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Thu 17/07/14 Anne & Locky next door had the kids skipping all morning while we packed up the van to move on. Just when all 6 kids managed to synchronise their jumping it was time to go. Katy, Sophie & Jasmine leave on Sunday on a trek similar to ours, so we hope to cross paths again somewhere across the Kimberley; Bye for now girls! Drive to Derby only 220kms. Nice 30oC, more stray steers roadside, flowering wattles and boab trees starting to crop up. 7kms before town we stopped at the "Boab Prison Tree" - a huge hollow boab once used by the early settlers as an overnight holding cell for up to ten aborigines they had arrested or captured. Also saw Myall's Bore here...the longest stock trock trough in the Kimberly; now filled by windmill. Three aboriginal blokes staggering out of the scrub with a carton of Emu on their heads took a shine off the visit a little....no idea where they came from or were going to, cos this spot is miles from anywhere. Next dropped into the Derby visitors centre to see if we could book a seaplane / jetboat ride of the Horizontal Falls .... too late, no spots and neap tides coming; b*****! Staying at "Entrance to The Kimberley Caravan Park"... humid and we have found the flies again!
Fri 18/07/14 Laundry this morning then headed to the Derby Jetty around 1pm to witness the mudflats at low tide. Brown snake sunning on the rocks. Derby has the largest tides in the southern hemisphere, bit over 10mts. Had yummy indian curries for lunch at the Jetty Restaurant, which was equipped with ceiling fans, so we lingered to stay cool for while. Back to van to get clothes off the line, met another bulldog named Gus - three y/o and huge! Back to the jetty with chairs, snacks and drinks for high tide and sunset....loads of people doing the same .... it is amazing .... where did all that water come from?..... Live music at the Jetty Restaurant this eve, so dined al fresco while we listened to covers of Paul Kelly, David Bowie, Dragon, Ian Moss, Neal Young etc ..... most enjoyable evening; talented muso who toured with Mossy for many years.
Sat 19/07/14 Another homeschool day....how they do love it so! After a late lunch M took kids to the local pool / waterpark while K attacked the blog for a few hours before joining them for a welcome cooling off. Chatted with Robyn, Nick and their kids Poppy and Kosta who we first met at Port Hedland. Light dinner of eggs'n'toast, watched Cats vs GWS while listening to the pub band whose sound was emmanating all through town, then off the bed - early start for our gorge tours tomorrow.
Sun 20/07/14 8am 4WD bus ride out to Windjana Gorge followed by a tour of Tunnel Creek. Bunubu people elder Jimmy "Dillon" Andrews was supposed to be our guide for the day, but unfortunately was a no-show. The long drive along the Gibb River Road into the gorges was extremely corrugated and rattled you to the bone. Bus driver did his best to point out fossilised fish and petroglyphs. Had to read the info boards for the story of tribal hero, Jandamarra, who rebelled against the incoming cattle men. Windjana had a large number of 'freshies' swimming or sunning on the banks, which sated LBA's desire to finally see crocs. The cliffs were once a barrier reef during the Devonian Period, and shoot straight up out of the flat plains. Tunnel Creek was a great adventure. Climbing over rocks to gain entrance to the tunnel, walking in the pitch black, in places wading through knee deep crossings, dolphin torches our only source of light. Saw (and smelled) the area where the bats roost. Enjoyed a cooling dip in the creek when we reached the end. Then returned through the tunnel to the bus for afternoon tea, before beginning the 3 hour drive home. Long, interesting day.
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