo has a nice view too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8pnyHiuRqUsDPDRvr4QKcSQsNmnhvaePsWNTzucSOZmZzjhla4fbUWvX1Gfqtit6t_giimXLhCivGjusTv3Wg18edwZiUM95q5O1F_Sl1xa7PBW9kiZmamY0H-av_zGupgXQgp0y1oW1/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8pnyHiuRqUsDPDRvr4QKcSQsNmnhvaePsWNTzucSOZmZzjhla4fbUWvX1Gfqtit6t_giimXLhCivGjusTv3Wg18edwZiUM95q5O1F_Sl1xa7PBW9kiZmamY0H-av_zGupgXQgp0y1oW1/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's garden by the sea!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5v8nNegPRBe0PGNqQ1A0363GinpG8rv-_1tAx7zkys1YBY-dmjVSursfEZFQ1pTg8GMLUwDL7w-qEwpwUM8TKuz4Fp10NJCDRMfYL5uoPwOUMqs3dcUmMrop-u0vzF8jtj9q9uAgy569/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5v8nNegPRBe0PGNqQ1A0363GinpG8rv-_1tAx7zkys1YBY-dmjVSursfEZFQ1pTg8GMLUwDL7w-qEwpwUM8TKuz4Fp10NJCDRMfYL5uoPwOUMqs3dcUmMrop-u0vzF8jtj9q9uAgy569/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect fishing spot. We met couples who have been here for over 3 months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Backtracking we rejoined the path and once over the hill a majestic blue Indian ocean lay in our sights. This oh course was bordered by God’s garden with light and dark pinks mingled among variances of sage and dark green foliage dotted with pretty yellow pin head flowers all back by red ochre rocks Ian felt they were probably a ancient laver flow , they were very unusual with lots of holes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhat different a path, but by now we were happy we didn’t take the advice of the ranger to 4wd with our van to find a camp spot. The camp spots were amazing million $ views not bad for 20 bucks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We wandered for what seemed a long time stopping to enjoy a blowhole and turtles bouncing on the glistening ocean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat down and ate our snacks watching the distant sand cliffs of 80mile beach and softly bouncing waves roll in and out over the sand. We met a camper packing up. He had been here 3 months. It would be easy to forget there really was a sad world outside the beauty and stillness of this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7AbBS13KOiTqPGMck9gnXb6GTk2B9yFfIshMH5aOK8chmx2FkegqgqI9Px47whnD0bDvKMekBHfhmx3nIhgrwO4U4vio-fVkQZ7X03M2mTVOuMGtmM4IjAMiVfVTHTnBqph2eIogjPBF/s1600/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7AbBS13KOiTqPGMck9gnXb6GTk2B9yFfIshMH5aOK8chmx2FkegqgqI9Px47whnD0bDvKMekBHfhmx3nIhgrwO4U4vio-fVkQZ7X03M2mTVOuMGtmM4IjAMiVfVTHTnBqph2eIogjPBF/s320/cape+keraudren+and+beyond+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And as always the day ended, and God saw that it was good!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Once back in camp we rounded our day by another short stroll and then a wonderful crimson red sunset over the ocean and bay. What a lovely day. Tomorrow - where?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows where but it should be south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-91377931981722314932011-08-21T22:49:00.000+10:002011-08-21T22:49:16.502+10:0017th August - The Horizontal Waterfalls<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We have enjoyed some amazing experiences during this journey but few if any would surpass our journey to the Talbot Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was something that we have desired to do since well before we left home and we were not to be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">North of Broome is some of the most amazing wilderness coastline in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time and funds limited us from seeing all of this but many small cruisers are available to take tourists in and out of the many bays and gulfs that make up the coast line from Broome to Wyndham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In particular Talbot Bay (just north of King Sound in which Derby is situated) was one of the bays that have been highlighted in documentaries filmed by the late Malcolm Douglas and also David Attenborough and I am sure many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tides in this area are reported to be the second highest in the world behind an area in Nova Scotia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Talbot Bay they can reach 13 metres but average out at ten metres so an enormous amount of water moves in and out of this bay twice per day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mountainous terrain that borders these bays act like fingers of a hand reaching out and separating the water into narrow coves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two of these fingers are situated narrow but very deep breaks or openings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The larger of the two is 23 metres wide and 45 metres deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other is narrower at 7 metres wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the tides rise and fall the water rushes into and then out of these gaps to fill the small coves between the fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the larger of these gaps the water movement at its peak reaches over one million litres per second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the equivalent of one thousand tonnes per second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The narrowness of these gaps restricts the natural flow so the water builds up on one side of the gap producing a difference in water height which can reach 5 metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence David Attenborough gave these phenomena the name “The Horizontal Waterfalls”.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNahabkseZ9yeXqGWViUQDi7A-8uhbMgqTqhGXqIYf-J61P6lXEkZg9_jieD1Crk-De9Km1H-TAIA6NEIDplLRGL-snJusyY92NC5UILz0011RT4Zc9hNnAldCdx4in7hsTrLrPiUe9DP/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNahabkseZ9yeXqGWViUQDi7A-8uhbMgqTqhGXqIYf-J61P6lXEkZg9_jieD1Crk-De9Km1H-TAIA6NEIDplLRGL-snJusyY92NC5UILz0011RT4Zc9hNnAldCdx4in7hsTrLrPiUe9DP/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our journey commenced with an early morning (5:30am) pick up from our accommodation and a one hour flight by float plane from Broome across the Dampier Peninsula and King Sound to Talbot Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just after sunrise as we flew across these areas so while the views from the plane were spectacular the photos we took were quite dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4sO8GtrCijh6hnIufT9TiFt0NOANy85_GYISLA8MDoye19xW1rv1LP2QfqQzjD5p-jJsVnSGNqDZQOrSraoGlJZo72mvOiu9Q3dNYJzIHo0LHWeHf2EdzT8Kg0NUmi74Te6L-x42wFOZ/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4sO8GtrCijh6hnIufT9TiFt0NOANy85_GYISLA8MDoye19xW1rv1LP2QfqQzjD5p-jJsVnSGNqDZQOrSraoGlJZo72mvOiu9Q3dNYJzIHo0LHWeHf2EdzT8Kg0NUmi74Te6L-x42wFOZ/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+376.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our float plane for the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ9hjsN1dEzeV-ZCa0bjrYtpXCqjmJaDVbzxbmaqhOqbfUSMXNQjyBa1si-0mXHOVKlgMMp6WjBlWm2DE6QOEQeEhMZ-y2exYxSc_DN1l6gubXbz61Q9h0g9dcAlFJAtIkXZDqo2W-jYz/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ9hjsN1dEzeV-ZCa0bjrYtpXCqjmJaDVbzxbmaqhOqbfUSMXNQjyBa1si-0mXHOVKlgMMp6WjBlWm2DE6QOEQeEhMZ-y2exYxSc_DN1l6gubXbz61Q9h0g9dcAlFJAtIkXZDqo2W-jYz/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our early morning view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then as we approached the bay the pilot began to circle the bay and we were treated to an aerial view of the spectacle we had come to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our excitement grew as we viewed this rush of water and looked forward in anticipation for the closer view to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzgWK04GapTmtr6tlf2705g5E8LaIr_nE-8cGCCHqdCSMoOQQg5QtXVDt1EPzGelFWkHKOVHrPhYeO1cjXxhJygDvk5Xb1SmW-Ccxc1CRv3fn2H_ECqeCv7a0mXBCkxh9HI27t_Z4d_Eb/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzgWK04GapTmtr6tlf2705g5E8LaIr_nE-8cGCCHqdCSMoOQQg5QtXVDt1EPzGelFWkHKOVHrPhYeO1cjXxhJygDvk5Xb1SmW-Ccxc1CRv3fn2H_ECqeCv7a0mXBCkxh9HI27t_Z4d_Eb/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we saw it first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxX7Z2wrurNQ551kL9RWpGe64etS0RsAMu7Pfbfq69fuEyN2aLNr_NE9oqyyydnWLitgX3wrq8PxUcQQ1xVmGIebuIkYOlNEZXB8VumGyRz82LnvbJ1wa4YI_zNiWjG-PCshyphenhyphennNdidNMj/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxX7Z2wrurNQ551kL9RWpGe64etS0RsAMu7Pfbfq69fuEyN2aLNr_NE9oqyyydnWLitgX3wrq8PxUcQQ1xVmGIebuIkYOlNEZXB8VumGyRz82LnvbJ1wa4YI_zNiWjG-PCshyphenhyphennNdidNMj/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The plane landed on the bay, (another novelty for us) and then taxied to a pontoon anchored adjacent to the falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here a young crew were waiting to greet us and load us aboard a fast rigid inflatable boat to get that view we had come to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And man was it a fast boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those interested in boats this 10 seat boat was powered by 2 x 300 HP outboard motors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no time to lose according to our hosts as we had to see the water flowing at its peak.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BcIfIEryVadnuW4nzUZSEnvpT5S91mzbFAFaENh5qwOImYvwyApoUWMnVLezYJvMlyfWk1sltm8x6G67Y52Cx74XHEVneY-zw2aAxKG3t6DnrJHcFp9BzvAI3IHrgSec9kNkg2QkOEyK/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BcIfIEryVadnuW4nzUZSEnvpT5S91mzbFAFaENh5qwOImYvwyApoUWMnVLezYJvMlyfWk1sltm8x6G67Y52Cx74XHEVneY-zw2aAxKG3t6DnrJHcFp9BzvAI3IHrgSec9kNkg2QkOEyK/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">600HP boat we rode.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Onboard we sat astride cushioned seats each with its own handle bar and within an instant we were at full speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first gap we came to was the wider of the two and the boat nosed right up to the fall and then just sat there as if it was all a bit too hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whirlpools were forming and moving around on both sides of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the skipper backed off and gave us a briefing on this amazing spectacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we heard the command “Hold on!!” and away we went headed for the first fall and bounced through the gap at amazing speed into the next bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across this bay we went heading for the second gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we nosed up to this formidable rush of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat was bouncing from side to side and any photos we were taking were with one hand only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do admit to being a little concerned but the adrenalin rush was overcoming this somewhat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again the skipper backed off and pulled away to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained that crossing this gap at this point was a very risky act and there had been an average of 12 incidents a year where people had to be rescued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 7 metres wide and the boat over 2 metres wide it was a wise move to back off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on at low tide we would have the chance to traverse the area and into the final pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1rdtO60_tyjP0y_BMhqVnTvBrnOXEV32i3pcZS3ZdVSMiixEGKBjnEdyrAkm5DHial9fNpINDh7Y6F8n0hjMAnR8oObYBgOqwXUdsIFAjLjmKXH18Aumk9mH8QWiy6HSrnvblpOQjyyh/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1rdtO60_tyjP0y_BMhqVnTvBrnOXEV32i3pcZS3ZdVSMiixEGKBjnEdyrAkm5DHial9fNpINDh7Y6F8n0hjMAnR8oObYBgOqwXUdsIFAjLjmKXH18Aumk9mH8QWiy6HSrnvblpOQjyyh/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thrill seeking Kimberley style. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiK-rdZjeKfrr5UlUufDeWmQUh6V6dTmyM6Mo-_jUMozHOiJChSayZSkOhheCEdZNUAaXzy8wSpW1rbFIgoX03VcwHJ6QmaRJ6085AyyG-Jz336EyjUOWT_q_Sch2cFpf0vIhf7xHMnAs/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiK-rdZjeKfrr5UlUufDeWmQUh6V6dTmyM6Mo-_jUMozHOiJChSayZSkOhheCEdZNUAaXzy8wSpW1rbFIgoX03VcwHJ6QmaRJ6085AyyG-Jz336EyjUOWT_q_Sch2cFpf0vIhf7xHMnAs/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbEnvzJY4HcUF8GjReNi222IQTmFzLdEzoExVeFbpz5xUXzJsfJ_-2_YFnBoEG_L1-25DXQh7k-lwBQP9v35WGkZkzhQDJuHdlrM6JVvZbixMI2WmyVrvee58Gw5g0ZdYPSDcywbo6Sus/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbEnvzJY4HcUF8GjReNi222IQTmFzLdEzoExVeFbpz5xUXzJsfJ_-2_YFnBoEG_L1-25DXQh7k-lwBQP9v35WGkZkzhQDJuHdlrM6JVvZbixMI2WmyVrvee58Gw5g0ZdYPSDcywbo6Sus/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whichever way you look at it there is a lot of water. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbGFB_AQxeqdCG3IbNaFuX3FT04R-QdcsgKIp_wcErMHBTkbgMdCsXOrT2wr_wNdK5ndlrUWf_Zsajk-LOSFYaYMOyXrugwpbxJQ4PyuX8jhvTuT6R52NHyak9I14MFYEs5dxccv57CrK/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+190+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbGFB_AQxeqdCG3IbNaFuX3FT04R-QdcsgKIp_wcErMHBTkbgMdCsXOrT2wr_wNdK5ndlrUWf_Zsajk-LOSFYaYMOyXrugwpbxJQ4PyuX8jhvTuT6R52NHyak9I14MFYEs5dxccv57CrK/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+190+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the pontoon for breakfast and a chance to share our excitement with all around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After breakfast we had a chance to swim in a shark proof cage moored to the pontoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cool breeze persuaded most of us to pass on this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to add spice the crew began to feed the fish and sharks that came up to the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit that I have forgotten the breed of shark that made up the bulk of the fish but they were not man eaters apart from one Bull Shark which did not make its appearance on the day we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a Queensland Groper that hid away below the pontoon until enticed out with a tasty morsel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BJ4TFxsPK9Hp8GC9ILdzXboJ3_DTXg_j_czXe_cQSBipDm9GV2KhdwMzGHth4jbXPS0sWmkqMltpsce2_vr0uk5_JyO6qJz89EQ9ogkJLsykf3_j9uo4xkjqewYdj7byQD4iUXMT1b4T/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+232+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BJ4TFxsPK9Hp8GC9ILdzXboJ3_DTXg_j_czXe_cQSBipDm9GV2KhdwMzGHth4jbXPS0sWmkqMltpsce2_vr0uk5_JyO6qJz89EQ9ogkJLsykf3_j9uo4xkjqewYdj7byQD4iUXMT1b4T/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+232+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pontoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbLFZzC7EfhyphenhyphenlCFk2G_g054Ki_HdRYc1lyxaKJ-n3F0FhAmt6ySfdHw9iov9GtaT9pQI5kjU1PhFHJYUZp-Y6uaaGlb_ul8DTjDUrU6kXzw67ToCXlog2t1ceJvLxYEn2tqStkOt0Knzv/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbLFZzC7EfhyphenhyphenlCFk2G_g054Ki_HdRYc1lyxaKJ-n3F0FhAmt6ySfdHw9iov9GtaT9pQI5kjU1PhFHJYUZp-Y6uaaGlb_ul8DTjDUrU6kXzw67ToCXlog2t1ceJvLxYEn2tqStkOt0Knzv/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scratching the nose of the sharks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n7NPHEeujvu4hjVdfGUwqmlI62XCSqEbt7kW6Xl1SHR6YoejAekWvRGRYKEhas5GKh4kMBiRWP5ouSao5bA9DK-ZsToupztf_kiZnlSTmCrfiY8EatOQMaqoW3lx2Wo-qnFCyJhZqlyu/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n7NPHEeujvu4hjVdfGUwqmlI62XCSqEbt7kW6Xl1SHR6YoejAekWvRGRYKEhas5GKh4kMBiRWP5ouSao5bA9DK-ZsToupztf_kiZnlSTmCrfiY8EatOQMaqoW3lx2Wo-qnFCyJhZqlyu/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After breakfast we boarded the boat again and revisited the second gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we rode right through – still bouncing around but not as rough as would have been before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we explored the rest of Talbot Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat crew actually spend eight months of the year living in the bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have purchased an old pontoon from a pearling company and have set it up in Cyclone Creek, a sheltered area named because it is used as a shelter from cyclones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they have trained some various varieties of fish to come for food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited this pontoon not to see the dwelling as much as to see these “pets”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they have trained one species to allow themselves to be picked up and to eat from a human hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They actually appear quite comfortable to be picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They definitely love the food.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HxLz57eEmvP-V1emqivqQ-_mnYg2eV1bTAP0IlOz1vX8AHVLmktUXp-N0m9QpYMlw6aMjl7n4YwPlW12QwDc_oFmWBUZU2IxqzH9eOvinnWVAouVRnVUKK8EpWoRC4u_EGcfCUEXXVg9/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HxLz57eEmvP-V1emqivqQ-_mnYg2eV1bTAP0IlOz1vX8AHVLmktUXp-N0m9QpYMlw6aMjl7n4YwPlW12QwDc_oFmWBUZU2IxqzH9eOvinnWVAouVRnVUKK8EpWoRC4u_EGcfCUEXXVg9/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revisiting the gap. Note the high tide mark on the rock walls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0fQCCOmcsWfKqXx9N1jij81CZUb3SGwjMSAH0pXc7vGK_O9icfagz7hRBCLDGIkf9HbF2pOnNXrWCcdZiU6eTlaTDhYq06LgHdgbuVl_SvMI6l6mg25g23S9yltO-1SUodjW1LFb4N65/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0fQCCOmcsWfKqXx9N1jij81CZUb3SGwjMSAH0pXc7vGK_O9icfagz7hRBCLDGIkf9HbF2pOnNXrWCcdZiU6eTlaTDhYq06LgHdgbuVl_SvMI6l6mg25g23S9yltO-1SUodjW1LFb4N65/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew's shack. They live here for eight months each year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiS0gWWpWyPnOZ1uZgah4-3N5WG5404HgZwAe3izOUi1I6annM-nwDQqxiEhK7WS3xOanXJJV0uDC5RzyNJGSEEyUd4cVTZvjrmI8cKrO1DZroOaXdR19xdqlDYbaDMFLWGYXQTWOHSED/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiS0gWWpWyPnOZ1uZgah4-3N5WG5404HgZwAe3izOUi1I6annM-nwDQqxiEhK7WS3xOanXJJV0uDC5RzyNJGSEEyUd4cVTZvjrmI8cKrO1DZroOaXdR19xdqlDYbaDMFLWGYXQTWOHSED/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand feeding the pets.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Moving on to explore more of the bay we passed a large salty that calls this space his home also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then back to the main pontoon for the flight home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeEFMDqulWVuY-KF0eTq1HzYgEYQFxtiV-WFuj03Z7sgOKe7Uhps2xMt4c6miBxawco0S7XePLLO57DPxmhQxn-9pT0TVPXWdgP0ArhmFB49AsPB5ZJxujJoX35v0C9Mw9ythJuN67Nym/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeEFMDqulWVuY-KF0eTq1HzYgEYQFxtiV-WFuj03Z7sgOKe7Uhps2xMt4c6miBxawco0S7XePLLO57DPxmhQxn-9pT0TVPXWdgP0ArhmFB49AsPB5ZJxujJoX35v0C9Mw9ythJuN67Nym/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More a neighbour than a pet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigkQyTPUMvJ6asX9ujJ0XsLL0-C7rw1e7MTR2-uwnQ_OVRLYnMSQAYNQ0EIVvgIhUyX-C5P3hVAd0dWjw0_QIj0Sm7sanvvAbEvq_yku1UqaSetTHGGnctTUoiTc-NvGfaPM7snq-UOFF/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigkQyTPUMvJ6asX9ujJ0XsLL0-C7rw1e7MTR2-uwnQ_OVRLYnMSQAYNQ0EIVvgIhUyX-C5P3hVAd0dWjw0_QIj0Sm7sanvvAbEvq_yku1UqaSetTHGGnctTUoiTc-NvGfaPM7snq-UOFF/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the scenery is good.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoListBulletCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: none; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The flight back to Broome took us over the beautiful Buccaneer Archipelago (over 1000 islands in this group), across Cape Leveque at the top of the Dampier Peninsula, over Willie Creek pearl farm and down the coast to Broome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came back into land over Cable Beach so we gained another view from a different aspect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYG8pismpPZy3BkZqbF53UI6wk07iJjIIcaJ5QZO-eD9HdPSqVK-DokASigrcuC8xOh4ZQuURxQxBcqvb0z1sGstYtDtdU-Y8g4XeIxSyL9KslAokPkK3vl_5CB2H4oeH-Y2jFMLA8snI/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYG8pismpPZy3BkZqbF53UI6wk07iJjIIcaJ5QZO-eD9HdPSqVK-DokASigrcuC8xOh4ZQuURxQxBcqvb0z1sGstYtDtdU-Y8g4XeIxSyL9KslAokPkK3vl_5CB2H4oeH-Y2jFMLA8snI/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buccaneer Archipeligo - over 1000 islands.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KNEfwXU5Q92g_VeqTc8yaxYOkRsO34vB9MXmy4vzbr54KJAkxcPiGyeKMgb7tnuBylM0qj7aUvR7VebLxWniTJLNlR-m_JF81ZoGnlFTUVYxr13y5X4pYgtlP_0QIyDi6GkY2Y_wt-xc/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KNEfwXU5Q92g_VeqTc8yaxYOkRsO34vB9MXmy4vzbr54KJAkxcPiGyeKMgb7tnuBylM0qj7aUvR7VebLxWniTJLNlR-m_JF81ZoGnlFTUVYxr13y5X4pYgtlP_0QIyDi6GkY2Y_wt-xc/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVAEyucM3UhYv8-yfepQ8DW6FUYEgEQQrzoOV13Kko4Cb-q9zzz0oQVBnNPChGAti9qkrlXkXcda7yVgZgToVuvAutPXx_0j-tH3f6qK5SbacB8KQtErjTSNqtmIuM_Bk4YnBt2FguuJ2/s1600/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVAEyucM3UhYv8-yfepQ8DW6FUYEgEQQrzoOV13Kko4Cb-q9zzz0oQVBnNPChGAti9qkrlXkXcda7yVgZgToVuvAutPXx_0j-tH3f6qK5SbacB8KQtErjTSNqtmIuM_Bk4YnBt2FguuJ2/s320/horizontal+falls+kimberley+2011+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Leveque on Dampier Peninsula.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqexGujsKnnneSbstFWTN00TKKauPlj00yR9T_xWy69ATe63xFQs34ED0beVL5gGQtaL6jFfz6jlsmAzczoa230Y3uLgExczWCWd99E7RUaQpkqtTSWfuVwo2vfiseOFmR_U99Kp6NwA4/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqexGujsKnnneSbstFWTN00TKKauPlj00yR9T_xWy69ATe63xFQs34ED0beVL5gGQtaL6jFfz6jlsmAzczoa230Y3uLgExczWCWd99E7RUaQpkqtTSWfuVwo2vfiseOFmR_U99Kp6NwA4/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in to land. The lights on the dash read "Low Fuel"!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoListBulletCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: none; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This was trip to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kimberleys is a true wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had seen a spectacle possibly unique in the world and it left a great impression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-37465979476028997842011-08-21T21:43:00.000+10:002011-08-21T21:43:44.466+10:0012th – 18th August - Broome<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">WOW !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are back into civilisation and for the first time in a few weeks we are in a city with a few facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Broome is quite an attractive city with a real tropical tourist appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree species are quite different to what we would expect in a city which geographically aligns with Townsville approximately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some palm trees and still a lot of boabs but there are quite a few trees similar in appearance to those we have seen in photographs from South Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water is really turquoise in colour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when the tide is in because here they also have large tides up to eight metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soil / sand is quite red but there is a lot more grass than we have seen over the last three months.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xe0-EK2VpulxE777Na71d6nrzjApkj78TAk2CMSKJ4InZEDABsqTuUiCeDjQ4MZ7W2Im6fJFlMXOHNGnPGX8raKoUqz8DZspuM-5Esff40WM5IWDWAaJyMgkxjxMAX87i4l3PnU6uk9v/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xe0-EK2VpulxE777Na71d6nrzjApkj78TAk2CMSKJ4InZEDABsqTuUiCeDjQ4MZ7W2Im6fJFlMXOHNGnPGX8raKoUqz8DZspuM-5Esff40WM5IWDWAaJyMgkxjxMAX87i4l3PnU6uk9v/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical street in China Town - main town area.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived on Friday and booked into a camp near Cable Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cable Beach is one of the better known icons in Broome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It faces the west, has wide white sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, and is known for the camel rides available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are parts open to traffic also so all the 4WDs head there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived in the middle of the winter horse racing carnival and the town is buzzing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The normal population here is about 15000 but in peak tourist season (this week) it can swell to 50000+.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are told it is down this year but it still looks busy to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Broome is one of the places many retired Perth people come to for the <s>winter</s>, sorry – Dry Season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence in the van parks there are many set up with all the comforts of home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First stop on Friday was a bit of orientation followed by sunset at Cable Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being Friday night the beach was quite crowded and restaurants nearby were doing a great trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photos Alice took were quite spectacular and we will include some.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnM0u7OS_LtdEgSlp4lEWDmM8DKbw91p_bpxai68UKx8ADkmiw3Itnwra9BTyR8ASoF3b8Ggy3mGOlz8QBBpAqDJv5vDdJ1eDu4uvzDuUzoEZyp8AN8e8SBnY-_U1Zg4vM-aZ6s2WjoKx/s1600/broome+camels+and+sunset+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnM0u7OS_LtdEgSlp4lEWDmM8DKbw91p_bpxai68UKx8ADkmiw3Itnwra9BTyR8ASoF3b8Ggy3mGOlz8QBBpAqDJv5vDdJ1eDu4uvzDuUzoEZyp8AN8e8SBnY-_U1Zg4vM-aZ6s2WjoKx/s320/broome+camels+and+sunset+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Cable Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hH_nZW8RGOGPmRnQ6ZPYqp-NNFM3Cq1S6JDcVZFcWdPhau59VoZGnw3KsebfiHjju2kxajNpD2wxLCPWbkvBu498cGOC0fbDGF_4WDk7WbcJ_WAUBKXkfTY-fKtdmmoeocOdtib852jJ/s1600/broome+camels+and+sunset+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hH_nZW8RGOGPmRnQ6ZPYqp-NNFM3Cq1S6JDcVZFcWdPhau59VoZGnw3KsebfiHjju2kxajNpD2wxLCPWbkvBu498cGOC0fbDGF_4WDk7WbcJ_WAUBKXkfTY-fKtdmmoeocOdtib852jJ/s320/broome+camels+and+sunset+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big wide Cable Beach at half tide.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dfBYvrgUifB880FzGOYgRwqBsh3-4ydHsb9b8C216uvPGyMx4UP6B-QdTH-cIyE-aGkM9fOJ0f_AnWPvZnJBVZqGA3qnBv8Lu2KA4-6oGNY53xl5GTNer_ON_3k4_iJZYgtMwHM1zzTm/s1600/broome+camels+and+sunset+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dfBYvrgUifB880FzGOYgRwqBsh3-4ydHsb9b8C216uvPGyMx4UP6B-QdTH-cIyE-aGkM9fOJ0f_AnWPvZnJBVZqGA3qnBv8Lu2KA4-6oGNY53xl5GTNer_ON_3k4_iJZYgtMwHM1zzTm/s320/broome+camels+and+sunset+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable Beach - busier than town centre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDUtdvrOrn4DWOZupxDcaQqPvXKn-ho9VPTr5f35WVGoTvGmVVzdf1F9Z5y64VihMesK_aUb50t81n0aAc6I1lsC-OTCCghMPOLgf__uf2JO9zrkfC93HheMHrJRNOTZU-iq7ze14pcWx/s1600/broome+camels+and+sunset+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDUtdvrOrn4DWOZupxDcaQqPvXKn-ho9VPTr5f35WVGoTvGmVVzdf1F9Z5y64VihMesK_aUb50t81n0aAc6I1lsC-OTCCghMPOLgf__uf2JO9zrkfC93HheMHrJRNOTZU-iq7ze14pcWx/s320/broome+camels+and+sunset+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Majestic, even Ships Of The Desert must go home sometime, (complete with tail lights).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3MzHJGiWXftstiWKsSKJwH_gPE7SkDHvk_nM6EcK6a4SSTcyd9qrIJTtVhbLS-uJ18ezy8Z34MQWjEeU_kADxfJNeZFuvsxSqKoETA2VHzIYjdDeQbR8TpzRPyaLc9_XoQHEyoqmfS7G/s1600/broome+camels+and+sunset+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3MzHJGiWXftstiWKsSKJwH_gPE7SkDHvk_nM6EcK6a4SSTcyd9qrIJTtVhbLS-uJ18ezy8Z34MQWjEeU_kADxfJNeZFuvsxSqKoETA2VHzIYjdDeQbR8TpzRPyaLc9_XoQHEyoqmfS7G/s320/broome+camels+and+sunset+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then the traffic jam really begins.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday and we chose to settle in a little and let the crowd do its thing on way to the races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then after lunch we set out again to check out China Town which is the main town area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, 90% of it was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a lot of 7 day trading here so we moved on to visit some beaches which thankfully were not closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were on Roebuck Bay which borders Broome to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tide was out a fair way so we chose to hold off on the photos until another time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g1r8k6D_ia1tPQWITakvCH3ttFElNwyrTtRA3Sjfg5BmhiiXYzAi6SA5772G-fFOFF7HiMi8SBYCnPITgEA3_bKiBlF-eUp_ew4y2xha_wnnvJO002dXb2J0AOrl3iBQoNMpWosFI4jH/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g1r8k6D_ia1tPQWITakvCH3ttFElNwyrTtRA3Sjfg5BmhiiXYzAi6SA5772G-fFOFF7HiMi8SBYCnPITgEA3_bKiBlF-eUp_ew4y2xha_wnnvJO002dXb2J0AOrl3iBQoNMpWosFI4jH/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roebuck Bay from Town Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MvyrUoclvO3WMajVOXq9p0YQvXZvIfweAJ_Qo78BlNxhx3dasrJ0GAlrTaiLIvPx7yuTM_b5vKb4blWaJUAedDODcNsS7KSbNdK3gAD_-ISlPhIEND4kM1kIJ4RkbFnwA3eDU4BJ-AkG/s1600/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MvyrUoclvO3WMajVOXq9p0YQvXZvIfweAJ_Qo78BlNxhx3dasrJ0GAlrTaiLIvPx7yuTM_b5vKb4blWaJUAedDODcNsS7KSbNdK3gAD_-ISlPhIEND4kM1kIJ4RkbFnwA3eDU4BJ-AkG/s320/kimberley+mixed+nikon+cam+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Beach is a fun place for families.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Broome still shows a lot of its real history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started life as the centre of the pearling industry and went great guns until plastic buttons were invented taking a away a significant market for the pearl oyster shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a Japanese gentleman came and showed them how to initiate artificial pearl farming and boom on again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence there is a real history of Chinese and Japanese culture here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the second world war Broome was a flying boat base for the Australian Air Force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately the Japanese attacked and bombed the planes as they lay at anchor in the bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During very low tides some of these are still visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point the tides have not been low enough for us to see them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHM2wf0xMW7prsR8sAPbJEMqVmd5K19ETdGUoOQS9FCtXI5mZK95ALTrE1CXDr-CgLd5kENWBAwlwNHEXBrPHkeF2DCbunL4dhs_2dsXEWzOVl_fBVdTt7PNXeS0sbnDT-GQaXOlCgu5h/s1600/broome+and+surrounds+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHM2wf0xMW7prsR8sAPbJEMqVmd5K19ETdGUoOQS9FCtXI5mZK95ALTrE1CXDr-CgLd5kENWBAwlwNHEXBrPHkeF2DCbunL4dhs_2dsXEWzOVl_fBVdTt7PNXeS0sbnDT-GQaXOlCgu5h/s320/broome+and+surrounds+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restored pearling luggers in museum.