Edith Falls ( 29th - 2nd June)

Edith falls is absolutely gorgeous. We found a great little setup site and felt really at home here. You really have to get in early each day to get a site as it fills up quickly. Many camped in the car park overnight and then the race was on in the morning. The swimming area was quite close and I was also fairly relaxed about crocodiles in this area. The first day, after meeting up with Sandra and Geoff again, Luuk and I had an hour off, snorkeling over to the waterfall and all along the river banks. We saw lots of big fish and Luuk dove down underneath the waterfall. Later in the day by the bathrooms, Luuk spotted a beautiful olive green python, about 2 metres long, which we all watched slither up the tree.

On the second day we took the kids to the waterfall on the boogie boards and with their floaties. Luuk took Sammy and Maddy underneath the waterfall as well. They had a great time and felt chuffed that they had succeeded in doing it. Later in the afternoon a group of students, from America, came down to where we were swimming and about 20 girls and a few boys headed off out to the waterfall. Another boy decided to also go out, but a little behind the others, and started to panic halfway to the falls. He started to yell 'HELP' and when we realized there was no joking, two American girls started to swim out and rescue him. I started to swim but realized I was not probably fit enough to participate in any rescue operations, so yelled to Luuk and he swiftly swam across. Sam also was a great help as he ran to me with the boogie board and then I went out with this, which the guy slowly made his way back on. The teacher, who must have been in her early twenties entertained the kids whilst we were busy. Ashley was in girly heaven with all of the blond, long haired, barby bueties, that had painted finger and toenails, earrings and some jewellery and sparkly, quite often pink or purple bathers. Maddy stood by speechless, just looking, which never happens as he usually is so talkative telling all kinds of interesting stories. Luuk of course, when on land kept repeating " well, my mother gave me eyes to look with". He was also in girly heaven. They said their thanks to us and were on their way much to everyone's disappointment.

The third day we went to the Upper Pool which was also magnificent. Lots of small wading pool and a few deeper ones. We swam across to a small waterfall which had carved out the most perfect hole through the rocks and looked like a small well, the sides perfectly smooth. There was another bigger waterfall where papa and the kids swam over to. Once again they had a great time. The walk to the upper falls tired the kids out so they were exhausted at the end of the day.

During our stay we also had great neighbours, Kiwis Roy and Kerry. Roy had previously worked as a commercial fisherman and knew his knots. He made a fantastic swing for the kids from a piece of wood and the kids had hours of fun. They are still using it everywhere we go and other kids come to join in. Roy and Kerry also were kind enough to give us their parks pass for WA which saves us a penny or two. We also saw Donna and Paul with their kids Conner and Lachlan, Lianda and Colin and even Tom ( muscat man) and Sandra from way back near Kings Canyon. They had already been up north and were on their way back down. Great time!!!