We had a slow morning today, literally. Bridget wouldn’t start, one of the bus batteries has died.🙁 we hadn’t repaired anything for 12 hours so it was bound to happen.
Luckily our travelling mate Ian, had a battery jump starter and we were able to get her running (but she will need this until we can source another battery hopefully in Kununurra). First stop of the day was a drive up an escarpment at Timber Creek, much better than having to walk it like we had yesterday at Victoria River. There was a memorial to the WWII battalions and Nackeroos (Indigenous assistants to the army) who had to patrol a very vast, thick bush and coastal areas after the bombing of Darwin, to hunt down any Japanese spy’s or army. The views towards the canyons, rivers and gorges were pretty amazing, with distant views of the Pinkerton ranges on the horizon.
Next stop was lunch and madly finishing off all the fruit and veggies that weren’t allowed into WA. Matt was happy to oblige. I noticed that boab trees were now prevalent on the landscape, as well as the amazing rocky escarpments of the Gregory National Parks. From there we headed to the WA border and through the quarantine without a hitch. This is my first time into WA, so now we have to adjust to the new time difference. Sunset is now at 5pm but sunrise is at 5am.😳
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| It’s a great place. It says so on the sign. |
We headed straight out to Lake Argyle caravan park, and met back up with David and Brenda, and the 3 couples and their Clippers will do the Kimberley together. The drive into the area was majestic. Views of amazing rocky ranges on either side. You almost didn’t quite know where to look.
I knew where to look. At the road, otherwise I’d collect a road train, it’s not a bad road but it’s rough in sections and quite lumpy which throws the bus around a bit, I also couldn’t look backwards cause it makes my seniors concession neck hurt. It is breath taking (must admit we both find this more spectacular than Kakadu). The caravan park is perfectly located to appreciate the aspects of these rocky ranges with views of the lake below. The park has an infinity pool, that blends into the views of the water below. It’s a spot where you wait your turn to take the photo of yourself in the pool with this amazing backdrop, (unfortunately for me I can’t get into water that deep😔).
The water was freezing and not that deep really. That’s why she didn’t get in. Sal reckoned they had laced the pool with ice cubes to keep the numbers down…We also enjoyed watching the sun set along with many other campers and the amazing colours of the rock being brought to life by the lower position of the sun in the sky. We have also enjoyed catching up with our friends and planning what we need to change in our itinerary for the next few days and on the upcoming Gibb River Road, because of road closures and the like. Lots to look forward to
By this stage of the Trip we have a steady following of other travellers who are logging our progress and telling us every time we pull up somewhere “we saw you in Mataranka” or “west macdonnell ranges” or “in Litchfield National park” “my friends wanted to know if Bridget was going to Broome and if they’d see her there” things like that. Every stop. We are becoming a mobile thing to see in the top end. Bridget desperately needs a bath although, it’s sort of pointless.
