Thur 10/07/14 MB got up at 3am to watch 2nd world cup semi-final Argentina v Nederlands ..... was still sitting outside wrapped in blankets at 6.30am, as game went all the way to penalty shoot out, with Argentina winning. M then napped until 8am; K & kids took some snaps of whale bones that were found washed up on the beach here some time ago and then bought freshly home made pies and sausage rolls for breakfast from the shop. "Happy Birthday" mssgs sent to Uncle Matt, then packed up, departed 80 Mile Beach and began our 400km trek to Broome. 32oC and humid so had to hang 'shades' over kids windows to help keep them cool while travelling. Queues for diesel at The Sandfire Roadhouse, which is the only stop on this stretch; several peacocks and peahens strutting around which was unexpected. More empty landscape, stray steer crossing the road, passed another scrub fire and saw a thousand or so head of brahman bulls in the Roebuck Plains Cattle Station yards. A second fuel stop at Roebuck Roadhouse, then on 30kms or so more to Broome. Staying at the very treed and shady Cable Beach Caravan Park.

Fri 11/07/14 Only 26oC today, kids say they feel cold! They quickly made friends with pixie faced 5 y/o 'Kart' from Estonia and also with three girls in the van next door who are staying here with their grandparents for school hols - Kaitlyn, Sophie & Jasmine. Their Mammar (Anne) happily occupied her lot, my lot and Kart with mask making and icy poles for the morning, whilst I laundered and Michael hit the supermarket!; what a gem! Overall a day of groceries, bit of homeschool, copious amounts of laundry and another huge backlog of blogging and photo downloads. Tried skyping Mummars' for family dinner, but internet signal was rubbish; 3 weeks 'ish' until we see them in Darwin! 8pm, still typing and haven't re-made the beds yet, neither has anyone else I note! Back soon....

Sat 12/07/14 Would you believe 25oC and raining today? Grey nomads are disgusted with the weather. Pathfinder in for a service, so homeschool and journals all day - playtime breaks spent with the girls next door. Michael slowly succombing to a flu he has been trying to stave off since 80 mile beach....perhaps 3 hours watching soccer in the chilly morning hours was not such a good idea.

Sun 13/07/14 Sunny 28oC today. The flu has taken hold of M; a day of sleep required. After finishing off some maths, K and kids headed over to the beach. People everywhere! Tide out and mudrock and sandstone rock pools exposed. Spent a fair amount of time searching for crabs, starfish etc.. Snacked, had a kick of the footy and took a nice long walk. Loads of people with their 4WD's on the sand settled in to spend the arvo / evening as the tide goes out...tables, chairs, cheese, biccies, wine and webber for dinner time....looks like a great idea! Realxing day spent "on Broome time".

Mon 14/07/14 Took the "Discover Broome Peninsula" Tour today. Our guide, Bryce, very up on his Broome history and knowledge of local flora & fauna. Visited the restored Japanese Cemetery, International Jetty where large volumes of livestock are exported, Gantheaume Point - saw the lighthouse, dinosaur trackways (discovered at low tide by girl guides on a camp), the man-made Anastasia's Pool (unfortunately a recent cyclone filled it with smashed sandstone that the council has not removed as yet). After lunch we did the "Pearl Luggers" tour in town. Kids were chosen to model the woollen garments the Japanese Hard Hat Divers wore under their suits to keep warm in the 5oC waters - had a great giggle. K modelled a $40,000 necklace....much nicer than woollen underwear! Both very interesting tours and well worth the cash...yummy scones too! Back to the van for a bit, then after dinner headed up to town again to see "The Staircase to the Moon"; very impressive, brilliant, orange moon rising over the mudflats at low tide that creates the staircase illusion. A didgeridoo accompaniment added to the ambience of the occasion.

Tues 15/07/14 Today we toured Willie Creek Pearl Farm located at the end of 13kms of corrugated pindan track; bus driver, Gary, hoped we enjoyed our 'Kimberley massage' on the way in and promised us another on our way out! Tour is very organised, were shown how the oysters are seeded & cared for and how the pearls are harvested and graded. Takes 2 years to 'grow' a pearl (if the seed is not rejected). Kids in fits of giggles when told seed is planted in the oysters "private parts - gonads"! Maximum number of times an oyster will produce a quality pearl is 4, most are only seeded 3 times before being sold to food market ... the hope is each seeding brings a bigger, better pearl. Each oyster is valued at $10K, 10 oysters to a net, 10 nets to a running line, lines are 10kms offshore, farm has approx. 100 lines....that's a lot of cash spinning around in the ocean! Sea current is used to turn the nets which hopefully makes for nice, round pearls. Damper and drinks for morning tea, then a boat ride to see a running line in the creek and an oyster having parasites cleaned off its shelll. Also boated some tributaries off the main the creek to see where the old lugger ships used to be moved before a cyclone to protect them from damage. Kids disappointed we didn't see any of the 3 saltwater crocs that are currently residing at Willie Creek, but I'm sure we'll get our fill of those as we track north. Back home for an afternoon rest, then made our way to the beach for our sunset camel ride at 4.30pm. Seven camels in our train: Clive (25), Cobby (7), Kahbul (15), Elvis(20), Jimmi (10), Ollie (17) and trainee Jack (10). Excitement before the ride began when a gentleman trying to mount into Jack's saddle slipped causing camel to jump up in fright and knock said bloke face first into the sand...LBA now dubious this a good idea. Once Jack calmed, bloke mounted successfully as did everyone else when their turn came. B&A rode lead camel, Clive, Michael rode Cobby and Lukas & Mum on Jimmi. A gently rocking ride for 30 mins along the beach, before returning as the sun dropped over the Indian Ocean...great experience. Al fresco dinner at the Sunset Bar & Grill watching a spectacularly coloured sunset....perrrrfect evening!

Wed 16/70/14 Spent the day in Broome township and lunched at The Roey. Had a good look around and did some shopping in Chinatown. Kids chose T-Shirts for their cousins - hope they fit! Chatted with another family on old Streeters Jetty where they had found a colony of tiny hermit crabs. Neighbours, Locky & Anne, invited us to join them and their family for a bbq dinner on the beach at Gantheaume point this arvo / evening. Kids were exhausted after walking all day and didn't want to go to the beach AGAIN...but were pleasantly surprised when they realised their friends were there. They had a great time playing soccer, flipping jellyfish, sandcastling and catching 'glowing fliers' Anne had. It was more of a 'glamping feast' than beach bbq - cheese, biccies, salami etc followed by homemade chicken soup, juicy lamb chops, roast pork ribs, snags, roast potatoes, full salad, red wine, white wine, beer, scotch.....need I go on; we were very spolied!! Watched sunset and then Anne, Rachel (girls mum) & I walked the kids in the dark to find the waters edge....we were out past the lighouse point when Lukas commented that crocodiles might be here...valid point....thus torches on to look for glowing eyes...none spotted...so with Lukas challenging squealing girls "Are you a man or a mouse?!" we soldiered on until we found the edge of the sea; then promptly retreated back up the beach! Great way to spend our last night, none of the men drove home, I'll say no more.