18th May 2016

Our body clocks have become adjusted to waking at around 5/5.30am, at around sunrise. It's lovely getting outside and having some time before the heat really kicks in. It only drops in temperature to the mid 20's overnight and the days are around 36 degrees.

Today we are unsuccessful in re-booking another night in the caravan park, as our site is booked by others. We could relocate within the park, however are keen to find a nicer park with some grass, the park across the Ord Lake looks the go. As soon as we pull in it looks much better, the pool is amazing and much cleaner than the other place. As we pull in we see a camper's car advertising that they offer Osteopath treatment and Relaxation Massage, Brad's been complaining of a bad back for a few days now.

Today we end up have our most relaxing day to date, late morning and early afternoon lazing in the pool, followed by an Osteopath treatment for Brad, Lachlan and I had a combination off massage and Osteo. Lachlan's treatment was spur of the moment, the first part of my treatment, opened up my lungs, making me feel I could breathe much deeper, we got to talking of Asthma and Lachlan. Michael suggested he could have a look at Lach. Lachlan also said he could breathe much better after his treatment. Lachlan was also given some breathing exercises. Brad's back also lost the aches.

19th May 2016

Today we actually started the Gibb! Soon after we passed El Questro Station turn off we started seeing the Gibb River Bike Riders & support crew. As we approached the Pentecost River crossing, there were a whole heap of the riders crossing from the other side. They offered for us to go straight through, we declined as we wanted to share in the fun of watching them cross in their bikes and all the frivolity of extras that come with such an event. Only a few riders were able to ride the whole distance across, the majority came a gutser and fell into the water. Some riders had the really big fat tyred bikes, these bikes floated. There was a red horse mascot (2 person) that walked across, the horses head falling off during the crossing, there was also a large pink flamingo floating bird with a couple of people paddling it across and far too many mankini's.

In order for photography off our crossing, I crossed the river in foot. I would not have attempted this if the others were not all around, as this is a Croc invested river, the water was clear, at the deepest point I was up to my knees. (no sightings today, yet a few days later others were there at dusk and saw the eyes of many crocs.) Lachlan was rapt, he's been trying to secure a front row seat for a while now.

We set up in Home Valley Station for 3 nights, it's so nice knowing we do not have to pack up and move on again tomorrow. Brad books in for the Heli Fishing trip tomorrow. The guys he is fishing with tomorrow are off this afternoon on the shore based Barra fish tour, they secured one Barra of keeper size.

The lovely pool traps us of for the afternoon (what a shame! J, were getting used to this lifestyle!)

20th May 2016

This morning Brad is off on his big adventure. He secures the front passenger seat for the ride out. The boys are not happy they are not going and disappear as soon as my back is turned and do not return for over an hour. In return I give them an hour of time out. All this despite them being told if they behaved they could do the Shore Barra fish tour the next day.

Brad and his fellow fishermen return triumphant. Brad caught 18 Barra, the biggest one was 1m. Michael was close on Brad's tail with 15 Barra. The 4 fishermen returned with 6 Barra.

The pool trapped us in again for the afternoon.

The restaurant, "Dusty Bar" cooked up some of the Barra for our dinner; we shared a fest with the other fisherman. There was some fish left over for our freezer.

21st May 2016

We head off early from Home Valley Station to do some of the walks, however the sign posting is not good, we try to read the map the to the contours of the land, however it's not much better. We end up on another track to what we had registered for; we venture for 30 minutes on this and turn back as this track was a big one. There was no one else around and the temperatures were already getting very hot. As we were almost back at the start we run into Sami and Micheal (the masseuse and the Osteo).

The pool traps us back in again!

After lunch, we head off for a short drive down the Gibb to a Gorge with two other families we had become friendly with. This Gorge walk was another example of a poorly signposted walk. However, with strength in numbers we venture on, clambering down the rocks to the Gorge via the long way. Down at the Gorge were Sami and Michael again!

22nd May 2016

Up early again today and onto El Questro station, only a short distance down the road. The traffic was built up again on the Pentecost River Crossing, this time with a few people unsure of the unknown and waiting for others to cross it first, so we showed them how it's done, picking up a passenger on the way so they could film their cars journey.

We dropped the van in the camp ground and headed out to Zebedee Springs. Zebedee Springs are thermal pools that run from deep within the earth, 28-32 degrees, running out through a rainforest gorge. It's very pretty, relaxing and busy as it is only open until 12 pm, as the afternoon if for those who pay $1,000 plus a night to stay in the homestead to get exclusive rights!

In the afternoon, we trek into El Questro Gorge. This is a rocky creek based Gorge that leads into a lovely clear (cold) watering hole, we venture in for a well-deserved cool off.

23rd May 2016

We set off early in the morning for the walk into Emma Gorge. We are told it is the best Gorge in the area, a tough walk in however you are rewarded with a fantastic swimming hole at the end.

We found the walk in not too tough, maybe were are getting tougher or we expected more! We all had a lovely swim at the end. It's by far the largest swimming hole, with water falling off the overhanging rocks. At one side of the rocks a heated spring feeds into the water and heats the water up in that section.

On the way out we meet more people we have meet in earlier parts of our journey.

We have a picnic lunch at the Emma Gorge Resort.

We then drive onto Jackeroo's watering hole. The water is so clear; fish can be seen from the bank. The boys start throwing crumbs of bread at the fish, then a large Barra comes in. So outcome the fishing rods! The Barra was too smart for them all; despite the numerous types of lures they tried to entice it with.