Day 44 Monday 21st August
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Once again we've doubled up! So two versions of the same LONG day!
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First NHD-
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Grace got out of the wrong side of the bed! This somewhat sets the scene for the rest of our day!!
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Had a very brief drive round Fitzroy Crossing. Not a lot going on here! Found the school where Jo Sparrow worked for years. And the drug/ alcohol/ mental health rehabilitation unit. JD wasn't sure which we needed most!
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A brief look at Gieke Gorge, 3 of us took a short, hot scenic walk and then we all checked out the Sandbar, where the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers meet. A few lazy crocs floating round. No boat cruise for us today. No time to stand still as the March flies were UNBELIEVABLE.... back to the van and away.
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We hit the road towards Derby to our now ritual sounds of Willie Nelson!
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Lunch at a roadside parking area for rice cakes and road train honking! The little ones and JD in truck heaven. Grace still trying to terrorise whomever would bite.
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We called into the Prison Tree just before Derby where in the late 1800's the "Blackbirders" kidnapped the west Kimberley Aboriginals to dive for oysters/pearls. They chained them up and marched them to the coast!
They used the hollowed out tree to keep them captive within the confines of the Boab while they waited for the boats!
And while the tree was impressively massive, it was 40 degrees and the thought of being confined in it was really beyond belief.
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While we were at the Aboriginal art fair in Darwin the girls had asked me about a 3D wood cutting of several aboriginals with chains round their necks and a white man on horse back at the lead. I chose not to go into too much detail at the time (time and place) but there's a photograph at the prison tree depicting the exact scene so now was the time to reveal the horrid and awful truths about white man invasion of the aboriginal people. No wonder they don't really like white man, or should I say they give that general impression. We didn't stay long as the next group to arrive couldn't take their eyes off our by now physically fighting children and I couldn't get out of there quick enough.
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We tried to book into the only two CP in Derby but one was fully booked and the other didn't answer and didn't return my calls. We drove through the town. Checked out the wharf, saw some crocs cruising and watched the tide race out, apparently the tides are 11 metres!! And at 40 degrees with nowhere to go we decided to keep going onwards to Broome.
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Grace still had the devil on her shoulder. May or may not be the best decision!
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There were a lot of cattle roadside so it wasn't the most relaxed drive for JD. I hadn't been feeling 100 percent for a lot of the day but did offer to take the wheel which he kindly refused.
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Another two hours and another disc of "Awful Aunty" we had arrived after office hours at the Cable Beach CP. but Ron was more than happy to check us in, even offering us a choice of their few remaining 530 sites! We were happy with what ever was on offer as it was well past gin o'clock.
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Didn't take us long to have the Webber out and chops on (which were already a bit on the nose & should really have been eaten yesterday) with some Caesar salad which was also on its last legs (unbelievable how short a life span food has, even if refrigerated) and sauté vegetables. I think I can feel some scurvy coming on!
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Moods improve somewhat!
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N - I wonder what the temperature is?!
J- Why?
N- It's cold
J - it's 26 degrees!!!!!
N- How will we ever go back?!?!
J - We can't!
N- What?
J- We can't go back... we'll just have to find jobs up here.
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It's 8.30pm!
26 degrees
Grace is doing the dishes (after a severe talking to and a meal she's calmed slightly) and watching the block.
Olivia and Matilda are up to their elbows in red dirt, water and tree parts they've collected.
We've met our neighbours who just so happens to be Jill and Col Edwards from Launceston.
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I'm halfway through my second last bottle of Tassie wine! Can't imagine I'll have much chance finding any of that up here! Wish I'd worked on Sarah and Mark Hirsts camping grog need calculations!
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Definitely time for bed it's been a really long day considering it was meant to be a short one.
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Glad to be in Broome. Need to stack some ducks tomorrow.
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Day 44 Monday 21st Aug
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Second JRD-
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The late arrival into the Fitzroy Crossing Lodge Caravan Park last night meant the pack up this morning was especially brief as we really didn't have time to get much out. We headed out over the single lane bridges into Fitzroy Crossing the township. Interesting place Fitzroy Crossing, we found two service stations, IGA Supermarket, a school and a very large Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol treatment centre. I made the comment to Nicole that presently I'm not sure what I'd best receive treatment for! I'd have to say apart from the Fitzroy Crossing Lodge and the two single lane bridges the best part of Fitzroy Crossing is the road out of the place. Having said that I haven't been happier! After a quick trip out to the Geike Gorge we forged onward to Derby. Easy 258km today, ok considering we did close on 700km yesterday.
We arrived at Derby mid afternoon, I'd have to say it's a great place, interesting history, functioning port and plenty to see. Unfortunately for us the CV park was full. I presented all options to the powers that be. After some delegation my directive was to push on to Broome, which I did without argument (its 4 on to 1).
Derby to Broome is 220km with a few single lane bridges and lots of stray cattle, we managed the trip in just under two hours and pulled into the Cable Beach CV park just after 6pm and had to wait for the care taker as the office was closed. I used the time to inspect the van's fuel tank for leaks as it's consumption of diesel still baffles me. Quick set up. BBQ, sautéed veggies and Sunday night episode of the all important Block, which I opted to miss, then bed. Happy to be in Broome for a few days in a row.
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