Day 42 Saturday 19th
JD-
Aviair flight over the Bungle Bungles. One of the restrictions of traveling in a Motorhome is that we cannot travel on roads that are at least well groomed gravel. Corrigations are a definite no no, especially now after I fitted an extra leaf spring to the rear suspension (in order to help carry 3/4 of the contents of our house ) Driving the van over corrigations is like driving a car with hexagonal wheels whilst repeatingly hitting yourself in the temple with a teaspoon. So we decided the only way we were going to be able to see the Bungle Bungles was to do a scenic flight. Nicole's Aunt and Uncle, Aya and Woody had done a similar flight a few years previously and had suggested Sling Air who have since changed their name to Aviair, there didn't seem to be any mention in any of the brochures about "most powerful or fastest in Kunanurra" so we booked with Aviair.
After our helicopter flight over Ayers Rock where Grace spent most of the flight on her phone, Olivia felt ill and Matilda did her best Darth Vader impressions over the intercom we decided that, if we made the necessary arrangements, the kids could have some downtime in the van while Nicole and I did the two hour flight. The worst case scenario was if the plane went down the three girls would be stuck in a CV park in Kunanurra. Nicole set about making the "necessary arrangements".....Caravan park office was notified, Fidge and Tim Agnew were notified ( they are 1986km away!) checks were made with Civil Aviation Safety Authority on Aviair's airworthiness, and local police were notified. In all seriousness the lengths my wife will go to ensure the safety of our children in admirable albeit slightly frustrating! Satisfied all bases were covered we headed to the airport. On arrival we were promptly put on the scales! I had given our weight to the lady on the phone the day previously, I had told her I was 85kgs, 6ft 1in and all muscle, which is mostly likely why there was much whispering and giggling when I weighed in. Feeling slightly hurt and embarrassed we were led out onto the tarmac to board the plane a Cessna Caravan. The plane looks just like its name, a caravan with wings. When I looked at the tears on Nicole's face, I thought her reaction to the plane was a bit unjustified! What was she expecting a private Learjet? Then I realised she was having major second thoughts about the flight. To her credit she was able to overcome her emotions and with my hand around her wrist we boarded the flying caravan!
Our flight gave us aerial views of the Ord River and irrigation scheme, Argyle Dam and Lake, the Bungle Bungles and finally the Argyle diamond mine. Great way to see it all.
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Apparently, seems a bit hard to believe, the Bungle Bungles were only discovered in 1982 when a film crew went up to film something about cattle in Texas Station.
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When building the Argyle dam, to quarry the rock, the construction crew used the worlds largest non nuclear explosion. The detonation registered on the richter in Brisbane.
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ND-
Amazing flight albeit a wee bit bumpy. Safely back on Terra Firma, Godparents informed of mission success and they could rest at ease. Girls still happily tucked up in the van watching some rubbish on TV.
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We thought it best to add something of educational interest to their day and set of to the Zebra Rock Gallery. The only place in the world to mine this extraordinary stone which they crafted into all sorts of stuff from necklaces to wine racks! Didn't buy anything!
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But JD did ask how much they wanted for the lake front property which is on the market and according to JD has "Loads of opportunity! Waters only
$6 megalitre! I've been trying to think what we could grow!"
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The Zebra Rock Gallery had fish feeding from their jetty which overlooks elephant rock. The kids entertained another group of travelers with their expert knowledge of how the make the Archer fish spit food from there hands with exact calculations of projection for success. Stopped on the way out to check out a massive hollowed out Boabab tree.
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Once it had cooled down to around 30 degrees we set off on a walk through Mirima National Park (Mini Bungle Bungles) & up to the look out over Kunanurra.
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Back for a swim, dinner- rice salad, bed!