Day 55 Pentecost River

 We got up early and headed off from El Questro, but not before stopping back at Zebedee Springs for a quick warm soak for everyone. I opted to stay out, and instead just observed and took photos of the plentiful palms that surrounded the water. But soon we were back on the Gibb River Road, and again spoiled for views as we drove down the road. We didn’t get far before we reached the destination, the Pentecost River, just beside the crossing. This is where the bitumen ends, and the dirt starts on the Gibb. Being free, and beside the river, getting a spot can be difficult but being quite early in the morning, we managed to find a spot big enough to fit the 3 Clippers end to end, and a smaller spot for Simon and Elise’s car.

It was nice to sit by the river and watch the birds flittering from branch to branch. It soon warmed up and we set up some shade. We collected some fire wood and just chilled for the hot part of the day. Matt and I went for a walk back to the road and sat for a while watching the various vehicles crossing the river. A couple of road train trucks ferrying some demountable buildings from a mine camp, came through. in the video you may hear a smoke alarm going off in the first trucks load, due to the dust from the road. the last truck also had a broken rear axle on the last trailer and the wheel was flopping about backwards and forwards, i mentioned it to mine workers travelling with the trucks, and they just fobbed it off, "yeah we are breaking them a lot, the other day we only got 5km" Observing the various techniques and vehicles provided some entertainment. We headed back to camp and enjoyed another great sunset on the water and as Matt and I had hiked up the hill a bit, we were able to enjoy the amazing colours appearing along the rocky escarpment of the Cockburn Ranges behind us. Matt was able to hopefully capture the beauty in photos for you. The fire was lit, so the coals could be made for people to cook some dinner with.  Fires are always mesmerising to watch, as the flames dance about. I cooked some corn and a potato in the coals for Matt, while we BBQed some herbed chicken and he had salad too. He doesn’t eat too badly or starve in any way. I again enjoyed sitting reclined and looking up at the stars, listening to the song of the crickets. We played a game called ‘Blank Slate’, which was fun. My pump was being overly sensitive and alarming regularly because of tiny bubbles in the fluid. Grrr. Another beautiful evening otherwise.

pentecost river crossing.

on dusk a bush fire up the road looked pretty cool