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday and we went to church here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Pentecostal church and we experienced a very warm welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This church was really firing and we had a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was interesting to hear of some concerns the local people have currently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a proposal which has progressed significantly to build a port facility just to the north of Broome to process & export Liquid Natural Gas and if it proceeds it is estimated the population will double within a couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously this is a concern as they have seen the impact on other coastal towns in WA brought about by mining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also real division in the Indigenous peoples here as well as the usual environmental concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like the idyllic environment is at risk.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the tip of Roebuck bay is Broome Port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a single wharf port but from it are exported many commodities including minerals, live cattle and finished petroleum products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can also be a staging point for some mineral & oil exploration shipping as well as tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roebuck Bay does give some shelter in wild weather.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIR5TqU-bKQ3ckksI7djvuofi5dZoY79uEUKKw2pEqA5OZ4jp_KIAfIpSSLlToMFt7GGqRRm1BM6nG-M05g-yOK_jsJ9yf_EeTGvHX_ifJbFDOGIAGwSXbxrOnb1DT_bjakVrvS8mlyeh/s1600/broome+and+surrounds+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIR5TqU-bKQ3ckksI7djvuofi5dZoY79uEUKKw2pEqA5OZ4jp_KIAfIpSSLlToMFt7GGqRRm1BM6nG-M05g-yOK_jsJ9yf_EeTGvHX_ifJbFDOGIAGwSXbxrOnb1DT_bjakVrvS8mlyeh/s320/broome+and+surrounds+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach near the Port Wharf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the point where Roebuck Bay meets the Indian Ocean is Gantheaume Point named after the French explorer who first discovered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here there is a lighthouse but it is better known for some dinosaur prints that can be viewed at very low tides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we did not get to see these because of the tides.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXerN-cuiXnH6-CYakkf4Vs15Ymk3orOQ25IqupCiqhFpzG_rVS6lFc1hz5eUu1FAiLbhdjXQ4g1wOINH-J45-G2rKXP13Xcmn9qCGrex6p5utKT9N7F-7ZUNiGzUqz4iHNq3HPS-bZ8q/s1600/broome+lighthouse+019+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXerN-cuiXnH6-CYakkf4Vs15Ymk3orOQ25IqupCiqhFpzG_rVS6lFc1hz5eUu1FAiLbhdjXQ4g1wOINH-J45-G2rKXP13Xcmn9qCGrex6p5utKT9N7F-7ZUNiGzUqz4iHNq3HPS-bZ8q/s320/broome+lighthouse+019+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks at Gantheaume Point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeGjq5HTBizo17WTP3DYEY4GMuttu4VOo6h3zAn7ZWhDBrWQmNvAmNJ5X-v-7VtssfgtgnrP8NCisubcX5hX4ILN1fogSe6m5bl1DwXNi95l_EaP69qxamfFYIvSm-hAcxQAq1OTqq4C/s1600/broome+lighthouse+029+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeGjq5HTBizo17WTP3DYEY4GMuttu4VOo6h3zAn7ZWhDBrWQmNvAmNJ5X-v-7VtssfgtgnrP8NCisubcX5hX4ILN1fogSe6m5bl1DwXNi95l_EaP69qxamfFYIvSm-hAcxQAq1OTqq4C/s320/broome+lighthouse+029+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle by the beach at Gantheaume Point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqtz5PEzM4eHMgivHiSvTf67R008Y_fngUFyFF_M4ris0t9PmIwsjFXgf2oaZJiWMXSLLyVB_T58nazsG2DEnUy3XShHqOEDAtyt7e-5ERG3UPH1SbyQfRejVkUqR8JUNpaAAzYEsW5I9/s1600/broome+lighthouse+008+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqtz5PEzM4eHMgivHiSvTf67R008Y_fngUFyFF_M4ris0t9PmIwsjFXgf2oaZJiWMXSLLyVB_T58nazsG2DEnUy3XShHqOEDAtyt7e-5ERG3UPH1SbyQfRejVkUqR8JUNpaAAzYEsW5I9/s320/broome+lighthouse+008+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from Gantheaume Point toward Cable Beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We travelled a little out of town and then down a dusty track for about 15 klms to Crab Creek where there is a Bird Observatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time of year there are a lot of migratory shore birds that fly in from all around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched from a viewing platform as high tide came and went and Alice snapped thousands of photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian praises God for digital cameras and in particular the ability to delete before print.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migratory shore birds at Crab Creek in Roebuck Bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaZySs4HbKkDUpEORvUJ5KH4NJ501uzJ3h1bSOQRCte8XjJuH3kPv7wUJXyOkIKGSeVuxQ4tjlpfQDbz46m4aHRyGQpM0bn3cov8s3a5IQ_hK9mSEccNILl0c-eueoq7jv6EGiljjlTNI/s1600/broome+birds+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaZySs4HbKkDUpEORvUJ5KH4NJ501uzJ3h1bSOQRCte8XjJuH3kPv7wUJXyOkIKGSeVuxQ4tjlpfQDbz46m4aHRyGQpM0bn3cov8s3a5IQ_hK9mSEccNILl0c-eueoq7jv6EGiljjlTNI/s320/broome+birds+126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there is more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFmAkD8a6dLNqIVNkZPahpg3SUp8Go2kAV0jQzjuh67m9x4dSlpWS8z72o3Yp9whN7lP9eyXByjavIAgdMt_c7QmQn-SLWM1GkdSBbKgEgOmmzFqAbEnrIalB3GxSi9Bz3bqiHp69PPMc/s1600/broome+birds+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFmAkD8a6dLNqIVNkZPahpg3SUp8Go2kAV0jQzjuh67m9x4dSlpWS8z72o3Yp9whN7lP9eyXByjavIAgdMt_c7QmQn-SLWM1GkdSBbKgEgOmmzFqAbEnrIalB3GxSi9Bz3bqiHp69PPMc/s320/broome+birds+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view over lunch near Crab Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIkeLd94UpjtuH_6zWRU7wRK8Z4zqwGGrAp-z-EpuzfByElLpUX4xvmbvkBMKsDVvoBpySNhjtXLH7pBIxA0_tseYY8XH5wOA9bhgT1phU-wI6NEmNpyIq-ImzNaIdq-n6SaDI4hE7ZM6/s1600/broome+birds+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIkeLd94UpjtuH_6zWRU7wRK8Z4zqwGGrAp-z-EpuzfByElLpUX4xvmbvkBMKsDVvoBpySNhjtXLH7pBIxA0_tseYY8XH5wOA9bhgT1phU-wI6NEmNpyIq-ImzNaIdq-n6SaDI4hE7ZM6/s320/broome+birds+145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks great in the other direction too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our stay in Broome has been a real treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a most relaxing resort style city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been able to wind down as well as stock up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual we have met and made some good friends.<o:p></o:p></span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-87780597574886056912011-08-11T22:50:00.000+10:002011-08-11T22:50:36.840+10:008th -10th Aug - Gibb River Road - West<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday morning and we were up early readying the move of the van into storage in Derby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the day that we are setting out to explore the western end of the Gibb River Road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had chosen not to drive the full length of this dirt track because of its reputation for roughness so you might recall that we drove the road from Kununurra as far as Home Valley Station and returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we have planned to drive the other end from Derby as far as Bell Gorge and return.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As in all of our discussions with other travellers we have received mixed advice as to the condition of the road so we really are flying blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories of this road and the development / non development of this area has been a fascination for Ian and it is the subject of much writing and documentaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Kimberleys<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is one of the last frontier areas in Australia and there has been much competition between Indigenous peoples, Pastoralists, Minerals exploration, & tourism for control of the area,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is some of the most amazing country in Australia but much of it is inaccessible except by air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roads are just graded tracks with little more than annual grading knocking the tops off the corrugation but thousands are coming here each year to see its special sights.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci25IGhgTyL6l54pbgO_8mvcm_wDRtIpQtlNSorKnSF46vPh6TH0S4fXiFh7J8u89hs-eGV2cqqVCed0hgnVQd3p0q4LnU1kFwGL81N8PqRCTdbeuvqxKTo1fO9-vqKPxht0EpTdzXPAS/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci25IGhgTyL6l54pbgO_8mvcm_wDRtIpQtlNSorKnSF46vPh6TH0S4fXiFh7J8u89hs-eGV2cqqVCed0hgnVQd3p0q4LnU1kFwGL81N8PqRCTdbeuvqxKTo1fO9-vqKPxht0EpTdzXPAS/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+009.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the dust we head.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This trip we have planned to visit Bell Gorge in the King Leopold Ranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive there covers all assorts of road surfaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially we travel along a single lane width of bitumen which then improves to a full two lane width (One each way) then onto reasonable quality gravel road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the turn off to Windjana this surface deteriorates quickly to very rough corrugated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travel 90 klms along the Gibb from this turnoff and a little over half is in this rough state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We slow to about 60 klms per hour max and it seems to take forever to reach the Bell Gorge turnoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once off the Gibb we had been told by the Information people in Derby that the side tracks were in worse condition than the main road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not actually the case for the first 20 klms but it did get worse for the final ten.</span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy9Aneh03aLQCk037RezFn7OPqTBrEEI9er2FnT4khbwMnUu1ar1CeCLgf-u-PBwCaxY-FZWNjqD5yctJytUzS4Gg-xvCMajc_blWhvaNDzvM1ChYBy5IPkF311UO3fuIY824ImG_jxzb/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy9Aneh03aLQCk037RezFn7OPqTBrEEI9er2FnT4khbwMnUu1ar1CeCLgf-u-PBwCaxY-FZWNjqD5yctJytUzS4Gg-xvCMajc_blWhvaNDzvM1ChYBy5IPkF311UO3fuIY824ImG_jxzb/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glad the road was wide when we met this road train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGouzM0iRGcIEGkFXIECtZ6nShFIxH99FphD5sXab_-_XCe6tMrgnN4b-XL_3aM054ojUXdtbXWAqJ9JcqBloGnxcEAuJrl_dj9ldUNd5kh5s2NtJ2rval29V6S-FD04ZBDIJf0rphLSJ/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGouzM0iRGcIEGkFXIECtZ6nShFIxH99FphD5sXab_-_XCe6tMrgnN4b-XL_3aM054ojUXdtbXWAqJ9JcqBloGnxcEAuJrl_dj9ldUNd5kh5s2NtJ2rval29V6S-FD04ZBDIJf0rphLSJ/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the King Leopald Ranges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8ZBQkbowZpXRkDN0wzinWGN9Q7MuCPV9sbFZigHp_jxxyeoQTsLhNv2HTBQBDof5iw5STun7KKnWotScDaVxGFs0a9hgIU5Cwb09q2Ptdj-faausAeFUM6kSmFFCut_a_3Sem2F_Gy9M/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8ZBQkbowZpXRkDN0wzinWGN9Q7MuCPV9sbFZigHp_jxxyeoQTsLhNv2HTBQBDof5iw5STun7KKnWotScDaVxGFs0a9hgIU5Cwb09q2Ptdj-faausAeFUM6kSmFFCut_a_3Sem2F_Gy9M/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+052.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there is the mandatory water crossing.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">About lunch time we arrived at Silent Grove Camp Ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the only designated campground in the immediate area of the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is managed byt the Dept of Environment and while it is dusty (what isn’t in Central Aus) the layout is quite good and they have flushing toilets as well as solar heated showers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set up camp here and rested our weary bones for the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late in the afternoon the camp filled up quite quickly and we were glad we had arrived early.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yMGrFqMOqubvIWjrg0E7ow-jBSTiT8L4UioiQ-rQhArkxcfjZV3LAaauTCv3nfUALFLadBPUQxjp57Bf9ksef6jVd6Dq-Rz2r4ggVbgnsqu5vquwTdgznv3EdpjxGZ468XpDJSLxyPCt/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yMGrFqMOqubvIWjrg0E7ow-jBSTiT8L4UioiQ-rQhArkxcfjZV3LAaauTCv3nfUALFLadBPUQxjp57Bf9ksef6jVd6Dq-Rz2r4ggVbgnsqu5vquwTdgznv3EdpjxGZ468XpDJSLxyPCt/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every camp has its caretakers. Here cleaning up the scraps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnAHEdY6MNwCQv-NssNxKJAIWxNtRlAfbWCx7-amwdU8KOGcGViG4BK8iqFzlbz0PbBLcdNnrZobpiq5lx9rN25zUCBhSm9e-mE0IGMpZ2KBtilMPxGSvDzHV9-2R5utlacs9WaMhpipG/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnAHEdY6MNwCQv-NssNxKJAIWxNtRlAfbWCx7-amwdU8KOGcGViG4BK8iqFzlbz0PbBLcdNnrZobpiq5lx9rN25zUCBhSm9e-mE0IGMpZ2KBtilMPxGSvDzHV9-2R5utlacs9WaMhpipG/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the overseer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrDzVg3_XEpGo-jUrjt-0-ZCYA-g3jGb_p1m5-5a4YtbQp8XCcBhu-2KoS9d83h4-qcIV51FuQgwQxCtpb8VPkbfRUiAArpr9O5KCNqnLQBRhsOlesTiedb22xcGimNdc3fWmbQN4BQIi/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrDzVg3_XEpGo-jUrjt-0-ZCYA-g3jGb_p1m5-5a4YtbQp8XCcBhu-2KoS9d83h4-qcIV51FuQgwQxCtpb8VPkbfRUiAArpr9O5KCNqnLQBRhsOlesTiedb22xcGimNdc3fWmbQN4BQIi/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+059.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then there is the Major!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QDVbMgBLFKee3YxyO31AY1ktwwzPG-GTgjJS8_uLE5uRi4fcrY8WbMS-HnvsGdoprz2gYYrWj5cYVTGLHjK1Uh4OqAwIf9QN6clCw8vFAccREsU_IBEDFJNr1Z3iX2AfNXfnsoKd75Gk/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday morning and we chose to explore the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was another 10 klms from the campsite and the road was really rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plenty of time though so we let the tyres down further and took it slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prize at the end was worth the cost though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walk from the carpark was about twenty minutes down a very rubbly path and then along the side of Bells Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creek babbling along was deceiving because one would never have dreamed that this amount of water would produce the volume crossing the falls we were to see ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This little stream soon spread out into a series of wide pools and then cascaded some fifteen or so metres into a gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contrast of the sparse country changing into this marvellous water way was outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path lead us to the top of the falls and then we had to wade across the stream and over a hill to climb down to the base of the falls where people were swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful swimming hole but the water was a bit too cool for us.</span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QDVbMgBLFKee3YxyO31AY1ktwwzPG-GTgjJS8_uLE5uRi4fcrY8WbMS-HnvsGdoprz2gYYrWj5cYVTGLHjK1Uh4OqAwIf9QN6clCw8vFAccREsU_IBEDFJNr1Z3iX2AfNXfnsoKd75Gk/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QDVbMgBLFKee3YxyO31AY1ktwwzPG-GTgjJS8_uLE5uRi4fcrY8WbMS-HnvsGdoprz2gYYrWj5cYVTGLHjK1Uh4OqAwIf9QN6clCw8vFAccREsU_IBEDFJNr1Z3iX2AfNXfnsoKd75Gk/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+100.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell Creek Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNac5LaNY6sEzTadW2J_Uqe5M_jO7CWGkNyVfqJq8IvWP9pVx0J9Sdw9abN4wqN90L8aa1HfhVWJ_DYc0hrLpXhV5p8GrHEoiJTuuY6CsRTSzO-rbJlkaOhEfGPnr8jmWxEykABQiF52x/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNac5LaNY6sEzTadW2J_Uqe5M_jO7CWGkNyVfqJq8IvWP9pVx0J9Sdw9abN4wqN90L8aa1HfhVWJ_DYc0hrLpXhV5p8GrHEoiJTuuY6CsRTSzO-rbJlkaOhEfGPnr8jmWxEykABQiF52x/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+111.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the falls at start of the gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1qHbxnZVOW2srbMIogsifzAGFBZ_g6WIC7ZZxeNbLt-AEKVR8EkUJjgyqKz020yWs1hQg3-S1zKev_AN8P2Fl96ZqBV9XpbBTxAm54w57v0JYmYX57W_bWjptP4ps5V2dW7ujodLykUV/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1qHbxnZVOW2srbMIogsifzAGFBZ_g6WIC7ZZxeNbLt-AEKVR8EkUJjgyqKz020yWs1hQg3-S1zKev_AN8P2Fl96ZqBV9XpbBTxAm54w57v0JYmYX57W_bWjptP4ps5V2dW7ujodLykUV/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+113.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Bell Gorge from falls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn7Ev3zX_yrJ_5jxCPnUyJW33Q6S31efqMov8OtjopzHUQ2TG8wa5eHyN6OAzN5kPztcJhyY2dEhVMDvsHPxGMxhlHfcGxjIGLW8I7s6jrAHTF4xwQDYjQQdPRH8BMvRWeLdf_IcCZDSE/s1600/Gibb+Riv+West+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn7Ev3zX_yrJ_5jxCPnUyJW33Q6S31efqMov8OtjopzHUQ2TG8wa5eHyN6OAzN5kPztcJhyY2dEhVMDvsHPxGMxhlHfcGxjIGLW8I7s6jrAHTF4xwQDYjQQdPRH8BMvRWeLdf_IcCZDSE/s320/Gibb+Riv+West+117.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west down the gorge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent a while by the pool and then returned to camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gorge was indeed a beautiful sight but like so many beautiful sights in this vast land the distance travelled to see it and the rough going to get there makes one think whether the benefit was worth the cost.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to fill in the Sensus Docs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Interesting night as it was Sensus night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Camp Ranger came around with the forms and we filled them out by torch light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bit different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially different when we had to answer how many bedrooms we had in our tent.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday morning and we were up early breaking camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a poor night for sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The constant inconsiderate drivers <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>travelling through the camp too fast had filled out tent and bedding with dust affecting Alice’s asthma and Ian, s sinuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we headed back down the Gibb toward Derby again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rough road came first and we were a bit fresher to deal with it this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 30 klms we came to a grader working the road and conditions improved (although very dusty) vey quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>!20 klms along the road and we turned east toward Windjama Gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This road was gravel surface also but was in very good condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we reached the gorge we had experienced enough gravel road so we decided to check out the gorge and then return to Derby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campground there was really good but even this was not enough to entice us to set up camp.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Victoria Head in the Napier Range.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitknFdkKYnGCzGm7YATMUCMIl_QVXRZ5s3DUi16aSg5gvHMf_MnNrndgRC7UG_uTjldroax6oSm9vOSusLrDjSMVN5nGQe45s5IzjWpxL-X_G9tb5hwp0um7y8FH0d4DEaVQbilnfFWVbo/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitknFdkKYnGCzGm7YATMUCMIl_QVXRZ5s3DUi16aSg5gvHMf_MnNrndgRC7UG_uTjldroax6oSm9vOSusLrDjSMVN5nGQe45s5IzjWpxL-X_G9tb5hwp0um7y8FH0d4DEaVQbilnfFWVbo/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+085.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing the road with the Variaty Club Bash.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Windjama Gorge was another beautiful example of God’s creation and the easiest gorge we had found for access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entering along a track across flat country we entered the gorge through a narrow crack in the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the country opened up into the gorge with the walls approx 150 metres apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down one side flowed the Lennard River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Broad sand flats formed a wide beach at one spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gorge walls towered some 200 metres high on each side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We estimated there were about 30 sleeping fresh water crocs visible lazing in the sun either in the water or along the banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene was pure tranquillity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entry to Windjama Gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lennard River flowing through Windjama Gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIzTJZ9eygrwE5-G99gv2oftxMZvXMtFRm3Ge9m_GcTwSBVYAhpx3tiX4BSbh6exn2GRRVN_bgLbFof3aS1XxXtI-lMRvWm01_94ZPMaT8fxzjKicEf7zrjbLcMRbIXRmn4QSnzE8BMrn/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIzTJZ9eygrwE5-G99gv2oftxMZvXMtFRm3Ge9m_GcTwSBVYAhpx3tiX4BSbh6exn2GRRVN_bgLbFof3aS1XxXtI-lMRvWm01_94ZPMaT8fxzjKicEf7zrjbLcMRbIXRmn4QSnzE8BMrn/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+109.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upstream through Windjama Gorge.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Along the lower levels of the walls the limestone had been worn into various sculptured shapes by the annual flood waters.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWOzH-1_PAP9mIGe0vzLf4kr7ycEE7eyqti6pWZqU6jSKyRDQATel34S-2oJx_kFZkIz7HnO6vqd_cYJv7xYEQYAYiTTuboChhaZye4_AQyaoXDvdrGcNB3YsSompf49FocECGNj4t6s1/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWOzH-1_PAP9mIGe0vzLf4kr7ycEE7eyqti6pWZqU6jSKyRDQATel34S-2oJx_kFZkIz7HnO6vqd_cYJv7xYEQYAYiTTuboChhaZye4_AQyaoXDvdrGcNB3YsSompf49FocECGNj4t6s1/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+098.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The description given was that these hills were originally a Barrier Reef which had laid under a sea a couple of million years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water level <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>appears to have been quite a bit higher than where we were standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was similar to the story we heard at Geieke Gorge <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>approx 200 klms away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imbedded in the limestone were fossils of fish skeletons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fascinating!!</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWr_y57FH3rnhHoNaGL27JQFIDsWG-qyMgrnY99m4s0VX_LhfFvaETKcVhDESx1LNDv3cHIjlYaX3-Ek_HVLJlXStT1zdIZgw_LzKXSu-buMW92GMmceSHmP5rBZHVjgf5w_NUMUPZg4s/s1600/Gibb+RiveRd+West+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWr_y57FH3rnhHoNaGL27JQFIDsWG-qyMgrnY99m4s0VX_LhfFvaETKcVhDESx1LNDv3cHIjlYaX3-Ek_HVLJlXStT1zdIZgw_LzKXSu-buMW92GMmceSHmP5rBZHVjgf5w_NUMUPZg4s/s320/Gibb+RiveRd+West+113.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foscils in Limestone face.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked into the gorge for about one klm before turning back to the entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was one of the most beautiful scenes we had witnessed on our holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to see so much green foliage and grass in this desert land was marvellous.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After lunch we turned for Derby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was vastly improved and being further improved with more construction under way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we came upon this strange phenomenon called bitumen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sooo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good to get back to the caravan and a more normal night even if we still had a vehicle covered all over in red dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early return however meant that we had an extra day to wind down and clean up before we move on to Broome.</span></div><br />
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Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-2493931328487696442011-08-07T13:03:00.000+10:002011-08-07T13:03:35.329+10:003rd – 7th Aug Fitzroy Crossing - Derby<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back on the bitumen again it is wonderful to have smooth road beneath us. The roads here in WA are really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this area they are relatively flat also so driving is much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only traffic we encountered first day out was about 30 cyclists doing an around Oz marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had motor homes behind them and ahead of them so quite a convoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked for Peter Higgi but couldn’t see him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday we travelled down through Halls Creek where we stopped for fuel & provisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These towns are quite small and if there were not an indigenous population it would be difficult picturing a reason to even exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the most comfortable town to be in so the stop was short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting provisions is interesting also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As expected items are expensive and not a lot of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the bread is frozen as we have only seen one bakery since Katherine and that was a Brumby’s in a service station in Kununurra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a Coles service station here and there were two long lines of caravans and trucks waiting for the diesel bowsers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other service stations were empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday night we stopped at a free stop called Mary Pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good description as it was a series of water holes on the Mary River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite picturesque and about 70 vans had pulled in for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have made some short term friends in other vans over the last few nights and they were all here at once.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWPuP4HP9VE8dYSzIwDmO5lje1yJzKXlYZ9PdHJO1qiOI5GhrCfGmNIXGIiM9DPElTxHEsqCtFCNISdsL06K4NjW0WInEzK0PcGS6BB-m4_niasv-14YbhB9w-6gTMeBfNc-KbK4d1pfu/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWPuP4HP9VE8dYSzIwDmO5lje1yJzKXlYZ9PdHJO1qiOI5GhrCfGmNIXGIiM9DPElTxHEsqCtFCNISdsL06K4NjW0WInEzK0PcGS6BB-m4_niasv-14YbhB9w-6gTMeBfNc-KbK4d1pfu/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary River - Mary Pools</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4dYHxbEyrZGKTJ5aXzjRnWtev06u17BZJVSmAoz2ErIgi6gUHsfDXDB79DLhPj8V-w0rhx_V5Khq3vLvMt-ZXSnzqfqDjJOZhhTSB8v_PKGrBy97-mUTHhi5aBZdQ0sjNdjjTf_YJetL/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4dYHxbEyrZGKTJ5aXzjRnWtev06u17BZJVSmAoz2ErIgi6gUHsfDXDB79DLhPj8V-w0rhx_V5Khq3vLvMt-ZXSnzqfqDjJOZhhTSB8v_PKGrBy97-mUTHhi5aBZdQ0sjNdjjTf_YJetL/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the river to Mary Pools camp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday and we headed 200 klms into Fitzroy Crossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed here two nights as it was an opportunity to catch up on the web and phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haven’t been able to do that since Kununurra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No TV though so still having difficulty finding out what is happening in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally got a snippet that while we had been out of contact our nest egg had devalued somewhat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">FC is another of these Indiginous population centres however it does have a large resort hotel and caravan park for transient tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just 20 klms outside town is Geieke Gorge National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the NP we were able to take a short cruise about 3 klms down the Fitzroy River and enjoy some very scenic cliffs and wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must admit we are just about crocodiled out now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw some of the impact of the floods from earlier this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were the second highest recorded and while accounts seem to vary the river is reported as rising 16metres at the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have floods here almost every year so just before each wet season they remove all of the equipment, boats and transportable buildings and take them to higher ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when the flood is over it takes them about one month to reinstate it all again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No such thing as winter and summer here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just wet season & dry season.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HrvdPBk0onnTyTRxZasmef3eu-iuoJEfQzRchTfO3wNcHKRIfYcDUd0HpDYgaWW8xgm4QKLcK8wEpJD73mvzC0NFVlsGi7XBglruNXPJC9zgwgvURDLb3chWch5Th0BOopnG9U7CzwNm/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HrvdPBk0onnTyTRxZasmef3eu-iuoJEfQzRchTfO3wNcHKRIfYcDUd0HpDYgaWW8xgm4QKLcK8wEpJD73mvzC0NFVlsGi7XBglruNXPJC9zgwgvURDLb3chWch5Th0BOopnG9U7CzwNm/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitzroy River through Geieke Gorge in early morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpmnKjiRehmMWjEjjNbc0RYduMHSBupbvYTvSq395LzoKdEbyDggZFpUDqqzMmdprwcoY2n4-XOayYDmxQCX4Z9HaF5X1yJoP0-CVUP9LZdC2sP-0nKuz0o1J1XJZLTReQd9pYHBi3J6t/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpmnKjiRehmMWjEjjNbc0RYduMHSBupbvYTvSq395LzoKdEbyDggZFpUDqqzMmdprwcoY2n4-XOayYDmxQCX4Z9HaF5X1yJoP0-CVUP9LZdC2sP-0nKuz0o1J1XJZLTReQd9pYHBi3J6t/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white staining is the history of flood levels. 2011 was higher.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8FKqToF8eRDVTRFxROmdWwZS-5x_xpDTOq_uDAEqrkrO_NMbgsO5JNYas-k_Y0Qe8YM-JzZGRfhyphenhyphenxk95ImLxjkVU1042xgHKVOWLd3tZIui3H8qyItqzyxZSuAfVulfWXa5k0_3IgRxu/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8FKqToF8eRDVTRFxROmdWwZS-5x_xpDTOq_uDAEqrkrO_NMbgsO5JNYas-k_Y0Qe8YM-JzZGRfhyphenhyphenxk95ImLxjkVU1042xgHKVOWLd3tZIui3H8qyItqzyxZSuAfVulfWXa5k0_3IgRxu/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water was the sculpter - limestone is the rock.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf5jnoDzlkQu7eZ-224PMVZwJzH7fACHYbG7vfp9b45n9k2kkzjyR_Z_o7yFe9BpepUHpCF3GjhyphenhyphenR-Rw9VEpoX3v1sgftZmYPf_Y7nRxmzreNX2025TtbztU4pw7gALBOnvKGMFsay4ON/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf5jnoDzlkQu7eZ-224PMVZwJzH7fACHYbG7vfp9b45n9k2kkzjyR_Z_o7yFe9BpepUHpCF3GjhyphenhyphenR-Rw9VEpoX3v1sgftZmYPf_Y7nRxmzreNX2025TtbztU4pw7gALBOnvKGMFsay4ON/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+037.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTCWw6dXxcEUDyStW8Q5s713mjOkYi1-zLJxhUV6Qeh14UaCEwtcDjwI6yWB3hCfrBhURy_HoYVM17cpJ1m3B6f3mLjOt2k5ecUgESzX6H0ApCOWFsuoRw28SOtRXszFqVwEfS4MS4QXS/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTCWw6dXxcEUDyStW8Q5s713mjOkYi1-zLJxhUV6Qeh14UaCEwtcDjwI6yWB3hCfrBhURy_HoYVM17cpJ1m3B6f3mLjOt2k5ecUgESzX6H0ApCOWFsuoRw28SOtRXszFqVwEfS4MS4QXS/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my pool. Just move on please.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8Cd47RJ3xEIdLmGFmkes47054i9FkZ-sL9gqgIq1VJlnpOZE7e1U7YxqsBRa-Zad1Cd5MpMnsAi5tLMgYEnKibHEGQqA-NiLSCXaH5EumtsFQEGgIWUutH_3lZquJusHDLeALGmNbPo/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8Cd47RJ3xEIdLmGFmkes47054i9FkZ-sL9gqgIq1VJlnpOZE7e1U7YxqsBRa-Zad1Cd5MpMnsAi5tLMgYEnKibHEGQqA-NiLSCXaH5EumtsFQEGgIWUutH_3lZquJusHDLeALGmNbPo/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grey is weathered stain, the orange is where falls<br />
