We returned to the caravan park, and Matt began working on the front suspension and repairing parts that needed welding and make sure everything was all tight and good. Spring mounting bushing needed welding back onto the spring, as it was clunking side to side which was getting annoying. Meanwhile, I was doing some research work, reading through a proposal for a grant application.
After lunch, it was David’s turn to check his brakes and suspension and he found a broken part that meant his brakes wouldn’t work, the s-cam brake booster mount broke off the brake drum back plate, so he then found a guy that would repair the part for him. Just so happened that at the workshop that he found to repair it for him, worked a man that David used to drive to and from school in Coonabarabran when he was the school bus driver years ago. The joys of having an old vehicle. He was able to get the part repaired on the spot. Wouldn’t get that sort of service in Sydney. After that was sorted, we all headed back out in Trailways to Cable Beach, and walked out to where we would be riding camels at sunset. We checked in and then got to enjoy the warm shallow waters of the beach and explore the rock pools, while we waited for our turn.
We didn’t have too long to wait and then it was our turn to step up onto a platform on the back of a Ute and onto the camel. Matt and I climbed on board a camel named ‘Amos’. Amos was one of the bigger camels in the line up and he apparently is often grumpy and doesn’t like being touched (most of the camels are rescue camels, so some had issues). Before long, we were under way and being led down the beach. We were in the middle of the 13 camel line up. The sun was beginning to get low in the sky, and the shadows were growing longer. The staff offered to take photos for us and were very friendly and chatting along the way. Amos the camel was getting a bit impatient and started getting out of line and getting further ahead next to our mate Ian’s legs, as Ian was on the camel in front of us. But the tethering on Amos, meant he couldn’t get much further ahead, and once we neared the end, he got back in line. The clouds in the sky meant we were being spoiled with an amazing coloured sunset. Our ride came to an end, and only moments after we had come to a stop, like on cue, most of the camels proceeded to empty their bladders. It was quite funny, as it was seemed so co-ordinated between them all. While we were waiting for our turn to disembark, we sat and watched the sun set. The beach had crowds enjoying the sunset too. We climbed off Amos the camel and fed him a couple of carrots, which he seemed to really enjoy. Once we were all off the camels, we headed back down the beach, still enjoying the colours in the sky. There was a crowd near the surf club at the beach, and it seemed like all the backpackers from France and South America were out playing beach volleyball and partying on the beach as the sun set. We tried to linger to enjoy the sky as the colours continued to change and light up the sky, but alas it was the final game for the State of Origin, and Ian was keen to get back to watch. We got back in time for him to watch the game, and that’s all I am going to say about that. It’s not hard to see why Broome is a popular destination at this time of year. Again, it’s hard to believe it is Winter. Another great day.
