Weeks 3 and 4 -10 days on the Gibb River Road. (account by Mum)

We are now in Broome after being on the GRR for 10 days. We are all relieved to have made it across with only a few minor issues, although Billy may not think his slicing his finger was minor and at the time we didnt either. He was happily fishing from the rocks at the side on Manning River as he had been the previous day as well and was successfully catching a number of sooty grunters (black Bream) of various sizes. he had released them all until he caught the big one (about 35cm) and proceeded to dispatch him when he sliced his right index finger. His quick thinking and running to find help meant he was able to ease the bleeding and we were lucky to find a fellow camper who was also a nurse. She administered first aid and steri stripped and bandaged it, to keep it together. A few pain killers and a call to the flying doctor for futher advise on treatment and we could continue our trip. It did mean that he was not able to swim in the gorges and a had a couple of days of pain. We have subsequently been to the Drs in Broome to have it looked at and he will definately have a nice scar across the top of his finger.

The rest of us travelled without incident. The car was fantastic as was the trailer- we lost the ariel on the UHF, and a few bolts came loose but nothing more serious than that.

We crossed many water crosssing some really deep and others long and others with hidden holes but it all added to the adventure.

Dave was fantastic at navigating the roads with corrugations, bull dust, slatey slippery stones, rocks and powder. Part of the Gibb were awful and we thought we would never stop the shaking, and other parts were newly graded so made for an easy ride.

We enjoyed El questro and went on a breakfast boat down chamberlain Gorge, and the walk into El questro gorge (once we had driven there) with the pandanas palms was beautiful. At home valley all the walks and gorges had been closed due to fire and they hadnt checked the tracks were safe and wouldnt now until next season. this was very dissappointing until we discovered the pool!! and the restaurant (hot chips for lunch) and the kids learnt how to crack a whip with 2 of the cowboys/cattle musterers. They were very patient with kids and spent time teaching them on both days. The kids mastered the whip cracking, so i thought that i could also give it a go - bad idea. The kids showed me up.!!

OUr favourite Gorge was Manning. To get there you walk from the camp ground but the first part of the 3 hour walk is to cross a river, with a big rock marking the middle. The first half was shallow - waist deep then after the rock it is over your head so you put your possesssion into supplied poly or plastic boxes and swim them across. (we were told that there is usually a boat was it was off being repaired) But we had Dave as well, who as you know is much more comfortable on land than water. we did make it across- with some stories to tell!!

The walk was over rocks and up and down and a big relief to see the water and falls at the end.

We went to Charnley station and it was very quiet with the gorges not so special because its coming to the end of the season. We were able to contact the flying doctor from here so we were feeling better about Billys finger.

We headed to windjana gorge Via Galvans Gorge. We loved going through Tunnel Creek and were very glad to have our big torches. We had heard there were crocs in the water that you need to wade through to get through the tunnel. and sure enough with Billy scouring the water with the torch we were able to see the reflecting eyes of 2 crocs -that then escaped under the water. we walked a little faster after that.

By this stage we were almost out of supplies- no fresh fruit/veges and were keen to get into civilisation so we by passed Derby and headed straight into Broome. We are almost free of the red dust although the trailer will never be the same.

We have a few days of relaxing, fishing and pampering (Bronte and I have had pedicures already) in Broome before we drive off road again to Cape Leveque. then back to Broome before we head down the coast.

I hope you enjoy the photos. Lisa