have occurred and the white is water stain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EQ8_yjQY61ZPkx00T110ZxpU1Q-o4NUPOjZ-4JZHZ8YbM51e2gf3JgWPiJdCcdKjfnyXxD-Lom7rKv8vaizzlHl6PMF1woqes8FtPyUVzysAE1cLefUEan9KDUP3UgvdqP-CFgQCB7iZ/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EQ8_yjQY61ZPkx00T110ZxpU1Q-o4NUPOjZ-4JZHZ8YbM51e2gf3JgWPiJdCcdKjfnyXxD-Lom7rKv8vaizzlHl6PMF1woqes8FtPyUVzysAE1cLefUEan9KDUP3UgvdqP-CFgQCB7iZ/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is all Geieke Gorge.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next move was Saturday when we moved on into Derby (about 250 klms).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was really quite scenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land seemed to be even flatter with wide plains on both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Boab trees came in more abundance and for the first time we started to see them with leaves on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We find these trees quite fascinating and some are hundreds of years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local information tells us that this is some of the most productive pastoral land in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not see much stock but there are a lot of roads heading off to cattle stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grass is much thicker here too although one would not class it as lush.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHxwp1IYba2-lJw-prmTO9I2hQNWbAFkeR2CW5_60bdYKiEVOnhE0Dx8AkKajbWLnaZ09mPwdShxA6C6AVdy1OdtBV9vYIQ5Xq1Tc5t6WwENubl4b29gBRknMysASK3XSBANEJwKLBORe/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHxwp1IYba2-lJw-prmTO9I2hQNWbAFkeR2CW5_60bdYKiEVOnhE0Dx8AkKajbWLnaZ09mPwdShxA6C6AVdy1OdtBV9vYIQ5Xq1Tc5t6WwENubl4b29gBRknMysASK3XSBANEJwKLBORe/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very old Boab tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcBT8Kzlu_xe9f_yDH7_gwRfy3Dm3Mh5h2QKO9zLyNTgebRvNJSTikl6gBichqV1K_0fMurVtuta7x991CA7CZrFRc898mGjoUBfB4kIgLUxbezNjyN5Go-FI1V_hCyIkswyKPhlzvH73/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcBT8Kzlu_xe9f_yDH7_gwRfy3Dm3Mh5h2QKO9zLyNTgebRvNJSTikl6gBichqV1K_0fMurVtuta7x991CA7CZrFRc898mGjoUBfB4kIgLUxbezNjyN5Go-FI1V_hCyIkswyKPhlzvH73/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential overnigh camp, - not so squeezy!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Into Derby and we start to see more population of European origin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is obviously an old town but it does appear to be having a growth spurt as we found a few small estates with new homes being built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an old wharf which is really passing it’s use by date and there is evidence of recent shipping activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it most boating activity appears to be fishing, tourist based or supply to the myriad of islands off the coast here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One highlight was that we found a Woolworths store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZwDESIkkoxpNBwwPZRNGGX5bWcbh5EYo9VvgnRz_G6mPov1StuU4Rh9IJqA86HQnf-T1s1Vi_34Vtik_tYMsJLRnn-yZUgIDPmtkeWHDAFJkAeZeP6xVNpsfaCHr9KmZv0Tz84X0S9XR/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZwDESIkkoxpNBwwPZRNGGX5bWcbh5EYo9VvgnRz_G6mPov1StuU4Rh9IJqA86HQnf-T1s1Vi_34Vtik_tYMsJLRnn-yZUgIDPmtkeWHDAFJkAeZeP6xVNpsfaCHr9KmZv0Tz84X0S9XR/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derby main street c/w Boabs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALuNf-lBFN55aKzPTafFffNaMu4ceZEd7HAocPTkJwKJKpOOwzuHE34nNphyEiOT5ErxKx9CUJTfrJdwstG_BRTyNup6GN9uRvjtAdRm_LC-lZsNi-IUSe3OBr6GRcWIYNYrp-z3kDxLl/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALuNf-lBFN55aKzPTafFffNaMu4ceZEd7HAocPTkJwKJKpOOwzuHE34nNphyEiOT5ErxKx9CUJTfrJdwstG_BRTyNup6GN9uRvjtAdRm_LC-lZsNi-IUSe3OBr6GRcWIYNYrp-z3kDxLl/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The camp ambassador.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Alice’s instigation we tried to find a local bird hide near the mud flats and almost became horribly lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The GPS is n good if there are no roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We backed out quickly while we still had light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we headed for the wharf again and together with most of the tourist population we watched a beautiful sunset over the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tides here rise and fall up to 11 metres and we were lucky to have a three quarter tide to photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgq5W2baG9Z_SpPTJnVtHMth9hJIFBorw5keztUPXpOp1SH-IJQQjMRIl1FVxhbcge6DuSWoBusvcCreNq7xyh8HT4mP5_xrD1hncE1c1_MPbGz7I8zdFXsC9ZVedJ3qmw9xXEJ0mUpyj/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgq5W2baG9Z_SpPTJnVtHMth9hJIFBorw5keztUPXpOp1SH-IJQQjMRIl1FVxhbcge6DuSWoBusvcCreNq7xyh8HT4mP5_xrD1hncE1c1_MPbGz7I8zdFXsC9ZVedJ3qmw9xXEJ0mUpyj/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wharf at sunset.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtcFj496EOw3MhZcNym7NmQ402tfx-eI9yNhLbbuDRW-WDOqPRZOoJQ9iHibZ0PdULsdq9fhTNbN3RU4DWZzkcArAqaIXp_5IU-UKOBnlur4KvgS_9aYbmTaB_3cUTvHdeJAdgUgmyVxo/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtcFj496EOw3MhZcNym7NmQ402tfx-eI9yNhLbbuDRW-WDOqPRZOoJQ9iHibZ0PdULsdq9fhTNbN3RU4DWZzkcArAqaIXp_5IU-UKOBnlur4KvgS_9aYbmTaB_3cUTvHdeJAdgUgmyVxo/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and soon after</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKQOETe5WznQ37_rLJP6rPXlR-J7Wx8ActNihWrOLGLbGRzcndtZrf2N0JeUgEfT-jKoCNMTy6l_su_CQjmv8CqY7vipGTuRi4Um3jlChu1Mg1l_7IpjryVMpOR5YCpoZRnJZhzGXXS3t/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKQOETe5WznQ37_rLJP6rPXlR-J7Wx8ActNihWrOLGLbGRzcndtZrf2N0JeUgEfT-jKoCNMTy6l_su_CQjmv8CqY7vipGTuRi4Um3jlChu1Mg1l_7IpjryVMpOR5YCpoZRnJZhzGXXS3t/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going out to get our fish & chips.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It has been a great few days, not only for the sights we have seen but for the times relating to others we have met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then to add to that we had a few channels of TV too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pil8nNVG1m6k_viSloqcxILtDfO3Uzed8fwPbkrWZ8Y_JsDsLzPQasqooI_-ghvGopWghBlDTPbtjh4X6p_0b1Jn4XJ55njpDYBA-4Oxje-1cF71GW9dlovCx8zDvBCoq_ip6VSPwo-C/s1600/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pil8nNVG1m6k_viSloqcxILtDfO3Uzed8fwPbkrWZ8Y_JsDsLzPQasqooI_-ghvGopWghBlDTPbtjh4X6p_0b1Jn4XJ55njpDYBA-4Oxje-1cF71GW9dlovCx8zDvBCoq_ip6VSPwo-C/s320/mary%2527s+pool+gieeke+gorge+-derby+162.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis & John - new friends we met.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-59830998495575687472011-08-05T20:16:00.000+10:002011-08-05T20:16:19.119+10:00Where are we? - Right here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoBp59OCAtok-w55zd_3zqSvjTFWC599NNWVNNW8Kn5OTyyjm7caw7eknkUDfwgEZwJJ3H1UxOzdZxFwlx9EF9iE_3naF9gPAal41jDh0GzBOnTzqr85U5MmxpwB-VzQtrge1ij9623S2/s1600/Map+of+Australia_110805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoBp59OCAtok-w55zd_3zqSvjTFWC599NNWVNNW8Kn5OTyyjm7caw7eknkUDfwgEZwJJ3H1UxOzdZxFwlx9EF9iE_3naF9gPAal41jDh0GzBOnTzqr85U5MmxpwB-VzQtrge1ij9623S2/s640/Map+of+Australia_110805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-65934522860397546182011-08-05T19:39:00.000+10:002011-08-05T19:39:31.823+10:0029th July – 2nd August Bungle Bungles<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kununurra has been a great experience for us but like most good earthly things they must come to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday for us has been a work day catching up on washing clothes, the car, restocking and preparing to pull out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday came and we headed south along the Great Northern Highway towards the Bungle Bungles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This destination was another of our “must sees” for all of the years we have been planning this trip so we were more than a little excited that this day had finally come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Great Northern Highway is a road in good condition and fairly flat running but whether it is “Great” leaves some debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely not too busy so that was great and most of the users were travellers like us or the big four trailer road trains carting iron ore to Wyndham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an easy drive and the weather was blue skies and warm temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Dry Season” up here really is dry with not even a heavy dew.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We stopped for lunch and fuel at Turkey Creek Roadhouse near Warmun after 220 klms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story goes that it was the owner of this roadhouse that instigated the exploration of the Bungle Bungles and after exploring them himself as well as taking paying tourists he urged the West Aus government to come and see the spectacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only then that the National Park was initiated and now it is one of only two World Heritage areas in the West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fifty klms on we came to the turn off to the park and entered the gates of Mabel Downs station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The access road crosses this station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We say “road” guardedly as it is classed a 4WD only track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year the station owners have established a caravan park and expeditions business within the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has caravan sites and tent type bungalows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From here they offer helicopter flights and bus tours of the Bungle Bungles as well as tours of the station operations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We booked in here for the night and then arranged the storage of our van as we drove up to the National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next morning we were up early to carry out all of our preparations, pack the tent, transfer all food & clothes to the car, reduce the tyre pressure to 24 psi, etc, etc, and then set off about 9:00am to complete the 53 klms to the park entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had warned us it would take about two hours and that it did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was a lot better than we had expected although it was still very corrugated and over twenty water crossings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was the upper reaches of the Ord River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was some fifty metres wide but thankfully not too deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others were short & sharp, some with rocky outcrops but all had to be taken slowly and carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was not a formed road, more an upgraded goat track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many, many times we climbed over a short sharp rise just to see the road on the other side drop out of sight beneath the bonnet of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concentration required in driving and the continual watching for other vehicles often through the dust made the two hours pass by quicker than we thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in Purnululu National Park (official name for Bungle Bungles) we thought that the roads might improve based on the assumption that the National Parks should maintain their roads better than a cattle station but we assumed incorrectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set up camp at Kurrajong Campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were very basic facilities but well set out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was our base for the next two nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-rP-fJiYXjhk7ni2B4hhVlD1ZPg49LeAa_1TOfbDVx1umi3eNaFXZePQM3yrDCkX6O1p7n5OgyFj1oCAbxLp9hAgsaEOzmtQ8uqWjNr4csot0iGgZCkWH1cU09iZLQcV-c6XJCKEq4-s/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-rP-fJiYXjhk7ni2B4hhVlD1ZPg49LeAa_1TOfbDVx1umi3eNaFXZePQM3yrDCkX6O1p7n5OgyFj1oCAbxLp9hAgsaEOzmtQ8uqWjNr4csot0iGgZCkWH1cU09iZLQcV-c6XJCKEq4-s/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the upper Ord River enroute to Purnululu</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The first feature we visited was Echidna Chasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This amazing chasm is up to 200 metres high in some places but is as little as two metres wide for some of its length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some time about mid day (we were not there at the time) the sun shines down through the chasm in some parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a majestic appearance and the photos we took fell well short of representing the beauty accurately.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_5VC0uV5rh9MKv7e-8wzXl4fmr5s6Oha9eZvViysqaHnYndWYKcAr5cMDvyoUz26mR5Ud3bYffLzH0b2J29IsHlHoNLX4Ll7pLuiyHo4nJpcj3_99lOLnteRRkg8FcvzQ2E-Wwc5PbA7/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_5VC0uV5rh9MKv7e-8wzXl4fmr5s6Oha9eZvViysqaHnYndWYKcAr5cMDvyoUz26mR5Ud3bYffLzH0b2J29IsHlHoNLX4Ll7pLuiyHo4nJpcj3_99lOLnteRRkg8FcvzQ2E-Wwc5PbA7/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+274.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry to Echidna Chasm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlcUfQiRhGKGjunEiPnsVefHnq6GcePdhKtPGEExXOXd-G9OkupDoj5bid3T8a9Re-0vRF1zzzQu1tEzC-LHovUnpLdRQwwDOgPOhS5vDtmWNljWlUYUIM3a7VFFpsuGjIG2UzRC6m-AR/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlcUfQiRhGKGjunEiPnsVefHnq6GcePdhKtPGEExXOXd-G9OkupDoj5bid3T8a9Re-0vRF1zzzQu1tEzC-LHovUnpLdRQwwDOgPOhS5vDtmWNljWlUYUIM3a7VFFpsuGjIG2UzRC6m-AR/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+301.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry walls to chasm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlbrXnomuoL1zGlWQZK0sQpXX86BLeUhfLtQfXoOUnPnwecZk-QywRbr8cfMNBoSPXsPLV-iBTuoAWApkAA6yKSc7oRmYc51lrnuvcQIPxMvQzRNVnnkHh-jXwP1y4ptaOYopVlL-yBRT/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlbrXnomuoL1zGlWQZK0sQpXX86BLeUhfLtQfXoOUnPnwecZk-QywRbr8cfMNBoSPXsPLV-iBTuoAWApkAA6yKSc7oRmYc51lrnuvcQIPxMvQzRNVnnkHh-jXwP1y4ptaOYopVlL-yBRT/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+279.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the chasm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKCNFlXon7PxSyuCicR0YLl1Gzo7JW6bPMoenEXPSevU2H2J1E866Y8GXjrJ-cRn0nszIEUHEq_Vnn1tFhM6ExcPn3l_qmPNRjEoOYUoMHZBBa_nEBKlTm3rDHH73rug5_UjriwbnNHsK/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKCNFlXon7PxSyuCicR0YLl1Gzo7JW6bPMoenEXPSevU2H2J1E866Y8GXjrJ-cRn0nszIEUHEq_Vnn1tFhM6ExcPn3l_qmPNRjEoOYUoMHZBBa_nEBKlTm3rDHH73rug5_UjriwbnNHsK/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+290.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the height of the chasm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAolTc4qfseoE0f1Wj3RztYmIRkmNX9IkR7lSCehyphenhyphenXdh_QZMDzRPhNL4InTjP7_yh8Tj60jtg3phN4pNSTmufXMZ2II-3XST_QYpBZ-L2qClKXwQiyZYdVOcWV4vG36Yvxq8RhkfpvZPl/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAolTc4qfseoE0f1Wj3RztYmIRkmNX9IkR7lSCehyphenhyphenXdh_QZMDzRPhNL4InTjP7_yh8Tj60jtg3phN4pNSTmufXMZ2II-3XST_QYpBZ-L2qClKXwQiyZYdVOcWV4vG36Yvxq8RhkfpvZPl/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+291.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walls are only 2 m apart and rocks <br />
almost block the path.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6fCgop0TWJV3epDZfh96wzsldebkvdYAbWtLEMSr3rHo8X45HfsxAwupbth_v9TfyEMwIiQFEGwXlVkRkkN6d7sH5f8At6Ifv_NVBmxff-a0FXPYZUnX9g1BYly9YfZhFS7z1NHhDfj9/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6fCgop0TWJV3epDZfh96wzsldebkvdYAbWtLEMSr3rHo8X45HfsxAwupbth_v9TfyEMwIiQFEGwXlVkRkkN6d7sH5f8At6Ifv_NVBmxff-a0FXPYZUnX9g1BYly9YfZhFS7z1NHhDfj9/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+289.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the darkness of the chasm <br />
one can see the oasis on top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back out of the chasm and a short walk up a small climb took us to the Osmond Range lookout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Osmond Range is one of the oldest ranges in Australia and is claimed to date back 1.3 billion years as compared to the Bungle Bungles which are estimated at 360 million years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately the caretaker at the time is no longer with us so this is difficult to confirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Osmond Ranges are a significant source of water for the Purnululu park as several spring fed stream flow through the valley keeping it green much longer than the surrounding area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PVhN4kAdV4aaB8c4pHn4dP1_2WKz3qBxUpnbrVQl0s-_aYq77Q0nzi4PuW7te2Zxu6pTzBjV6MnABiAShmAFIGznnU8pcJwcQ9dqvyeMvO-KiqXyZSqzaUctTFxQVdAVSYrpvjQpzkcr/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PVhN4kAdV4aaB8c4pHn4dP1_2WKz3qBxUpnbrVQl0s-_aYq77Q0nzi4PuW7te2Zxu6pTzBjV6MnABiAShmAFIGznnU8pcJwcQ9dqvyeMvO-KiqXyZSqzaUctTFxQVdAVSYrpvjQpzkcr/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The contrast is unique.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiVmA3WvTj23jZBfx_kMS04kr6pDKcJour89Ude1mimwcDPAFPG47hNLHV1s2BCIOc-R2Sf_Fnrx8HBhjLZe067P4tMGi2PWiKdcVxAt7X3qxvQDqZfiEpUyNq5MNK37xpzk_cVJl8f20/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiVmA3WvTj23jZBfx_kMS04kr6pDKcJour89Ude1mimwcDPAFPG47hNLHV1s2BCIOc-R2Sf_Fnrx8HBhjLZe067P4tMGi2PWiKdcVxAt7X3qxvQDqZfiEpUyNq5MNK37xpzk_cVJl8f20/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loking back from Osmond Ranges Lookout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back home to camp for the night and an early night it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the sun went down the cool moved in and with no TV to watch and no phone available we were in bed and asleep by 8:00pm<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Even before the sun had risen we were awoken by laughter in the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birds were alive and a new day was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us though it was a slow start (planned that way) before we were heading off toward the south of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The destination was Piccaninny Creek Carpark from which all southern walks commence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longest of these is 14 klms and they suggest three days as the ideal time to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed on that one.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we travelled we followed the Bungle Bungles Range to its west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mountains looked great but as the sun was on the opposite side any photos taken were less than ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as the road swung around to the east and we drove through a wide gap the colour of the mountains began to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did the shape and the form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within about en minutes we were travelling through the Domes for which the Bungles are best known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had not expected to get so close to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These mountains truly are unique which can only be demonstrated by the photos which really were inadequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDkSlPx1mn0qyX7wL4rnO9KzJscn45htnZEIyidOHD4Zshs0ba2aey7FTOeCpiV3F5NH5i-3zzSNT_4JosBfDbe-mNP6A6ka8P9TX2oUyBGefiVGDIlOKZtQWc1Mfl39d_0iU46VYf9Hg/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDkSlPx1mn0qyX7wL4rnO9KzJscn45htnZEIyidOHD4Zshs0ba2aey7FTOeCpiV3F5NH5i-3zzSNT_4JosBfDbe-mNP6A6ka8P9TX2oUyBGefiVGDIlOKZtQWc1Mfl39d_0iU46VYf9Hg/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+372.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Domes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQNOUXWDEsM3WK9xLTn9QvSXuZM9r_5TKxcp0gay6ZzEUD2AnCcDsTN7nJkqFyH7zg-flbu82zvdgIGZ7Vrv8eyW7J3gintY_0aQcveGml6-ivtMKv0mSKjj47SKUbbJPqW1W7M3jZiiY/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQNOUXWDEsM3WK9xLTn9QvSXuZM9r_5TKxcp0gay6ZzEUD2AnCcDsTN7nJkqFyH7zg-flbu82zvdgIGZ7Vrv8eyW7J3gintY_0aQcveGml6-ivtMKv0mSKjj47SKUbbJPqW1W7M3jZiiY/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of these amazing forms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IknsNjLc1Xvr97Np4MqyDMTIU1qqbgHtpV4RMqLGQHyndOov3is0ADA9lKnMP93Ndl9v9F3tPekIU1Et_8G3Wb9oXggDUgIKXA4H_13WmqaoN3EIgb2cLPgut-7V3t7IrMnRZsVya-is/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IknsNjLc1Xvr97Np4MqyDMTIU1qqbgHtpV4RMqLGQHyndOov3is0ADA9lKnMP93Ndl9v9F3tPekIU1Et_8G3Wb9oXggDUgIKXA4H_13WmqaoN3EIgb2cLPgut-7V3t7IrMnRZsVya-is/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is a bit different.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispPvMbjfuCX3OmYa13jPgtae-d6ffoYdYs3SlO8Qsxv0nXCyHUszoiPbGLvQyIjvsCaVLS2_fc-9AjPVsJ-AKByf6ul5GLOTOfByX9Qd9lMxwt1fuhzF-idPmGYBEnbn0xlGFd0SEvR-U/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispPvMbjfuCX3OmYa13jPgtae-d6ffoYdYs3SlO8Qsxv0nXCyHUszoiPbGLvQyIjvsCaVLS2_fc-9AjPVsJ-AKByf6ul5GLOTOfByX9Qd9lMxwt1fuhzF-idPmGYBEnbn0xlGFd0SEvR-U/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And how about this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Reaching the park we set off to visit Cathedral Gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brochure said to allow two to three hours but we were there in forty minutes. These were very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the many visitors entered the extremely large cavern at the head of the gorge they really became quiet as if entering a cathedral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof of the cavern was some 200 metres high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below was a large pool surrounded by white sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls of the cavern were a deep red for the main and orange where recent rock falls had occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By “recent” one means within the last five years or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was truly awe inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God only creates good and wonderous things but in this case He excelled Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n7f54jmkwq45Jv0ayHi_opExw3Qpxzkck1342GbBdhx7S7xKpat_SdRo7agOPqVNfEkVA0Vo6wMn0ixc1t8OxbdrEM7xe_PaxPUoAf_1ygvn5y78PtdxlW6KiwD09GajgHVIjgOuzqDq/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n7f54jmkwq45Jv0ayHi_opExw3Qpxzkck1342GbBdhx7S7xKpat_SdRo7agOPqVNfEkVA0Vo6wMn0ixc1t8OxbdrEM7xe_PaxPUoAf_1ygvn5y78PtdxlW6KiwD09GajgHVIjgOuzqDq/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path up the sandy creek bed to Cathedral Gorge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbdIy3wGUUqLB618QqKFdDJDV_FTgTgvxKjMfs_SDGugqkdJeXadb-FMad4r-cD2_0YAqOEgLJ3ztJ1fauE-kPy-uloIzEg12fnFqfb9YMS00lJCY7sXlwByxMIxBAOctMdjIjfXbpPeK/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbdIy3wGUUqLB618QqKFdDJDV_FTgTgvxKjMfs_SDGugqkdJeXadb-FMad4r-cD2_0YAqOEgLJ3ztJ1fauE-kPy-uloIzEg12fnFqfb9YMS00lJCY7sXlwByxMIxBAOctMdjIjfXbpPeK/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pot Holes - formed by swirling rubble while creek is in flood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrvoJzYvjHnY_A6Qyo5BCULvXcmiphW8WCpGJOcD5DCh9PJCtILsqQu3-cREISZxbX1BVY2H7cfXv6zx63CEYwllx0ojWGHDeP54qRlm_vD1OT3D-UktyogQw8Yr4yq7sZMwzKfGp857j/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrvoJzYvjHnY_A6Qyo5BCULvXcmiphW8WCpGJOcD5DCh9PJCtILsqQu3-cREISZxbX1BVY2H7cfXv6zx63CEYwllx0ojWGHDeP54qRlm_vD1OT3D-UktyogQw8Yr4yq7sZMwzKfGp857j/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual erosion of the walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjARhu3fXUFNXgD3_5rJWLkWTsemwqJtw0u0Va3qQD36iXqwFOLIEtN0t9qPKzcEtauOhQHzUlUXaJ736ZqExasAtLBk7FUhbgJX5nb_IltxptbjaKPPpUSqMWt4fi3SZfax6eUOFQifx_/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjARhu3fXUFNXgD3_5rJWLkWTsemwqJtw0u0Va3qQD36iXqwFOLIEtN0t9qPKzcEtauOhQHzUlUXaJ736ZqExasAtLBk7FUhbgJX5nb_IltxptbjaKPPpUSqMWt4fi3SZfax6eUOFQifx_/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral Cavern, note the height.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnZ1W3uM7dnvRMmZ8iN4gWaTx3PQFwZ5K0IKCBBuxtGgDDbJvQGKzoH1L8lhO8HD23E7kP6ANcO08UfnwaTIndVUX2KHOsJOhoxNXSRpTrzhoXaklqcsex3GTZmKn8KV_-xOr0n8yn7_8/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnZ1W3uM7dnvRMmZ8iN4gWaTx3PQFwZ5K0IKCBBuxtGgDDbJvQGKzoH1L8lhO8HD23E7kP6ANcO08UfnwaTIndVUX2KHOsJOhoxNXSRpTrzhoXaklqcsex3GTZmKn8KV_-xOr0n8yn7_8/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the far wall of the cavern.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQzeMqYAEZ5ScIZpN0rq6g0ZqOrH4I0-i7sWJGDi8N8kyP0M0cXia3JKNqS4SJsZYlFxomKmmAhad23L99xYzT-wKZe1KPSL91vco8tslxWSQhD6aXfS5a-PiuqkyH3A6VP0ZyE_t9U2m/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQzeMqYAEZ5ScIZpN0rq6g0ZqOrH4I0-i7sWJGDi8N8kyP0M0cXia3JKNqS4SJsZYlFxomKmmAhad23L99xYzT-wKZe1KPSL91vco8tslxWSQhD6aXfS5a-PiuqkyH3A6VP0ZyE_t9U2m/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual erosion of the walls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlWKjF_Cr9V45kZYkBOVanN3QfzJjRPRugt6uCp1QBMOGSkz1yIiPfqaQOhIdthDpZrzmMy2ijB9G3rxRPw_1hYfQ8o6sdRN41XqYFUKYwvz7BwxFkoM-7-uTSwnlAqjK7c4EFzSsH-zA/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlWKjF_Cr9V45kZYkBOVanN3QfzJjRPRugt6uCp1QBMOGSkz1yIiPfqaQOhIdthDpZrzmMy2ijB9G3rxRPw_1hYfQ8o6sdRN41XqYFUKYwvz7BwxFkoM-7-uTSwnlAqjK7c4EFzSsH-zA/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More potholes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68bafYZXWC1s553RZR8MRIQDSrGN2GHrtpkslvGi4weNgWV-vShMDMyDvWo58AxbvXVwfpu1DfDW-m2kdB9guv2wSpwMk4XXX-0O6d1wIRMr7prIWge6eITKD_cppSGOHO9XlAwsMElVC/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68bafYZXWC1s553RZR8MRIQDSrGN2GHrtpkslvGi4weNgWV-vShMDMyDvWo58AxbvXVwfpu1DfDW-m2kdB9guv2wSpwMk4XXX-0O6d1wIRMr7prIWge6eITKD_cppSGOHO9XlAwsMElVC/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenes everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Out of the gorge and Ian visited the Piccaninny Creek lookout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here one could travel up and then look out over the dry creek bed of hardened sandstone worn with deep grooves lengthwise down the creek bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0S350yCGqMKIIPuny1qlMt5AqnLTA8NXB3WyGMtHfNMzASFKOmOvwPr0dG0snui6kVNy8gN-HpCRtYo-xmciJxd6F9OKnTzat9KHwROuMdxg8VOE2znbct_cYSzfqQHSCWGI5Nl-z33y/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0S350yCGqMKIIPuny1qlMt5AqnLTA8NXB3WyGMtHfNMzASFKOmOvwPr0dG0snui6kVNy8gN-HpCRtYo-xmciJxd6F9OKnTzat9KHwROuMdxg8VOE2znbct_cYSzfqQHSCWGI5Nl-z33y/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unique sandstone floor of Piccanny Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gOm88Rl-uNrnS19aVXwVLxqlfElumY-l-KpDetXYxmpMCKAOL1Bh-HF3Gib8W0QvlC3E4Uyq8eogNb5M1dXKvobXifHVhMGtCeymd10StTCbtYmHKHgHlsa9g2yK3_O2dvcN1ScIH9Hh/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gOm88Rl-uNrnS19aVXwVLxqlfElumY-l-KpDetXYxmpMCKAOL1Bh-HF3Gib8W0QvlC3E4Uyq8eogNb5M1dXKvobXifHVhMGtCeymd10StTCbtYmHKHgHlsa9g2yK3_O2dvcN1ScIH9Hh/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Piccanny Creek in the foreground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then another walk took the visitor in a loop track around some of the Domes giving a close up view of the rocks themselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVak6P7AtqHmBbsRRvwi-ArCrtfTZ6ypy-PLpCZoJnK6TMOZ5PP-kxM_w_vRZ334fT7gqchpRIqndE4EOla3Fymt2TFiJ9pqnXPDaJnAT6Nu9Tr7OVeifT9-J1IIn_Kvih_A0sFbPkETk/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVak6P7AtqHmBbsRRvwi-ArCrtfTZ6ypy-PLpCZoJnK6TMOZ5PP-kxM_w_vRZ334fT7gqchpRIqndE4EOla3Fymt2TFiJ9pqnXPDaJnAT6Nu9Tr7OVeifT9-J1IIn_Kvih_A0sFbPkETk/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+440.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like fine lacework in the rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9DC7UiZ9EFWOkhBO54YuLoQRL6_Lps86A_ZivFhwRj6eFL7hTZyIKRNKd1EKxqoUlEkXRLnLvJR46LNjXp6e_iQmJzYdoHyT43RKKa-u2OTdKgdcf9qGQideQa-LZANYVckneTk0sJDE/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9DC7UiZ9EFWOkhBO54YuLoQRL6_Lps86A_ZivFhwRj6eFL7hTZyIKRNKd1EKxqoUlEkXRLnLvJR46LNjXp6e_iQmJzYdoHyT43RKKa-u2OTdKgdcf9qGQideQa-LZANYVckneTk0sJDE/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Abonomoble Termite Mound - <br />
