The Gibb River Road seemed to gradually get better the further we drove west, much to the jubilation of Team Lee/a. Then an oasis appeared! The Snack Stop sign had us both rubbing our eyes as we turned off the road towards it, the promise of an ice cream seemed unrealistic after driving in the dust for so long. But the sign came up with the goods and we joined another couple for an unexpected ice cream.

We set up camp at Windjana Gorge and took the camper off for a couple of days stay. We met a couple, Simmo & Kez, who had been working at Cape Leveque and shared a campfire with them, as well as a fresh loaf of camp oven bread for dessert.

Walked the gorge in the morning, spotting the dozens of freshwater crocs that the gorge is renowned for. We then headed down to Tunnel Creek to escape the midday heat, and yes, it is a creek that runs through a tunnel. We came across a young family, Steve, Lisa & baby Torah, in the tunnel, and they ended up camping near us, Simmo & Kez back at Windjana Gorge. That night that we all shared one of Lea's specialties, Golden Syrup Dumplings, after the other couples kindly donated food and drink to our dinner (the pantry was a bit low by this stage of the Gibb).

Hit the road in the morning with the knowledge that we would be back on the tar within less than 3 hours, and to make it even better the road had just been graded, making our last day on the Gibb a rather pleasant one. Kissing the black top once we hit it again, we went and checked out Derby, then headed on to Broome - finally, the beach!

L & L