Bungles Continued......

As the boy’s mentioned we really enjoyed the Bungles. There are a lot of walks you can do some even overnight if you are that way inclined. We are managing walks up to 5 hours or 7-9km without too much trouble. It seems we are limited mostly by how far Susan and I can walk! Our strategy is we send Lachlan out in front and he sets the pace, the more rocks to clamber over the better. What does slow us down is when the boys spot a pool with frogs or a grasshopper; this could mean a break of 4-5 minutes! The drive into the Bungles was slow, taking just less than 2 hours for the 56km, but well worth it. The formations are amazing. The camping facilities here are great also.

No facts on the Bungles as our camp was raided by Wallabies and they ate all the trail maps.

Bungle Bungles - day 2 by Samuel

Today we set off to the Bungle range. We walked into a gorge with a pool of water, we spent lot of time trying to catch frogs. We walked to Cathedral gorge, the echo was amazing and so good that we could hear a frog from all the way across the cavern. We went to Picaninny lookout, we saw lots of beehive formations and termite mounds. We went to the window after having lots of fun jumping over crevices and dips. It was amazing, there was a huge hole in a beehive formation. We walked back and hopped in the car. Later we went to a lookout and watched the light of the sunset dim on the Bungles.

The Bungle Bungles - day 1 by Lachlan

Today we went for some walks. We drove to the bloodwoods to do the minipalms gorge. We walked in a creek most of the way. We went under rocks through rocks and over rocks. Then we went to Echidna Chasm. We were in a creek the whole way. There  were lots of rocks on the ground. There were two split ones. It was very narrow and big.

Kununurra

Have spent the last three days here in Kununurra. Had a nice unpowered site near the billabong and also next to a family we met a day earlier at Lake Argyle.  We go together yesterday and hired a little dingy for ta few hours and went on the lake ( what was the ord river) really nice afternoon. I caught a large catfiish, so still no "barra".Have done many of the site here but will spend another 2-3 days before we head west along the gibb river rd. Weather is perfect, hod days, cooling at night. Had to top up the stores again.......Not sure how we will get it all in the trailer when we leave for the Gibb. The town here is very green, lost of large shady trees. Comfortable living as Samuel would say. There is also a resident croc (freshwater) that comes to the water edge, this was interesting. I'll make sure I pack away my rubbish bin tonight!! Have bumped into other campers we have seen at Keep River, Zebra and Lake Argyle and we think it's possibly we will see more of them if they are heading the same direction as us. Heading for the Bungles, ElQuestro, and around towards Wyndam and then back to  Kununurra where we will restock again.

If it never rained here again, there is enough water stored in the lake to supply the area for 7 years. Also, 75% of the irrigation properties are planted with sandlewood

Mirimar National Park

 Rainbow Bee-eater

 River Ord trip with family we met a few days ago

Catfish!! (catch and release)

Lake Argyle by Toby

This morning we were all excited because we were going on an afternoon cruise on Lake Argyle. We headed towards the boat ramp on the bus, we stopped a few times to be told information, like when they did the coyote blast which is one of the biggest explosions in Australian history and that Lake Argyle can hold 21 Sydney harbours. When we got there the boat was waiting for us. We were the second family to go on the boat.

We saw lots of fresh water crocodiles and you were allowed to stand up the whole time. Samuel, Lachlan and I all had a turn at driving the boat. Later on we got to feed the fish and there were drinks and nibblies for us to eat. We saw a baby crocodile that was only about 15cm. We saw Euros on an island and they all had names, their names were Bob, Jack, Jimmy and Bec. Later on, on the way back we stopped in the middle of the Lake and swam and watched the sun set. I was the first one to jump into the water, it was nice and warm, it was really deep and I was the first one to jump off the roof of the boat!!! It was absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lachlan’s Birthday by Lachlan

On my birthday I opened my presents in the morning. I got lego, aerobie pro, uno and some money. Then we went for a walk.  There were some birds and we climbed rocks.

After lunch we had caramel cake with candles and lemonade. It was hot, hot HOT! on my birthday. 

The day after my birthday we saw a dingo in the morning. He was howling.

Zebra Rock Mine and Keep River NP

Only short drive west for a one night stay at Zebra Rock Mine. A little off the main track but a nice campsite.  The  boys picked up some more rocks for us to bring home. Not sure how we will carry them all!!  This is the only location in the world you can find Zebra Rock..so they say. Anyway, it was a nice overnight and only a short 30km to our next camp at Keep River National Park. Now I’m feeling like the grey nomads, pulling up at midday. Found a shady site which we needed as the day’s were really hot, up to 35 one day. In the middle of the camping area was a large rock formation which was used extensively as a climbing wall. (until Toby fell on the last day) Did both the walks here, leaving very early for the 8k as it was 35 again. So sat around camp in the afternoon. We seem to have many groups come over and talk to us, not sure if it’s the smell of hot bread Susan’s just baked, me strolling around without my shirt off, or the boy’s sitting quietly doing their homework. On the baking. We celebrated Lachlans 7^th Birthday with a freshly baked cake out of the camp oven  (getting quite proficient  now, only burnt 1 x bread and 1 x upside down cake) and a bottle of lemonade. What a treat. 

  

Victoria River and Gregory National Park

Finally made the turn to the west. We had a very easy day to the Victoria River and camped at the back of the roadhouse as we wanted an early start for two walks in the morning and the forecast was hot again. In the morning the boys a kick of the footy and they were joined by some Aboriginal boys from a visiting school on the way home from a sports day in Timber Creek. This was great o watch, the boys had a ball. When asked though, “dad they where really good”. We headed off for the walks. These where brilliant, particularly the one up Joe’s Creek.  We in the shade of the escarpment and the area was a mass of palms, ferns and panadanas. We camped the next two nights at the Bullita Campground 47km off the highway in Gregory NP.  I was very quiet there, only one other camper. Good facilities, shade, water and fire pits but very dry and dusty. The boy's got absolutely filthy playing in the dirt.  Locals are saying it was a dry wet season this year. Lots of bird life, had a good sighting of a White Bellied Sea Eagle that flew over morning and night. Took a trip to Limestone gorge. This was also good walk but a very hot day again and Susan and I suffered a little this afternoon. 

Augustus Gregory who explored the region in 1855 arrived on a ship named the Tom Tough. 

 view from the escarpment  walk

 joes creek walk

 limestone gorge

a turtle

Susan and Lachlan resting  after the walk

Katherine

Unfortunately we had to leave Edith Falls after only two nights and headed back to Katherine. Here we stayed a couple of nights with my cousin Holi Catton who works locally in health services. We have a great couple of day's there camped in Holi’s back yard. The boys did some classes on line which were much more successful than earlier. We also topped up the stores,  washed and sorted clothes. I had to do some small repairs - to the trailer, not the car! We also had a great swim at the hot pools. One thing we have noticed is the caravan travellers or grey nomads on the road. They are everywhere up here. It’s not unusual to see them pull into a park or stop at lunchtime. We often have them tell us about the next free stop just up the road.