What do you think it looks like?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuUBUoUegnfZsY1uRjgC4xcKUqhAUxAZEXu48-3lSb04prZdh1CeNFWuzAPXnzsqDA150VAKYjRijQXPxSVMVd2iAI2rPPtbmic1Pdo9A6d3UJiYezej5GOob2O8KLlaWCdXmb4BhoPMy/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuUBUoUegnfZsY1uRjgC4xcKUqhAUxAZEXu48-3lSb04prZdh1CeNFWuzAPXnzsqDA150VAKYjRijQXPxSVMVd2iAI2rPPtbmic1Pdo9A6d3UJiYezej5GOob2O8KLlaWCdXmb4BhoPMy/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice loves Cocker Spanials. Do you see him?</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was difficult to leave this amazing place but heat & hunger did a good job of enticement back toward camp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another night in camp where sleep would not be a problem at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally on Tuesday morning we slowly packed up camp and headed back out of Purnululu to the base camp down near the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today there was not nearly as many vehicles on the road as we had experienced coming up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to our pleasure we found that the grader had been working on the road and it had improved measurably in many areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Biggest surprise however was that many of the creek crossings had actually dried up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were still about ten or so to cross through water but just as many as that had dried considerably. We wondered if it was our recollection that had erred but having spoken to other drivers in camp that night it was confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a real demonstration of the impact of the “Dry Season” here in the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF97VACn89Ko5QhuFXDns1MCeDpgi1eYKkrG9pBvbhigD-mnpffWGgplYR3xjZF6taBpWZKsijBJKTPn2xEaX51rfzgMlAXk6kj1yxk6WmC74gt5Je3nP366bXXjJcUo2WmAIw3HZN93Mr/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF97VACn89Ko5QhuFXDns1MCeDpgi1eYKkrG9pBvbhigD-mnpffWGgplYR3xjZF6taBpWZKsijBJKTPn2xEaX51rfzgMlAXk6kj1yxk6WmC74gt5Je3nP366bXXjJcUo2WmAIw3HZN93Mr/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+512.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was still some water to cross.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was great to get back to our base camp and to relocate our van out of storage but much of the rest of the day was spent on clean up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still it was a memorable visit and will not be quickly forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">That night in base camp we enjoyed a country stew meal with many other visitors and it was great again to meet new people and build new relationships.</span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-66689399781082210892011-08-05T15:58:00.001+10:002011-08-05T16:03:10.338+10:0027th – 28th July Travelling the Gibb River Road (Eastern end)<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Part of the motivation for us undertaking this trip was this area of the Kimberley’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact originally our plan was just to come here and to return home so focussed on this wonderland we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular Ian was really keen to travel the Gibb River Road since having read a novel about the beginning of the fight some decades ago to stop mining in the area and also the damming of more rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gibb River Road however has brought highlights to some travellers and disasters to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is totally a dirt road with few if any bridges and many stream crossings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently when the wet season arrives the roads are mostly impassable and then require major maintenance once the streams subside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HDRovx_JOL50jm3jnfdoOdFOXB5cAcy0Nt_BKJqGoGKaUP9awcSOoGeGx3iFFBA8atKf-DQ8KOjX1Q6jnqR8oiKayyzvW_Dhj0Qbgxf101L3KlrF6aqeepag8yrJxfTxCZvs94WZh24C/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HDRovx_JOL50jm3jnfdoOdFOXB5cAcy0Nt_BKJqGoGKaUP9awcSOoGeGx3iFFBA8atKf-DQ8KOjX1Q6jnqR8oiKayyzvW_Dhj0Qbgxf101L3KlrF6aqeepag8yrJxfTxCZvs94WZh24C/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The attraction however is the number of scenic gorges and waterfalls along this track as well as (I believe) the challenge to beat the road which has this reputation for being a machinery killer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As part of holiday plan we had decided to test out the waters with a short trip down the road from the eastern end to El Questro Wilderness Camp which covers quite a few gorges and then onto Home Valley Station just across the Pentecost River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we planned to retreat and follow the main highway down through Halls Creek & Fitzroy Crossing to Derby where we could store the caravan and experience the western end for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this end Alice has been monitoring websites and road conditions for this area since the beginning of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now as we speak to so many tourists in camps and hear varying opinions as to the state of the roads we were faced with the dilemma, “Do we go or do we not?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally made the call yesterday when speaking to a young shop keeper in Wyndham who had been out there on the weekend and had up to date information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going and we will find out for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We closed up the van and loaded the car for a tenting stop overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The off we went heading for those distant ranges and what beautiful ranges they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First stop would be El Questro where we needed to purchase a park pass and then we could check out the sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road had some surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some lengthy stretches of unexpected bitumen, some reasonable gravel road and lots of klms of corrugation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really are starting to overcome our horror of the dirt highways that exist in abundance in Central Australia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZW21lvhR8zhTQwJFE7I_0Am0LlsAOnZ7DCM0REi8xwXfgMfV6AfbM9p4rhNLcy2NhS0fDK-WG4iyaKtPbxIRnZ9uY_YFNC7b3WnB4_asxhMHQe0n8sdIaJntMYWuI2vWyohlzPPYZzUT/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZW21lvhR8zhTQwJFE7I_0Am0LlsAOnZ7DCM0REi8xwXfgMfV6AfbM9p4rhNLcy2NhS0fDK-WG4iyaKtPbxIRnZ9uY_YFNC7b3WnB4_asxhMHQe0n8sdIaJntMYWuI2vWyohlzPPYZzUT/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cockburne Ranges paralel the road. They are majestic!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The journey to ElQ was about an hour and a half and finally we forded a beautiful stream and entered the resort. This really is a farm / station stay type resort however there are so many unique geological features here that they are able to offer many walks, climbs and sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is wilderness however and we were to find that many of the walks were a little too difficult for us to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOdqy4nmCI35QnihKaGraZVkhZgam-cxsdJtk7TD9brzQLSjQ1UB8SPhg0ji8eJkde0UqNhtjDFmy4WlPsHOissU3CySb7EYkrl2oQbI_bfZIdh7zCzpGvV6mgzCqNVxL6tXeQkwsyrB6/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOdqy4nmCI35QnihKaGraZVkhZgam-cxsdJtk7TD9brzQLSjQ1UB8SPhg0ji8eJkde0UqNhtjDFmy4WlPsHOissU3CySb7EYkrl2oQbI_bfZIdh7zCzpGvV6mgzCqNVxL6tXeQkwsyrB6/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Pentecost River to ElQuestro</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The feature for us on this first day was a visit to Zebedee Springs where we were able to enjoy a sit in the thermal spring water at about 28 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would wonder why someone would want to sit in warm water in this very very warm part of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well simply there are so many crocs around here that there are few places that one can enjoy a dip and also when one rises from a warm pool they actually more the cool atmosphere that they did not notice before.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w-JpF3vHBvXKToPbgUnqFJl5pehusvs5jDS04gA5i4EDggKVv9vPrk5yW1aEV2g6tYxrnSrlK2CpZhXjnmB4hdNMHXiS336wBgu6sbAdZ9Zgg9OuWtjL7JLBskqGrs6Hkg4it0w9FRhZ/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w-JpF3vHBvXKToPbgUnqFJl5pehusvs5jDS04gA5i4EDggKVv9vPrk5yW1aEV2g6tYxrnSrlK2CpZhXjnmB4hdNMHXiS336wBgu6sbAdZ9Zgg9OuWtjL7JLBskqGrs6Hkg4it0w9FRhZ/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in the thermal springs at Zebedee Springs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrgFBpr4rH7Q07JHRRqPqPPIVK88fQZv_CjyEF9vefynnl_7l9R9iSWiLtoHeNxnz7xmi7oPZxD7PkqFP-CNoX_C05Clb3kC56B4BSZfHfsM11dgQwyxvK5S1-5l2uzlvw3RABczjeMHE/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrgFBpr4rH7Q07JHRRqPqPPIVK88fQZv_CjyEF9vefynnl_7l9R9iSWiLtoHeNxnz7xmi7oPZxD7PkqFP-CNoX_C05Clb3kC56B4BSZfHfsM11dgQwyxvK5S1-5l2uzlvw3RABczjeMHE/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebedee Springs - Thermal Pools</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We did have some very interesting 4WD experiences getting to these features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of under body washes for the Pajero.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRxE3zmnw07kKCuMa-NdUUvKoeS4zmeb1cEYTrchECw8xa8m3s5KN4nIGmKCWhFbeN8J70yRP6chRmZGp3_opfzqfw_nJuO3_oDAWDOr-5XKZmFzqfIgwRs2kz9xLKpb8qwYa2BBHSr5a/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRxE3zmnw07kKCuMa-NdUUvKoeS4zmeb1cEYTrchECw8xa8m3s5KN4nIGmKCWhFbeN8J70yRP6chRmZGp3_opfzqfw_nJuO3_oDAWDOr-5XKZmFzqfIgwRs2kz9xLKpb8qwYa2BBHSr5a/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The land of water crossings - He who placed the sign must have been a joker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HWrBdP2vuXKeK3-MX3GJNcyggpVClnobc3ZVLZftOHMZowcCtPZw2hW8frtTX8MvLiJgjSQevPds-TSr2lBQbbyM_guTv8UOFo9mnaFASP6EIg30LYNAztcZfMvNsHl_z5jtoWu8a0xW/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HWrBdP2vuXKeK3-MX3GJNcyggpVClnobc3ZVLZftOHMZowcCtPZw2hW8frtTX8MvLiJgjSQevPds-TSr2lBQbbyM_guTv8UOFo9mnaFASP6EIg30LYNAztcZfMvNsHl_z5jtoWu8a0xW/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry to ElQuestro Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMe36W605BvL4Ke2vO3SNZpoopobens7_fhWmJnFmfB1E8hhcpZ_j2jemnACupF7w0ljawGeSl6eAjRNfSm7iG-PagaKamCgg-iTX1PKzRQP30JN55RWzNc61bU-IEIB-5OKTukvVr8dF/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMe36W605BvL4Ke2vO3SNZpoopobens7_fhWmJnFmfB1E8hhcpZ_j2jemnACupF7w0ljawGeSl6eAjRNfSm7iG-PagaKamCgg-iTX1PKzRQP30JN55RWzNc61bU-IEIB-5OKTukvVr8dF/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIfg4PZhly-XLcitIjZZNI3wO6QY7PCLrU3rckrAyqbBuHB2GC9AyNR1tMpfW9jGzvHhxIpMg5-MIXVQF9_M-YPCYwIky-hPGpb8eZbNSwXUIuEQNV8pcA0dEtGm76lLnmSU5xHUAhZ_a/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIfg4PZhly-XLcitIjZZNI3wO6QY7PCLrU3rckrAyqbBuHB2GC9AyNR1tMpfW9jGzvHhxIpMg5-MIXVQF9_M-YPCYwIky-hPGpb8eZbNSwXUIuEQNV8pcA0dEtGm76lLnmSU5xHUAhZ_a/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From there we decided to travel onto Home Valley Station for an overnight stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was some fifty klms further west and to get there we had to cross the Pentecost River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard all of the stories of the high tides in these rivers so the thought of fording this one was a bit concerning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the crossing point the stream is about 100 – 150 metres wide and the road surface is just loose river rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a crocodile area so stopping half way was not really an option one would consider seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God really looks after us however and just as we approached the crossing a Pajero of similar model to ours entered the stream from the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to see the depth and the path he took so deep breath and off we went into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that we are writing this report tells you we made it across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only nine klms then to our destination and set up our tent camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuQqVuCsDH9vMBHP8LTrC_m-1JUBkO_fjNVtj3vHlkAWFLIAK-GatMsw6nHof3IJLY2-0U0CIH2P5DkLWse2QU_rBVndB4GXXV1YOSQwyCm9LGUNcxB0BRjEq8wdK6LZQNLiXRUzK-4xz/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuQqVuCsDH9vMBHP8LTrC_m-1JUBkO_fjNVtj3vHlkAWFLIAK-GatMsw6nHof3IJLY2-0U0CIH2P5DkLWse2QU_rBVndB4GXXV1YOSQwyCm9LGUNcxB0BRjEq8wdK6LZQNLiXRUzK-4xz/s400/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the road to Pentecost River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMiy8wB47xQHVv1KMou4-kPID2v25JsJmQSrp0VWy-xd3FA3vMWAAz5Mu5c3smdi4JfzgmEgV6y47yIHsN7TBFCMxWGNFT-7sNMNFfu3WSIuE9wpGQMPnmalYwZ3-beCye9r79OzX_2ZT/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMiy8wB47xQHVv1KMou4-kPID2v25JsJmQSrp0VWy-xd3FA3vMWAAz5Mu5c3smdi4JfzgmEgV6y47yIHsN7TBFCMxWGNFT-7sNMNFfu3WSIuE9wpGQMPnmalYwZ3-beCye9r79OzX_2ZT/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+104.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When this Pajero crossed we knew we could do it too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4-b_80VEjCPJ54P1Pjner9FYYIU9IQtJ5PhjDEEy-leS5geXhx3VlWwiYCNcHfA3zerZdg_pxdQt5WM36vmX0mQxpY9hEeYugJiiju1ikfAdmsfrV74lu0UclN_XLcDLgTMoVU7khyphenhyphenH4/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4-b_80VEjCPJ54P1Pjner9FYYIU9IQtJ5PhjDEEy-leS5geXhx3VlWwiYCNcHfA3zerZdg_pxdQt5WM36vmX0mQxpY9hEeYugJiiju1ikfAdmsfrV74lu0UclN_XLcDLgTMoVU7khyphenhyphenH4/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry to Home Valley Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlx7irB4-hZqSNkPNWY0VNkUzEwHO1g3rRc-ky5e-yX13uBtszScAsk05uAgMDdDoEMtD6-JdavBh7wAMBhl4n2jxjGKYJqsH9fZqH4C1w7dCtkUw_ylROZjTFe_is40dG9-x4U9jnipT/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlx7irB4-hZqSNkPNWY0VNkUzEwHO1g3rRc-ky5e-yX13uBtszScAsk05uAgMDdDoEMtD6-JdavBh7wAMBhl4n2jxjGKYJqsH9fZqH4C1w7dCtkUw_ylROZjTFe_is40dG9-x4U9jnipT/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kingdom for a night</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our overnight stay was just great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a working cattle station and they offer bush style accommodation and hospitality as a side line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat outside our tent looking at the stars, no TV or phone range here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were surrounded by many other tenters, caravanners (braver than we were) and lots of families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we actually set up the tent on mown green lawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was our first night out in the tent so we had a bit of a learning exercise to endure but it was well worth the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We slept like logs after all of our exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next morning we did not rush to break camp finally getting going about 10am after having coffee and discussion with some other travellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard that there was a great lagoon about 14 klms further west so headed off in hope of finding it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sign posts here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very raw tourism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed the road grader which meant we had some improved surface for a while but not for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We found the spot and headed off through the bush to find this amazing rock river bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words could never describe it adequately so we will let some pictures tell the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-m59jPBiEbx-qRiUrJ0l3TXMpp3Nu3ET0q2n49tV_JYsEXNwVd-znatxGuM8cRZ9rpdDF0lZE4Bdn2_ztN4qsNZWCmqIHVnSHvyipHWBBexUvNA_8WYsM7zkBZVYwr9e_RlJnF0G8DJi/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-m59jPBiEbx-qRiUrJ0l3TXMpp3Nu3ET0q2n49tV_JYsEXNwVd-znatxGuM8cRZ9rpdDF0lZE4Bdn2_ztN4qsNZWCmqIHVnSHvyipHWBBexUvNA_8WYsM7zkBZVYwr9e_RlJnF0G8DJi/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+124.JPG" width="320" /></a></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_yFFHa3xQ3WGAv09bhx5EPksLuit8_YnP9PJMSbNxBkkYvm3sydz6w2u3Z0ZUQWY1wGO0F_VKgnRai7uVOqMqY5RNRBdpj8a5nEUGxpeHYtPLET3lC5csLfp5-fyqXLpMT8X3Qp4t_p_/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_yFFHa3xQ3WGAv09bhx5EPksLuit8_YnP9PJMSbNxBkkYvm3sydz6w2u3Z0ZUQWY1wGO0F_VKgnRai7uVOqMqY5RNRBdpj8a5nEUGxpeHYtPLET3lC5csLfp5-fyqXLpMT8X3Qp4t_p_/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lagoon on Home Valley Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we headed back east and coming to a lookout were able to catch a view that spread out across the beautiful mountain ranges to Wyndham in the north, the other side of the five stream delta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only disappointment was that the lack of wind and the dust from all of the traffic on the road left a haze over the whole view which limited the photographic record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really is wilderness but there are a hoard of people coming out to see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA2BZLxEAT776t8fjtgnvxOZGJKbyw1nO-1e7W9eG_eIv0l30164zsJwGu4SQVztCROjwsoH95w2Sl9bnFVZB3XC8a3KQghuOH0xfYSI3OoszBjqYpLwkJexRF0HRH0vqS_vbLkgyftPl/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA2BZLxEAT776t8fjtgnvxOZGJKbyw1nO-1e7W9eG_eIv0l30164zsJwGu4SQVztCROjwsoH95w2Sl9bnFVZB3XC8a3KQghuOH0xfYSI3OoszBjqYpLwkJexRF0HRH0vqS_vbLkgyftPl/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from lookout just outside Home Valley entry gate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa7Tw9iCb4KeSDUJIsGeVzp7GsOj1_8bYaBMovjrXXSqVAKylxMPxYXzbvsUa5-ykpVhKQe3o9wK6yzIF3Bvty7TmIPic7_lIKCIpRQbSasGgJkLg5_gYQ9NzCsDHAAxnswI5p2s37iNZ/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa7Tw9iCb4KeSDUJIsGeVzp7GsOj1_8bYaBMovjrXXSqVAKylxMPxYXzbvsUa5-ykpVhKQe3o9wK6yzIF3Bvty7TmIPic7_lIKCIpRQbSasGgJkLg5_gYQ9NzCsDHAAxnswI5p2s37iNZ/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockburn Ranges as seen from lookout.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back across the Pentecost (bit braver this time) and another stop at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>El Questro, this time at Emma Gorge. Here we had a picnic lunch and then headed up the gorge for a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These walks have to be seen to be believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no prepared tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walker scrambles up a creek course or over boulders guided only by small painted arrows on the rocks or coloured ribbon around trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was classed as a “moderate” climb but we think they classify differently up here in the wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some beautiful sights to see as we climbed but the real gem was the final waterfall at the head of the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at the shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 3:30pm by the time we got there and the light was beginning to dim in the gorge but this really was a special sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukMJqUVKVMZWZjpCTvwDerjjatIF891Gy5zNeJlAAqVI9H_twXFLJnv0ET_vkj80zrmKvSf8VvJG-9-MjDOxpdmvUP6EDDcoCJIoUZBjSJUpxlu1_0UaZDPV2tzufkdJh0I61IV0uR9mj/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukMJqUVKVMZWZjpCTvwDerjjatIF891Gy5zNeJlAAqVI9H_twXFLJnv0ET_vkj80zrmKvSf8VvJG-9-MjDOxpdmvUP6EDDcoCJIoUZBjSJUpxlu1_0UaZDPV2tzufkdJh0I61IV0uR9mj/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockburn Range from Pentecost Crossing - note the angle of the trees from previous floods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nuvBSZhbbr4uPql-JDyPx6960C0vGPeEcJn19tSIelAbuD90lxHIDVFG2Pmk0PKDPVixiIjtQrGvkZZ6MYUk86EDJDx9IMbQr2Putw9RkfokXyUVw7GqpFR1v3z2vZZ6rk_hm-u2z-dh/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nuvBSZhbbr4uPql-JDyPx6960C0vGPeEcJn19tSIelAbuD90lxHIDVFG2Pmk0PKDPVixiIjtQrGvkZZ6MYUk86EDJDx9IMbQr2Putw9RkfokXyUVw7GqpFR1v3z2vZZ6rk_hm-u2z-dh/s400/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Gorge track - no track, just small blue direction markers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQLpS3QL1f7ivclJMoPCtQOTzcFHAKjdluthqHa-4LyRfosuP55IcAK_xCRUtHaXskF_XDVwdF6q4ul_hZsj3rZyBWeptt4ujc_-tCreJisjx-D_UrvQ8MiYA0yCWoboAQHzN2ofAG70j/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQLpS3QL1f7ivclJMoPCtQOTzcFHAKjdluthqHa-4LyRfosuP55IcAK_xCRUtHaXskF_XDVwdF6q4ul_hZsj3rZyBWeptt4ujc_-tCreJisjx-D_UrvQ8MiYA0yCWoboAQHzN2ofAG70j/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another unusual rock formation in the Kimberleys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb445AbPWkU7aUxgSPMeo7YBkY2FMq7YQ9Lzkowk2-vpEaHO7srqSPqqCiGIUnE5WJEn0o8z_eZQvlrRbQFAN5d4Q2_nyn9USlv2vXTwxbDefqXlXtpkG9L7uK5taUwXc5rC95N7urXnO/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb445AbPWkU7aUxgSPMeo7YBkY2FMq7YQ9Lzkowk2-vpEaHO7srqSPqqCiGIUnE5WJEn0o8z_eZQvlrRbQFAN5d4Q2_nyn9USlv2vXTwxbDefqXlXtpkG9L7uK5taUwXc5rC95N7urXnO/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local welcoming committee.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ud249qlbOP1T3jkTyAI1Czy0WRDaYlorYdWH9URkv6ou4hL2Vzeh18Z0XDVo4IZxIZTj7hEwsTRRfa0pkLgI26fPx6XEGQvV9bVCA8Tv5SQindEhbF13-RJhoYMqU5_JdZ_Ny7nQV_Iy/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ud249qlbOP1T3jkTyAI1Czy0WRDaYlorYdWH9URkv6ou4hL2Vzeh18Z0XDVo4IZxIZTj7hEwsTRRfa0pkLgI26fPx6XEGQvV9bVCA8Tv5SQindEhbF13-RJhoYMqU5_JdZ_Ny7nQV_Iy/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One rock pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdqtnQGNrcVWUoi7twCxdavLp7fJ-QF4KUHlYcgelmnmm__aoz4btSEFbM2Yn-zCB3H-3aEbgQlSY2eOSTj4kICIVI_zD8_Z3Jl9WAX1619ubB8ChYYtDbpeigZMFPSCm2DJBLVtumsJe/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdqtnQGNrcVWUoi7twCxdavLp7fJ-QF4KUHlYcgelmnmm__aoz4btSEFbM2Yn-zCB3H-3aEbgQlSY2eOSTj4kICIVI_zD8_Z3Jl9WAX1619ubB8ChYYtDbpeigZMFPSCm2DJBLVtumsJe/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Gorge Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGkPF_7uV7dBnnho_4SPXzOxXMUFwP_jrHJclVeHMDRzlFi2PLCxmDy14zIHMC7cFj2ogjlV48ntA9kMA5-GWlWT9J3xsz9b23snVOcOroY9e28ES05QawPAIxrmGzliO8qaWT_U6_Jht/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGkPF_7uV7dBnnho_4SPXzOxXMUFwP_jrHJclVeHMDRzlFi2PLCxmDy14zIHMC7cFj2ogjlV48ntA9kMA5-GWlWT9J3xsz9b23snVOcOroY9e28ES05QawPAIxrmGzliO8qaWT_U6_Jht/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Gorge has to have a water crossing too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It took us two hours to cover the three klm round journey and we were really tired as we set out for Kununurra again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been an exhausting time but one we would remember for a long time.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiF0FB0WVrYW7GiUT3XVAp-TyJhzp3VmtUQmzub2xlt4C3qHmOwUR-tvjze5TCSfMLCFbKLvlTIhQtGAIN07bh8E8GS_CDWBmP9It3DFQpRZFJd08GY5AfCBkAtJI6kwtXPj2amCKqdOt/s1600/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiF0FB0WVrYW7GiUT3XVAp-TyJhzp3VmtUQmzub2xlt4C3qHmOwUR-tvjze5TCSfMLCFbKLvlTIhQtGAIN07bh8E8GS_CDWBmP9It3DFQpRZFJd08GY5AfCBkAtJI6kwtXPj2amCKqdOt/s320/gibb+river+road+and+bungle+bungle+226.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final view of Cockburn Range</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-34048609766856106612011-08-05T14:18:00.000+10:002011-08-05T14:18:59.068+10:0025th – 26th July - Kununurra WA<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What a great place this little known area is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we tell friends & family we are in Kununurra there is a bit of a silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not well known and in fact we have been told that the town is less than 50 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a thriving area however and there appears to be plenty of jobs for those who wish to work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we boarded a fast boat and travelled 52 klms up the Ord River to the dam wall at Lake Argyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not only a scenic experience but a chance to learn how the Ord Irrigation Scheme was developed and the manner in which it had impacted the economy of the East Kimberleys.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHxYeBYZWka8OwdQcPaeu0JCAz9mZm20SP-A0xaE1Bko7f3csZq_g65seUtL_PirnqwADsdCLT21Gr_ZjSv_-aOI-cxTi2EQnvr-z_GNYjNAOBYG7i6jv4CMw7fwPKnqERmlXgrV8_fKR/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHxYeBYZWka8OwdQcPaeu0JCAz9mZm20SP-A0xaE1Bko7f3csZq_g65seUtL_PirnqwADsdCLT21Gr_ZjSv_-aOI-cxTi2EQnvr-z_GNYjNAOBYG7i6jv4CMw7fwPKnqERmlXgrV8_fKR/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our speed cruise - the air conditioning worked well too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx8V4sGmdahZ92niGOzIBlfD9x0dSXBPV15ivYFM0gnOiD0yFXvAHRgpfZ8vB3GYQC77tui4aLd7AiUa4L-aYcvjH8EeCU3xNRRwqs6ZxITVFrWCxtDMWqGnzb3n-_2_tdMAF9toJFW0R/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx8V4sGmdahZ92niGOzIBlfD9x0dSXBPV15ivYFM0gnOiD0yFXvAHRgpfZ8vB3GYQC77tui4aLd7AiUa4L-aYcvjH8EeCU3xNRRwqs6ZxITVFrWCxtDMWqGnzb3n-_2_tdMAF9toJFW0R/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the boys - 2 200 HP outboards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The river flow is managed by the output of Lake Argyle through spillway overflow and a small hydro electric powerhouse and further down at Kununurra itself by a Diversion Dam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Diversion Dam maintains a water level in the Ord to ensure sufficient water can be diverted to the irrigation canals that water the farmland below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from one small area the whole irrigation system works from gravity without any need for pumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently the water is flowing down the stream at 70m3 per second.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-S129SgN-DikSRtVuZHJnCoPImussZ-lUKqJef-_fYKqk0t3AS-RsiU5qsNkaUIzG38gYgC2tB2fA35MZuUVDQA59vg3qW-gAz7fPDehtAh8LY6lTS0rziO5SZoBZLm_SuOPg20y99iD/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-S129SgN-DikSRtVuZHJnCoPImussZ-lUKqJef-_fYKqk0t3AS-RsiU5qsNkaUIzG38gYgC2tB2fA35MZuUVDQA59vg3qW-gAz7fPDehtAh8LY6lTS0rziO5SZoBZLm_SuOPg20y99iD/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+036.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School is in - no homework thankfully</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeHF7FO7EqWLaVx6dR3kS4aSvOH2L7R1Fi6XJX8FoJXk4uQ7uPx-iMkdgOmZtNGWRXypXWcGdd4h-7lf2i8hC-dcWMfCKdlB-EVmgyL4ZszEQBXjCn_yr8dxJjrUDZBAQAYEszZLNlfa_/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeHF7FO7EqWLaVx6dR3kS4aSvOH2L7R1Fi6XJX8FoJXk4uQ7uPx-iMkdgOmZtNGWRXypXWcGdd4h-7lf2i8hC-dcWMfCKdlB-EVmgyL4ZszEQBXjCn_yr8dxJjrUDZBAQAYEszZLNlfa_/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one place where water is pumped from the river for irrigation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The path of the river after leaving the dam flows down between picturesque mountain ranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first 15 klms the water level drops 10 metres so it is quite fast flowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are few shallow areas however so only in a couple of places does one see any races or white water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then for the balance of the 52 klms the stream only drops approximately 2 metres due to the Diversion Dam management.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_smV7DEpKg4Fa9DVU0QQcHCxR21a-KhP1X0QIgaeoGWQ3QG1obZ0kFxMIn0uxeD4dyIKFDk4KrHIG0pXBF35sKpqG6vvsjUjaUls5YwY7iUAxL56VToGbo34A1Apiay7kqKuLwGg8HJ5/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_smV7DEpKg4Fa9DVU0QQcHCxR21a-KhP1X0QIgaeoGWQ3QG1obZ0kFxMIn0uxeD4dyIKFDk4KrHIG0pXBF35sKpqG6vvsjUjaUls5YwY7iUAxL56VToGbo34A1Apiay7kqKuLwGg8HJ5/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Watchman - rock wallaby looks over our activities</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lVBTclQgn7U24dQ1e-JiGPrnM4r2H49cVf2PZ_cXN_Av7zSDuv5SsDwh_u9jqsehrIyM10YXNEMgivG5shB_2QVvMMCUBVTc4Otg5uXzU0H6pQZPPawENwIiosh2OXyIItCCIjalvHgG/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lVBTclQgn7U24dQ1e-JiGPrnM4r2H49cVf2PZ_cXN_Av7zSDuv5SsDwh_u9jqsehrIyM10YXNEMgivG5shB_2QVvMMCUBVTc4Otg5uXzU0H6pQZPPawENwIiosh2OXyIItCCIjalvHgG/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many beautiful sights.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdUthiI-lEgTWQ3VnvvZWEHjxPjGcGsILm7bJYw0DmZEKp92pt67OqRM8XZ_7sSC5tPLd4FqqJ4DozICQcb_REOi8UWYZhgFTRyfwj0ZiMMN6s9ks5DGMWhNL3WHPIcky4c9tLVx-rlL9/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdUthiI-lEgTWQ3VnvvZWEHjxPjGcGsILm7bJYw0DmZEKp92pt67OqRM8XZ_7sSC5tPLd4FqqJ4DozICQcb_REOi8UWYZhgFTRyfwj0ZiMMN6s9ks5DGMWhNL3WHPIcky4c9tLVx-rlL9/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBguKy2LvXhSf_kkd245925XqN979pdvl-7pIlozKekIMN8kDvMgv1jzfm_VBaZRtbHZ4V5Gpi4TiLCloxLdd-7YR1I5MjBB4mHERJdqbXzoyO6uSVRKIymmF3rkN9T6bKUsk_eejmbtw/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBguKy2LvXhSf_kkd245925XqN979pdvl-7pIlozKekIMN8kDvMgv1jzfm_VBaZRtbHZ4V5Gpi4TiLCloxLdd-7YR1I5MjBB4mHERJdqbXzoyO6uSVRKIymmF3rkN9T6bKUsk_eejmbtw/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Rock - Can you see it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Environmentally the construction of the dam did have an impact as many shallows or wet lands were changed however in the years since construction the whole environment has changed positively with many new species of birds and fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 52 klms we travelled there is estimated to be approx 6000 fresh water crocodiles in existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birdlife inhabit the river mostly in the dry season and while the wet season is occurring they spread to other areas to take advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year there has been such a significant wet period that many of the birds have yet to return to the river.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmbj9jyqtzhzOH0yaQ4ZMUw7Mhm1lw9STeEegCwaDAwTtF2-7wSbdjqVYaj6N82cgJM_ggq4KBrRd0NrlPs85LBa1ifXYXMX_jIk3ydgUuF8nb_48i9G_J2GHYH2VZUa4pVuUr72CXy8K/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmbj9jyqtzhzOH0yaQ4ZMUw7Mhm1lw9STeEegCwaDAwTtF2-7wSbdjqVYaj6N82cgJM_ggq4KBrRd0NrlPs85LBa1ifXYXMX_jIk3ydgUuF8nb_48i9G_J2GHYH2VZUa4pVuUr72CXy8K/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+197.