Yes, we are finally leaving Broome.

After visiting Cape Leveque we needed to visit Broome post office

 to pick up Karen's early 40th birthday present. 

This present was ordered over the net some 10 days ago and was due to be in Broome within 5-7 working days. I  was informed  by many that mail takes some time to reach Broome. To cut the story short we needed to hang around for another 4 days to wait for the present.

This is the peak time for tourism in Broome and all van parks were full. 

They open up overflow grounds to accommodate every one.

The overflow we jagged was the 7th day adventist church grounds. Sounds a bit scary, hey.

This turned out to be a brilliant venue, quality facilities, lovely caretaker/managers 

and a bargain price ( half the price of the normal caravan parks)

If you are in Broome and stuck, give these guys a call.

To use up the time wisely, we decided to do a tour of the town, on the big red bus.

A nice ride for the afternoon.

 Town Beach

There are 3 camel companies working the beach circuit. 

They are the red, blue and yellow camel teams.

Each owned by different companies.

The camels are walked to the beach for each shift. 

The cameleers are highly trained technicians who can control a camel with 

the steely glint of their monobrow.

The Japanese Cemetery was a well set out feature of this neighbourhood.

All headstones were written in Japanese. With the exception of one headstone.

In the middle of the front row, there lies Thomas Smith, a grand Japanese name.

When they decided to put the cemetery there, this chap was already buried and they decided to leave him. Quite a lucky chap.

Roebuck Bay and the port. 

 Port Beach.

Farewell Broome.We had a great visit.

Our next week will take us from Broome to:

A=Derby, G= Windjana Gorge, F= Tunnel Creek, H = Bells Gorge.

A= Derby to B= a free camp at a small lake before Fitzroy Crossing

to C = Spring Creek ( 100 km from Halls Creek)

Spring Creek into D= Bungle Bungle Ranges, then onto E = Wyndham.

Oops, spilt the Nuti-grain. Got to clean the van.

The Human Garbage Disposal Unit. We may need to come home early as this machine consumes food constantly. Perhaps, we could send him home to Nan and Pop.

The Derby Wharf and surrounding mud flats. 

The tide can rise to 12 metres and boy does it move quickly.

Definately, no swimming!!!!!!!

Maybe some mudcrab for dinner?????????

Plenty of mud.???

As it turned out, we only caught under size crabs, that sounds great hey. 

A visit to an Indigenous Art Centre.

Our free camp site for the night. 

Travel Tip #1 from the Lloyds on tour.

Purchase this book. 

Buy the Camps Australia booklet, it has 1000's of camp sites for you in each state.

Camps Australia Wide 6 includes the Hema Road Atlas, with the campsites positioned in their approximate locations on the maps. 

This book is not just a guide to camping spots for certain areas, but encompasses the whole of Australia, showing rest areas, free camps, station stays, low-cost caravan parks, national parks, state forests, state parks and reserves.

Facilities at each site are depicted by symbols, including not only the standard ones, but those applicable to motorhomes, such as big rigs, maximum stay allowed, dump points, pets allowed, fees applicable. Descriptive icons include: close to road; pleasant outlook or vista; mobile phone coverage; dry weather access and author recommended sites. All sites now have GPS co-ordinates, and site access details have been expanded.

Days trip from Derby

We have come across this P sign on many a trip.

We decided to do some reaearch and found out that these signs have been erected in honour of a famous Rapandamiji clan elder. We will use the English version of His Name, roughly translated to English he would be called Scotty. 

Some months ago, Scotty embarked on some travels around the country and to his surprise he found that every 22.5 kilometres he needed to relieve his bladder of some built up content.This was caused by the nervous tension given out by his co-pilot on these travels, her name is Me-canna-not-read-a-map. (English translation is Carina)

The state of Western Australia decided to help him out and erected these reminder signs every 22.5 kilometres to remind Scotty ( His clan name is Me-wonna-pee-a-lot) that it is Ok to stop every 22.5 km to relieve the tension. 

Rumour has it , that Me-wonna-pee-a-lot and Me-canna-not-read-a-map went on to become elders of the Rapandamiji clan.

 The start of the Western end of the Gibb River Road.

 Boab's galore. Aussies are believed to have shortened the name from Baobab to Boab.

It's not like us ta wast a leter.

Jules says a small prayer in anticipation of the bumpy trip ahead.

 Dust is everywhere.

A blow of the old nose, shows a bit too much detail of where you have been.

And corrugations!!!!!  AHHRR.

Windjana Gorge.

The Kimberley region of Australia contains the fabulous Windjana Gorge National park. Within this national park lies the Windjana Gorge Australia. The limestone gorge was formed longer than 300 millions years ago and is part of an ancient barrier reef. The large gorge is 100 metres wide and 10-30 metres high. There are waterholes in the gorge that house crocodiles and vegetation that thrives in the monsoonal climate.

This gorge is the main attraction in the area that is enjoyed by visitors in the dry season, which runs from May to September. The Windjana Gorge Australia was carved out of the of Napier range by the Lennard River which runs through it during the wet season. Trees and shrubs surround pools that the river forms in the dry season. The soil in this area is moist and plants such as leichard tree, figs and paper bark cadjeputs thrive. Water birds, fruit bats and corellas enjoy the shade away from the hot sun that these plants and trees provide.

Freshies !!!!!!!

Tunnel Creek

The main attraction in Tunnel Creek Western Australia is a tunnel that is 750 metres long. 

Some parts of it are up to 15 metres wide or 12 metres high. The tunnel is the most ancient cave system in Western Australia. 

Visitors who walk through the spacious tunnel will need to bring torches or other means of light to see the extraordinary sights it has to offer. 

Small waterfalls spill over the ledges on the tunnel's sides. Massive stalactites hang from the ceilings.

Birds fly near the tunnel entrance and bats fly inside the tunnel. 

Part of the ceiling has collapsed which allows natural light into one area of the tunnel. Tree roots grow through the ceiling in this location.

There are some pools of water on the ground in the tunnel. These pools can be cold and may be deep at the beginning of the dry season. Small fish swim in these pools. Visitors should wear shoes that will not be damaged by water.

Check out Karen's fancy footwear.!!!

Into the tunnel we go.

We left the camera in the car for the trip as we were in some deep water.

Bells Gorge

Bell Gorge is part of the King Leopold Range Conservation Park.

The turn off to access the gorge and the camping area is about 250 km from Derby. Many people access the Gibb River Road from the west and go only as far as Bell Gorge (after visiting Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek) and leave it at that.

Bell Gorge is about 30 km off the Gibb River Road. A short walk along the pretty Bell Creek leads from the car park down to the gorge. It's easy until you get to the last bit, where you first have to cross the creek on slippery rocks, and then scramble down the steep rock wall leading to the water edge.

But once you get there everything is just perfect:

(kimberley Australia excert)

The sun settles on another great day of adventures .

15th july 2011.

Not only is it Richard's 42nd birthday but Karen finishes her Cancer medication.

An early start.

The boys have purchased an exquisite pair of orange shorts for my birthday. 

Must wear them as they are a gift.

Karen finishes her final tablet. Yippeeeeeeeeee.

Harry is always keen for cake.