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is tough in this environment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f4BUPK8QlGCWcWkuIcbl5wmzPrh-fLVE3XhPCjX0do5o33HDBmqDAwjHJoBXtMvkb8LxW4v3SNjPkQFKFx2cwlU0t1NgPA2GMFT5_YFe47-Datz7BR0AP5SrOt2RzyJ2iYlZl3sSzamO/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f4BUPK8QlGCWcWkuIcbl5wmzPrh-fLVE3XhPCjX0do5o33HDBmqDAwjHJoBXtMvkb8LxW4v3SNjPkQFKFx2cwlU0t1NgPA2GMFT5_YFe47-Datz7BR0AP5SrOt2RzyJ2iYlZl3sSzamO/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below the dam wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is so green here after all of the dry country that we have travelled through over the last three months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally we returned back down the river in time to see the sun set over the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the special time for Alice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY0Pnjv6tcy5FdOjTNRCbMYZ9we2u19t2Vjf6qoKH2KkHtaS_9yA3r9a2JlQadAjjee2ka2slTwVE7Ac0kn_DVAQd3mXJ9FjEimLWJZQBhNY2xD5myyRGSbgLaVUCxvdQvsvDliKOcrwz/s1600/ord+river+trip+kimberley+235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY0Pnjv6tcy5FdOjTNRCbMYZ9we2u19t2Vjf6qoKH2KkHtaS_9yA3r9a2JlQadAjjee2ka2slTwVE7Ac0kn_DVAQd3mXJ9FjEimLWJZQBhNY2xD5myyRGSbgLaVUCxvdQvsvDliKOcrwz/s320/ord+river+trip+kimberley+235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday and we set out to visit Wyndham to the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road heads west for about 50 klms and then north for a similar distance to the shores of Cambridge Gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This town is much older then Kununurra and has been the port for the North Kimberleys for many decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from the port activities there is little industry and the population is made up mostly of Indigenous peoples.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEX71U82nFDn-k4Fk9SqVJ8H5oRCvaQWTkzBKT5E8nhInbHtz_fc76wj77rVTnsDhkLDPynpXXo35rmtVjOFvDdkZLY2SV7gA9VFPCLzEhE4KxdwfcxIF4SWo9EAKD3eK3oejJpdU1i2r/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEX71U82nFDn-k4Fk9SqVJ8H5oRCvaQWTkzBKT5E8nhInbHtz_fc76wj77rVTnsDhkLDPynpXXo35rmtVjOFvDdkZLY2SV7gA9VFPCLzEhE4KxdwfcxIF4SWo9EAKD3eK3oejJpdU1i2r/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice loves pets but Ian said NO !!!!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On the route we turned off into a wetlands area called Parry’s Lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a significant bird breeding area and a over water walkway and a bird watch have been built for viewing the activity there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travelled down some very rough corrugated roads and wondered why we were doing this until we came to the crest of a hill and looked out over this magnificent green marshland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then spent the best part of 2 hours watching birds of all descriptions going about their daily activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was a pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThc_EE4X-82T9Wh5Y38CKoCEXWvKCuVg_33i-hQZnPn7d6_onXruWoZoxrOx89gzF9zTuQVo3NghNwcd4zCUMGFRE5uj-nQ_wGuedX5sCkrLQZBf7_7M6DYTpWXt6q-Tl1GK2lGYsSCiI/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThc_EE4X-82T9Wh5Y38CKoCEXWvKCuVg_33i-hQZnPn7d6_onXruWoZoxrOx89gzF9zTuQVo3NghNwcd4zCUMGFRE5uj-nQ_wGuedX5sCkrLQZBf7_7M6DYTpWXt6q-Tl1GK2lGYsSCiI/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parry's Lagoon - Oasis in the desert</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hEhuQlGU99cyEv8iDHHcpQPYBB6gc1gXX-0bx0ryj9O6XjC4MT1zzJqU-GLDIYL4C7FS1JbIXZbUo8dMS-CySkcpJ12Y-aiIhdnxUYW8vk9ZPkd711c05w69_cyB3i0Jhl7GINEKEewW/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hEhuQlGU99cyEv8iDHHcpQPYBB6gc1gXX-0bx0ryj9O6XjC4MT1zzJqU-GLDIYL4C7FS1JbIXZbUo8dMS-CySkcpJ12Y-aiIhdnxUYW8vk9ZPkd711c05w69_cyB3i0Jhl7GINEKEewW/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Bird Hide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BopR0Md9qutSlrNsuWmQH4iZCBQulTjoecSGWoxeQnJG0IKRS7wMidQkMUbYKPy6BKTiJwYioHtBE02f5i-MRSmPQr1w9VqZ-2Lr-khEsh2JJddLsUKD0v4RxP2grKzQnh9qJ1emoFf/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BopR0Md9qutSlrNsuWmQH4iZCBQulTjoecSGWoxeQnJG0IKRS7wMidQkMUbYKPy6BKTiJwYioHtBE02f5i-MRSmPQr1w9VqZ-2Lr-khEsh2JJddLsUKD0v4RxP2grKzQnh9qJ1emoFf/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjVljjGOXDS_VkctqiACjtyAOgriT9t1eRMDJx82zAykQQxITozyOEYpZCfpfbQ8AWCmxhD5dR1CB2XmOu4kQtcHuF6AezE44l5Lj39a9kQc5Iy55XajilthG0SMTuKOJXGraKE_RBx4U/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjVljjGOXDS_VkctqiACjtyAOgriT9t1eRMDJx82zAykQQxITozyOEYpZCfpfbQ8AWCmxhD5dR1CB2XmOu4kQtcHuF6AezE44l5Lj39a9kQc5Iy55XajilthG0SMTuKOJXGraKE_RBx4U/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXLG01MbkZP6mEhkeRGjJctJSIh_yNtv_XiHhZLR95BbfXygqF1x6jCJx3eBAP-ejLF8p37tV8K3A3HbDx5SBJS8s8ioN481g9h0VKNTuKP3LuqkrSH1d_9oMCZk6bHiPPV_gaQawXLJq/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXLG01MbkZP6mEhkeRGjJctJSIh_yNtv_XiHhZLR95BbfXygqF1x6jCJx3eBAP-ejLF8p37tV8K3A3HbDx5SBJS8s8ioN481g9h0VKNTuKP3LuqkrSH1d_9oMCZk6bHiPPV_gaQawXLJq/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MF6dXNAVvL3Ka_9FlUT5axfC4C2V5Cnc-CzJvBd64z66bRpcroWvZl5lbfNVFyd7EEOFzXKdz-2b5RPrDQDXFQwKxtVFdaTa3J2PWAhXBoXzPjPvDJaVpT98_KicYvYPD2S9qQ8NASFN/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MF6dXNAVvL3Ka_9FlUT5axfC4C2V5Cnc-CzJvBd64z66bRpcroWvZl5lbfNVFyd7EEOFzXKdz-2b5RPrDQDXFQwKxtVFdaTa3J2PWAhXBoXzPjPvDJaVpT98_KicYvYPD2S9qQ8NASFN/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oPE0n7LouR94wxSaZDy9icFtrgeRBjbLPDST6-RSTf8v1-cQBbmgz2ZrECju1SdezLvn-4OHVPBdPqhe3e1kaAPNqrPwrLRXdwaHNBOi1axOJzmGWZoCPiKu0oCCaM_t9YqEwFaUSDCN/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oPE0n7LouR94wxSaZDy9icFtrgeRBjbLPDST6-RSTf8v1-cQBbmgz2ZrECju1SdezLvn-4OHVPBdPqhe3e1kaAPNqrPwrLRXdwaHNBOi1axOJzmGWZoCPiKu0oCCaM_t9YqEwFaUSDCN/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the residents.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once in Wyndham we drove to the top of a nearby range and looked out over the Gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this great vantage point we could look out to sea (approx 50 klms north) and back south west over the delta of five rivers which feed into the gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time of the dry season these rivers are quite slow flowing however during the wet season they are often in flood pouring out across the delta and filling the gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this area the tides can reach eight metres in height so it is difficult to visualise the impact of the flooding rivers coming up against a high tide.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv_2cAGKCBQLr8NeeP_fjhBwFKoRro8cAWT9yQwJFBzPTy5RU0Yd38QR4N6Sxfgbkn7yB8-xiBXg7imozoY_NROE0xFBeEfqUzTkdx24zweALrzXCR45hPywhD4YNGk-d_OSIeoNwot0W/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv_2cAGKCBQLr8NeeP_fjhBwFKoRro8cAWT9yQwJFBzPTy5RU0Yd38QR4N6Sxfgbkn7yB8-xiBXg7imozoY_NROE0xFBeEfqUzTkdx24zweALrzXCR45hPywhD4YNGk-d_OSIeoNwot0W/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out from the Bastion towards the delta of the five Kimberley rivers feeding into Cambridge Gulf.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The port still receives some shipping but cannot be reasoned to be a busy port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However while we were there a ship was entering the port to load iron ore which was mined near the Argyle Diamond mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a trial shipment and because of the lack of infrastructure the ore was being carted to Wyndham by large four trailer road trains, stockpiled on ground and then loaded by conveyor on to barges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship then anchored off shore in the bay and loaded the ore by crane from the barges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really did seem an inefficient means of transfer but it does demonstrate the potential profits in iron ore that can accept such expensive transfer costs.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj524Ph7gt0gR5kcwwU7JXpwz2bltCkD6ZdxbBWeSiYaroGaafe08-HepjOC7Hl9BlfZ3UuQNBNCGJXPGLyXVPOvR1qysRED1Wsr1k8e7oDig9bQSFhs8qrMmNo1LmPwmYQxempR7Md0XPq/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj524Ph7gt0gR5kcwwU7JXpwz2bltCkD6ZdxbBWeSiYaroGaafe08-HepjOC7Hl9BlfZ3UuQNBNCGJXPGLyXVPOvR1qysRED1Wsr1k8e7oDig9bQSFhs8qrMmNo1LmPwmYQxempR7Md0XPq/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road trains carting iron ore to port</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbfVokQ_uHzbpPnlvuwM4IU6-ghXhAhlS5PtrQ0exi7xkqJ1CMKn1zSM1kowjJ48Vq5swDTyjpJ8QPfW1udDOs4JI1KGA2bqjzqmyKJGzZt06x6_LZLnXDDZEuF136fQzu-XQMGmeesUG/s1600/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbfVokQ_uHzbpPnlvuwM4IU6-ghXhAhlS5PtrQ0exi7xkqJ1CMKn1zSM1kowjJ48Vq5swDTyjpJ8QPfW1udDOs4JI1KGA2bqjzqmyKJGzZt06x6_LZLnXDDZEuF136fQzu-XQMGmeesUG/s320/parrys+lagoon+birds+and+wyndam+nt+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron ore being loaded onto barges and then to ship!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is so much to see here in this area and there is so much variation that makes it so very interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we are off to check out the eastern end of the Gibb River Road.</span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-44959609991102255262011-07-26T23:01:00.000+10:002011-07-26T23:01:25.775+10:0022nd -23 rd July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Up early and heading for the border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is the day we have been looking forward to – entering the Kimberleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a beautiful morning all though cool for this area and we are on the road by 7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road is clear and almost lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is great to travel at this time although I confess to enjoying the sleep ins too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our target is Lake Argyle although we have no guarantee of getting a camp site there, hence our early start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ian has so wanted to see the Ord River and the dam and this lake is the one formed by the Ord River Dam.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We were blessed again with a great run down the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About an hour out and we were directed down a side diversion where a bridge was being repaired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water truck had just been through and he had done a very, very, very good job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mud all over the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped for a break just up the road and were told that just after we had gone through a road train had jacknifed his last trailer and closed the road down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were glad we had made the early start.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW7MnotQiLH3TySOdjnn1rHZYrZZHN2f7nw4sb1SK3FK-GP9nWIihes9bGkrF1xcrbe1dFssbsGbsLUitH6N-pNYJaznsTD8tRYvFqgRNN9aZk0mRsUYV3m2ub42wu3dIQ7U77x_VrVYL/s1600/DSCN0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW7MnotQiLH3TySOdjnn1rHZYrZZHN2f7nw4sb1SK3FK-GP9nWIihes9bGkrF1xcrbe1dFssbsGbsLUitH6N-pNYJaznsTD8tRYvFqgRNN9aZk0mRsUYV3m2ub42wu3dIQ7U77x_VrVYL/s320/DSCN0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side road which was closed soon after we passed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the WA border we went through quarantine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fresh fruit, vegetables or honey area allowed over into WA but Alice had worked it all out perfectly and we were free of stock by this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ8Lk1L1-t5xhpVaWWPy_ibCm_MUKIKYImnbcS0tL_gve6J_LFX9SljRTPmRojYRrod04r_dSEwTezbrtOuGL9H8r63fnqJPRwlKyjvA1J-7Rv_PdXIoVhtorlBc52QQzysYWkPCM7Z4c/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ8Lk1L1-t5xhpVaWWPy_ibCm_MUKIKYImnbcS0tL_gve6J_LFX9SljRTPmRojYRrod04r_dSEwTezbrtOuGL9H8r63fnqJPRwlKyjvA1J-7Rv_PdXIoVhtorlBc52QQzysYWkPCM7Z4c/s320/DSCN0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just 7 klms into WA and we turned up the road to the dam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery right along the road this morning was amazing as we passed between <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>beautiful maintain ranges and escarpments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The centre of Australia is truly wonderful and it has taken all my life to get to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first view of the Ord was a fast flowing stream that we had to cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few cars were parked on the side of the road so we stopped too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just metres from the road lay one sleeping crocodile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said there a few others too but we were on a mission and had to keep moving.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLhEHDZ7QbwZ0vGSKlvn9ZZKEd-jD_fnxjtozq-DK86n18rswixWcrKpJQVTf0_ZQDWc_k7NQC3TDlxVKRq5-oojb9MpPQu3wdesMcfn1oEH6y1kKOKbQuojf4k3vURjw10sYT6uP_j5M/s1600/DSCN0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLhEHDZ7QbwZ0vGSKlvn9ZZKEd-jD_fnxjtozq-DK86n18rswixWcrKpJQVTf0_ZQDWc_k7NQC3TDlxVKRq5-oojb9MpPQu3wdesMcfn1oEH6y1kKOKbQuojf4k3vURjw10sYT6uP_j5M/s320/DSCN0513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine a road lined with views like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then to Lake Argyle and we did get a campsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having set up we were ready to explore and I don’t think we were ready for what we were about to see.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This lake is the largest man made lake in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the dam wall was much shorter than I had imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wall is built with a black clay core coated in rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no concrete as this area is on a fault line and earthquakes are a possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concrete could crack however the clay can flex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black clay expands as it absorbs and retains moisture so it becomes impermeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The balance of the dam is made up of natural mountain ranges.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEQhEqXsqRYta3lKyAbm4NloKriJksrNk1iG4V5FOofR9Rl7Tt0P8_M9k6hwj6gCx-4HSAqWt5AKtqQFmOOhn6iqbHnWM_H_wsMUHC5dS_qvlfojIzOts-ChGn8rUM_E3IQF015sYmPie/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEQhEqXsqRYta3lKyAbm4NloKriJksrNk1iG4V5FOofR9Rl7Tt0P8_M9k6hwj6gCx-4HSAqWt5AKtqQFmOOhn6iqbHnWM_H_wsMUHC5dS_qvlfojIzOts-ChGn8rUM_E3IQF015sYmPie/s320/DSCN0571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt4FfTpav4yrIurBkIGFENlCvl04-VTXo9kAIBJgbVIhYgH1fcn07KPkzxyQD4CKKbrRTQumeI7mbRpTcEB-pfPOLf1PkaQkKD1FlqdA7_92O4M_EUsgBhyphenhyphenyJNTE-1c9CfT961Uw9rkKv/s1600/DSCN0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt4FfTpav4yrIurBkIGFENlCvl04-VTXo9kAIBJgbVIhYgH1fcn07KPkzxyQD4CKKbrRTQumeI7mbRpTcEB-pfPOLf1PkaQkKD1FlqdA7_92O4M_EUsgBhyphenhyphenyJNTE-1c9CfT961Uw9rkKv/s320/DSCN0576.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufArOoVDssZlhIcO2UOmIstTHfX002wB1JnVeslY8GfQ9AaoJWyrzgWAGsz5yX3ObkAuT6rIgqFskk-M9eD06DL45U4i3Zqg0TacycSdCkvLlZ-CrpWLtKRsRhExbpdpnvr-q0VB2-Ocq/s1600/DSCN0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufArOoVDssZlhIcO2UOmIstTHfX002wB1JnVeslY8GfQ9AaoJWyrzgWAGsz5yX3ObkAuT6rIgqFskk-M9eD06DL45U4i3Zqg0TacycSdCkvLlZ-CrpWLtKRsRhExbpdpnvr-q0VB2-Ocq/s320/DSCN0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below the dam wallfrom the wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFIrk035OB5onElrxcT39Vyi2OdPvmmmv-ujlgDtmJ6aDto0pq7WEj_7jMfuSKcQ9n5yq9YuEL-X7hL6cHQw6n9OqGpWe2lDRVcaAHcW_BJCNduAAfULEzc7INZ3AyntaUfuCcbbJuhmb/s1600/DSCN0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFIrk035OB5onElrxcT39Vyi2OdPvmmmv-ujlgDtmJ6aDto0pq7WEj_7jMfuSKcQ9n5yq9YuEL-X7hL6cHQw6n9OqGpWe2lDRVcaAHcW_BJCNduAAfULEzc7INZ3AyntaUfuCcbbJuhmb/s320/DSCN0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water around every corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirmbsipIy51ZiHf6TPS5VnkQOjSg0ttkU52NnVTb5QAOLrgVLjRxFCWV3oIiUYCA6HotRBoq6S0ZEwVje4Qc4kZYH86FQ7qVA-7cZFz7rtJOuFY9XzfIcC6vyWMml74xL0lQTKi2dv6_e/s1600/DSCN0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirmbsipIy51ZiHf6TPS5VnkQOjSg0ttkU52NnVTb5QAOLrgVLjRxFCWV3oIiUYCA6HotRBoq6S0ZEwVje4Qc4kZYH86FQ7qVA-7cZFz7rtJOuFY9XzfIcC6vyWMml74xL0lQTKi2dv6_e/s320/DSCN0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a view from the pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It really is a picturesque place and we enjoyed exploring the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are an amazing number of bird species too much to Alice’s delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dam has developed its own unique nature environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is estimated that there are now 24,000 fresh water crocodiles in the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not count those in the Ord river below the dam where they estimate there are a further 6000 between the dam and Kununurra.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDdwRT68_FXMM5EyiAqlKHKRdsE-hCs8xMNNjZVpRxyIZlsnPnsLsmaPRZYLzuOFNgSeFBaTSwHXp0Kvq_PbCaaMTSg48QRLUqWIdh3r1gnHX3CLmQKqreFFeO8PH5EpFKYmnYTFqXIwo/s1600/DSCN0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDdwRT68_FXMM5EyiAqlKHKRdsE-hCs8xMNNjZVpRxyIZlsnPnsLsmaPRZYLzuOFNgSeFBaTSwHXp0Kvq_PbCaaMTSg48QRLUqWIdh3r1gnHX3CLmQKqreFFeO8PH5EpFKYmnYTFqXIwo/s320/DSCN0655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zll3aFuD4X5yQDf6PPxEzjFfHl1eJMWdudjbhC2Spuoe0ExbREQLfMKXeY0JssTzNmk77okCxRPJSOcrynJsTf0PAFZk6KLgBIsqbBnD-cc8cphpeP7DmqVztqDKACmiLtfub81HvrTN/s1600/DSCN0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zll3aFuD4X5yQDf6PPxEzjFfHl1eJMWdudjbhC2Spuoe0ExbREQLfMKXeY0JssTzNmk77okCxRPJSOcrynJsTf0PAFZk6KLgBIsqbBnD-cc8cphpeP7DmqVztqDKACmiLtfub81HvrTN/s320/DSCN0665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One night at the dam and we moved on to Kununurra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This town is claimed to be one of the youngest towns in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It supported the construction of the Ord Irrigation Scheme and now supports the ongoing agriculture, tourism and the Argyle Diamond Mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First top after setting up camp was the supermarket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line up of interstate number plates was enormous as all those who crossed the border & quarantine replenished their fruit & vegetable stocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we checked out the town lagoon, “Lilly Lagoon” where there were some beautiful photo shops available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact over the first two days we were able to visit the local lakes, the large irrigation farming area and also a special gem “Hidden Valley” which is a National Park which borders the town proper.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zklAg-dvM2GlW6rtgkhOO7q26cl1TG2l2hBAn26gl1AjsxdnMZCv9wZZ9q7-4E0VZd3sy82VfHM30cPbxU1SJFZTMXzvGVTGm8QZr2k3hx8o1eue6GcZsxPPTj3OikFgHZJofJ9Wb9sO/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zklAg-dvM2GlW6rtgkhOO7q26cl1TG2l2hBAn26gl1AjsxdnMZCv9wZZ9q7-4E0VZd3sy82VfHM30cPbxU1SJFZTMXzvGVTGm8QZr2k3hx8o1eue6GcZsxPPTj3OikFgHZJofJ9Wb9sO/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Valley - right behind our camp site</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fUUDzVlGdP9284WVNykF-ASBwoqkE3MTdZIhwjJ3bgcnxnsxDSByNj4_l0INtshTNiulA3tFz3_los8bc9ePm9JOpIAWbprbn1ezlrXy4v1kWDa-MoO4UiQBvoDze8dxIETFQpIhk6Ih/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fUUDzVlGdP9284WVNykF-ASBwoqkE3MTdZIhwjJ3bgcnxnsxDSByNj4_l0INtshTNiulA3tFz3_los8bc9ePm9JOpIAWbprbn1ezlrXy4v1kWDa-MoO4UiQBvoDze8dxIETFQpIhk6Ih/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique formations - Hidden Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d2hc0xzQe2qyYHfb7AQ6DSd08p-LjvzoZqD2oGArrUMvJS23MSJoJgUiOQ4Mj4zAX9l3M9P2DEFa2uvJvhqX5e6eSb3GTDV4dTMCenGnY6Fjf9RZ-9CkddKe67D76QzCMZGTgWfuTZSn/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d2hc0xzQe2qyYHfb7AQ6DSd08p-LjvzoZqD2oGArrUMvJS23MSJoJgUiOQ4Mj4zAX9l3M9P2DEFa2uvJvhqX5e6eSb3GTDV4dTMCenGnY6Fjf9RZ-9CkddKe67D76QzCMZGTgWfuTZSn/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No landscaper can match God's creation no matter how clever</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhRgBqeQncXzzxF1lqY5Y7OuvCQ0OI-iqQB1DWmsLAfqjO6yRAl93GqLqXNBvN4rucOj5mEaLQyMLyikL0rUjVzeDL_vvyeqWQJQNbrlVh4hYh1OKyd0_hZMOhcT4HLKlBrIQqUIrt9Ib/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhRgBqeQncXzzxF1lqY5Y7OuvCQ0OI-iqQB1DWmsLAfqjO6yRAl93GqLqXNBvN4rucOj5mEaLQyMLyikL0rUjVzeDL_vvyeqWQJQNbrlVh4hYh1OKyd0_hZMOhcT4HLKlBrIQqUIrt9Ib/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+079.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hidden gem in a Hidden Valley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the farming area we visited a rum distillery producing from local sugar, and also the new Indian Sandalwood outlet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Sandalwood they are producing perfumes, health products, toiletries and carvings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They state that one tonne can produce up to $100,000 in finished product value and apart from India where the trees are being exhausted this is the only other place in the world where the timber is being produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first harvest is due in two years time when the success of the investment will be proved.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In this area we also saw Chia being produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a plant originating in South America and it produces health foods as a grain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again this is a fledgling industry in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also growing horticultural crops, cotton, rice, mangoes, citrus and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6_ptQzMR9Pyg3NkG6xLfH8fnD837djfnSUL22bqnR352qcXF_0fLmG1m-chyphenhyphenjG_DBSB9Y07GonDU47pD5_U0vePnOkClwA6WHftlm0XqBwSOa_oUIeAojAmvOY6y9Tp3EvO5XX-S-HcA/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6_ptQzMR9Pyg3NkG6xLfH8fnD837djfnSUL22bqnR352qcXF_0fLmG1m-chyphenhyphenjG_DBSB9Y07GonDU47pD5_U0vePnOkClwA6WHftlm0XqBwSOa_oUIeAojAmvOY6y9Tp3EvO5XX-S-HcA/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+087.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irragation, Chia, Sandlewood & mountain background</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At end of day two we arrived at Ivanhoe Crossing, a road crossing of the Ord which used to be the main road from Wyndham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally in the dry season high clearance cars can cross the river (about 150m wide) in about 30 – 45 cm depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen this crossing in many documentaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year however after the big wet the road has been closed all year and the 60cm high markers cannot be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river was pouring over the crossing with enormous power and noise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94ec8HzEOc1M2gG_gw6WGn_bwKRL9I0Xu0KJGdHN02YboYqwLwKV7Z_eBRcvcRRUUlIn-dNZ-M9PIBMAqbRNUyc2HMpF083EWkFIORtxC0QAxVneM57wxNjospOR9rZZvmE7TnCmkGA_V/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94ec8HzEOc1M2gG_gw6WGn_bwKRL9I0Xu0KJGdHN02YboYqwLwKV7Z_eBRcvcRRUUlIn-dNZ-M9PIBMAqbRNUyc2HMpF083EWkFIORtxC0QAxVneM57wxNjospOR9rZZvmE7TnCmkGA_V/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivanhoe Crossing in flood (all year)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrVlGZ4yretGlw2vBBkX_T24niRzPZ_Rgbu-lGvjTdffgy-Jiyl9Qm2IKUMglYGfyUL5phUT4lVyccYZrSMof2SXkdP0ByjtXpIPAMxNsdnwbu0cDOVwXSZQbYxN2B9S2h7yLI8SI5zYp/s1600/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrVlGZ4yretGlw2vBBkX_T24niRzPZ_Rgbu-lGvjTdffgy-Jiyl9Qm2IKUMglYGfyUL5phUT4lVyccYZrSMof2SXkdP0ByjtXpIPAMxNsdnwbu0cDOVwXSZQbYxN2B9S2h7yLI8SI5zYp/s320/lake+argyle+and+kunanurra+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This was end of Day 2 in Kununurra and we are here for 7 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is more to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we have booked a cruise up the Ord and we are really looking forward to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you like too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-87646050995210090102011-07-24T23:08:00.000+10:002011-07-24T23:08:32.327+10:003rd July – 21st July<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well it has been quite a while since we logged an entry in our travel blog so if you have been checking without success we sincerely apologise.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A great deal has been happening though so we have a lot of ground to cover in bringing you up to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our last entry we advised that we were heading back to SEQ to see our family and for us that was a wonderful time. We were blessed greatly in that Merv & Joie Westbrook who are pastors at COC in Darwin and long time friends with Alice offered for us to leave our car & van on the church property at Berrinba not far from the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was just wonderful for us and Joie graciously dropped us off at the airport for our mid night flight back to Qld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t it great to have wonderful friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The COC Church in Darwin is an amazing operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though they are not large in number they operate quite a large hostel for mostly indigenous people who have to travel to Darwin for medical care or other special reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are people coming in and out continually and it is quite a busy place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also have a large interest in overseas missions and financially support over 5000 pastors in many countries in Africa, Asia, Philippines, Indonesia and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of the funding for this support is generated by businesses that they have established for just this purpose including a farm and a retail furniture business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church is the closest example of a community that I have ever seen. They are a very effective operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On return we were able to spend time with them in church and enjoy a Fellowship Tea also.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back in Queensland we were able to spend time with Ian’s father through a few visits as well as time with each of our family with the exception of Joy & Luke in Chinchilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately & disappointingly it was not possible to make it out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the time we spent with those who we could meet was just so wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been really missing them so this quality time, particularly with our grandchildren was very special.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All good things must come to an end however and we made our way back to Darwin on the 15<sup>th</sup> of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from the necessary time needed to restock and complete some van repairs (it is showing its age) we were able to see some more of Darwin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular we did enjoy some time at Casuarina Reserve which is a beach area to the north edge of Darwin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the beach is edged by some spectacular, though not too high stone cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezyttO2T4LVIj_5-CS9gIC8tY2G_Bzo71a-Q6m5jbuOZuoDOyiPhlZYPNoMondqA9qM0YvBM7pY5OQdwQHauDD_nE6tpA-UAQv8wKnoklGCIo31rtqHiHJyOvUIfHi7exj7pbqOT3hX8q/s1600/darwin+cliffs+and+beachs+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezyttO2T4LVIj_5-CS9gIC8tY2G_Bzo71a-Q6m5jbuOZuoDOyiPhlZYPNoMondqA9qM0YvBM7pY5OQdwQHauDD_nE6tpA-UAQv8wKnoklGCIo31rtqHiHJyOvUIfHi7exj7pbqOT3hX8q/s320/darwin+cliffs+and+beachs+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of East Point Darwin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eSmtgEf_R4r9fqzNOlGFtXuX8apTAfEFRr9bKIMt5K364FHjkPs57QDbxlTQAdnmiHR37EBkpiPNVb75RRS6MGDeYu_Bd01bndq5D5W6OThPNxGgghFGgPsYcBz94Hc3XFmjToQndWMJ/s1600/darwin+cliffs+and+beachs+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eSmtgEf_R4r9fqzNOlGFtXuX8apTAfEFRr9bKIMt5K364FHjkPs57QDbxlTQAdnmiHR37EBkpiPNVb75RRS6MGDeYu_Bd01bndq5D5W6OThPNxGgghFGgPsYcBz94Hc3XFmjToQndWMJ/s320/darwin+cliffs+and+beachs+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darwin CBD from East Point</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Ian also spent some time visiting the Aviation Museum where there were some interesting aircraft on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pride of the museum is the large B52 bomber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It totally filled the hanger building and all other aircraft sat under her wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really did look like mother hen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some may not know that the B52 has not been long retired from the US Air force but is probably best known for long range bombing raids into Vietnam during the war there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is powered by six jet engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coincidently the US Air force is here with the Australians and playing war games so each morning the F18s noisily take off from Darwin airport across the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that they are linking up with exercises in Central Queensland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shows how small the world is.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6KkndOtyLCQrNs_3qcMJirfxDZrNdlpJWPIMl2CZ0-kM0jGyOaD39uhxJ7cDYlyAp_euW5Po5-nldtb00pxU-laGjh8imTNUuXZuVuS6TybNTzhbj54_cdURnBTINAvXINPs2fyyyJz8/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6KkndOtyLCQrNs_3qcMJirfxDZrNdlpJWPIMl2CZ0-kM0jGyOaD39uhxJ7cDYlyAp_euW5Po5-nldtb00pxU-laGjh8imTNUuXZuVuS6TybNTzhbj54_cdURnBTINAvXINPs2fyyyJz8/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B52 Bomber fills the hanger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAwo58Cq8TvmR1G0a1m0IsllGpK2pz0nkyaXQzTeTrJPmcealnvzyyc9CcZah_sJo_8nYhxUsxzIFL-XeDAtUzTzuRNAiTbjtDK1jfeeVJ2zxS-MHc7Pmotg1ZX76MtOgupMiyEDIwobF/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAwo58Cq8TvmR1G0a1m0IsllGpK2pz0nkyaXQzTeTrJPmcealnvzyyc9CcZah_sJo_8nYhxUsxzIFL-XeDAtUzTzuRNAiTbjtDK1jfeeVJ2zxS-MHc7Pmotg1ZX76MtOgupMiyEDIwobF/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aus Mirage fighter - retired but still looking up to date</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday 19<sup>th</sup> we left Darwin heading for West Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first intended stop was to be Edith Falls some 60 klms north of Katherine however on arrival we found the “Full House” signs out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been amazed all day with the number of caravans heading north to Darwin and we were to find out soon after that this was just to be the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flood gates have certainly opened and it is getting very difficult to find accommodation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the few free stops along the road are full and some are choosing to pull up anywhere they can, legal or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Edith falls is part of Nitmiluk National Park which includes Katherine Gorge as it main feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The falls are more like cascades and while they are beautiful visually they are more appreciated by visitors as a cooling off swimming opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing that it is still school holidays here the camp ground was really full and no one was rushing to move out either.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgvcQ4VGSSHaId95Mx37BISnyyp6vP13PiugS1ebZe9rkwtDJr9BM8iuyuJxt-m65oLGhu6VGQZ49cyOGkbK_6QGI3zgEDYZD9xiMDSxpmH1j1xK1iblRMLIDtEpMDkkUp1La4p8aOzGz/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgvcQ4VGSSHaId95Mx37BISnyyp6vP13PiugS1ebZe9rkwtDJr9BM8iuyuJxt-m65oLGhu6VGQZ49cyOGkbK_6QGI3zgEDYZD9xiMDSxpmH1j1xK1iblRMLIDtEpMDkkUp1La4p8aOzGz/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edith Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2kRj4hz8lHi3rJnT6Qu-TYf-JZKzwF1pzbiOWaB5ldyEUNT0wYomCuTe69NRBqf8OGhxDaME25kvwyMfKH3Gxjjj3NZk3s1p3GJeB8EYUI_1qfZ0CfD4zPxzP5Et0sbtu4SYPQOPNW-N/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2kRj4hz8lHi3rJnT6Qu-TYf-JZKzwF1pzbiOWaB5ldyEUNT0wYomCuTe69NRBqf8OGhxDaME25kvwyMfKH3Gxjjj3NZk3s1p3GJeB8EYUI_1qfZ0CfD4zPxzP5Et0sbtu4SYPQOPNW-N/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More a holiday camp than a visitors view</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent the night in Katherine and then on again next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road west to the border is again quite flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country is quite similar to what we have seen right through NT but as we drew closer to Victoria River Roadhouse (approx 200klms) the road followed a path leading between some tall red rock ranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were quite spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we dropped down to cross the Victoria River and the roadhouse, located on the western bank looked like an emerald green oasis in a red dirt landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are only two fuel stops in over 500 klms from Katherine to Kununurra and this was the first so there were a lot of travellers stopped to refuel vehicles and occupants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Victoria River is the largest river in the Northern Territory and the road runs quite close to it (although not always in sight) from Victoria River Roadhouse to a point west of Timber Creek. Because we were unsure of where we could stop that night and we had still a way to go we did not spend a lot of time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roadhouse we had heard from past years was not a great stop but the signs said “Under New <s>Managers</s> Wife” and there were beautiful green lawns, great camping areas and good facilities on offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wife must know how to pull some strings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tobyGuF0PC6WvzPQdfUOKYyVI6PhgCP96NrZQYL1CgH67UMuRRAhS8DobBncfV7haLA6GXozhBSAbWArcIIPBZkCII5nJGKY5w9q0NmUlx_gKokCoZuuu5fG6kzIaQaq-KYzwVkuaXZQ/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tobyGuF0PC6WvzPQdfUOKYyVI6PhgCP96NrZQYL1CgH67UMuRRAhS8DobBncfV7haLA6GXozhBSAbWArcIIPBZkCII5nJGKY5w9q0NmUlx_gKokCoZuuu5fG6kzIaQaq-KYzwVkuaXZQ/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Victoria River near the roadhouse</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On further we travelled and arrived at Timber Creek about lunch time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the other fuel stop and here we actually found it was a little more than a roadhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we booked into a small park which was quite cheap and after checking it out quickly extended our booking for a second night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very relaxing stop and plenty to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Coming into Timber Creek we saw our first Boab tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from a transplant in Perth Botanical Gardens we have only seen photos of these amazing trees but here is their real home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are yet to learn all about these trees but the first thing we learnt was that they can heal themselves when scarred in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two places in WA they were hollowed out as early jails and they healed over the new carved surfaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdMlLuGApUe41uiAj07nTv3GQH_abrazS3bHQaSv11ly0kkDzPui-15DKz1r2hxTmbea1gwPArytIP8qpV7q3KasEyRJ5LbpkzQ927yR-maudPuyGxIzufa7bttNK0ODhdpcV-otpCNu/s1600/DSCN0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdMlLuGApUe41uiAj07nTv3GQH_abrazS3bHQaSv11ly0kkDzPui-15DKz1r2hxTmbea1gwPArytIP8qpV7q3KasEyRJ5LbpkzQ927yR-maudPuyGxIzufa7bttNK0ODhdpcV-otpCNu/s320/DSCN0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boab tree is a feature of the Kimberleys</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We took a sunset cruise down the Victoria River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were picked up at our camp in an old 1971 bus similar to school buses we remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then received a commentary of the history of Timber Creek as we travelled out to the boat approx 10 klms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Timber Creek received it’s name from the explorer / surveyor Gregory who had holed his boat at the mouth of the Victoria River and set out looking for suitable repair material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>small tributary he found paper bark trees which he chose for his repair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore he called it Timber Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story goes on in depth but he soon found out that paper bark was not a good repair material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The National Park surrounding the town is called Gregory National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We boarded the boat in Big Horse Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that large Barramundi are often called “big Horse” and they catch a few there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we set out down the Victoria River at great speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river was quite wide and they experience eight metre tides at the mouth so it varies in depth quite significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw some crocs both freshwater & salties, small rock wallabys and lots of birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The banks were very green, more than we have been seeing lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some 25 klms down stream we came to a pontoon where we stopped for refreshments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skipped threw a line over the side and soon a catfish was caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then placed it on the frame of the pontoon and called in a large Sea Eagle who swooped right onto the pontoon to take the catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was back up the river and as the sunset we had the chance of seeing the changing colours over the distant ranges and the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite an experience!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGffbekqF2ddMa_SAz0oxxtxKyJ_sg8tf-7BAmlQa6MbyL5wmNUqyrPl0bZs7lfWsLkznRvED69yHxRVZH3_V5X5fus8uZPKTqQjSOJu7ndecW-ReCgeloxOapHiCd6N6CaFejihtDpYO/s1600/DSCN0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGffbekqF2ddMa_SAz0oxxtxKyJ_sg8tf-7BAmlQa6MbyL5wmNUqyrPl0bZs7lfWsLkznRvED69yHxRVZH3_V5X5fus8uZPKTqQjSOJu7ndecW-ReCgeloxOapHiCd6N6CaFejihtDpYO/s320/DSCN0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria River at Timber Creek</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QKLfwPCEgZOJlwD9huJcyY-JwEcNvS610DEw8_HDNBIK68l2EBXep2kCqFUm0-fNXUemNTswjxRTM4SSNCp3OLi0iBmPtbAqQgvrEUPa5Bbqpl44DFLkCcYpAXvgENtZejmw5bbQpSiv/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QKLfwPCEgZOJlwD9huJcyY-JwEcNvS610DEw8_HDNBIK68l2EBXep2kCqFUm0-fNXUemNTswjxRTM4SSNCp3OLi0iBmPtbAqQgvrEUPa5Bbqpl44DFLkCcYpAXvgENtZejmw5bbQpSiv/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdlife from the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUbr6kdkLQAxfIHyedAu6N24jzdGtPseSoaWpR7sxHv7U-DnHESdnNovuVIidYGOQXzdUQ_X1ZbTgZdVsgagjL2E6Xvf9KVpnDfYRx7vyaiv8k6CIsS5Sp5_O7FIEMF34YX4xEs5Wr_Al/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUbr6kdkLQAxfIHyedAu6N24jzdGtPseSoaWpR7sxHv7U-DnHESdnNovuVIidYGOQXzdUQ_X1ZbTgZdVsgagjL2E6Xvf9KVpnDfYRx7vyaiv8k6CIsS5Sp5_O7FIEMF34YX4xEs5Wr_Al/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a rest in the park!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUdEoZmopX5dsqn2Bs-bATJjkezsSuuezBd5RfOFFtcoHtIpCRg5OhMrnxZiMbPdOapL-213elRZT8MH41Ug6gEc8lDOTUExjwP9LvbELH-uHRs-h2Dk5Yy23IHvtR0g-zJNaOqYXUVcx/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUdEoZmopX5dsqn2Bs-bATJjkezsSuuezBd5RfOFFtcoHtIpCRg5OhMrnxZiMbPdOapL-213elRZT8MH41Ug6gEc8lDOTUExjwP9LvbELH-uHRs-h2Dk5Yy23IHvtR0g-zJNaOqYXUVcx/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And not another human in miles (except on the boat)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sn4GIKTMI9spaCLQHLX7lXEtbkQgDZf2m-Dh_Owhi5SM7bECEKu4xlqD37Ox18LR6jyi_wuKyM7rDKPy2q20vqMwM-1DzEsHylsqosRjMuDTb-JnaPGEEUD6DTOIgV6Sj6R5z1mWBYhH/s1600/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sn4GIKTMI9spaCLQHLX7lXEtbkQgDZf2m-Dh_Owhi5SM7bECEKu4xlqD37Ox18LR6jyi_wuKyM7rDKPy2q20vqMwM-1DzEsHylsqosRjMuDTb-JnaPGEEUD6DTOIgV6Sj6R5z1mWBYhH/s320/avaition+museum+Darwin-Timber+Creek+Nt+196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sea eagle taking a fish off the pontoon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next day we explored the Gregory National Park and visited a Limestone Gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travelled about 60 klms down a dirt road and disappointingly we discovered when we got there that most of the gorge was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did however see a unique Calcite Flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a vivid white staining of a dried up water fall where the water has had a chemical reaction with the dolomite rock leaving a white limey crust or stain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like snow from the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The geology of the whole gorge area was quite interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearby were small ponds formed by a dense cement time material which they called Tuffa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHdAZgYfVVfUcr6l6W7D1jyWB-Oy8wamh4WQJ0odh-_t-EeP09dsh3diw5O8RZ8-6FPBeyOM_3xuawRWChrO6aKdJwwfX4KQUWhwNLb9jnyUGQSq0Rx4U_QJSI6_pZcVuxje5O9_vcidE/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHdAZgYfVVfUcr6l6W7D1jyWB-Oy8wamh4WQJ0odh-_t-EeP09dsh3diw5O8RZ8-6FPBeyOM_3xuawRWChrO6aKdJwwfX4KQUWhwNLb9jnyUGQSq0Rx4U_QJSI6_pZcVuxje5O9_vcidE/s320/DSCN0419.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuffa Ponds with a Croodile tree in foreground. <br />
Can you see why it is called Crocodile tree?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_31ve4e8ISyx_Ry6E19w6mKYsv-Dkr03xobVhEOC2I8aoXwhrycugTCOhR5RemkydYob6FW_BCldDl8MgIiOivJ6OBAEU5oUkYbKSorw24d0Oov3FHumIlTF2D0aI_Grb517-aTgIOnX/s1600/DSCN0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_31ve4e8ISyx_Ry6E19w6mKYsv-Dkr03xobVhEOC2I8aoXwhrycugTCOhR5RemkydYob6FW_BCldDl8MgIiOivJ6OBAEU5oUkYbKSorw24d0Oov3FHumIlTF2D0aI_Grb517-aTgIOnX/s320/DSCN0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Caltite Flow over a water fall which is dry at the time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOsH1BMX2hSDJqorEWj2febgHR0VZCyijcMFke_jY-HUiZ5pdPZjHTy2hjVk1qF032ynNDwKb0EtLD-u6GgrK0IZC4tdNnVbR3u-2QRw7WreC63yoCmxe8pbKti7FwvBYqGxmlcn89oRN/s1600/DSCN0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOsH1BMX2hSDJqorEWj2febgHR0VZCyijcMFke_jY-HUiZ5pdPZjHTy2hjVk1qF032ynNDwKb0EtLD-u6GgrK0IZC4tdNnVbR3u-2QRw7WreC63yoCmxe8pbKti7FwvBYqGxmlcn89oRN/s320/DSCN0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dolomite rock of the area is weathered in a unique form.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back in the town we checked out the local lookouts and obtained some great views of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were caravans parked in every available spot legal or illegal and we found the latter very dishonouring for the locals. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Timber Creek was only planned as an overnight stop but has been a pleasant & restful layover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As almost always the people we have met here are so interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the road there are no levels of status or barriers between people and backgrounds or employment history are seldom discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all about what we have seen or where we are going, and of course the grandkids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Caravaners on the road can be likened to people who have alziemers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We meet new friends everyday.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow we are heading over the border and into our sixth state / territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are really looking forward to that<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-63167374946794197992011-07-03T15:01:00.000+10:002011-07-03T15:01:45.638+10:0027th – 2nd July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZHBPBHC40KW1oFpfpUcOdDz4pILiE4j_BRndKaJDlYLuZFnFWHHX0ZO4OBZUyOLpnPZvOB7Yf5UbhVpoimnbL8YXDfmvVREt40N789twEV2AlAaiL7RaNDYKGa-7Ar-BjTEdKPtlXs7U/s1600/Map+of+Australia_110702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZHBPBHC40KW1oFpfpUcOdDz4pILiE4j_BRndKaJDlYLuZFnFWHHX0ZO4OBZUyOLpnPZvOB7Yf5UbhVpoimnbL8YXDfmvVREt40N789twEV2AlAaiL7RaNDYKGa-7Ar-BjTEdKPtlXs7U/s640/Map+of+Australia_110702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A few days have gone by and we have not recorded our activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we are relaxing at a small camp just outside Litchfield National Park and catching up on all the things not yet done.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As for the whole of our journey the last week or so has not gone exactly as we had envisaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will note that I did not use the word “Plan” as it is no longer a regularly used word in our vocabulary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived in Darwin (actually staying at Howard Springs – 23 klms south of Darwin) on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey from Kakadu took us through more of the park and especially some wetlands however as we had made a commitment in Darwin we did not stop much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our experience wet lands need to be visited in early morning or late afternoon to see the wildlife and visits in the mid day do not give a real picture of the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Darwin we caught up with all of the vans we had seen travelling up through the centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The population here swells significantly during winter (they call it the dry season here) and there are an enormous number of vanners who migrate north for the winter and just sit in the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become a community of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounding us we had some Victorians who were doing some short term work (2 months), a couple from Harvey Bay (3 months), and some Jews from Melbourne there for 12 weeks and an elderly couple form Victoria who have been coming here for years every winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is just a sample.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We did not do a lot of tourist things in Darwin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did however meet up with some wonderful friends of Alice and they have been great hosts to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The 1<sup>st</sup> July is Territory Day in the NT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the anniversary of the establishment of self government for the territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To celebrate the aw allows fire crackers to be sold and set off for this one day only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sales can only be made on the day and they all have to be exploded on that night before 11:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any activities, sales or use outside these hours draws prosecution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fairly unique for Australia by our experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The population goes crazy too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It goes unsaid that emergency services also go crazy trying to deal with the outcome with some injuries and over 200 calls outs for fire over night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One rocket landed within one metre of our car and van, luckily without any significant damage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From Darwin we moved on to Litchfield NP and enjoyed some good walks in the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Litchfield is approx 130 klms from Darwin and for most people it is a day trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many rocky water holes and some are free for swimming so the crowds turn up just for that purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the rest of the Top End there are many visitor sites that have not been reopened after the big wet they experienced earlier in the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We continue to be surprised by the sparseness of the population here in the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shire bordering the NP has a population of just 1647 people and it covers quite an area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is difficult to image how a shire can operate economically.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkDnAepGQ4B2CMeIiF971lt_xaja5JE5QTaYzJvWPmpWvA8GxNsu0RjhcV5AJdkWYVkud14WS-2zbcNLCr39I9RVwPH_EO1riGv6UrCXgHZC408rgeY3bCucaBP-N_PljKlw7mLesvv_e/s1600/Litchfield+NP+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkDnAepGQ4B2CMeIiF971lt_xaja5JE5QTaYzJvWPmpWvA8GxNsu0RjhcV5AJdkWYVkud14WS-2zbcNLCr39I9RVwPH_EO1riGv6UrCXgHZC408rgeY3bCucaBP-N_PljKlw7mLesvv_e/s320/Litchfield+NP+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence Falls</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The country here is quite open typical NT bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Park starts in the flat planes and rises to a table top plateau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is known for its waterfalls some of which flow all year round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because the flat table top has weathered significantly creating large crevices in which have grown vegetation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These crevices become large sponges in the wet season then slowly leak out over the whole year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water is crystal clear which is great for swimming however the clear water does not always encourage water wildlife to abound.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ12io4xt4H7413LAqX7O1fFo9qOzCz6v9E71oQ55Xlyv-K9EQmu4Gt00Hm7ntI01DVfcy5mna0a9Ir5YBlzZD0FEXGyKkmvhoSSSOnhCZ88XEze8R5L5ZZCcBjfKwH20oBYBEfo1cRU_8/s1600/Litchfield+NP+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ12io4xt4H7413LAqX7O1fFo9qOzCz6v9E71oQ55Xlyv-K9EQmu4Gt00Hm7ntI01DVfcy5mna0a9Ir5YBlzZD0FEXGyKkmvhoSSSOnhCZ88XEze8R5L5ZZCcBjfKwH20oBYBEfo1cRU_8/s320/Litchfield+NP+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buley Rock Pools</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAbQsV0Juyf_g4U0zD_V2QgFflPCggGuC2mv1PvOgJC74ri3C8evYYFCw3_hFuGgKHOqMjdqtnvCFvjeJIDXVt5bmqFJhSOWWHtVoDB-orjmHfUvGZyPQrfvl4VLxLQB5LXV8kWNrrXLH/s1600/Litchfield+NP+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAbQsV0Juyf_g4U0zD_V2QgFflPCggGuC2mv1PvOgJC74ri3C8evYYFCw3_hFuGgKHOqMjdqtnvCFvjeJIDXVt5bmqFJhSOWWHtVoDB-orjmHfUvGZyPQrfvl4VLxLQB5LXV8kWNrrXLH/s320/Litchfield+NP+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very few cameras - lots of swimmers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmvM6QRFUw49euBrNINy656Z9PF581jc29uDUmiDzbnGFRUO73Zgfsv0wclx9RTKsJIcZU461iv4LaPXay_0k0ZL3XCV3dpVI65iYJaX3y_7PKwzbGZ7ZPzQtMqCflHTHTx8nfb4husO/s1600/Litchfield+NP+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhmvM6QRFUw49euBrNINy656Z9PF581jc29uDUmiDzbnGFRUO73Zgfsv0wclx9RTKsJIcZU461iv4LaPXay_0k0ZL3XCV3dpVI65iYJaX3y_7PKwzbGZ7ZPzQtMqCflHTHTx8nfb4husO/s320/Litchfield+NP+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence Falls - they swim in the pool here too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The main attraction in the park is Wangi Falls. These are beautiful (twin) falls which flow all year round. When we were there the pool below the falls was closed because of crocs. The water is so clear that one would have thought you would see them coming but apparently not. The parklands surrounding were well laid out and it was a prime spot for coach tours to have lunch.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3BtLADvuuRsJcPog1gkU9xLUGcX7T_dq32mt6UtdZxWHkuN-8pefdEXolb3pQx5J9Z7TB_rPnjvEpBz_gTd7jJjGvpe44N_-1GCc6cXnQfnUI3C4Eh8ap2-zysLjDS_YUy70opu-jYC/s1600/Litchfield+NP+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3BtLADvuuRsJcPog1gkU9xLUGcX7T_dq32mt6UtdZxWHkuN-8pefdEXolb3pQx5J9Z7TB_rPnjvEpBz_gTd7jJjGvpe44N_-1GCc6cXnQfnUI3C4Eh8ap2-zysLjDS_YUy70opu-jYC/s320/Litchfield+NP+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wangi Falls. Crocs in this pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyMtz6ahD2tCSTzGV9idixToA68jyGD638Nj-ayFiUc6Sjqahv354CYqv-UrHGOW03xIjpUjBfPJBazeZoGavGWl61eSXjGRagCaxC9CxgHJo21fbWGI3zgSAZAqf2YZxgmm2rXHaoP6R/s1600/Litchfield+NP+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyMtz6ahD2tCSTzGV9idixToA68jyGD638Nj-ayFiUc6Sjqahv354CYqv-UrHGOW03xIjpUjBfPJBazeZoGavGWl61eSXjGRagCaxC9CxgHJo21fbWGI3zgSAZAqf2YZxgmm2rXHaoP6R/s320/Litchfield+NP+045.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tolmer Falls - surrounding area is a sacred site</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGtJVOBtltHSE0c8va6Sc3GiCsmRP14KmCt9INbqPNpGweU7s5kJM9jJOJqDjLfmq5oNojCoHpnvQw5xvfzTgRUl_Us8NK08G048jhDmJYm5c7bKXHWdKBS0pjAmITKhqZY6Yoif-ejc_/s1600/Litchfield+NP+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGtJVOBtltHSE0c8va6Sc3GiCsmRP14KmCt9INbqPNpGweU7s5kJM9jJOJqDjLfmq5oNojCoHpnvQw5xvfzTgRUl_Us8NK08G048jhDmJYm5c7bKXHWdKBS0pjAmITKhqZY6Yoif-ejc_/s320/Litchfield+NP+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool below Tolmer - note the clear water from 60 m away</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnXqxOmQhLQzDkpg3wlBwkJ5xu7rXlzDVz9BpXqSsLRXolHY51SgiE95kEhyphenhyphendpeUH8AOh9_KpgNQQN-b39Td479t47o4NTxKlwjpwUyPiErfmso4WoQCUj9pTEkgGAYd_UMsW3fwTidlU/s1600/Litchfield+NP+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnXqxOmQhLQzDkpg3wlBwkJ5xu7rXlzDVz9BpXqSsLRXolHY51SgiE95kEhyphenhyphendpeUH8AOh9_KpgNQQN-b39Td479t47o4NTxKlwjpwUyPiErfmso4WoQCUj9pTEkgGAYd_UMsW3fwTidlU/s320/Litchfield+NP+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stream feeding the falls - Tolmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A unique resident of the park is the Magnetic Termite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It builds scores of termite mounds and in many cases they form a structure wafer thin that lies in a north / south direction, hence the name Magnetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact they are not actually magnetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This breed of termite does not burrow below ground so it lives totally above ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this climate the mound he builds can become extremely hot from the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To manage this the termite tries to build a constant thickness in its mound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning the termite them migrates to the western side of the mound where it is cooler but as the day progresses and the sun moves to the west he needs to move to the eastern side to maintain a constant temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence his answer is to build a mound of near constant thickness in a north south direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we should consider that in our home construction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsUgTFAkfRD-lfXdzaWGF3YXVA8ioS57n3AeizbGvZCao8GNg4X6zraKL5og7cqO73pq7kdnB_vBSe-T4Pi-J1amDkiAxvrzccsYSgoyagU6WrljK-FV0TaO8oJAbD8AZStgavaAo76kX/s1600/Litchfield+NP+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsUgTFAkfRD-lfXdzaWGF3YXVA8ioS57n3AeizbGvZCao8GNg4X6zraKL5og7cqO73pq7kdnB_vBSe-T4Pi-J1amDkiAxvrzccsYSgoyagU6WrljK-FV0TaO8oJAbD8AZStgavaAo76kX/s320/Litchfield+NP+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Termite mounds - approx 4 m high</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8xM56sJpLppO-zY8eDx_3Q8Usr5jI5plEgBobgyUaVMXs4LAIAf0yMCnlw0pko1hGxjld5B_mDMwdgvPPOu9Hwu04gr5G8TizitUs13IYC3E8KR1808okkmNQcEZjgZWam8bT9lPGGSz/s1600/Litchfield+NP+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8xM56sJpLppO-zY8eDx_3Q8Usr5jI5plEgBobgyUaVMXs4LAIAf0yMCnlw0pko1hGxjld5B_mDMwdgvPPOu9Hwu04gr5G8TizitUs13IYC3E8KR1808okkmNQcEZjgZWam8bT9lPGGSz/s320/Litchfield+NP+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wafer thin Magnetic Termite Mounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L3Lq5vrcCyIAyoIacFR3-vXjrKigCoTsPZi0zMV-sRmKPWqKTBikO_bFMl-i9iHA9cpRvZ3Z-MmYD_Aw2e-tgrHoV51WscQdglUaIyBbtVJ33RZUuHYFOy2kJq8_kD3E9xIRHtjH7Ntf/s1600/Litchfield+NP+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L3Lq5vrcCyIAyoIacFR3-vXjrKigCoTsPZi0zMV-sRmKPWqKTBikO_bFMl-i9iHA9cpRvZ3Z-MmYD_Aw2e-tgrHoV51WscQdglUaIyBbtVJ33RZUuHYFOy2kJq8_kD3E9xIRHtjH7Ntf/s320/Litchfield+NP+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the scores of mounds behind trees and ferns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjCBtcGD1hshsOpkefzxxyOH4yLmS8CdoixOozMCB1RdzLHAktoyjFKuo2rCWjw9cT9wg6zAloAPSqEB3TLAR7aFlTus2Mk0sx8fGUh_IyP2kzO6bpbrsZkkRkAGmS4KPPLOPxtQwmWqu/s1600/Litchfield+NP+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjCBtcGD1hshsOpkefzxxyOH4yLmS8CdoixOozMCB1RdzLHAktoyjFKuo2rCWjw9cT9wg6zAloAPSqEB3TLAR7aFlTus2Mk0sx8fGUh_IyP2kzO6bpbrsZkkRkAGmS4KPPLOPxtQwmWqu/s320/Litchfield+NP+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tabletop Swamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We hope you enjoy some of the photos here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must say that although Litchfield is really beautiful it has not come up to our expectation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is more an issue of our expectation having been built too high as compared to actual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country is quite dry but interlaced with some beautiful little oasis mostly along stream courses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has really been worthwhile coming here though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BnQis3trt_g5fLJqEJPDAazAG3K01ckXYu-7qAqdR6DOpz_TQYSyRAouSlG5KQEq8jWOAHxkvE4m5CnF9T2BpDT_dI4Zby5RGCc4ql37jSJ3qGXdFd7k0jT7b2zrd4Ok0I8v7wZVwRKl/s1600/Litchfield+NP+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BnQis3trt_g5fLJqEJPDAazAG3K01ckXYu-7qAqdR6DOpz_TQYSyRAouSlG5KQEq8jWOAHxkvE4m5CnF9T2BpDT_dI4Zby5RGCc4ql37jSJ3qGXdFd7k0jT7b2zrd4Ok0I8v7wZVwRKl/s320/Litchfield+NP+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 69.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">From here the news is that we are travelling back to SEQ for family reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be away for about 10 days giving us an opportunity to spend time with each of our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know this will be all too short but they are very special and we miss them all.</span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-68375148103438118422011-06-30T12:59:00.000+10:002011-06-30T12:59:25.900+10:0023rd – 26th June<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kakadu is an amazing area of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been here for seven nights now and we have not seen everything that is available to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many sites have not opened this year due to the late wet season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes a great opportunity for another time or visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We have spent the last three days at Jabiru visiting the northern sites of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town here is actually a freehold land site and resembles a mining town in it’s layout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearby are the Ranger mining sites and the airport is on their land. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kXZrDwk30GHfIKlBc_lr_v42bjzjPdiA9An-GXodZjpyAJzQXkhTzhqIxkVHkmBZTaAOnyM4vIpAJRFlROyJGVQaaBymq2TS-Xz7bZRV5YajlPg9i7qrSVEW-pu3Ba6jkGYDP9n-yxj-/s1600/DSCF9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kXZrDwk30GHfIKlBc_lr_v42bjzjPdiA9An-GXodZjpyAJzQXkhTzhqIxkVHkmBZTaAOnyM4vIpAJRFlROyJGVQaaBymq2TS-Xz7bZRV5YajlPg9i7qrSVEW-pu3Ba6jkGYDP9n-yxj-/s320/DSCF9158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ffording the East Alligator River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Highlight of this time was a visit to the nearby West Arnhem Land area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We obtained a permit, forded the West Alligator River and drove some 15 klms along a dirt road that took us through some of the most amazing wet lands and mountain escarpments we have seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final destination was a small aboriginal town of Ooenpelli (Gunbalunya people) to visit the Injalak Arts Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery along the road was in itself a great experience but having combined this with the visit to Injalak made the day complete.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_nefetRVS0o3Z9a_8b9C-1Fck5-cTXI8cI27Z2NQb4qG7fLdc4aOyoki8KeAu-a3sF5LiIU6vJiw8vwgKark6CzO78RezyJHVDO9S4IxKwYr-ZuRxDM5je3d9nqhiPTqn8QoxDedIb9k/s1600/DSCF9173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_nefetRVS0o3Z9a_8b9C-1Fck5-cTXI8cI27Z2NQb4qG7fLdc4aOyoki8KeAu-a3sF5LiIU6vJiw8vwgKark6CzO78RezyJHVDO9S4IxKwYr-ZuRxDM5je3d9nqhiPTqn8QoxDedIb9k/s320/DSCF9173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to Oenpelli</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio692UnL4iNRD2hNvXfM5Kxmf6qDTEQubrXFA_Bv3OLqGWdgZtK0Ju2LjCcsVu1faEriewSHEkqeKTr6kPjbmirUKU5u4m93S8mdpUzGxjpXD08uFTiXGurFTG18tmtrrtUOUD7PjhkyMX/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio692UnL4iNRD2hNvXfM5Kxmf6qDTEQubrXFA_Bv3OLqGWdgZtK0Ju2LjCcsVu1faEriewSHEkqeKTr6kPjbmirUKU5u4m93S8mdpUzGxjpXD08uFTiXGurFTG18tmtrrtUOUD7PjhkyMX/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Jabiru beside the road - wish we had a bigger zoom. He had 3 mates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Q1FtZH_zBBMR6zOdmfSCbXkHQmyMd18mSJ9R2t4KLB3gUyAKB_drc6tYczQEhzJ9LlMDU6PPsYCKNZTaP5oEkeOMxhwwod2KP6HqVLL3746AWQrL4Zz4JnP4PLPeXFPzUgz1eHfy-OW/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0Q1FtZH_zBBMR6zOdmfSCbXkHQmyMd18mSJ9R2t4KLB3gUyAKB_drc6tYczQEhzJ9LlMDU6PPsYCKNZTaP5oEkeOMxhwwod2KP6HqVLL3746AWQrL4Zz4JnP4PLPeXFPzUgz1eHfy-OW/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An island in the wet lands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBfKt_pmoFOUkht7_41A3JszWc7DtRd79LCIHjOO_93q7C63jDSKrjiSh8vHwJJHs99pOIssm3G2V4XcFfJxYfhGKIyrEJsh_3tQnC7Uej59N7fH9sFd_jYsaW2no1ZzQAdi0Tuh64SX7/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBfKt_pmoFOUkht7_41A3JszWc7DtRd79LCIHjOO_93q7C63jDSKrjiSh8vHwJJHs99pOIssm3G2V4XcFfJxYfhGKIyrEJsh_3tQnC7Uej59N7fH9sFd_jYsaW2no1ZzQAdi0Tuh64SX7/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wet garden beside the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Injalak Arts Centre is a creative arts workshop established and fully owned by the Aboriginal artists of this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this establishment the artists create their works and present them for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is managed by a local Aboriginal Board but managed by an art specialist who we found had moved there from Noosa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the visit we were able to sit & talk with the artists and weavers as they worked and they explained how they developed their creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are other activities including screen printing of their designs and carvings also but being a Saturday not all artists were available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2eH3Ny_RaTIxn-C7jZksgviUFmGx93SwjBOb15Ss7a_2XpSWPn2cp68J6PNCv92IGduuKjn80GJJ5BqKP2ONYzlN4ndMXqH6T0goPbXXRG57gHgmuUzAnFW244UGvISVCyE1c2inwinB/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2eH3Ny_RaTIxn-C7jZksgviUFmGx93SwjBOb15Ss7a_2XpSWPn2cp68J6PNCv92IGduuKjn80GJJ5BqKP2ONYzlN4ndMXqH6T0goPbXXRG57gHgmuUzAnFW244UGvISVCyE1c2inwinB/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injalak Arts Centre</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDPeGy2PwWvq7UC29T1S0ByjigV5GOpo18YOdSOL3RobkYVQuFvxtjvL3Iue_m5PnzbpsNvZRKn3dHerFgSxUKVuDZmPNgo-tRYQ99BpRotVuVJWgt1NbeuOS0XQg_GtXnSkICZ_8AK6C/s1600/DSCF9186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDPeGy2PwWvq7UC29T1S0ByjigV5GOpo18YOdSOL3RobkYVQuFvxtjvL3Iue_m5PnzbpsNvZRKn3dHerFgSxUKVuDZmPNgo-tRYQ99BpRotVuVJWgt1NbeuOS0XQg_GtXnSkICZ_8AK6C/s320/DSCF9186.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His works sell for over $3000 each & he barracks for Geelong AFL team</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxh7a86YBkkx-95CvCogwZvEmuJ2AMMXtRpYURbfbFnmAqLd8KTn4OKhj7DaunwXgk7r2itHPAExN6CSXom6PcTi1Hl7E3w8ctMlqdwBH04pY9FwdLhbtK93wfdEZlN500TJtqexkPABe/s1600/DSCF9195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxh7a86YBkkx-95CvCogwZvEmuJ2AMMXtRpYURbfbFnmAqLd8KTn4OKhj7DaunwXgk7r2itHPAExN6CSXom6PcTi1Hl7E3w8ctMlqdwBH04pY9FwdLhbtK93wfdEZlN500TJtqexkPABe/s320/DSCF9195.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaving a great tale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHiMwhrmwIj0Y-ITrPjIQR1pP-i17VgbngK8LPLLwvm4egq1rAweaXzm8bx6InhtWrSh0JFLY21qGolCdYW-GO9uWFf5cu_o7e_iWsAx3aOxxB6Ys0Kh1hB_IZnsD-5rrH4-I4hduYE5t/s1600/DSCF9196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHiMwhrmwIj0Y-ITrPjIQR1pP-i17VgbngK8LPLLwvm4egq1rAweaXzm8bx6InhtWrSh0JFLY21qGolCdYW-GO9uWFf5cu_o7e_iWsAx3aOxxB6Ys0Kh1hB_IZnsD-5rrH4-I4hduYE5t/s200/DSCF9196.JPG" width="200" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3HwhEq4P2aHh4cdNQBFuicZW4JS1mjwO1TpABe4JonSFssRxFCfejM3xvQdM5pdy80UL1BoQLbRdP7oMLx6mkRdirmh9zSJF-4hTA7tqZ5f5kKSYjM4KooR55mGm4sMEXLaUke91IM7l/s1600/DSCF9198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3HwhEq4P2aHh4cdNQBFuicZW4JS1mjwO1TpABe4JonSFssRxFCfejM3xvQdM5pdy80UL1BoQLbRdP7oMLx6mkRdirmh9zSJF-4hTA7tqZ5f5kKSYjM4KooR55mGm4sMEXLaUke91IM7l/s320/DSCF9198.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey & her creation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Injalak is actually the name of a large hill behind the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The centre can actually organise guides to take visitors to see the Aboriginal art on this mountain but as the path is quite difficult and the cost high for hiring the guide we did not choose this option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is on this mountain that many of the painters receive their inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_1JW7KcqBSy2FI_vzrGcw0kVqofFA_OrT4TkKzfZTfQY8vC7GrvnBOJvsm4STsVFob8Tyfc0Wf9MW5rCk8B1PfnljQ2z_EDbLNsqMauL6LeTpSi3fXlxsFhRu6yE4SWSt2e6QWLhqBFg/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_1JW7KcqBSy2FI_vzrGcw0kVqofFA_OrT4TkKzfZTfQY8vC7GrvnBOJvsm4STsVFob8Tyfc0Wf9MW5rCk8B1PfnljQ2z_EDbLNsqMauL6LeTpSi3fXlxsFhRu6yE4SWSt2e6QWLhqBFg/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injalak Hill from the rear of the Arts Centre. <br />
A snappy reception awaits those who take a shortcut.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In this establishment the management are not only finding sales for the local art work but creating markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two senior painters have recently shown their paintings in Melbourne at a special showing and have sold all of their works at over $3000 per item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All profits stay in the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Added to this the local people are being trained to play the roles of guides for the mountain, lead groups around the centre, serve in the sales area including the computing records of sale, training screen printers for a new market of “T” shirts and many other works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole concept was truly impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the Saturday we visited (Saturday is a short day for them) there were four bus tours expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to be able to meet and talk with the local people and Alice certainly showed she had a gift for communication.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back across the East Alligator River and we visited a special art site called Ubirr (pronounced Oobeer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ubirr is on the very northern boundary of the park and a short walk took us to several displays of Aboriginal painting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were in very good condition and had been preserved well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park managers have also established good protection around each of these exhibits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some photos are attached for you to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O0IPKEvirNWODPBSJ2ZfU4eh0a7SkJmGw7iVlAO-SNCfOZznKVQpQUag85u_rULn6idGGN6Y0ZB5kafYMxMmQX5LcEOe8pgu3m5Ge1rJekpplLG_D8bRFmPCssnHaWZl2LttpM1khFIn/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6O0IPKEvirNWODPBSJ2ZfU4eh0a7SkJmGw7iVlAO-SNCfOZznKVQpQUag85u_rULn6idGGN6Y0ZB5kafYMxMmQX5LcEOe8pgu3m5Ge1rJekpplLG_D8bRFmPCssnHaWZl2LttpM1khFIn/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+074.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubirr art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdDqHFvxbwghyV0VAOUV51oDNLGZis0z0uyfHgPpQeRuzS1RcumPRUEyxeyhIzmiZVudfflD_GdTkF-16FHh1MfSMd3ULGdTby3JmjBqbKuAmnXj-kzxYIE-3LMvSGlQino3nvsSRLuuO/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdDqHFvxbwghyV0VAOUV51oDNLGZis0z0uyfHgPpQeRuzS1RcumPRUEyxeyhIzmiZVudfflD_GdTkF-16FHh1MfSMd3ULGdTby3JmjBqbKuAmnXj-kzxYIE-3LMvSGlQino3nvsSRLuuO/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think they enjoyed fishing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3hD3eKEs91jWbZIUOST9JsANOmg0p6Bf6-Hiqo_qIGFdlgz8Br4l4Hx3SrUfisnFVMNKOoob-Qm65KI9GCEZWorzZTnYaAbAOb0fU80tlR-O4guzSv6zja3PR9vlWU3w7IQITdG2kdi5/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3hD3eKEs91jWbZIUOST9JsANOmg0p6Bf6-Hiqo_qIGFdlgz8Br4l4Hx3SrUfisnFVMNKOoob-Qm65KI9GCEZWorzZTnYaAbAOb0fU80tlR-O4guzSv6zja3PR9vlWU3w7IQITdG2kdi5/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtDlAD5X95qnbQJ81GxBBqRh09Hwxv1IQ0jOmqZ97axkQrubXf54YtMc1UOcK9K5L2S3nIUfjSAROFI_5CNaw4O0co3JJeCiaFLefklZIsUSIlhVH8wTEbc6Ikgi0Iaz0sv2cKgbAHPqb/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtDlAD5X95qnbQJ81GxBBqRh09Hwxv1IQ0jOmqZ97axkQrubXf54YtMc1UOcK9K5L2S3nIUfjSAROFI_5CNaw4O0co3JJeCiaFLefklZIsUSIlhVH8wTEbc6Ikgi0Iaz0sv2cKgbAHPqb/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>At the end of the track we climbed up onto the top of the rock and saw the most magnificent view over the wetlands and neighbouring hill areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A guide pointed out that this was the same view which was included in the movie Crocodile Dundee and even though it is a long time since I have seen that film I am sure it was greener this time than my memory of it previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of those places one did not really wish to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lookout is promoted as a great place to see a sunset however climbing back down the track in failing light was not something we wished to attempt so we passed this opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WCfiChIE8ME9Y6X1lsXCzvw3fTaOdPAalTJHw1ORgLqsej7A6eo2hji3aKNT6UZTGAv5FkfFr-zxGLh1aJhxWHfOd_Y5DNpfMyiOBofCLVzddOcrSv8gdVGjJz9guZ1vil34BGfj6Luj/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WCfiChIE8ME9Y6X1lsXCzvw3fTaOdPAalTJHw1ORgLqsej7A6eo2hji3aKNT6UZTGAv5FkfFr-zxGLh1aJhxWHfOd_Y5DNpfMyiOBofCLVzddOcrSv8gdVGjJz9guZ1vil34BGfj6Luj/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The movie view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CLWROk1ShGbtItiY36v7mjoDKn0A7AkJTAXIqnBV_RS8IWaGUfrUH7SGHc06WwyrOlyllcP1GMta8E39jpTXGdHp_tf5lk-HjYVgwkmh3cSkjJH1Du2J3W54_MufugM3swG9wTHiZvqG/s1600/Injalak+Ubirr+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CLWROk1ShGbtItiY36v7mjoDKn0A7AkJTAXIqnBV_RS8IWaGUfrUH7SGHc06WwyrOlyllcP1GMta8E39jpTXGdHp_tf5lk-HjYVgwkmh3cSkjJH1Du2J3W54_MufugM3swG9wTHiZvqG/s320/Injalak+Ubirr+098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't show you 360 degrees but this is a glmpse</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next day our travels took us to Nourlangie and more Aboriginal art sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nourlangie is actually a large rock mountain and the art is spread around the lower sides of this monolith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They too were impressive however the rock appeared to be softer and the works were not as well preserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvPqfdJODN6AveSJc3ooi8rbmqAq5nWeWSP6o4ZrjwUlJlJBguhpK4GzaTgXaDR37znB8at0TfVHVGa5w3xYmvWez1qHWKreOzjbc1X0_gG_4yfJ-FUabko2B8EVhQXTSVCMQYYK4EGW8/s1600/Nourlangie+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvPqfdJODN6AveSJc3ooi8rbmqAq5nWeWSP6o4ZrjwUlJlJBguhpK4GzaTgXaDR37znB8at0TfVHVGa5w3xYmvWez1qHWKreOzjbc1X0_gG_4yfJ-FUabko2B8EVhQXTSVCMQYYK4EGW8/s320/Nourlangie+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nourlangie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EEzbw9l5w6ghOLs-LbCS2SAU_3nDHbrL2tf9kuAWKq5lurAS8eyUf9DzzbbPFhYA_iHWdyJNgjBp2NihGPO26rAi6xaRUMuGZFajfWT5pYQYswY3R49aicBNtIGYUSwOev_7g0RSVBXs/s1600/Nourlangie+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EEzbw9l5w6ghOLs-LbCS2SAU_3nDHbrL2tf9kuAWKq5lurAS8eyUf9DzzbbPFhYA_iHWdyJNgjBp2NihGPO26rAi6xaRUMuGZFajfWT5pYQYswY3R49aicBNtIGYUSwOev_7g0RSVBXs/s320/Nourlangie+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A natural artwork itself</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We learnt that the Aboriginals actually used these art works for teaching their youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The youth were not allowed to visit these places until a certain stage of their development and then the paintings (which a record of past history) were relayed to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are mostly painted from their spiritual encounters with their dreamtime, hence their culture and beliefs were handed down from generation to generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that at nearby Nanguluwur one of the paintings actually depicts a sailing ship of European design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This track was too difficult for us to traverse so we can only hear about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpfIBjIwuJ1pVqJ6XaFJ5XyyGXcUPEQQapJKC98cA1B0cGv_YUo5fFZoBfCSweoD1rqVzx46iJF1aXjc6tov7j88WBDItDq_Qzo2Iu_gjsR7LbHR5UuplxvHnw39G-Ir5GCmcAD1WmBg0/s1600/Nourlangie+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpfIBjIwuJ1pVqJ6XaFJ5XyyGXcUPEQQapJKC98cA1B0cGv_YUo5fFZoBfCSweoD1rqVzx46iJF1aXjc6tov7j88WBDItDq_Qzo2Iu_gjsR7LbHR5UuplxvHnw39G-Ir5GCmcAD1WmBg0/s320/Nourlangie+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Also dotted around the area are several small billabongs, wetlands where birds abound as well as some snappy friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we did not time our visit to one of these nearby well as in middle of the day the birds are not very active.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9UbaTNJBKXLR-O9iMfVIf62NilsuLWtnPMJmWTgESCOGEp7uabzVbPyT38b-5xHT1703SJwOaMJI8ZpJC_5lRTqS_pBwVN-xyHHgPMA_hvnakpjPDdAkLvQZFGqtW-FMY8DtvjxD2X5_/s1600/Nourlangie+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9UbaTNJBKXLR-O9iMfVIf62NilsuLWtnPMJmWTgESCOGEp7uabzVbPyT38b-5xHT1703SJwOaMJI8ZpJC_5lRTqS_pBwVN-xyHHgPMA_hvnakpjPDdAkLvQZFGqtW-FMY8DtvjxD2X5_/s320/Nourlangie+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our exploration of Kakadu has been wonderful and though we have not seen it all we do know there is more to see if we return again.</span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-75176833838350288482011-06-23T20:43:00.001+10:002011-06-23T20:50:49.917+10:0020th – 22nd June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_JUnlTQKfweBpuWT6uFs3zJa0SuTXrJSft-Uh1497Bj6L5e2rA_K1VTQGqDhxbpc9zsA0yK7listK48xdYKtdBnhlC7qOIc5n_0xgKJp-wijmdtp35Er4HhWyQwMCUSFNps-4eg2R7eg/s1600/Yellow+Waters+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q71ZVigaJg8dkHH3SBnUQzJYmpGktGjht-c5J_ohf21nFCVnv-JRkddSDGXSdjOiIIuy5PbFOF58hgL2h6zobsiWUHsZ1UwHsxXUkd1D67RFzWV2WaqCsiG4kfXVr3mFNEZvHc6bN_z_/s1600/Map+of+Australia_110623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q71ZVigaJg8dkHH3SBnUQzJYmpGktGjht-c5J_ohf21nFCVnv-JRkddSDGXSdjOiIIuy5PbFOF58hgL2h6zobsiWUHsZ1UwHsxXUkd1D67RFzWV2WaqCsiG4kfXVr3mFNEZvHc6bN_z_/s640/Map+of+Australia_110623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We have made it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in Kakadu!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From the time we started to plan this holiday the first real point of interest we were looking forward to was Kakadu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we have come to realise that the word “Plan” was never meant to be a part of this holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead of reaching this point in week 2-3 of our holiday we have finally arrived in week 10.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our first stop has been Mardugal Camp Ground near Cooinda Resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cooinda is the base for Yellow Waters, a wonderful billabong on the South Alligator River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved into camp on Monday and to our surprise there were many spare spaces to choose from. All the caravans we shared the Stuart Highway with appeared to have moved right past Kakadu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mgMAanLLkfWHiMhxAWaxoSYPSgWvNf5W4SxhdN76H5XARL5jVibJwWJWuYxrkW-ICbGgUBSkA4jn66z_okaf9_lJl2s5vgtWvQo0exVVEm-ibpsHz1Q_pHWROUqL357zJCZNJdnM8bRW/s1600/Yellow+Waters+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mgMAanLLkfWHiMhxAWaxoSYPSgWvNf5W4SxhdN76H5XARL5jVibJwWJWuYxrkW-ICbGgUBSkA4jn66z_okaf9_lJl2s5vgtWvQo0exVVEm-ibpsHz1Q_pHWROUqL357zJCZNJdnM8bRW/s320/Yellow+Waters+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE27ZWA4HeaZN-OkQScG0kSiYspc9hXGbskXCecu87oJyWH1U-I5QHnzExQ7amUh1NuSEeDDD5wu4GzibvLpddxQlEhKUbDiXqMaX2oVX90WXa0hMzsMd9ob9d8W-7lcuzb0vS2PvFpCl/s1600/Yellow+Waters+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE27ZWA4HeaZN-OkQScG0kSiYspc9hXGbskXCecu87oJyWH1U-I5QHnzExQ7amUh1NuSEeDDD5wu4GzibvLpddxQlEhKUbDiXqMaX2oVX90WXa0hMzsMd9ob9d8W-7lcuzb0vS2PvFpCl/s320/Yellow+Waters+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Gs4sAVOQwB4nvzdA0t6ZzFy9DAp_ENaoOez7-u9tit781t2NR4btx3GfQ468t_O4SuiU3r33bCWZE9z9PZZ1bJlSIaBkYhfCmipGvqlo4uoxkGitcOK9wSOofo0VouJZHqI0bLSKOJE7/s1600/Yellow+Waters+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Gs4sAVOQwB4nvzdA0t6ZzFy9DAp_ENaoOez7-u9tit781t2NR4btx3GfQ468t_O4SuiU3r33bCWZE9z9PZZ1bJlSIaBkYhfCmipGvqlo4uoxkGitcOK9wSOofo0VouJZHqI0bLSKOJE7/s320/Yellow+Waters+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD8iku71whDFJfKCISuuIL2WZLUMLhf2XepPSDQ0wu3km3bHywFsL1t-6jMcXepjNDlDfRPa0jtmnzpZuVfor-2r_Hkdc2F2b_ZaCAdW9Rdrm9Qf4MjidIi_Y3XbDcwomj4THer0f6bCN/s1600/Yellow+Waters+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD8iku71whDFJfKCISuuIL2WZLUMLhf2XepPSDQ0wu3km3bHywFsL1t-6jMcXepjNDlDfRPa0jtmnzpZuVfor-2r_Hkdc2F2b_ZaCAdW9Rdrm9Qf4MjidIi_Y3XbDcwomj4THer0f6bCN/s320/Yellow+Waters+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well known wildlife photgrapher Paul Arnold at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First day and we headed off to see the lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were lucky to score seats on the sunset cruise of the billabong and how wonderful was that experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the day was coming to an end the birds and animals were coming out from their rest and starting to feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crocs also were waking up from the sun basking and starting to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen many photos on documentaries and in magazines but it is still amazing to see it for real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cruise lasted two hours and hardly moved more than one or two knots as the guide just set about ensuring that we got to see everything that he could find for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took so many photos and we would love to show them all here but that is not realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all seemed so surreal. And as we headed for the dock at end of the tour the dominant male croc for the billabong actually swam alongside the boat about 2 metres away for some 60 metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will recognise him as the big Budda sleeping on the bank in the photos.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dominant male in the pond - avery tired one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XJzs69jFmB3504koc2gNQudgodsMobzOi90YZUMSFU7KfzGBgOMVjUtGnGy7YUpNZ2_iKbAGb0kjBnIkI5FZstgVFCzdRQo9XS2IPNalPMrdzGM5EIoz3y3wnvtciJ5q1Qsqat6NSNgY/s1600/Yellow+Waters+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XJzs69jFmB3504koc2gNQudgodsMobzOi90YZUMSFU7KfzGBgOMVjUtGnGy7YUpNZ2_iKbAGb0kjBnIkI5FZstgVFCzdRQo9XS2IPNalPMrdzGM5EIoz3y3wnvtciJ5q1Qsqat6NSNgY/s320/Yellow+Waters+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she looks tired too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhAeqxzjdIxMWEYkykZsbMPwh89RJvp0EpBuHOKBuQ-xKFvQEM-gwaN5uTw1G92ogifdDDlrgvJxN-0geB3TiJavmqRqDthfFor-sUnCLn1zhHpHMCTTVamAbyNhsDgNeVwZnzX7D8KXc/s1600/Yellow+Waters+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhAeqxzjdIxMWEYkykZsbMPwh89RJvp0EpBuHOKBuQ-xKFvQEM-gwaN5uTw1G92ogifdDDlrgvJxN-0geB3TiJavmqRqDthfFor-sUnCLn1zhHpHMCTTVamAbyNhsDgNeVwZnzX7D8KXc/s320/Yellow+Waters+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And when Dad & Mum get together the result is .......</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_JUnlTQKfweBpuWT6uFs3zJa0SuTXrJSft-Uh1497Bj6L5e2rA_K1VTQGqDhxbpc9zsA0yK7listK48xdYKtdBnhlC7qOIc5n_0xgKJp-wijmdtp35Er4HhWyQwMCUSFNps-4eg2R7eg/s1600/Yellow+Waters+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_JUnlTQKfweBpuWT6uFs3zJa0SuTXrJSft-Uh1497Bj6L5e2rA_K1VTQGqDhxbpc9zsA0yK7listK48xdYKtdBnhlC7qOIc5n_0xgKJp-wijmdtp35Er4HhWyQwMCUSFNps-4eg2R7eg/s320/Yellow+Waters+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is not all about mates. Here is the Lord of the Manor - The Jabiru</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3ysBvrIho5MDe665VeqyW9R8cWCJ4xzxXfoCe5GqaBdaFBfprAFPqrMHVyVl8hFSJBP4aR6Vgvf1bI0TtVDmN3wB0iGc8yPlYzSHrtSo1YKusmJLCkbko18-haNEUpfBpbh_hwDqVDtT/s1600/Yellow+Waters+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3ysBvrIho5MDe665VeqyW9R8cWCJ4xzxXfoCe5GqaBdaFBfprAFPqrMHVyVl8hFSJBP4aR6Vgvf1bI0TtVDmN3wB0iGc8yPlYzSHrtSo1YKusmJLCkbko18-haNEUpfBpbh_hwDqVDtT/s320/Yellow+Waters+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hang on, -isn't that him with his mate in their new home?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq4YRG0VH0Kq2BCCEEjpGLhUYV6pYJQvZ0HZ1FWmXMGvqD-DC19xslG6w8pmWtXt-dgS-BQvCZnb7Ay3wquK0Jn0_uMFsx6alnnCldIXQuvL2479LYaWQb4YZrLHyN8VDMinbKJgQnRzW/s1600/Yellow+Waters+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq4YRG0VH0Kq2BCCEEjpGLhUYV6pYJQvZ0HZ1FWmXMGvqD-DC19xslG6w8pmWtXt-dgS-BQvCZnb7Ay3wquK0Jn0_uMFsx6alnnCldIXQuvL2479LYaWQb4YZrLHyN8VDMinbKJgQnRzW/s320/Yellow+Waters+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh its OK. There is a watchman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZNrMWYhJn1QyFLVMrp4otAQ7Ti1BF-deShKGTKlOA8qD-GnTqnKidyJNUGhp-9wKSNfP98trAvqsupxNP51Zl-nMOvxN_dWAemrntzXyitbjAoyI0A55UTprR6Wu2QvBFVGpQ8IxTRz-/s1600/Yellow+Waters+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZNrMWYhJn1QyFLVMrp4otAQ7Ti1BF-deShKGTKlOA8qD-GnTqnKidyJNUGhp-9wKSNfP98trAvqsupxNP51Zl-nMOvxN_dWAemrntzXyitbjAoyI0A55UTprR6Wu2QvBFVGpQ8IxTRz-/s320/Yellow+Waters+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this guy can walk on water</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSFtpk_cr7GgqWBYb_NUMVSDdheGJOqIXT-ri6u5IqM8_g2xqINlFHh0UH4BYc8Y_B37bxi6eeD8V9VbC_9EgBw4coqjrIOQwZlV_Ea79y5a21V48VdWpxsj1v5u4yCE9H4IWyHumb8GH/s1600/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSFtpk_cr7GgqWBYb_NUMVSDdheGJOqIXT-ri6u5IqM8_g2xqINlFHh0UH4BYc8Y_B37bxi6eeD8V9VbC_9EgBw4coqjrIOQwZlV_Ea79y5a21V48VdWpxsj1v5u4yCE9H4IWyHumb8GH/s320/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And at the end of the day ....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was so great that we actually booked to do a sunrise cruise on Wednesday as we had been told the birds were even better at that time of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well it was just as good the second time around and we did get to see new birds that we had not seen the first time.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W1m1Kh8r_0yEL6v_hqaNSCJu-yTNZtYOyZk8hQ5WQPcaNelxecxrh9dSzwgf3JZ8ErSHJj20t8oE1IYYGC-1Fu7kbN1zmXjw6_MnNAtz21AKxO0O_37Pgf8qpREOxMTa_LJckZy-d6zX/s1600/Yellow+Waters+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W1m1Kh8r_0yEL6v_hqaNSCJu-yTNZtYOyZk8hQ5WQPcaNelxecxrh9dSzwgf3JZ8ErSHJj20t8oE1IYYGC-1Fu7kbN1zmXjw6_MnNAtz21AKxO0O_37Pgf8qpREOxMTa_LJckZy-d6zX/s320/Yellow+Waters+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And in the morning...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl2zpHR9JiZZrQJTyVzmt9ycseol8yAgf6nkIRfpGUXxF1DaTzadG7B6MbNDMjXewoZa9Fwk4IQXCEBbvDM2HZyLYOuars5w0_KMMLfzZ0fqwpWoLdR7DmmyZzkr5CxQZZ33tp6HXYtaI/s1600/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl2zpHR9JiZZrQJTyVzmt9ycseol8yAgf6nkIRfpGUXxF1DaTzadG7B6MbNDMjXewoZa9Fwk4IQXCEBbvDM2HZyLYOuars5w0_KMMLfzZ0fqwpWoLdR7DmmyZzkr5CxQZZ33tp6HXYtaI/s320/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And new faces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiVYkmSSGcG2jX15d9ZwT_00VnO3xmf6-1kSQiiUeyZIDthrGtr7fI0L9zBCxwMpc-aCU1h8QhvDEjKAplNSVUjizmAK9ixZjBCUh3YHDi3hbYcC0a3OaWZ0Y3w-b2pnvHQ6A_RO5bzmm/s1600/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiVYkmSSGcG2jX15d9ZwT_00VnO3xmf6-1kSQiiUeyZIDthrGtr7fI0L9zBCxwMpc-aCU1h8QhvDEjKAplNSVUjizmAK9ixZjBCUh3YHDi3hbYcC0a3OaWZ0Y3w-b2pnvHQ6A_RO5bzmm/s320/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some are sneakier than others</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUZg5vpX4x4020Imv6NOqBdiLFQ91NCAmweMbN6lV-UgNokHiABaiYYfwoVFPwSNpqchMpuy9jvIc2KUL0m5zM26kq8izfv5GbH7HzWODFpQFLtus1hX1UbNjcljXVdLC5h1QRTq90OnQ/s1600/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUZg5vpX4x4020Imv6NOqBdiLFQ91NCAmweMbN6lV-UgNokHiABaiYYfwoVFPwSNpqchMpuy9jvIc2KUL0m5zM26kq8izfv5GbH7HzWODFpQFLtus1hX1UbNjcljXVdLC5h1QRTq90OnQ/s320/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might be small but what an impact.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69umCjdc3Buu7GUWXsM-2Klc1uRm-6xRSuRV65kShg79o67cJYRyB1REbgk1YOYyfFjQAzlq4GNSyGhnBz131XL07LHW1qTqXg9n-AQFs273OPNItK0CETg-5w8ZHA2pXVyxKdckis6gn/s1600/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69umCjdc3Buu7GUWXsM-2Klc1uRm-6xRSuRV65kShg79o67cJYRyB1REbgk1YOYyfFjQAzlq4GNSyGhnBz131XL07LHW1qTqXg9n-AQFs273OPNItK0CETg-5w8ZHA2pXVyxKdckis6gn/s320/Yellow+Waters+Sunrise+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there are some old faces too</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday we set off to see the Jim Jim Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you will see the falls were great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a guess they would have stood some 150 metres high and a fair run of water for this time of year. But the falls were not the only highlight of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This trip was a real extreme adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road to Jim Jim is 50 klms of corrugated dirt road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is 10 klms of 4WD track which is very interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This track really has never had any improvements or maintenance on it ever it appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It includes sand patchs, creek crossings, mud holes & speed bumps every 50 metres to ensure slow movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all first or second gear driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only think that they were trying to limit the number of people coming here or promote the Extreme Tours industry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8A3ELt1Fy5l4iUsKdVVAcF3XwCvthoAp01zyM1_gOhRIPxtE4Fs3aH-NQg2apmgYciiDSfuvYYq6iGZ2gOQlge530EK5vibgmoQ4qjqPXGoAKy9FSGEB9v3y5XuBdRtQmhxiV2E9a8AY/s1600/Jim+Jim+Trip+A4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8A3ELt1Fy5l4iUsKdVVAcF3XwCvthoAp01zyM1_gOhRIPxtE4Fs3aH-NQg2apmgYciiDSfuvYYq6iGZ2gOQlge530EK5vibgmoQ4qjqPXGoAKy9FSGEB9v3y5XuBdRtQmhxiV2E9a8AY/s320/Jim+Jim+Trip+A4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULA_HgiwBIBhxdNFnceADIOD2_LzySPc_XudieUWzA2B4XCOBAIx2k-90LFmGFHGkYy4dqlYtCsjAwPoRrATMZvJV28SO1lLyr-EN5aKFU6k8I3_4BZhgDta4pD_N7T6W6Sd44gPfdCbp/s1600/back+from+jim+jim+falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULA_HgiwBIBhxdNFnceADIOD2_LzySPc_XudieUWzA2B4XCOBAIx2k-90LFmGFHGkYy4dqlYtCsjAwPoRrATMZvJV28SO1lLyr-EN5aKFU6k8I3_4BZhgDta4pD_N7T6W6Sd44gPfdCbp/s320/back+from+jim+jim+falls.JPG" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4WD track for 10 klm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgaQEgQ3U2tm3TotzPkh5gXq2w390Plu-nv0c8BBvXzSKZvNDDq87vUxhu-mTodDrSeZeC20Dkr6cgD-yipIGgIwQgOK8VqJ3bXWENVGcXLhxBNICUTbb9CQiwzdHh8t3VyHKPfjKxrWC/s1600/Jim+Jim+Trip+A3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgaQEgQ3U2tm3TotzPkh5gXq2w390Plu-nv0c8BBvXzSKZvNDDq87vUxhu-mTodDrSeZeC20Dkr6cgD-yipIGgIwQgOK8VqJ3bXWENVGcXLhxBNICUTbb9CQiwzdHh8t3VyHKPfjKxrWC/s320/Jim+Jim+Trip+A3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we climbed up a rocky gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iMspFF-OdJSPACcK-Y29cFpYQHFkM-UXwV5MuuV5atfujafVvXpvofhCdym3woVEw_Gu07qInksP_v6epxCDtN4q2sQFO_wemOLYs2q0U5F0EBFYkf-4ndyqWI5KgDlGH-lQc7tC2frx/s1600/Jim+Jim+Falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iMspFF-OdJSPACcK-Y29cFpYQHFkM-UXwV5MuuV5atfujafVvXpvofhCdym3woVEw_Gu07qInksP_v6epxCDtN4q2sQFO_wemOLYs2q0U5F0EBFYkf-4ndyqWI5KgDlGH-lQc7tC2frx/s320/Jim+Jim+Falls.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQYmftif6QlCTrlbHAI4nCjdQSRofTmh44ZDMmmIysDw5wwlLYi3bjoUtEMLF3KBLgJ4rUVpARDpyHhRQZ2YxXaGjPbBmxNSjOllXObRwuWpVuHZiodE2RrUQB_NEenWGe5GWZEVw-mEg/s1600/Jim+Jim+Trip+A2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQYmftif6QlCTrlbHAI4nCjdQSRofTmh44ZDMmmIysDw5wwlLYi3bjoUtEMLF3KBLgJ4rUVpARDpyHhRQZ2YxXaGjPbBmxNSjOllXObRwuWpVuHZiodE2RrUQB_NEenWGe5GWZEVw-mEg/s320/Jim+Jim+Trip+A2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then once at the end of the road there was a 1 klm climb over rocks along the side of the gorge to get to the falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a real test of physical fitness but we were surprised at how many made it to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all the combination of the drive, the climb and viewing the falls made up for a big day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a lot to see here although it is fairly spaced out over a large area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most feature areas seem to be 40 – 60 klms apart and once off the main roads there is a lot of dirt road to traverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a lot of opportunity to learn and understand the indigenous background and history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the businesses are owned or partly owned by the local Aborigine peoples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Back here in camp it is a very leisurely pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is plenty of space for camping and while we have phone contact there is no TV reception so we really do get away from it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been able to have a short break here too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a tough life and we have to be prepared for the unknown called tomorrow. </span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-18447255676242774542011-06-19T21:31:00.001+10:002011-06-19T21:46:18.566+10:0016th – 19th June<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We are sitting in a roadside camp on the Kakadu Highway after spending three great days in Katherine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather has been great although still a little cooler in the mornings than we expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katherine’s latitude is equivalent to a point midway between Cooktown & Weipa so having temperatures of 6 & 7 degrees in the mornings is quite unexpected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locals are telling us this too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said this the days are actually beautiful with mostly blue skies and temps in high 20’s.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived here on Thursday and booked into a camp on the Gorge Road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a real tropical setting with each camp site surrounded by palm trees and bamboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like having God’s air conditioning working for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSJ5wj1Uzp331r6rH-Yo0yWqLbxdORmhqd39qOUppwrsVObROEHWIowWd_v8iHxR8waxu_aLnTMkVfDOXwoa1DOp2XABLRBNL7gGgnlHXHUelAw6-DxHDMwHGhnwf_1nDy_BDIIaVxH32/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSJ5wj1Uzp331r6rH-Yo0yWqLbxdORmhqd39qOUppwrsVObROEHWIowWd_v8iHxR8waxu_aLnTMkVfDOXwoa1DOp2XABLRBNL7gGgnlHXHUelAw6-DxHDMwHGhnwf_1nDy_BDIIaVxH32/s320/Katherine+Gorge+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3LkTfGfGo6HCBz-kkt2kFzUmn-At90xOtfUQb2unCcO2A2biAmUMVn7XMQHTIXR14XiNh0TFhecMdm-nbJbdoFqRwKhj4wHI15Er2OGRVMM8tW_qUhOMoSpr3wdlWyncmKD8LVVymhv3/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3LkTfGfGo6HCBz-kkt2kFzUmn-At90xOtfUQb2unCcO2A2biAmUMVn7XMQHTIXR14XiNh0TFhecMdm-nbJbdoFqRwKhj4wHI15Er2OGRVMM8tW_qUhOMoSpr3wdlWyncmKD8LVVymhv3/s320/Katherine+Gorge+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday we spent most of the day in Katherine Gorge starting with a boat trip in the morning and I having a long trek in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence it goes without saying that we slept well that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gorge is really magnificent although our photos are a little flat because of a light smoke haze hanging in the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All through the territory they are burning off grass slowly to reduce the fuel before fire danger time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use a chequered process of burning much like a drafts board where they burn an area, then leave, then burn another area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they return later to burn the in-between areas left from the first stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reduces the chance of it getting out of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fires burn very slowly at this time of year but because there is little wind the smoke settles in the valleys & gorges.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are 13 gorges in the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all on the Katherine River but are separated by rock walls or falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We travelled up the three longest gorges by boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do this we have to walk over the rocks between each gorge and board another boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us share some of the scenes we enjoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r1g6QrK3eK017cDOpA4UeF5Ic2RsT-lG5CU5l-McX4twQ26IHGeWwaBJrrXD5xAmqcqvPi_B3zrGl2U-UEuWwIAGktU-ajt-uz3mQqrY-EAN6ZhgaKNH-lTRt1pLk4_LQXDufMfCQ4Sn/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r1g6QrK3eK017cDOpA4UeF5Ic2RsT-lG5CU5l-McX4twQ26IHGeWwaBJrrXD5xAmqcqvPi_B3zrGl2U-UEuWwIAGktU-ajt-uz3mQqrY-EAN6ZhgaKNH-lTRt1pLk4_LQXDufMfCQ4Sn/s320/Katherine+Gorge+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHa_VA1SOpF1lcN9y8Ed-_jIisa93VnqQPq_fG_S-A4LoxGupyNYgSCS9OPZHD9n_4WllZ0xEQaZx1mrvL7aef9b9eOPkVO30U9YflqJ3-eXOOxvG8qL4GeqLuRQFcR9pCPmPuLKx3ZTw/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHa_VA1SOpF1lcN9y8Ed-_jIisa93VnqQPq_fG_S-A4LoxGupyNYgSCS9OPZHD9n_4WllZ0xEQaZx1mrvL7aef9b9eOPkVO30U9YflqJ3-eXOOxvG8qL4GeqLuRQFcR9pCPmPuLKx3ZTw/s320/Katherine+Gorge+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkfbvTQty7lxmRLILmNQFvRNilZDz5l8irqBro8qIcWapc6s76462WbEp94gr3D168DunHhyphenhyphenA3ZGEzpWpgdItbnJrb4vYoIvUycco5OArtUNvs0TdnCitnqZctKLVSO5IVbMRJOfYp9oV/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkfbvTQty7lxmRLILmNQFvRNilZDz5l8irqBro8qIcWapc6s76462WbEp94gr3D168DunHhyphenhyphenA3ZGEzpWpgdItbnJrb4vYoIvUycco5OArtUNvs0TdnCitnqZctKLVSO5IVbMRJOfYp9oV/s320/Katherine+Gorge+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VDfp139C18N3qILJMy4tGt78OqE-U5OSiUcMQIYnoDgc9anYdf2l6CJTGhHLRiA9PwEShjwuVujrG0w53utUEMxW2bslLq_CvWlJZCa1Q2CBeDDKPskit-a-dKXvP8e_G07cCVtCxRr5/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VDfp139C18N3qILJMy4tGt78OqE-U5OSiUcMQIYnoDgc9anYdf2l6CJTGhHLRiA9PwEShjwuVujrG0w53utUEMxW2bslLq_CvWlJZCa1Q2CBeDDKPskit-a-dKXvP8e_G07cCVtCxRr5/s320/Katherine+Gorge+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUolRkLxQWpvC-gVhq9oORpOpjlG3tndDUznqGtVTP5208SNzJKcq1Z0y50xD3A18QZCuXJzeprmJ1kDjpdqJRhK3bjWjfSAugwwbwryAlCmK0s1-qYaP8blgnEtE095C5od6AFu00t7A4/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUolRkLxQWpvC-gVhq9oORpOpjlG3tndDUznqGtVTP5208SNzJKcq1Z0y50xD3A18QZCuXJzeprmJ1kDjpdqJRhK3bjWjfSAugwwbwryAlCmK0s1-qYaP8blgnEtE095C5od6AFu00t7A4/s320/Katherine+Gorge+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There was some amazing Aboriginal Art on the walls of the gorge. Considering that the water level has climbed up to 13 metres higher in some past wet seasons it is incredible that it is still there for us to enjoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPq1NJ44LVcEpYRE_JRYjRMYP_3nEhjZvyzNO810kdCcOXcBx5sYOC9LahZG-sJkkIYSktH3ZA56R7x9eklmj314FewybnGVqV-bGWsDo14eEwrzoqqtoWzveGrYu2-mOG97LZDCrRKmJ/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPq1NJ44LVcEpYRE_JRYjRMYP_3nEhjZvyzNO810kdCcOXcBx5sYOC9LahZG-sJkkIYSktH3ZA56R7x9eklmj314FewybnGVqV-bGWsDo14eEwrzoqqtoWzveGrYu2-mOG97LZDCrRKmJ/s320/Katherine+Gorge+031.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-rFTQqs98z1WzZUuholl1YS3na264luBbxy-GEiHv4C3NsYOlb-i1cALONO3evxWUKQEHzKDGpd9VcpX6oets6k0xGXC0_OPzix_Af9TOMMgs-gcn3rGCxzGr37_6RHr__TeDOgi4uLt/s1600/Katherine+Gorge+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-rFTQqs98z1WzZUuholl1YS3na264luBbxy-GEiHv4C3NsYOlb-i1cALONO3evxWUKQEHzKDGpd9VcpX6oets6k0xGXC0_OPzix_Af9TOMMgs-gcn3rGCxzGr37_6RHr__TeDOgi4uLt/s320/Katherine+Gorge+033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Katherine is quite a thriving centre commercially although most of this is centred on service supporting the indigenous peoples and also in tourism. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearby is the RAAF Tindal Air Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a developing agriculture industry with peanuts, mangoes, fruit & beef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of these are large enough in themselves to be a major financial influence but cumulatively they are very supportive for the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Katherine is the first large town a traveller comes to if moving north form Qld or SA and it is also the crossroad for those coming over from WA, in particular the Kimberley’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are caravans & motor homes everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a Tourist Information Centre set up by the town council and it has a car park just for vans & motor homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost always full.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Katherine River is a fast flowing stream so there are several small races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also hot springs here in Katherine and also at Mataranka about 100klms south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There also some limestone caves near the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people are very “well tanned” as I heard it said on the CB radio as we entered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W9khwsSlavgg-afPP4deDzRb8qIRFib600Nwqw2OXiHiftObhbXb9BAE2AGEONHaGm1GQl2dFz8PmaODzJFUUos0rr1Yry8P5y2iJTVoaeF8sfVImZYM4WPrZcq0vIiyE27LWaQW-myO/s1600/Katherine+2+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W9khwsSlavgg-afPP4deDzRb8qIRFib600Nwqw2OXiHiftObhbXb9BAE2AGEONHaGm1GQl2dFz8PmaODzJFUUos0rr1Yry8P5y2iJTVoaeF8sfVImZYM4WPrZcq0vIiyE27LWaQW-myO/s320/Katherine+2+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Level Nature Reserve - Katherine</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today we booked out of the park and went to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Some of you might be aware of David & Norma Ironside who are heading up the COC here. </span>Then after lunch we headed north for Kakadu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here we are on the banks of Harriett Creek with several other campers enjoying the peace & quiet of the countryside – well we will when some of our fellow campers turn their generators off.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOnHz0bveBQuaO0CfgHtwXoQC_FDy4Kz2pu7kDG0CEipQwdN1vGMm0AFH4yFRHumn_kCZCrK1kTD1ocP6HUtIXPjZZkeOlHUvMq_qWfs9MbN5zIx9zGGDeuIugOZ6V2cx_U5Ghz-6LEtz/s1600/Katherine+2+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOnHz0bveBQuaO0CfgHtwXoQC_FDy4Kz2pu7kDG0CEipQwdN1vGMm0AFH4yFRHumn_kCZCrK1kTD1ocP6HUtIXPjZZkeOlHUvMq_qWfs9MbN5zIx9zGGDeuIugOZ6V2cx_U5Ghz-6LEtz/s320/Katherine+2+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harriett Creek - We are camped about 20 m from this babbling Brook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-43607694367182029632011-06-15T21:05:00.000+10:002011-06-15T21:05:34.675+10:0014th – 15th June<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight we are sitting in a road side camp at Newcastle Waters, approx 400klms south of Katherine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having left Alice Springs we have travelled around 750 klms in two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country here continues to be mainly flat and roads are straight for so long that often the oncoming vehicles can look like a mirage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traffic is not heavy however and the vast majority of the vehicles we see are caravans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing so many had the same ideas as we did.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night we camped at the Devils Marbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a group of exposed granite boulders at the side of the Stuart Highway approx 100klms south of Tennant Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mystery of how these came to be is interesting in that apparently they were caused by erosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One needs to imagine that the hill was once as high as the highest rock and over thousands of years (they say) erosion washed out soil between the rocks and left them as we see them today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there endeth the lesson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkRGqGfUB0p9qPKFWdmFdKApviviYuKj2pW_JzdPwi2fwKkZuDCrqBVk7Jg8TdpJKZahlnagpa_hlEYx3NpB1i_fnHlCqlOM1BgEvkPUo2-lePdSIF4HjkuRFdmC8Zx7uOkW9unIofEW7/s1600/Devils+Marbles+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkRGqGfUB0p9qPKFWdmFdKApviviYuKj2pW_JzdPwi2fwKkZuDCrqBVk7Jg8TdpJKZahlnagpa_hlEYx3NpB1i_fnHlCqlOM1BgEvkPUo2-lePdSIF4HjkuRFdmC8Zx7uOkW9unIofEW7/s320/Devils+Marbles+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlMqt1NmO9_3B-bgGZdfPYFlOSV_DjYqxiCOVDH1Ee5usLb4IuqFAMEdAisI6KIMR9LaJEBd71GF3Dq9FclciL7IJ0EmFVManTG_T_s13FF3QJ7umEyQv-GRFqLNV8LYbHhVT4HeScJOJ/s1600/Devils+Marbles+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlMqt1NmO9_3B-bgGZdfPYFlOSV_DjYqxiCOVDH1Ee5usLb4IuqFAMEdAisI6KIMR9LaJEBd71GF3Dq9FclciL7IJ0EmFVManTG_T_s13FF3QJ7umEyQv-GRFqLNV8LYbHhVT4HeScJOJ/s320/Devils+Marbles+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our camp for the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived at about 3pm and that gave us time to see the site in the late afternoon thru to sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed at a camp ground immediately behind the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about 30 vans and motorhomes camped for the night and the “Full” sign went up soon after we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been surprised by the number of families with school age children that are travelling out here and for them the Devils Marbles are the grandest playground of all.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9X1BNl3yiPa7gJ6XMlwlOkThuvJ12-7NlmxvwqvrioHp_ctZoSFD4HBwl70F0uugPtmOJwQSqw7_ilcXw6VsBBnNA_YALQ5jziJcIvCQQyb63MIRIpKh26q8BEiFEGTM-xEjc8WRHM67/s1600/Devils+Marbles+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9X1BNl3yiPa7gJ6XMlwlOkThuvJ12-7NlmxvwqvrioHp_ctZoSFD4HBwl70F0uugPtmOJwQSqw7_ilcXw6VsBBnNA_YALQ5jziJcIvCQQyb63MIRIpKh26q8BEiFEGTM-xEjc8WRHM67/s320/Devils+Marbles+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they grand?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYMlrByDI5bb6OdsygsnHumOTfSwxkPr57zoaMB8InvXaLsIL9CDqw-VKtHztH5dNwt-66Py6psicCJ0wZR4fLdUADqfm5rXedNJqD0c8RxIQ1sXiUVgPR-UrGcCSzYDFwyEy3hR7fqVO/s1600/Devils+Marbles+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYMlrByDI5bb6OdsygsnHumOTfSwxkPr57zoaMB8InvXaLsIL9CDqw-VKtHztH5dNwt-66Py6psicCJ0wZR4fLdUADqfm5rXedNJqD0c8RxIQ1sXiUVgPR-UrGcCSzYDFwyEy3hR7fqVO/s320/Devils+Marbles+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heard of splitting the atom? Well water did this over time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2CPF0gkZMRzP60-zbftMcUnYm0XdAZia06E5LzEiapSccoafQDm8kfM99HYKitKt8ep0xMAmk7nl1A3LbqtTQVUAev8I-Tg0d1dkTJiz24fsZz2IYDEra9Uotke-S9CT30ugCPdMB9FB/s1600/Devils+Marbles+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2CPF0gkZMRzP60-zbftMcUnYm0XdAZia06E5LzEiapSccoafQDm8kfM99HYKitKt8ep0xMAmk7nl1A3LbqtTQVUAev8I-Tg0d1dkTJiz24fsZz2IYDEra9Uotke-S9CT30ugCPdMB9FB/s320/Devils+Marbles+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using your imagination what do you see here?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIShPvhY-SCWrC1oZCX7w2152GUt1yb3xBan7wKM6bmM1PZhO1yUqHr0ZuhKUyX1GYPfoecF92SSIsSzNe2H_zTENgmyHrpLxXD9E2ePcuBsyl9d9BtCAUak591mfdodPH-JnmwqKf9Kf/s1600/Devils+Marbles+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIShPvhY-SCWrC1oZCX7w2152GUt1yb3xBan7wKM6bmM1PZhO1yUqHr0ZuhKUyX1GYPfoecF92SSIsSzNe2H_zTENgmyHrpLxXD9E2ePcuBsyl9d9BtCAUak591mfdodPH-JnmwqKf9Kf/s320/Devils+Marbles+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Wally who is the caretaker here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5O-Zfhb32bbZaYsXkWaIcmrL3dnQ3O9myDyOaEqt_2UqHdy4HJ2dTvU_eF-6eMDHABFGoayc4RbjmFeQEHMTkL4BQUyW9tKyiU5XNs3ruT5WzsvWG1198Gx70vNqSB7T7_V8u4_od8lY/s1600/Devils+Marbles+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5O-Zfhb32bbZaYsXkWaIcmrL3dnQ3O9myDyOaEqt_2UqHdy4HJ2dTvU_eF-6eMDHABFGoayc4RbjmFeQEHMTkL4BQUyW9tKyiU5XNs3ruT5WzsvWG1198Gx70vNqSB7T7_V8u4_od8lY/s320/Devils+Marbles+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colour at sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C5GIb3zKdsDp1C27oQX1U-BJT2YTaGHI48YdhsIhR1bcqLIwxx3YSA0TkhGGyLCIGU5-HEjQ8mhv3nmpMmTzk8gWZ1ay-0ymwnBafpKodNgviGr3RKJQmr8A6MZ4_I6FTmeq43UzPMqR/s1600/Devils+Marbles+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C5GIb3zKdsDp1C27oQX1U-BJT2YTaGHI48YdhsIhR1bcqLIwxx3YSA0TkhGGyLCIGU5-HEjQ8mhv3nmpMmTzk8gWZ1ay-0ymwnBafpKodNgviGr3RKJQmr8A6MZ4_I6FTmeq43UzPMqR/s320/Devils+Marbles+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice loves taking sunset photos so here is a sample of today's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMjxW12E2PHbc1jH5idsSWWejGmmMdKaNuhiSLOU0G_8x3kpT6jjctCt8eR5vyq7Do5p6dmUMR6zkdH4boAaKzp5yITK_8dY9cwBRHs2Au0C13LLdfJboctwUiU8CUU4f8ic1fohi6PFf/s1600/Devils+Marbles+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMjxW12E2PHbc1jH5idsSWWejGmmMdKaNuhiSLOU0G_8x3kpT6jjctCt8eR5vyq7Do5p6dmUMR6zkdH4boAaKzp5yITK_8dY9cwBRHs2Au0C13LLdfJboctwUiU8CUU4f8ic1fohi6PFf/s320/Devils+Marbles+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And sunrise as well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfWGL-NM_uGXYG5HExYpg2rUP3a-H-qYxS_1JtDa5NeAoMiBbGkmrZj8cAaLK_-uyHfmVh4e5H1dhTtwLvqNiHPJNG6zba7orN4Fng2P62e9iJQ9kJHGtZ0X_t3F81h_coN9CfUbAg5xN/s1600/Devils+Marbles+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfWGL-NM_uGXYG5HExYpg2rUP3a-H-qYxS_1JtDa5NeAoMiBbGkmrZj8cAaLK_-uyHfmVh4e5H1dhTtwLvqNiHPJNG6zba7orN4Fng2P62e9iJQ9kJHGtZ0X_t3F81h_coN9CfUbAg5xN/s320/Devils+Marbles+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our van in the early morning</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The dense group of rocks would cover an area of about 3 hectares while over all one would guess that they would spread over say 7 – 8 hectares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year after all the rain there is a large amount of grass throughout the Territory and here the grass has grown throughout the area as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It adds a special dimension in colour contrast.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The rocks actually change colour from sunrise to sunset so by camping overnight at the site we were able to experience some that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope you enjoy just a few of the many photos we took.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does one stop when something so amazing surrounds you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we have moved on from Devils Marbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed through Tennant Creek which was actually smaller than we had expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped there for about an hour making some calls and refuelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our phone range is very limited in NT so often we are not contactable for a couple of days where we stay overnight in a roadside camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these cases we often stop in towns to upload / download emails and make calls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tennant Creek was again a very neat town although there are obvious race issues to be managed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not there long enough to gain a real picture but many other tourists we have met advised us against staying there overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is sad for local businesses but so many have said it that it is hard to ignore.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We stopped for lunch and fuel again in Renner Springs – a cattle station operated roadhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The price of distillate was $2:10 / litre compared to $1:74 in Tennant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thinks we are being had.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The camp tonight at Newcastle Waters is only a few metres off the highway and there are about 8 vans and several campervans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These stops are often free and quite safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very basic facilities but distances between towns here make these stops fairly necessary and for us they are pretty easy and an early night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also they give us a chance to meet more people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who stay in these sites are often the friendliest people we meet. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So it’s goodnight from me and bye bye from us.</span>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183775759979140410.post-58072774255592738682011-06-13T21:06:00.001+10:002011-06-13T21:17:59.992+10:007th – 12th June<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the cardiologist told Alice she needed to rest for a week one would wonder if he had connections with the weather bureau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Tuesday the cold wet weather moved in and there was no point in trying to do anything else but rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the minimum temperatures actually rose from 3 degrees to 11 degrees in Alice springs the maximum temps dropped from 24 to 13 and then finally to 11 degrees on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With misty rain covering most of the days and a slight breeze coming from Antarctica the chill factor was quite a deal less than the minimum temp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence it was easy to stay inside the van with the heater on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday came along and Alice endured her awaited stress test passing with flying colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her heart was completely cleared and the diagnosis that the lung wall had been affected by a virus was confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remedy was rest and apart from that we were free to start back on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By Friday we had been in Alice Springs for 10 days and Alice had not seen any of “her” town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose to set out and see more of the West MacDonnell Ranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us share some of the beautiful scenes that we saw.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVStnpxRgtNmP0fwq_BRMrBcrphdQ3_QD2zqYJ7TyJpGf4kp2LTSNQZsszkCiU6tqD4_OsxZJxX-BQZuaEvotQGS86a0LfDZFYuUoUjkgxSNlOaKr8HzTC0IP_MUYLYS8XY6LDwc1CMAA/s1600/DSCF8586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVStnpxRgtNmP0fwq_BRMrBcrphdQ3_QD2zqYJ7TyJpGf4kp2LTSNQZsszkCiU6tqD4_OsxZJxX-BQZuaEvotQGS86a0LfDZFYuUoUjkgxSNlOaKr8HzTC0IP_MUYLYS8XY6LDwc1CMAA/s320/DSCF8586.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice springs back into touring mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVStnpxRgtNmP0fwq_BRMrBcrphdQ3_QD2zqYJ7TyJpGf4kp2LTSNQZsszkCiU6tqD4_OsxZJxX-BQZuaEvotQGS86a0LfDZFYuUoUjkgxSNlOaKr8HzTC0IP_MUYLYS8XY6LDwc1CMAA/s1600/DSCF8586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVStnpxRgtNmP0fwq_BRMrBcrphdQ3_QD2zqYJ7TyJpGf4kp2LTSNQZsszkCiU6tqD4_OsxZJxX-BQZuaEvotQGS86a0LfDZFYuUoUjkgxSNlOaKr8HzTC0IP_MUYLYS8XY6LDwc1CMAA/s1600/DSCF8586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorxXXmjapN5EB2QRT_ZfhmzEEM64q7jzgfsYqDjXQZK21WaNglfkUa9qMekPGc2k9J09BtdS9KBitC7bx6hEsVi74-fNXvTdyaq2nkOgz-BLIN36_XC9cv_f57aweqha9rSrDXk538D3C/s1600/DSCF8506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorxXXmjapN5EB2QRT_ZfhmzEEM64q7jzgfsYqDjXQZK21WaNglfkUa9qMekPGc2k9J09BtdS9KBitC7bx6hEsVi74-fNXvTdyaq2nkOgz-BLIN36_XC9cv_f57aweqha9rSrDXk538D3C/s320/DSCF8506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Organ Pipes - Glen Helen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSDypoNHMphcjUM6djCaB6vZDzvaxpomdaMv-dE7mhdGNdoFaHhD4eMgcgKvav5i7NOUWTyJbtT91QFjFLeyamJmEYEy2QD61pU6lTZyDPQ5XL3soTKHeS7hBOOFej2hNR86MhIc8rH1S/s1600/MacDonnell+Ranges+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSDypoNHMphcjUM6djCaB6vZDzvaxpomdaMv-dE7mhdGNdoFaHhD4eMgcgKvav5i7NOUWTyJbtT91QFjFLeyamJmEYEy2QD61pU6lTZyDPQ5XL3soTKHeS7hBOOFej2hNR86MhIc8rH1S/s320/MacDonnell+Ranges+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ormiston Gorge - MacDonnel Ranges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczIkvCHmxv8kezqM8HDD7SqEHFs1DvYE_pJNZL9kofmiZHmen7XDnVhpmUohqQCHbpqYuXhQsU9L6IEhjoS7Pk12iq8MI8gu-73_ZVZNpciFLv0kL-J3KeR_5pri-qPYDBDEjum_HbrhW/s1600/MacDonnell+Ranges+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczIkvCHmxv8kezqM8HDD7SqEHFs1DvYE_pJNZL9kofmiZHmen7XDnVhpmUohqQCHbpqYuXhQsU9L6IEhjoS7Pk12iq8MI8gu-73_ZVZNpciFLv0kL-J3KeR_5pri-qPYDBDEjum_HbrhW/s320/MacDonnell+Ranges+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellery Creek Big Hole - MacDonnell Ranges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RC0HMp8S-vD2QHGoW41H0PzNnNlRSZaYZroHY5ydgF8DRt1ouhlhhFPMZZPcWmmhT1cfb5_sPRqxyeHLQuqjJRlcxZbKvVg6Dcvl55M7YFz2Un7G07Ulnm0zwGH2zYJ21SL5lldHL324/s1600/MacDonnell+Ranges+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RC0HMp8S-vD2QHGoW41H0PzNnNlRSZaYZroHY5ydgF8DRt1ouhlhhFPMZZPcWmmhT1cfb5_sPRqxyeHLQuqjJRlcxZbKvVg6Dcvl55M7YFz2Un7G07Ulnm0zwGH2zYJ21SL5lldHL324/s320/MacDonnell+Ranges+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ochre Pits - Aboriginals used thesecoloured materials as ceremonial face colouring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu4W2Qv3JJyoyLhsoGk3Yhmm1qR1MPOB_YqRAyuD2gURLMyMhJGxfOC004hJOVfA615a4nY1tusXJ1L-UU4h8VxMz1cTNsYVZldSENHwzbi7iYLQv98qY1v_4mSCAQre31XHvX8Tx76hi/s1600/MacDonnell+Ranges+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu4W2Qv3JJyoyLhsoGk3Yhmm1qR1MPOB_YqRAyuD2gURLMyMhJGxfOC004hJOVfA615a4nY1tusXJ1L-UU4h8VxMz1cTNsYVZldSENHwzbi7iYLQv98qY1v_4mSCAQre31XHvX8Tx76hi/s320/MacDonnell+Ranges+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual mountain structure</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Glen Helen 120 klms west of AS there was a folk festival for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must have been a few hundred people there in caravans, motor homes and tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see so many people so far from a remote city like Alice and on a road almost to nowhere was a sight that we did not expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alice Springs is really quite a modern city but it does honour the history in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited the Old Telegraph Station which was the very first point of European civilisation in the centre. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been maintained beautifully and open to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The centre is surrounded by great picnic grounds, a wonderful asset used freely by the townfolk.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismTg4YePk-pzVQxOEXcL6IRqcPCTYoQQOHcc6IJZ9yoLEyzwT0tcl03b3Q7HF2750LS04pGBy6vFfS88JRm_R22mOWis6EWPGWUJWnCkHgZMcuACG9qldJX9NFIZkeUkzNzRQxGVTzRZC/s1600/DSCF8595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismTg4YePk-pzVQxOEXcL6IRqcPCTYoQQOHcc6IJZ9yoLEyzwT0tcl03b3Q7HF2750LS04pGBy6vFfS88JRm_R22mOWis6EWPGWUJWnCkHgZMcuACG9qldJX9NFIZkeUkzNzRQxGVTzRZC/s320/DSCF8595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bet you cannot believe that Alice is on the line!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDBrwC3pBbQ77wzf-4aaQwBTMBzXt-xNCwnvcpzN7HOILecBhd_FSAsSzHD6DXVfcTjsem2ly1VCPZTqX3BxrFZoVAqAK4uwx-z1chXZ-FE7vXJiPFWt8lgOZpl_IsFwtDJP1vX4oeFzL/s1600/DSCF8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDBrwC3pBbQ77wzf-4aaQwBTMBzXt-xNCwnvcpzN7HOILecBhd_FSAsSzHD6DXVfcTjsem2ly1VCPZTqX3BxrFZoVAqAK4uwx-z1chXZ-FE7vXJiPFWt8lgOZpl_IsFwtDJP1vX4oeFzL/s320/DSCF8588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Telegraph Office</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Acctca6jJevFlpO0Xzvsz3IXjcqjYFdHiMIPW8t8SmMOpNAoSIQ0l-zijKzawD7uZ4UZ-cT4HgX1H99dbbsreK_ULyYZqw_OYNDvQIQqPswCWZxahrrHyIGEfBCJvQEdvC5dOxG_L0H/s1600/DSCF8599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5Acctca6jJevFlpO0Xzvsz3IXjcqjYFdHiMIPW8t8SmMOpNAoSIQ0l-zijKzawD7uZ4UZ-cT4HgX1H99dbbsreK_ULyYZqw_OYNDvQIQqPswCWZxahrrHyIGEfBCJvQEdvC5dOxG_L0H/s320/DSCF8599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Telegraph Station Complex</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a very interesting tour for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not know much about the morse code transmission systems used in that era and how they managed international communication in this method.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a real eye opener for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The centre was only used for this purpose until 1932 and then was used as an orphanage for the stolen children generation for some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a long weekend here too and the Finke Desert Race is being held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town is filled with mud splattered utes loaded with trail bikes. The race has been run annually for over 30 years and this year there are about 600 competitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 1 (The Prologue) is a time trial for competitors over a 8 klm track to decide starting positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On day 2 the race resumes over a distance of about 230 klms to Finke, an old town on the old Ghan train route south of AS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all rough dirt road and sand tracks all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on day 3 they all return to the Alice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfx6TIN_YxYjQkYtG4Rnzpq9Pw60iKJDBSoiGEmwKWXb1CxCK25OuVGr9bu0M7RBytorFqSiV14EzuzXsMsR9jo3JPbTGaSe9ATqdswNgR8Lnm15wqcnCMqC8vN49LIUvHgxTSXu0VzCW/s1600/Finke+Buggies+at+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfx6TIN_YxYjQkYtG4Rnzpq9Pw60iKJDBSoiGEmwKWXb1CxCK25OuVGr9bu0M7RBytorFqSiV14EzuzXsMsR9jo3JPbTGaSe9ATqdswNgR8Lnm15wqcnCMqC8vN49LIUvHgxTSXu0VzCW/s320/Finke+Buggies+at+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finke - Buggies awaiting start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19vgbScMm2zBA2OLHHsE40Qm5DggvaPEw0OVhuwQlG5Lmb4xeO2GjVvMuXFDCRbmBSx31lpJWuqNwptGSfXN1ndRcdi-I3vOB_XnxhXo-cUEoBqB6-VxvjA-JoyoTy4mMXqMfkEbq2kzS/s1600/Finke+bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19vgbScMm2zBA2OLHHsE40Qm5DggvaPEw0OVhuwQlG5Lmb4xeO2GjVvMuXFDCRbmBSx31lpJWuqNwptGSfXN1ndRcdi-I3vOB_XnxhXo-cUEoBqB6-VxvjA-JoyoTy4mMXqMfkEbq2kzS/s320/Finke+bikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the hundreds of bikes on the line</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfpFZ4st_w8rCxY4FEEjKPSanj-wEZ0Z-vo03LkUgsi8CSLBZR04Ygih1mO67cYRQM3Zkzo-JboWph-YV2qLuvw2gsChAKTxYUiTHwkjiZ8hVPlcjdL4BQoXXXrhl-zm9Xb6dQtar-op8/s1600/Finke+Bikes+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfpFZ4st_w8rCxY4FEEjKPSanj-wEZ0Z-vo03LkUgsi8CSLBZR04Ygih1mO67cYRQM3Zkzo-JboWph-YV2qLuvw2gsChAKTxYUiTHwkjiZ8hVPlcjdL4BQoXXXrhl-zm9Xb6dQtar-op8/s320/Finke+Bikes+2.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are away</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The race is run over many categories from off road race cars, super trucks, quad bikes, sidecars and bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All start at different times lead by the cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People camp out along the dirt track all the way to Finke – too cold for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole town is turned on its head for the event though and some of the machines are really amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQH_pNtDtXEgy9isUTpfJDsZ_FF49JC87oFoSMl7eOBfmswiPO3NIq5xzsorXvgwJfzJJ0FP4UKpk-eoSRo7jBKf7F0AurO0xCTq_dWDquu13fydiul_AbPU924poPImGr-Ahw4FjMdHL/s1600/Finke+buggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQH_pNtDtXEgy9isUTpfJDsZ_FF49JC87oFoSMl7eOBfmswiPO3NIq5xzsorXvgwJfzJJ0FP4UKpk-eoSRo7jBKf7F0AurO0xCTq_dWDquu13fydiul_AbPU924poPImGr-Ahw4FjMdHL/s320/Finke+buggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our stay in Alice is coming to an end and we are heading north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be good to be on the road again and in particular heading to warmer climates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will probably regret that statement but for now it is something we are looking forward to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Go Go Kerrs in Ozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123323984383532529noreply@blogger.com0